This page describes how the our global community of volunteers governs itself.
Volunteer
| Everyone who shares our vision is welcome to join our community. Volunteers don't have to practice yoga although yoga knowledge is valuable in most areas. There are no fees or dues for being a volunteer. |
Code of Conduct |
We are bound by our Code of Conduct. Our Council can suspend or expel from our community those who violate our Code of Conduct. |
Internet based |
To keep costs low and allow everyone equal opportunity to participate, our community meets entirely via the Internet. We have no formal face-to-face meetings although community members may meet face-to-face if they wish. |
Compensation |
As volunteers, we do not receive compensation for our work. If we incur expenses while doing work on behalf of our community, we are compensated for that. |
Members |
Organizations and companies can be members of our community but they cannot vote and their representatives cannot be elected to our Council. |
Council |
Our community is governed by a Council with 10 elected members and the Past Chair. They have an Internet-based meeting at least once a month. Council members are required to read and respond to messages within 24 hours. Illness and emergencies are valid excuses. |
Council Members |
Our Council is composed of the following members:
Chair
who chairs the meetings and handles administration. Our Chair is elected from among their members by the newly elected Council.
Past Chair
who was the Chair of the previous Council and is a non-voting member of the Council. He/she advises the Chair.
Vice-chair
who receives all the Chair's messages, advises the Chair and serves as interim Chair when the Chair is unavailable. Our Vice-chair is appointed from among the newly elected Council members by the Chair.
Treasurer
who manages our finances, arranges for our annual audit and publishes our financial statements on our web site. This Director is appointed from among the newly elected Council members by the Chair after consultation with the Past Chair and the Vice-chair.
Secretary
who holds our community's seal, produces minutes of meetings and manages volunteers. This Director is appointed from among the newly elected Council members by the Chair after consultation with the Past Chair and the Vice-chair.
About Us Director
who manages the About Us, Feedback and Donate sections of our web site. This Director is appointed from among the newly elected Council members by the Chair after consultation with the Past Chair and the Vice-chair.
Marketplace Director
who manages the Marketplace section of our web site. This will become a large and active part of our web site. This Director is appointed from among the newly elected Council members by the Chair after consultation with the Past Chair and the Vice-chair.
Links Director
who manages the Links section of our web site. This will become a large and active part of our web site. This Director is appointed from among the newly elected Council members by the Chair after consultation with the Past Chair and the Vice-chair.
Practice Director
who manages the Practice section of our web site. This is the heart of our web site, the reason we exist. This Director is appointed from among the newly elected Council members by the Chair after consultation with the Past Chair and the Vice-chair.
Information Director
who manages the News, Ideas and Quotes sections of our web site. This Director is appointed from among the newly elected Council members by the Chair after consultation with the Past Chair and the Vice-chair.
System Director
who manages our infrastructure. This Director is appointed from among the newly elected Council members by the Chair after consultation with the Past Chair and the Vice-chair.
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Election |
Our Council is elected every year for a term of one year. Our community can force an election at any time if more than 50% of the volunteers sign a petition to that effect. Council members can serve multiple terms. |
Plebiscites |
We vote for people to serve on our Council. We do not vote on issues. There are no plebiscites or referendums. |
Council eligibility |
To be eligible to run for the Council, a volunteer must be at least 18 years old (the Chair, Treasurer and Secretary are elected or appointed from Council members and are required to sign contracts on behalf of our community. In most jurisdictions, minors cannot do that), have been a volunteer for at least one year and have the endorsement of five other volunteers. A volunteer can endorse up to three candidates. |
Right to vote |
To be eligible to vote in our annual election, a volunteer must have been a volunteer for at least 30 days. Every eligible volunteer casts one electronic vote for the candidate they feel will best serve our community on our Council. |
Election Committee |
Our current Council appoints three volunteers as an Election Committee 90 days before the election. To be eligible to be appointed, a volunteer must be have been an volunteer for at least one year and not be a candidate for Council. or a member of the current Council. After the election, our Election Committee counts the votes and declares the ten candidates (the Past Chair is not elected) with the most votes elected. |
Campaign |
Council candidates submit a biography and a list of the volunteers who endorse them to the Election Committee 60 days before the election. Their biography (maximum of 500 words) includes their education, yoga background, experience in and outside of our community and position on current community issues. Their biography cannot contain their picture or any language that indicates their race, color, religion or faith, gender, age, economic status, disability or sexual orientation. Our Election Committee spell checks, proofreads and checks the biographies for factual accuracy then post them on our web site 14 days before the election. These biographies are intended to be the sole basis on which our volunteers decide who to vote for. There are no debates or speeches. Our candidates cannot send messages directly to all volunteers for the purpose of promoting their candidacy. |
Quorum |
Council motions are carried when six or more Council members vote in favor of them. At least seven of the Council members must vote for or against the motion within 72 hours of the motion being proposed for the motion to be considered valid. Our Chair votes last. |
Availability |
Our community requires that volunteers read and respond to messages at least once every 72 hours. Illness and emergencies are valid excuses. We recommend that volunteers read and respond to messages once every 24 hours. Council members are required to read and respond to messages once every 24 hours. |
Expulsion |
Our Council can expel a Council member for lack of participation, disruptive behavior or similar causes if eight of them vote to do so. |
Appointment |
Our Council can appoint a volunteer to replace a member who has resigned, been expelled or become unavailable. Our Council Eligibility conditions apply. Our appointed member serves the remainder of the term of the member they replaced. |
Audit |
Our community's books and records are audited once a year by an independent, qualified accountant. Our financial reports are published on our web site for public viewing. |
Staff |
We are primarily a volunteer community but our Council can hire paid staff or consultants if they think it is necessary to achieve the goals of our community. |