4Leadership

4.1 Principles

4.1.1 Every leadership position in the Community is filled by exalting the worthy (尚贤): published criteria, open nomination, and a recorded vote. There is no inheritance, no appointed successor, and no position for life.

4.1.2 The Community has no paid clergy. A leadership position is an assignment that a member carries alongside their own work. The Council may create salaried administrative posts under chapter 9, but the Juzi, Council members, region leads, and chapter leads are not paid.

4.1.3 A leader's authority is limited to what this Handbook expressly grants. A leader's reading of the Mozi is one Mohist's reading, with no extra weight; the only standard above any individual reading is the Three Tests.

4.1.4 On taking office, a leader declares in writing any possible conflict of interest: relatives, employers, or businesses with financial dealings with the Community, and positions held in other organizations. The leader abstains from votes on matters where a conflict exists. The declaration is kept by the records clerk and may be read by any member.

4.2 The Juzi

4.2.1 The 鉅子 (Juzi) is the head of the Community, carrying the title used by the leaders of the historical Mohist order. The Juzi presides over the Community Council, represents the Community publicly, and signs the Council's decisions.

4.2.2 The Juzi is elected by the delegates at the 兼爱大会 Assembly by a two-thirds majority. Candidates — at least two — are put forward by the Council from open nominations. The term is five years, renewable once.

4.2.3 The Juzi has no doctrinal authority beyond the Three Tests. When the Juzi speaks publicly, they speak for decisions the Council has already taken; on any matter the Council has not decided, the Juzi speaks as an individual and says so.

4.2.4 When the office falls vacant, the Council names one of its members acting Juzi within 30 days and completes an election within 12 months. An acting Juzi may not initiate an amendment under chapter 15. (Test: precedent)

4.3 The Community Council

4.3.1 The 墨门理事会 Community Council consists of the Juzi and eight members, nine in all. Council members serve four-year terms, staggered so that four seats are elected every two years. They are elected by the Assembly delegates from open nominations by a simple majority.

4.3.2 The Council: approves the formation and dissolution of regions; adopts the annual budget and audits the Care Fund's consolidated accounts; hears appeals under chapter 14; proposes and adopts Handbook amendments under chapter 15; nominates candidates for Juzi; appoints administrative staff.

4.3.3 The Council meets at least quarterly. Minutes are published to all Mohists within 30 days, except parts concerning individuals' private matters.

4.3.4 Council decisions require a majority of members. Amending the Handbook, removing a leader, or dissolving a region requires two-thirds.

4.4 Region leads

4.4.1 A region lead is elected by the region council, which is made up of the chapter leads of that region, by a simple majority. The term is two years, at most three consecutive terms.

4.4.2 The region lead: approves new chapters and split proposals; consolidates chapters' quarterly reports and forwards them to the Council; organizes the annual region conference; helps chapters with matters that cross chapter lines; names an acting chapter lead when a chapter lead's office is vacant.

4.5 Chapter leads

4.5.1 A 社长 chapter lead is elected by all Mohists of the chapter from open nominations by a simple majority. The term is two years, at most three consecutive terms. The first chapter lead of a new chapter must be approved by the region lead, chapter 5.

4.5.2 The chapter lead:

• conducts the weekly meeting and the monthly meeting, or names someone to conduct;
• keeps the member records and ensures they are handled under chapter 13;
• assigns 职 and care pairs together with the chapter council;
• sends a quarterly report to the region lead: attendance, assignments held, care-pair check-in completion, fund income and spending;
• is responsible with the treasurer for the Care Fund and has the statement read at the monthly meeting;
• meets the deadlines in chapter 3 for welcoming seekers, answering applications, and contacting transfers.

4.5.3 A chapter lead should not spend more than about five hours a week on Community matters. If they do, either more assignments need sharing or the chapter needs to split. (Test: results)

4.6 Election procedure

4.6.1 Every election for a leadership position follows these steps:

1. The criteria, term, and election date are published at least 60 days ahead.
2. Nominations are open for 30 days. Any Mohist may nominate any eligible Mohist, including themselves.
3. Nominees confirm in writing that they accept, and declare conflicts of interest.
4. Candidates answer members' questions in at least one open session before the vote.
5. The vote is recorded: each voter's identity is verifiable, the totals are published, and individual choices are not.

4.6.2 Where there is only one candidate, a vote is still held and the required majority still applies.

4.6.3 A term begins at the first monthly meeting (or Assembly) after the election.

4.7 Removal

4.7.1 Any leader may be removed for cause by the body that elected them: the Juzi and Council members by the Assembly delegates, a region lead by the region council, a chapter lead by all Mohists of the chapter. Removal requires two-thirds.

4.7.2 Cause includes, without limitation: misuse of the fund; concealing a conflict of interest; breaking the 非攻 pledge (12.3.1); persistent failure to carry out duties under this Handbook; conduct toward members that chapter 12 forbids.

4.7.3 A removal motion needs written support from at least one-fifth of the electing body. The leader concerned has the right to make a public statement before the vote. Details of the procedure are in chapter 14.

4.7.4 A leader may resign at any time by written notice to the body that elected them. No reason is required.