Organisation: Difference between revisions

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==Directors==
London Hackspace Ltd. is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Statutory information can be found at https://london.hackspace.org.uk/organisation/.
===Current Directors===


* Jonty Wareing ([[User:Jonty|jontyw]]), appointed 2009-02-02
==Trustees==
* Russ Garrett ([[User:Russ|russss]]), re-appointed 2010-07-27
''Main article: [[/Trustees|Trustees]]''
* Charles Yarnold ([[User:Solexious|solexious]]), appointed 2010-07-27
* Robert Leverington ([[User:Robert|roberthl]]), appointed 2010-07-27
* Andy "Bob" Brockhurst ([[User:B3cft|b3cft]]), appointed 2010-07-27
* Alex Smith ([[User:alexjs|Alex]]), appointed 2010-07-27


===Directors' Responsibilities===
== Constitution ==


All UK companies must have have a board of directors, but directorship of the Hackspace Foundation is primarily a symbolic role. We want directors to simply make sure that the company is doing what its members want.
A PDF of our constitution is on the [https://london.hackspace.org.uk/organisation/docs/articles.pdf main website]. It outlines the objectives and structure of the organisation, the role of trustees (directors), the proceedings of our General Meeting, and other affairs.


However, there are a couple of cases where directors are personally liable for the company's actions or debts. The most relevant cases are:
The objects of the LHS (as mandated by our constitution) are:
# to promote and encourage technical, scientific, and artistic skills through social collaboration and education; and
# to provide and maintain shared community workspace and equipment in Greater London.


* Trading while insolvent: if the company takes credit while unable to pay its existing creditors.
For notes on previous revisions see:
* Trading outside of the objects of the company: if the company trades outside its objects, as specified in the constitution ("To promote and support science, engineering, and art.")
* [[/New Articles (2010)|New Articles (2010)]]
* Liability for injury to members/public due to the company neglecting its [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duty_of_care_in_English_law duty of care].
* [[/2011_AGM | 2011 AGM]]
* [[/2012_AGM | 2012 AGM]]
* [[/2013_AGM | 2013 AGM]]
* [[/2014_AGM | 2014 AGM]]
* [[/2016_EGM | 2016 EGM]]
* [[/2017_EGM | 2017 EGM]]


== New Articles (2010) ==
== Various legislation, compliance, etc ==
Articles of Association represent the majority of a company's constitution under UK law. Currently, the Hackspace Foundation is operating under the [http://www.hackspace.org.uk/organisation/arts.php model Articles of Association] provided when we registered.


We want to author a new document which better reflects our structure as a "virtual organization". Ideally this should be usable by other hacker spaces in the UK who want to take on the same model. We are doing this in conjunction with the nice people at [http://www.oneclickor.gs/ One Click Orgs]. Since our organization is very similar to the type of organization OCO will be forming for other groups in the future, we can hopefully be a good case study.
* As a not-for-profit, we [http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/data_protection/practical_application/gpn_not_for_profit_v1.0_web_version.pdf do not need] to register with the Information Commissioner for our members list. We do not process any other personal data.
* The list of members names is [https://london.hackspace.org.uk/members/members.php available] to any other member. We may need to provide the [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/section/113 members register] to a member or non-member if requested for a [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/section/116 suitable purpose], but we'd probably ask a lawyer or court to advise on whether the purpose is suitable or not.
* We're not currently VAT registered, as subscriptions and donations are exempt, so we have very little VATable income.
* We have Public Liability Insurance, as that's a legal requirement ('''with whom?''')


In terms of timeline, we'd like to have the new Articles ready to endorse at our first (and hopefully only) AGM, which must be held before the 2nd of August 2010 (I think. We need to check.)


===A note on governance===
[[Category:Infrastructure]]
 
There are two paths an organization like us can go down for the purposes of decision-making: either the decisions are ultimately made by the board, or they are ultimately made through consensus of all the members. Hacker spaces around the world are roughly split between these two mechanisms of governance. [https://www.noisebridge.net Noisebridge] is a successful example of consensus governance.
 
We have decided to go for a board governance mechanism. Primarily this is because we want to make it as easy to become a member as possible (because we need peoples' money and involvement). A consensus governance mechanism would make it very easy for new members to influence the organization quickly, in potentially undesirable ways. Noisebridge handles this by having a 2-month probation/approval process for new members. We don't want this yet.
 
We also feel that, at this early stage, it's probably not in the best interest of the space to spend a lot of time getting consensus decisions.
 
===Proposed Changes===
 
Here's a list of the changes we're planning to make to the Articles:
 
# Make any simplifications possible since the Companies Act 2006 has been passed (merge Articles and Memorandum?)
# Board meetings are held electronically (i.e. IRC)
# Board meeting logs/minutes are publicly available unless there is a good reason otherwise
# AGM to be scrapped
# Member's contribution on winding up the company to be reduced from £5 to £1
# Changes to company name, objects, or status of the company should be approved by a majority of all members
 
The Hackspace Foundation's ultimate governance lies with the Board of Directors. These are elected regularly, with the longest-serving third of the Board required to stand for re-election every year.

Latest revision as of 06:19, 20 August 2023

London Hackspace Ltd. is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Statutory information can be found at https://london.hackspace.org.uk/organisation/.

Trustees

Main article: Trustees

Constitution

A PDF of our constitution is on the main website. It outlines the objectives and structure of the organisation, the role of trustees (directors), the proceedings of our General Meeting, and other affairs.

The objects of the LHS (as mandated by our constitution) are:

  1. to promote and encourage technical, scientific, and artistic skills through social collaboration and education; and
  2. to provide and maintain shared community workspace and equipment in Greater London.

For notes on previous revisions see:

Various legislation, compliance, etc

  • As a not-for-profit, we do not need to register with the Information Commissioner for our members list. We do not process any other personal data.
  • The list of members names is available to any other member. We may need to provide the members register to a member or non-member if requested for a suitable purpose, but we'd probably ask a lawyer or court to advise on whether the purpose is suitable or not.
  • We're not currently VAT registered, as subscriptions and donations are exempt, so we have very little VATable income.
  • We have Public Liability Insurance, as that's a legal requirement (with whom?)
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