The open forum at a CMWC event shall take place in two parts, one in the week prior to the event, and the second after the event. The first part will be used to decide the host city for the next year's CMWC based on the final proposals brought forward, and also to accept draft proposals for the CMWC two years hence, as well as to begin discussion on the agenda. The second part will be used to take decisions on the items laid out in the agenda. This is in order to allow time to discuss thoroughly the topics on the agenda, and then to pause for a few days to reflect on the group discussion, discuss the issues amongst those at the CMWC, and take in any factors from the current event that might affect our positions before taking decisions.
As with all official IFBMA decisions, those reached at the open forum will be arrived at using the concensus method. This means that we will not be taking votes of any kind. Whilst it is recognised that this may seem to be a rather long-winded way of taking decisions, we feel that it is the only satisfactory way of proceeding because it enables maximum participation by all, thus giving the minority a voice. The consensus method challenges conventional so-called democratic process, in which the majority enforce their views on the minority. Some of you may question the reasoning behind using this method, but remember that there's no room for complaint down the line on a decision we have made in this manner - it's better to leave a decision unmade that to leave the forum dissatisfied and grumbling about it. That being said, it is a rigorous process - you need the discipline to listen to others without interrupting, and the self-control to be able to speak concisely on the points being discussed so there is no need for interruption.
There are four possible responses to proposed decisions:
1. Agree - Self-explanatory.
2. Stand aside - You do not have an opinion, or do not feel well-informed enough to express an opinion.
3. Disagree - You are not in agreement with the proposal, but do not feel strongly enough to block a decision. You have the right to explain why you disagree and have your disagreement registered.
4. Block - You feel strongly enough to block the decision. There may be 99 people in agreement and you can still block a decision. This in essence is the difference between consensus decision making and so-called democratic process. However, with this right comes responsibility - it cannot be exercised frivolously or maliciously. To block you must provide an alternative proposal and give a coherent explanation of the reason for your block.
An agenda for the open forum shall be finalized no less than 2 months prior to the event, so that it may be mailed out in advance to IFBMA members, and made available to the worldwide community to the best of the IFBMA's ability. This is in order to provide members with the chance to think about the issues therein prior to the open forum, and also to discuss them with other couriers, so that opinions can be represented to their fullest. This will also allow for the submission of requests for absentee "ballots" by IFBMA members unable to attend the CMWC in a particular year.
The open forum should focus its agenda topics primarily around issues specifically affecting the CMWC event itself, and leave issues more general to messengering to other sorts of discussion which the IFBMA and the host city may choose to facilitate, or which may occur more informally. This is in order to provide for a more organized and easy to facilitate open forum.
The open forum is open for attendance by the membership of the IFBMA, who have taken the initiative to be a part of the decision-making process.