7Assignments

7.1 Principles

7.1.1 Every Mohist holds one 职 assignment at a time. An assignment is a specific, named piece of work, not a title. A Mohist without an assignment means the chapter council has unfinished business.

7.1.2 Assignments are made by exalting the worthy. The Geng Zhu chapter says: "Let those who can debate, debate; those who can explain the texts, explain; those who can do the work, do it" (能谈辩者谈辩，能说书者说书，能从事者从事). The council looks for work that matches what a person has already shown of their ability and character, not for the emptiest slot. (Test: precedent)

7.1.3 An assignment is never a rank. A Mohist holding any assignment stands equal with every other Mohist. Chapter lead is an assignment too.

7.1.4 Youth Mohists may hold assignments that do not involve money or records. Friends and seekers hold no assignment but may help a Mohist who does.

7.2 Standard chapter assignments

7.2.1 The standard assignments in every chapter are these; the brackets give a brief description.

• Reading lead (arranges the weekly reading, prepares the introduction, keeps the translation side by side)
• 墨辩 moderator (assigns the two sides, applies the Lesser Selection rules)
• Care coordinator (arranges care pairs, rotates them quarterly, receives check-ins)
• Treasurer (manages the chapter's Care Fund account, reads the statement at the monthly meeting)
• Records clerk (keeps member records, handles transfers in and out, chapter 13)
• Youth / 科技堂 lead (runs youth Mohist activities and 科技堂 sessions)
• Hospitality (prepares the meeting place, welcomes seekers, runs the children's corner)
• 非攻 Corps liaison (connects the chapter to service actions, chapter 10)
• Tech and communications (member app, remote access, outside contact)
• Newcomer guide (accompanies friends through joining and helps prepare applications)

7.2.2 A chapter may add assignments as needed — translation, venue, event photography — and files them with the region.

7.2.3 When there are more Mohists than assignments, one assignment may be shared among several people, each with a clear part. When there are fewer, roles merge under chapter 1, 1.4.

7.2.4 An assignment should take no more than about two hours a week. Chapter lead, treasurer, and care coordinator may take up to four.

7.3 Terms

7.3.1 An assignment runs for one year and may be renewed once. After a renewal, at least a year must pass before the same person holds the same assignment again.

7.3.2 The term runs from the monthly meeting at which it is announced. A person may be released early because of a move, health, or personal reasons, 7.4.6.

7.3.3 The one-year term is there so that every Mohist does several different kinds of work over a few years, and every kind of work gets fresh eyes. That is part of exalting the worthy, not distrust of the current holder.

7.4 From proposal to release

7.4.1 Proposal. At its meeting before the monthly meeting, the chapter council discusses vacant or expiring assignments and proposes one person for each. The discussion is not shared outside the council.

7.4.2 Conversation. The chapter lead, or a council member the council names, speaks privately with the person: what the assignment involves, the time it takes, the term, and why the council thinks they fit. This does not happen in public and does not happen in a group chat.

7.4.3 Accept or decline. The person may answer on the spot or within seven days. Declining needs no reason, has no effect on future proposals, and is not recorded. The council proposes someone else.

7.4.4 Announcement. Once accepted, the assignment is announced at the next monthly meeting: the name and the assignment, and, where someone is being succeeded, thanks to the outgoing holder.

7.4.5 Handover. Within two weeks of the announcement, the outgoing holder passes the working materials and any open matters to the successor. The records clerk keeps the handover list.

7.4.6 Release. When a term ends or a person is released early, the chapter lead thanks them at the monthly meeting. The thanks is public and specific; it does not grade the work. No one loses any standing by being released.

7.4.7 Within 90 days of release, the council proposes a new assignment, just as for a new Mohist under chapter 3, 3.2.2.

7.5 Records

7.5.1 The holder and the start and end dates of every assignment are recorded in the member app. Chapter members may see all assignments in their chapter; each person may see their own history.

7.5.2 Reasons for declining or for early release are not recorded.

7.5.3 Assignment records serve three purposes: confirming that every Mohist has an assignment; the quarterly report; and reference to what a person has done when proposing a new assignment. They are not used to evaluate members. (Test: evidence)

7.6 Leaders' responsibilities

7.6.1 The chapter lead is responsible for this chapter: every Mohist has an assignment within 90 days, every conversation is private, and every release is thanked.

7.6.2 Leaders may not use assignments to reward or punish members, and may not treat a member differently because they accepted or declined.

7.6.3 A Mohist who has had no assignment for six months may go directly to the region lead, who resolves it with the chapter lead within 30 days.