Decision on Formal Acknowledgment of Residents' Assembly Entities as Section 19 Committees

Overview

The Auroville Residents' Assembly conducted an Emergency RAD (Residents' Assembly Decision-making) process in April 2025 to formally acknowledge existing Residents' Assembly entities as Section 19 committees under the Auroville Foundation Act, 1988, and to establish their funding arrangements. This comprehensive decision clarified the legal status of key community working groups and secured their financial support.

Participation and Results

• Total participants: 598 registered residents

• Quorum requirement: 10% of eligible residents (239 votes required)

• Total eligible voters: 2,394 confirmed Aurovilians (as of April 2025)

• Participation rate: 25% of eligible residents

• Outcome: All proposals were overwhelmingly approved with 94-99% support across different committees

The Decision Structure

This Emergency RAD had two distinct parts addressing different aspects of committee recognition and funding.

Part 1: Formal Recognition of Sections 19 Committees

Question: "We resolve to formally acknowledge the following entities as 'Committees' of the Residents' Assembly created under Section 19 of the Auroville Foundation Act"

Results by Committee:

• Residents' Assembly Service (RAS): 99.4% approval (594 votes)

• Entry Board/Service: 99% approval (592 votes)

• Auroville Council: 98.7% approval (590 votes)

• Budget Coordination Committee: 98.7% approval (590 votes)

• FAMC of the RA: 98.3% approval (588 votes)

• L'Avenir d'Auroville (RA TDC): 98.1% approval (587 votes)

• Housing Board/Service: 98% approval (586 votes)

• Forest Group: 96.8% approval (579 votes)

• Land Board: 96.8% approval (579 votes)

• Project Coordination Group: 94.8% approval (567 votes)

• Exit Review Group: 94.3% approval (564 votes)

Part 2: Funding Authorization

Question: "These groups have been supported by collective funds... Therefore, we further resolve that collective funds, including monthly contributions from individuals, shall be used to support the budgets of these groups and maintenances for their members."

Result: 98.9% approval (591 votes in favour, 1 against, 6 "don't know")

What This Decision Means

This decision formally established the legal framework for existing and future services and working groups of the Residents' Assembly and attempts to secure their financial sustainability.

The key components of this decision include:

• All eleven working groups were formally recognized as Section 19 committees of the Residents' Assembly under the Auroville Foundation Act, providing clear legal status and authority

• The decision anchored these committees firmly within the Foundation Act's framework, ensuring their legitimacy and protecting them from challenges about their authority

• The funding resolution specifically stated that these groups are constituted by the community should receive financial support from the community's collective funds.