# The Chairmen of each major department are elected to the Board either by nomination and election, or by deliberate appointment.
'''Proposal: The Society should consider how important it is that each department be represented on the [[Board]] by a dedicated [[Directors|Director]], and if this is felt important, then steps should be taken to ensure that this is the case, possibly by amending the [[By-Laws]] to reduce the number of elected seats and provide for appointment of that a Director shall head each Department Head to the Board.''' Before the By-Laws are so amended, it would be wise to make such assignments by Presidential appointment for a few years to confirm that the benefits outweigh the costs.
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# Shared power between the Board of Directors and an Executive Director (similar to the present situation).
The first of these is ideal when the perfect Executive Director is available. This was the structure of the Society under our [[Founder]]. It suffers from major trauma and interruption of services when an Executive Director leaves (or dies) and a suitable replacement is not available (or affordable). We are today continuing to experience such traumafrom the transition from our Founder.
The second of these is best when it's desired to have paid staff, but to keep expenses low. The keys to making this form work are excellent documentation of procedures (which this Wiki is an attempt to address) and gentle but attentive oversight.
The third of these — the present situation — is often unstable, with responsibility and authority divided in uneasy ways even when carefully documented. It is normally unsustainable in the long term, if only because each party will perform only the duties they fell comfortable with, often leaving difficult or unpleasant — but essential tasks — undone.
'''Proposal: The Society should pursue conversion of the administration from the present "shared power" arrangement to having a strong [[Board]] overseeing a largely clerical staff.'''