Charter

HAUDENOSAUNEE & RASERON:NI NEIGHBOURHOOD CHARTER

THE PURPOSE

The PURPOSE OF THIS CHARTER IS To improve the quality of life for people who live, work and play in the Haudenosaunee & Raseron:ni Neighbourhood of Brantford, Six Nations Domain.

THE SCOPE

This charter applies to those who LIVE, WORK & PLAY in the HAUDENOSAUNEE & RASERON:NI NEIGHBOURHOOD of Brantford and who are committed to the PURPOSE and GOALS of this charter.

The CONTENT OUTLINED IN THIS DOCUMENT will only pertain to CHARTER MEMBER MEETINGS, SUB-COMMITTEE meetings AND deliverables OF THE CHARTER.

THE GOALS

1. Diversity in Cultural Backgrounds / Nationalities, etc…
   Promoting solidarity within cultural and social groups and the community at large.
2. Services that enhance quality of life.
   Promoting and designing services that encourage excellence, address challenges and contribute to our individual and collective well-being.
3. Empowerment – helping people realize their full potential.
   Empowering the people who LIVE, WORK AND PLAY in the Haudenosaunee & Raseron:ni community to realize their full potential.
4. Improved communication and representation of community
   Encouraging active engagement and effective communication within the community so that the needs of the neighbourhood are properly understood and addressed.
5. Neighbourhood Design
   Working to establish a physical environment that prioritizes HEALTH, SAFETY AND SUSTAINABILITY.
6. Working together to help each other
   Unifying residents and organizations into a cohesive team that encourages people to contribute to the community

Member Goals: To Be Added as made available.

GROUND RULES

THE GOALS OUTLINED IN THE FOLLOWING PAGES EMPHASIZE THE “SPIRIT OF THE CHARTER”.

IT IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHARTER TO KEEP MOMENTUM GOING, YET IT IS RECOGNIZED THAT THERE WILL BE VOTES AND ACTIONS THAT ARE MORE CRITICAL THAN OTHERS. THE INTENTION OF THESE GROUND RULES IS NOT TO HINDER OR OBSTRUCT COLLABORATION AND CONSENSUS BUILDING RATHER TO PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK FOR HEALTHY DISCUSSION AND DEBATE.

WHEREVER A SPECIFIC GROUND RULE DOES NOT EXIST TO ADDRESS UNFORESEEN ISSUES, IT IS AGREED UPON THAT THE SPIRIT OF THE CHARTER WILL TAKE PRECEDENCE ABOVE ALL ELSE.

DECISION-MAKING PROCESS

1. Except as otherwise provided in these rules, decisions can be made only at Charter meetings that are attended by a quorum of Charter members.

A QUORUM MUST INCLUDE A MINIMUM OF 5 RESIDENTS.

2. Whenever possible, Charter decisions shall be made by consensus, otherwise the following voting rules will apply:

a) The topic on which a vote is being held must have been discussed at a previous meeting.
b) When consensus is not possible, decisions shall be made by a formal seconded motion approved by a majority vote of a quorum of the Charter.
c) Only Charter members may make, second or vote to approve or disapprove motions.
d) Voting Members of the Charter must have attended a minimum of 2 meetings in the past 12 months prior to the vote.
e) Each resident can cast one vote.
f) Each organization can cast one vote.
A resident with connections to an organization may choose to vote as either a resident or as the representative of the organization.
g) No person may cast more than one vote.
h) Under exceptional circumstances, members who are unable to attend a vote may vote by proxy once per calendar year.
i) A successful vote consists of:

• A simple majority of all Charter Members
  Plus
• A minimum of 5 Resident Votes in favour
  Plus
• A majority of Resident Votes

OFFICIAL CHARTER MEMBERS MEETING

Official Charter Meetings are to be held quarterly for a minimum of one year. A review of the meeting frequency should take place annually thereafter.

To be most effective, Quarterly Meetings should be scheduled around the regularly planned neighbourhood events in order to facilitate the creation of sub-committees, pre-planning and debriefing.

The structure of the Official Charter Meetings is flexible and may accommodate special presentations, forums, and/or similar events that impact the Haudenosaunee & Raseron:ni Neighbourhood.

The facilitator will ensure that the official charter meetings are efficiently organized and will have:

• Agenda
• Timeline
• Purpose

CONSTRAINTS

The availability of members to participate collectively at a single unique time may limit the number of participants.