Operations Team

Structure

• The Operations Team consists of the Operations Coordinator and one representative from each circle.

• The Operations Team is a decision-making body for operational decisions (for example, "who does what, and when"). The Operations Team does not make policy decisions.

• Operational meetings require a clear leader/manager. For operational meetings (which will be most of the meetings) the Operations Coordinator has executive power, i.e. gets to make the final decision for issues that directly concern the running of upcoming programs. A participatory management style is encouraged, but if there is no agreement among the Operations Team members, the final say is with the Operations Coordinator when it comes to ensure that preparations for upcoming programs are made.

• Sometimes problems will be identified that need a quick solution, and the solution might affect an existing policy. Policy making is the responsibility of the Council. But if an urgent decision to a problem is needed, the Operations Team can make a consent decision to make a temporary exception to a policy. (The Operations Team then temporarily becomes a policymaking circle.) The whole circle needs to be involved in the decision—no policy can be changed by just one person.. The policy change needs to be communicated to the facilitator of the Council by the Operations Coordinator, and the Council will review the policy change made by the Operations Team at their next meeting and either confirm or reject it. The ultimate power to accept or reject a policy lies with the Council.

Responsibilities

Click here for a yearly to-do list of the Operations Team.

Financial authority

All circles have a budget and should limit their expenses according to their budget. However, unexpected situations might arise that require unbudgeted expenses. If an unbudgeted request by a circle is brought to the Operations Team, the Operations Coordinator can ask for consent from all members of the Operations Team and if there is consent, the Operations Coordinator can approve this request if it does not exceed the budget for the Operations Team. The yearly budget of the Operations Team for such expenses is $500. This provision will allow the Operations Team to act quickly if needed, without first having to seek the approval of the Council. All such unbudgeted expenses will need to be reported to the Council by the Operations Coordinator, and the Council will review them at their next meeting.

Restrictions

• The Operations Team budget cannot be used for financial aid. We have a separate financial aid budget, and an established procedure how to apply for it. Any last minute financial aid should come from the camp director's budget, if the camp and education directors and the registrar (or 3 staff members) approve.

• The Operations Team budget cannot be used to compensate any members who are part of this circle, nor their relatives.

• The Operations Team budget cannot be used to make donations to other organizations.