Decision-making ability within POWER corresponds directly with an individual's level commitment and participation within the organization. This is important because it ensures that decisions affecting the organization are made by those who are willing to participate and help carry out these same decisions.  

To this end, POWER has what are called "Levels of Involvement," each with its own decision-making process. There are four different levels: 

1. General Monthly Meetings
2. Members Councils
3. Committees
4. Leadership Council

Please also note that decision-making ability at all Levels of Involvement is reserved for POWER members in good standing, with a special priority given to the votes of cast by low-income members (see deciding votes below).

1. General Monthly Meetings
   General Monthly POWER Meetings are open to members & non-members alike, as a time for all of us to come together to address issues related to POWER's mission, activities, & goals.
   more about general monthly meetings | meeting framework | meeting agendas
    
   Decision-making: While some decisions are made during general meeting time, most important decisions at monthly meetings are made during Members Council by majority vote.
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2. Members Councils
   POWER's Members Councils are called on an as-needed basis to allow POWER members to consult amongst themselves & form any necessary decisions immediately following general meetings. Unlike general meetings which are open to members and nonmembers alike, Members Councils are reserved for POWER members in good standing only. 
   
   Members Councils are held as determined by members, the Meeting Chair, and/or the Leadership Council. For those meetings when no Members Council has been proposed or scheduled, before adjourning the Chair asks if there's any business that needs to be addressed with a Members Council. If there is business to address, members vote to decide whether a Members Council is needed. 
   
   Members Councils are meant to be brief. If more than 30 minutes is needed to resolve an issue, members may vote to: a) extend the allotted time; b) refer the matter to the LCouncil; c) put the matter it in the Parking Lot; or d) take it up at a general meeting. If no agreeent can be reached in the time at hand, the matter will be referred to the LCouncil. 
   
   Decision-making: Members Council decisions are reserved for members who have previously attended TWO or more Monthly POWER Meetings in the past 12 months.
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3. Committees
   POWER Committees are formed as needed to carry out various POWER projects & activities. Each individual committee is responsible for determining when & how often it needs to meet, how best it should accomplish its goals, & any necessary guidelines. Anyone wishing to become more actively involved in POWER is encouraged to join a committee that suits their interest. If such a committee does not currently exist, members are encouraged to make a proposal to the Leadership Council that one be started. The work of each committee is subject to oversight & periodic review by both the membership & the Leadership Council.
   
   Decision-making: Committee decisions are made by those who attended at least 1 out of the last 3 committee meetings. In addition, please note that committees may elect additional guidelines and/or stipulations. 
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4. Leadership Council
   POWER's Leadership Council is the organization's core leadership, decision-making, & oversight body. Its members consult on a regular basis to address any and all matters related to maintaining & sustaining the organization. Consistant with POWER's mission of low-income leadership, Leadership Council members are all self-declared low-income POWER members in good standing, and each has demonstrated a certain level of commitment and dedication to the organization. For more information, please see our Leadership Council hand-out [Word].
   
   POWER members are encouraged to contact the Leadership Council with any proposals, ideas, and/or suggestions, any proposed agenda items for POWER meetings, and/or for help resolving problems or concerns (contact us now).
   
   Decision-making: Leadership Council decisions are made by those who attended at least 1 out of the last 3 LCouncil meetings.
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Members in good standing:
All those who’ve filled out & signed this year’s annual POWER member card & suggested dues* are considered POWER members in good standing.  In addition, members in good standing have duly upheld their member card pledges in good faith. Anyone who hasn’t done this yet can become a member or update their membership anytime. *Annual dues are suggested according to income. While no one is ever turned away for lack of dues, members are highly encouraged to contribute what they truly feel they can afford.
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Low-Income Leadership:
While membership is open to ALL regardless of income-level, in keeping with POWER's mission of low-income leadership, positions on POWER's Leadership Council are reserved for self-declared low-income members. Also, deciding votes are reserved for low-income members.
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Deciding votes:
In keeping with POWER's mission of low-income leadership, only self-declared low-income members cast "deciding votes." This means if we have a close vote on an issue, only votes of low-income members are counted towards the final decision. At any time votes are cast any member can request a "deciding vote."  While this is usually reserved for votes that are particularly close, it's an important basic safeguard that can be used as needed to help ensure POWER remains truly low-income led.
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What does 'low-income' mean?
"Low-income" refers to anyone with income that is twice the Federal Poverty Level or less. In 2009, an individual is considered low-income if their income is at or below $21,660 a year ($1,805 a month). For larger households, add $7,480 in annual income ($624 a month) per additional family member. Remember: these figures are for TWICE the poverty level (which is utterly & unrealistically low!). Click here to see the current 2009 federal poverty guidelines. Since the government's measurement of poverty is woefully (and intentionally) inadequate, we'll make exceptions to allow those struggling to meet basic economic needs, despite having somewhat of a higher income level (within reason!), to self-declare as low-income. For example, a mom with one child makes $35,000, but because of her student loan payments she is still struggling to pay for basic housing, childcare childcare, and transportation, etc. 

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**DISCLAIMER: As stated above, let it be known that any person(s) believed to be purposefully disturbing or disrupting the meeting or the organization will be asked to leave and may be barred from future meetings, at the Meeting Chair's and/or Leadership Council's discretion. It should go without say that any abusive or violent behavior or harassment of any kind will not be tolerated and will result in being banned from future meetings, loss of membership, and/or other consequences, including legal action. 

Furthermore, POWER reserves the right to bar anyone from attending meetings at its discretion, including any person(s) who POWER believes has violated the organization's Principles of Membership (or intends to do so), misrepresented themselves or their intentions (or intends to so), or acted (or intends to act) in such a way as to undermine, disrupt, interfere with, or otherwise cause harm to the organization, and/or any of its members, and/or any of its activities in any way. In addition, POWER reserves the right to revoke or deny membership on the same or similar grounds as outlined above, at its sole discretion. 

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