1. The Comms Group consists of three people. It is responsible for all aspects of NYMAA communication, as well as preparatory duties for the General Assemblies. It can delegate tasks to other NYMAA members, although final accountability and responsibility for those tasks reside with the Comms Group itself.

1.2 The Comms Group is responsible for organizing Nuts and Bolts Working Group meetings, where the day to day, interim (between GAs) operations of NYMAA are carried out. This working group is open to all NYMAA members. Its decisions, like those of the Comms Group, are overseen and ratified at the GA. Please see below for Nuts and Bolts duties.

2. Comms Group members are chosen by "lot" from a pool of volunteers of NYMAA members, and 'blind ratified'* by 75% of NYMAA members attending a General Assembly. Members serve one-and-a-half year terms maximum. A new Comms Group member is elected every six months, or when a vacancy requires it.

(* Blind ratification: the nominee leaves the room and is accepted or rejected while they are absent.)

Detailed procedure:

1. Prior accepted nominations are listed (those sent to the current Comms no less than two weeks before to GA).
2. Volunteers from the floor (no nominations from the floor are allowed).
3. Nominees leave room.
4. Names are listed on wall and candidates are deliberated with serious concerns ONLY (and rebuttals to such concerns).
5. Names that DO NOT get 75% acceptance are removed from list. No blocking allowed.
6. Remaining names are placed in a hat and chosen "blind". First name chosen is next Comms member.

3. In the event of a catastrophic failure, the largest local will assume the functions of the Comms Group in order to immediately call an emergency General Assembly, at which a new Comms Group will be elected.

4. More specifically, the responsibilities of the Comms Group are:

a. To maintain and moderate the NYMAA listserv and maintain the NYMAA website.

b. To organize General Assemblies, find facilitation for General Assemblies, and organize periodic facilitation trainings (Comms Group members cannot facilitate).

c. To collect, prepare, and distribute the agenda for General Assemblies.

d. To assist in the clarification and dissemination of proposals.

e. To record and distribute General Assembly minutes, with a particular emphasis on publicizing approved proposals.

f. To call emergency assemblies (process to be determined).

g. To collect dues and contributions and report on finances.

1. Comms designates one of its members as primary treasurer, while the other two members are designated secondary treasurers.
2. The ultimate responsibility for collection and record-keeping rests with the primary treasurer, while the secondary treasurers mainly assist with collection.
3. The primary treasurer posts regular reminders to the NYMAA listserv and website regarding dues collection, and liaises with individual dues-payers or point people to collect dues in person or through the mail.
4. Dues-paying individuals get a receipt signed by any one of the three treasurers for each month's payment.
5. For convenience, point people can collect dues and forward them on to any one of the treasurers, at which point they will get a signed receipt to distribute to each dues-payer.

h. To arrange arbitration/mediation for internal disputes (Comms Group members cannot arbitrate/mediate).

i. To maintain an up to date membership list and phone tree, and keep track of members attendance at Assemblies.

j. To give a report of its and the Nuts and Bolts WG's activities at each General Assembly.

5. Revocation: Comms Group members can be revoked by a blind vote of 75% of a General Assembly. Proposals for revocation are made and deliberated upon at General Assemblies in the same manner as standard proposals.