An essential part of Decider is diversity of opinion attained by simultaneity of votes. Since simultaneity is not possible in email, it must therefore be simulated. The virtues of simultaneity are achieved in email by using the following protocol:

Steps

1. Proposer sends a single well-formed Decider proposal via email.
2. Email Subject line says, in caps: DECIDER [MIFOS:optional topic name].
3. If possible, proposer sets automatic reply indicator on email to "inform me when this mail has been viewed," or equivalent.
4. First line of email states time considerations, as follows:

   This DECIDER vote closes at [HH:MM on MM-DD-YY], or when all on To: list have replied, whichever comes first.

5. No email response is considered as if you were not present when the vote was taken.
6. Respond Privately (no cc's), directly and immediately to proposer via email on your first reading of this proposal.
7. Assent as needed to proposer's request for automatic response (i.e. "return receipt") informing proposer of when you read the proposal.
8. Respond only with, YES, NO, ABSOLUTE-NO, or SUPPORT-IT. Additional discussion, on or off email, is illegal.
9. Proposer alone will conduct Resolution, dealing directly and publicly with NO voters, one at a time, or proposer will withdraw proposal explicitly without further comment.
10. All other Decider provisions will remain in force.
11. This protocol should be sent with all email Deciders as an attachment.

Note: Closing time and date should not be longer than 24 hours in most cases. Ask for Help if you think it should go longer.

Footnotes

Thank you Jim and Michele McCarthy for allowing reprinting of this augmented version of the "Decider" protocol!

Note that this process bears similarities to ASF's consensus gathering process.

See also: http://liveingreatness.com/the-core-protocols.html