# 🌱 Collective Governance

NEC is a member-led network and worker self directed non-profit! We strive to have important decisions be directly shaped by the needs of members. We do this through member votes and direct decision-making, member representation on the Board of directors, member leadership of working groups, and more.

# What Decisions are Made By Membership?


Learn more about the [member voting process and structure.](https://neweconomy.getoutline.com/s/5fb022dd-274d-4514-b2a4-46da7df30a24/doc/member-voting-process-structure-5zWtGWnJWK) 

# The Board & Elections

* The Board of Directors is primarily member-elected, and is the main way we remain accountable to our membership. The board is coordinated by the board co-Chairs.
* The Board is governed by the [__organizational bylaws__](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tk23r-pukpo5mDIx7YF17sDy5fxDAoXx/edit?rtpof=true), is responsible for making key decisions around budget and strategy, and is responsible for the highest degree of structural or mission based changes to the organization. 
* Board Elections are generally held every other year. The most recent election was held in 2025, which onboarded a new slate of 5 board members from our membership.

# General Circle

* The General Circle is an executive-level decision making body made up of elected staff representatives and member-elected board representatives, both of whom serve terms.  
* NEC does not have an “executive director”. The General Circle manages most high impact personnel, finance, and program-related decisions. 

# NEC Staff

* NEC is worker-self directed and all staff share in decision making, governance, and operations work to keep the organization functioning.
* For our current staff structure please see [here](https://kumu.io/sharden/nec-circle-chart-20#nec-circles).
* Staff stewards NEC strategy, programming, anchors member-led working groups, and serve as points of connection between members.

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**Documents**

- [NEC 101](https://neweconomy.getoutline.com/s/5fb022dd-274d-4514-b2a4-46da7df30a24/doc/nec-101-pBq4Az1FMG)
- [Membership Benefits & Expections](https://neweconomy.getoutline.com/s/5fb022dd-274d-4514-b2a4-46da7df30a24/doc/membership-benefits-expections-0Wdw2Wp2kF)
- [Network Calendar](https://neweconomy.getoutline.com/s/5fb022dd-274d-4514-b2a4-46da7df30a24/doc/network-calendar-LIbg98maPT)
- [Collective Governance](https://neweconomy.getoutline.com/s/5fb022dd-274d-4514-b2a4-46da7df30a24/doc/collective-governance-J191EpNqyY)
- [Working Groups](https://neweconomy.getoutline.com/s/5fb022dd-274d-4514-b2a4-46da7df30a24/doc/working-groups-i1x9Q5wppo)
- [Resources & Funding](https://neweconomy.getoutline.com/s/5fb022dd-274d-4514-b2a4-46da7df30a24/doc/resources-funding-XoqoXwjyKg)
- [Strategic Plan](https://neweconomy.getoutline.com/s/5fb022dd-274d-4514-b2a4-46da7df30a24/doc/strategic-plan-neqbNpT3VU)
- [Tech Support](https://neweconomy.getoutline.com/s/5fb022dd-274d-4514-b2a4-46da7df30a24/doc/tech-support-UQ39kL8N3q)