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GOALS OF THE CONSTITUTION
We had specific goals when we drafted this constitution. They are listed below, and we hope that you will review the Draft Constitution keeping them in mind. As with everything, they are up for discussion.
Flexibility: The rules should adapt, evolve, and be responsive to individual groups' circumstances. While writing the constitution, we thought of many "what if" situations that would pose a dilemma for rule interpretation. Our expectation is that the "Process Rules," which are meant to evolve quickly, will address these issues as they arise.Stability: The rules should be stable enough for people to rely upon when making long term decisions. We do this with the "Structural Rules."
Transparency: Spending of New Earth money should be transparent. Transparency is addressed through mandatory peer-reviews, which is really the only thing recipients of New Earth owe in return.
Accountability: In any governance system, there must be some form of accountability. The New Earth constitution incorporates it through the funds-disbursement system.
We hope that you will review the Draft Constitution with these goals in mind. In addition, can you think of additional important governance goals? We will be asking many people with various fields of expertise to comment. Your perspective is greatly appreciated.
OVERVIEW OF THE CONSTITUTION
There are three levels of governance in New Earth, and all 3 evolve. These levels are:
1. Structure: The structure is defined by structural rules. There is always only one structure, one set of structural rules, in operation at one at any time; it specifies the “essence” of the New Earth system in general terms, without details, and evolves slowly. Its evolution is governed by the board of directors, until the board turns this function over to an international council elected by the Nuevas.
2. Processes: A set of process rules (jointly “a process”) governs the actions and interactions of Nuevas, but not projects. The process rules flesh out the structural rules, specifying parameters and “what-ifs” where necessary. Initially there is only one set of process rules, set by the board of directors. By 2011 there will be a population of processes. Their evolution is governed in a democratic election by the Nuevas.
3. Project Governance: Project governance plans govern individual projects. Their evolution is controlled by the Nuevas, via peer review of projects. A first example of a simple project governance plan is the “guide to participants” posted in the New Earth website.
The Draft Constitution offers a draft proposal for the initial Structure as well as an initial proposal for the first set of process rules.