Consuls
Consuls
In Roman civic administration, two Consuls were elected to manage the affairs of the city. Each had broad powers, but every act was subject to veto by the other Consul. This was the model chosen for the administration of The Augustan Society, Inc., in 2007, and is the foundation for consular authority and limits. Obviously, they also serve at the pleasure of the Board under contract, and under Board direction.
The logic for having two persons share what would normally be one executive director is that the job is felt to be larger than one person might manage (especially considering it is a volunteer position), and because the only viable candidates identified in 2007 was a couple, both of whom were long-time members (joining the Society in 1974). Their skills and competencies are largely complimentary, and while it would be highly inaccurate to describe their administration as being without conflict, these are in nearly all cases resolved between them without recourse to Board authority.
Consuls work under a Consular Contract, renewed (usually with revisions) for each calendar year.
Their contract includes an honorarium. This is mean to compensate them for the space used by the Society within their home, and for the additional expenses of operating Society equipment. It is not meant as compensation for their time -- they serve as volunteers.
The honorarium was set at $1 each for 2007, doubling each year thereafter. In practice it has been increasing in a 1-2-5 sequence, thus the ninth year of the contract will be $500 each rather than $256. This has been done with the knowledge and agreement of the Board. Consuls stand ready to revert to multiples of two if the Board wishes.
The logic for the exponential honorarium is that at the time the first contract was signed, $2 was a significant fraction of Society reserves. The predictible increases were intended to give the Society both the incentive and the time needed to obtain a headquarters outside the Consuls' home; not to impoverish or take over the Society (though should this continue, that would be the effect). Consuls will negotiate lower increases if the Board demonstrates concrete progress toward the goal of an independent Headquarters facility.
The contract provides that Consuls may style themselves differently as circumstances permit, especially when dealing with those outside the Society who may not be familiar with the term "consul". "Executive Director" is generally preferred for this, and may be employed by either Consul.
