Operations Crew
The following is a summary of the objectives and associated decision-making scope delegated to the Operations Crew by participants of the Brassica Collective (via the consent process detailed in our interim decision making process, with the proposal and discussion documented on Loomio).
Goal
The goal of Operations Crew is to ensure that all tasks are done that are needed to “keep the lights on” for the Brassica Collective.
Objectives
Ensure that all processes are run that enable participation, including:
- Decision making processes (eg: Assembly is run, Loomio is operating)
- Ongoing tasks described in Agreements is performed
- Ensure that legal/financial obligations to other parties are met (bills paid, etc)
- Ensure that commitments made to collaborators and participants on hiatus are kept
Scope of Delegation
The implementation of the above objectives are delegated to the Operations Crew, who may consult with Collective participants, with regard to:
- Determining the structure, time, location, and facilitation of meetings (e.g. assemblies and workshops).
- Contacting Brassica Collective participants or collaborators, or contacting outside parties on behalf of the Brassica Collective.
- Facilitating and ensuring the smooth operation of the group’s online communication processes (e.g., email, chat, Loomio, Radicalize).
- Oversee all financial operations
- Spending money on expenses necessary to carry out the crew objectives:
- For general expenses: up to a maximum of $200 per interval (to allow for occasional spikes in operational spending; not as a monthly target)
- For specific projects: up to a project budget agreed by the collective
- Undertake agreements with other parties so they can supply us with goods/services needed to carry out a crews objectives:
- For general participant needs: up to a maximum of 3 months commitment
- For specific projects: within a project timeline agreed by the collective
- Ensuring that implementation of agreements and other processes are carried out.
- Carry out operational processes specified in Brassica Collective agreements, including exercising any powers explicitly needed by those agreements (eg: offboarding a participant as per the Entry & Exit agreement)
Limits on the Scope of Delegation
Operations Crew does not have delegated authority to:
- Change the participant decision making process.
- Introduce new online tools or retire existing ones.
- Undertake any contract or binding commitment with other parties other than within the time and budget limits specified above.
- Keep any financial, legal or process information confidential from participants
Timeline
Given the objectives outlined above, we expect the Operations Crew to be ongoing unless crew restructuring moves these responsibilities elsewhere.
Context Questions & Assumptions
What is meant by “ensure Loomio is operating”?
- Loomio operating is part of our minimum operations (it’s key to our decisions) so we are expecting the Operations Crew to take responsibility for noticing if it breaks and reaching out to those responsible for technical support (either internally, or to those hosting Loomio for us). Operations Crew are not responsible for maintaining the discussion threads, this sits with the thread-faciliator (usually the person who started the thread, or a particular Crew); we also have the Knowledge Gardening Crew periodically closing orphaned threads.
What is an example of a commitment to collaborators and participants on hiatus?
- An example of a commitment to participants on hiatus is ensuring that someone reaches out if they have been gone for a long time without any word, as per our Entry and Exit Pathways for unexplained absences. This was previously within the scope of PAS Crew responsibilities.