CB.16:4.4 - Obtain and bound the representation mandate

Use the existing decision arrangement or obtain the needed one through CB.13. Establish who may approve the position, which participants it represents, the authorised spokesperson, the subject and duration, and how members can correct or withdraw the mandate.

Give the representative workable discretion. State what they may clarify or negotiate, the conditions they must preserve and which changes must return for a further decision. A mandate that only says “speak for us” leaves both the speaker and members exposed to incompatible expectations.

Distinguish approval of the position from approval of commitments. The community may authorise a request while each employer, site or individual retains the right to provide its own time or resources. Obtain those decisions when the negotiated action depends on them.

Prepare the spokesperson to use the mandate. They need the reasons, evidence limits, different positions, likely questions and a way to return an unexpected proposal. OCE.12 supplies the working brief and explanation. Where the task needs more than one kind of knowledge, obtain a supporting contributor.

When a collective mandate cannot be obtained within the decision window, choose a truthful narrower contribution. Named willing contributors may offer their own joint view under their own authority. State whom it represents; a community name or large mailing list does not enlarge that scope.