Decision-making

The CCLC makes decisions in two different ways: during meetings of the coalition as a whole and over e-mail.  In both cases, new proposals must be supported by 60% of those in member organizations participating in the voting process in order to be adopted.

Anyone in a member organization may offer a proposal for a vote at a meeting of the coalition as a whole.  The meeting facilitator shall call for discussion of the proposal, and shall then formulate the final version of the proposal with assistance from others as needed.  Everyone in a CCLC member organization who is attending the meeting shall be eligible to vote.  Additionally, people in member organizations who are not able to attend the meeting may delegate their vote to another person in attendance, who may cast proxy votes for the first person, or “principal.”

The meeting facilitator shall count the number of eligible voters at the beginning of the meeting, including those authorized to cast proxy votes.  The proposal shall be adopted if it receives support from at least 60% of all those eligible to vote.

Voting may also be conducted via the CCLC-members e-mail listserv.  Anyone who is in a CCLC member organization and on the listserv may conduct an e-mail vote.  It is strongly recommended that the person calling for the vote work with the convener (see following section) to help ensure a smooth voting process.  It is further recommended that the person planning to conduct a vote circulate the proposal via the CCLC-members listserv in advance to solicit comments from eligible voters, and then consider amending the proposal based on the comments received.  The CCLC acknowledges that solving the climate crisis requires new ways of thinking and organizing our society, and therefore affirms the importance of the free and open exchange of ideas in generating bold, innovative solutions.  We encourage all those on the members listserv, regardless of membership size or the length of their coalition membership, to bring forward their ideas for discussion.

Once the final proposal has been sent out for a vote, no further amendments may be entertained.  Three days must be allowed for an e-mail vote, with at least one reminder sent to the listserv after the initial call for a vote.  If the proposal is approved by at least 60% of those voting, it shall be adopted by the CCLC.  The person conducting the vote shall document the results, and the convener shall maintain a record of those results.

Convener and Spokesperson Roles

The CCLC convener shall be responsible for setting periodic meetings of the coalition as a whole and for developing meeting agendas in consultation with coalition members.  The convener shall also be responsible for keeping records of meeting minutes and decisions made via e-mail, and for maintaining up-to-date lists of people on the CCLC members and allies listservs.

CCLC spokespeople shall be authorized to speak on behalf of the CCLC, consistent with positions adopted previously by the coalition.  The convener may or may not also be a spokesperson.  CCLC spokespeople may use their discretion to sign letters and petitions on behalf of the CCLC if the letter or petition is consistent with existing CCLC positions.  Spokespeople shall inform people of those signatures via the CCLC-members listserv.  Spokespeople are strongly encouraged to call for votes before signing letters or petitions on behalf of the CCLC if they are in any doubt as to whether the positions therein are consistent with existing CCLC positions.

Anyone interested in becoming the CCLC convener shall first serve a one-year term as “convener-elect”, with approval of the coalition as a whole.  The coalition as a whole shall then approve the convener-elect moving into the convener role after one year.  CCLC spokespeople shall also be approved by the coalition as a whole.  There is no limit to the number of people who may serve as spokespeople, and no limitations on the time spokespeople may serve.  If you are in a CCLC member organization and are interested in either the convener-elect or spokesperson roles, please contact us at info@colivableclimate.org.

E-mail Listserv Guidelines

The CCLC maintains two e-mail listservs: one for people in member organizations (cclc-members), and one for people in member organizations and our allies (cclc-all).  The first listserv is used primarily to conduct the coalition’s business, including discussions of proposed new positions and e-mail voting.  The second is used to share information of potential interest to all members and allies, including calls to action, upcoming events, news and job announcements.  Names and e-addresses of all members and allies are sent out via e-mail by the convener whenever names are added.

CCLC members and allies should observe the following guidelines when using either listserv:

  • Be respectful of others’ opinions. When there is a disagreement, please use “I statements” and take conversations “offline” if needed to resolve conflict.
  • Be kind.
  • Be anti-racist and respectful of all diverse cultures, backgrounds, religions, ethnicities, gender and sexual orientations, and other identities.
  • Do not make statements supporting or opposing candidates for public office, and do not make statements endorsing the purchase of any product or service.  Many CCLC member organizations are incorporated under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, and must therefore not engage in either electoral or commercial activity.
  • Do not include any other listservs or individuals in the address line (to, cc, or bcc) when sending e-mail to CCLC listservs.
  • Finally, keep in mind that listserv e-mail traffic can easily become overwhelming! Consider whether you need to “reply all” when responding to a message sent over the listserv.  Please be concise and do not send an excessive number of e-mails.
  • If you find yourself sending more than one or two e-mails over the listserv each day, consider whether the next one is really necessary.

Users of the cclc-members listserv should observe the following additional guidelines:

  • Obtain permission from the originator of any message sent out over this listserv before sharing it with people not on the listserv.  If permission is granted, the originator may specify the conditions for sharing information in the original message, such as attribution, paraphrasing, etc.  When in doubt, ask the sender.  This same guideline applies to messages sent via distribution lists maintained by CCLC committees. 
  • When sharing information, please cite your sources and be aware of intellectual property and proprietary information.