Decision on Working Committee Emergency Functions and FAMC Coordination

Overview

The Auroville Residents' Assembly conducted an Emergency RAD (Residents' Assembly Decision-making) process in March 2024, initiated by a petition signed by more than 300 residents, to address the coordination of FAMC functions and extend emergency powers previously granted to the Working Committee. This decision demonstrated continued community support for emergency governance measures during ongoing institutional challenges.

Participation and Results

• Total participants: 538 registered residents

• Quorum requirement: 10% of eligible residents (240 votes required)

• Total eligible voters: 2,407 confirmed Aurovilians (as of March 2024)

• Outcome: The resolution was overwhelmingly approved with 97% support

• Initiated by: Community petition with over 300 signatures (per RAD policy 3.3, 2023)

The Decision

Result: APPROVED with 97% support (524 votes in favor, 4 against, 10 "don't know")

The approved resolution contained two key provisions:

1. FAMC Coordination: "The Residents' Assembly (RA) resolves that the Working Committee selected by the RA, will coordinate the functions of the FAMC until such time as the circumstances allow for the selection and functioning of a new FAMC of the RA."

2. Emergency Powers Extension: "Furthermore the RA resolves to extend the emergency functions granted to the Working Committee on 14.08.2023, for a period of six months."

   
   

What This Decision Means

The approved resolution extended and refined emergency governance arrangements that had been in place since August 2023, while specifically addressing the coordination of financial management functions through the FAMC (Funds and Assets Management Committee).

The key components of this decision include:

• Continued emergency governance: The community extended the Working Committee's emergency functions for an additional six months, indicating that the "exceptional circumstances" that prompted the original emergency powers in August 2023 were still ongoing

• FAMC coordination authority: The Working Committee was specifically empowered to coordinate FAMC functions, ensuring continuity of financial management during institutional disputes over the legitimate composition of various working groups

• Community-initiated process: Unlike some previous emergency decisions initiated by the Working Committee, this ERAD was triggered by a community petition with over 300 signatures.

• The resolution acknowledged that these were temporary measures "until such time as the circumstances allow for the selection and functioning of a new FAMC of the RA"

  
  

Practical implications:

• The Working Committee could continue making appointments to key organizational bodies without lengthy selection processes

• Financial management through the FAMC would remain under Residents' Assembly oversight rather than being transferred to other bodies

• The community maintained its emergency response capacity while working toward more permanent solutions

• The six-month extension provided a defined timeframe for resolving underlying governance issues

This decision reflected the community's continued confidence in the Working Committee's emergency stewardship while acknowledging the ongoing nature of institutional challenges. The 97% approval rate showed strong community unity around maintaining democratic control over key functions during difficult circumstances.