Decision on Lowering Selection Threshold to 30%

Overview

An Emergency Residents' Assembly Decision (ERAD) took place from February 1-14, 2021, to approve lowering the selection threshold for working group members from 50% to 30%. This emergency process was initiated after the January 2021 selection process left many positions unfilled.

Participation and Results

• Total participants: 587 registered residents

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

• Total eligible voters: 2,385 confirmed Aurovilians (as of February 2021)

• Outcome: The proposal was approved with 58% (338 votes) in favor and 42% (249 votes) against

The Decision

The approved decision was: "To approve the lowering of the selection threshold percentage from 50% to 30% for the selection of working group members."

What this meant

The initial selection process in January 2021 only filled some positions because many candidates didn't reach the required 50% support threshold. This left significant vacancies:

Before the threshold change (January selection results):

• Auroville Council: Only 4 members selected (Ganesh K., Claudine B., Shivaya, Suryan) - 5 positions remained vacant

• FAMC: Only 4 members selected (Amy, Elvira, Kalya, Marc) - 5 positions remained vacant

• Working Committee: Only 3 members selected (Chali, Parthasarthy, Sauro) - 4 positions remained vacant

• Entry Board: Fully filled with 9 members

After the threshold was lowered to 30%:

• Auroville Council: 5 additional members were selected (Balaji S., Meenal, Riju, Sai Suresh, Shiva)

• FAMC: 5 additional members were selected (Angelo, Jonas, Lisa T., Palani M., Ranjithkumar, Stephan)*

• Working Committee: 4 additional members were selected (Anu, Arun, Hemant, Srimoyi)

*Note: Elvira declined her FAMC position, so 6 new members were added instead of 5.

This decision allowed Auroville's working groups to operate with full membership instead of having critical governance positions remain empty for an extended period.