Concorder Association Network
Network space for nonprofits and civic alliances preparing elections, participatory budgets, and com...
Proposals
Members
Nonprofit board governance: adopt a stronger conflicts-of-interest policy?
Context: conflicts of interest are normal — mishandling them isn’tAssociations and charities routinely face situations where a board member’s personal, professional, or family connections overlap with organizational decisions. The problem is not that conflicts exist; it’s failing to identify them early, manage them properly, and record the steps taken to protect the organization’s best interests.Regulators and best-practice guides emphasize that trustees/directors have a duty to act in the charity’s best interests and to avoid reputational damage by following a clear approach to conflicts. A practical governance upgrade can improve donor/member confidence, reduce internal friction, and prevent decisions from being challenged later.This proposal is written for an association that wants to formalize its conflict-of-interest controls in a way that is workable for volunteers: clear disclosures, predictable recusal rules, and consistent recordkeeping. It also creates a shared expectation for what happens when a conflict is identified — without implying wrongdoing.What this proposal asks you to decideGovernance baseline: Which conflict-of-interest policy package should the association adopt?Operational details: Which supporting practices should be implemented (register, agenda process, minutes template)?Use comments to share your current bylaws language, real examples of recurring conflicts (e.g., vendors, relatives, employment links), and any local legal requirements. The aim is to be fair to volunteers while protecting the association’s integrity.
AGM 2026: election method, minutes, and meeting plan
The association will hold its 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) to present results and accounts, elect committee members, and approve any bylaw changes. Clear meeting rules and good minutes reduce disputes, improve participation, and make transitions smoother for volunteers.This proposal is a Concorder showcase: we rank the election method and transparency package, then we choose date/time windows to maximize attendance, and finally we choose venue options where accessibility and travel time matter.Which election/record-keeping approach we adoptWhich date/time windows work for membersWhich venue is most accessible and appropriateRank the governance options, then pick the date/time windows and venues you can attend. In comments: propose agenda items, candidate nominations (with short bios), and any accessibility requirements.
Volunteer wellbeing: adopt a simple policy that prevents burnout
Most associations don’t fail because they lack ideas. They fail because a small number of people carry too much, for too long, and eventually disappear. When that happens, the rest of the group loses momentum, new volunteers hesitate to step in, and the work that once felt meaningful starts to feel heavy.A “volunteer wellbeing policy” sounds formal, but the goal is simple: protect energy, set expectations, and make it easier for more people to contribute without burning out. This proposal asks us to adopt a lightweight set of norms we can actually follow, not a document that sits in a folder.We will choose a policy package, and then decide how we want to handle workload visibility and handoffs. The outcome should be practical: something the board and project leads can apply immediately.Too much work hidden in private chats or in one person’s headPeople feeling guilty for stepping backProjects without clear owners, timelines, or end pointsNew volunteers not knowing where to startComments are important here. If you’ve felt overloaded, or you’ve hesitated to volunteer because you feared it would never end, say so. That’s the signal we need to design a healthier culture.
Annual assembly 2026: set the meeting and fund two projects
Our annual assembly matters for two reasons. First, it’s where we reset shared priorities and make governance decisions in public, not in side conversations. Second, it’s the moment we can turn member energy into concrete work by approving a small set of funded projects that volunteers can actually deliver.This proposal bundles the assembly logistics with a lightweight participatory budget. That combination is intentional: it shows how Concorder can handle real governance and real action in one place. The meeting date and venue affect attendance and accessibility, so they are treated as real choices. The project funding decision uses a clear approval-style approach so the association can see what is widely supported and what needs rework.The assembly date windowThe venue that best supports accessibility and discussionWhich two member-led projects should receive funding firstTotal available: €18,000. The intention is to fund two projects that can start within weeks of the assembly and report progress publicly.Vote on the date and venue options, then evaluate the projects. Use comments to suggest sharper scopes, partnerships, or volunteer capacity constraints that the board should factor in.
Volunteer training 2026: format, calendar windows, and venues
ContextWhat we’re decidingTraining format and organisational loadBest timing windows to maximise attendanceMost accessible venues for volunteersHow to participateRank the format options, select all date windows you can do, and pick all preferred venues. In comments: list the topics you need most (crowd management, privacy, safety, comms) and constraints (shifts, transport).In 2026 we want a structured training path for volunteers and staff (welcome/registration, safety basics, communications, internal procedures). The goal is to reduce operational mistakes during events, improve participant experience, and protect the association through clearer roles and consistent practice.This is designed as a Concorder showcase: we rank the training format, vote on calendar windows using date ranges, and vote on venues using map-ready coordinates. Attachments provide shared reference materials so votes are informed.
2026 fundraising event - format, date options, and venue
ContextWhat we’re decidingWhich event format we approveWhich date options are compatibleWhich Milan venues we preferHow to participateRank the formats, then select all date options and venues that work for you. In comments: suggest potential sponsors/partners, estimate attendance, and note constraints (accessibility, capacity, A/V needs).To support our 2026 activities, we want to run a fundraising event with both financial and visibility goals. We need to choose: (1) the format (light networking vs premium dinner vs content-driven workshop), (2) a date window that maximises attendance and sponsor availability, and (3) a venue aligned with the audience we want to engage.This proposal uses mixed options coherently: the event format is the main ranked decision (with pros/cons and optional attachments), while dates and venues are separate multi-select vote groups so we can use timeline and map views effectively.