Volunteer & Mutual Aid Coordination
Lightweight Coordination Board Guide (v1)

Purpose

This guide describes a simple way to track tasks and requests without tracking people, performance, or contribution levels.

The goal is visibility, not oversight.

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What a Coordination Board Is

A coordination board is a shared list that shows:

- What help has been requested
- What is currently in progress
- What has been completed or closed

It tracks work, not workers.

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What a Coordination Board Is Not

A coordination board is not:

- A performance tracker
- A leaderboard
- A productivity metric
- A participation log

No names, hours, or contribution comparisons are required.

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Recommended Sections

A basic board may include only three sections:

1. Open Requests  
Tasks or needs that are currently open

2. In Progress (Optional)  
Items someone has voluntarily chosen to work on

3. Closed  
Requests that are completed, paused, or closed

Closed items may include tasks that were not fulfilled.

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How Items Are Added

Requests should be added using the Help Request Template.

Each item should include:
- A brief description
- A time frame
- An expiration or review date

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How Items Move

Items may move between sections when:

- Someone voluntarily begins helping
- A task is completed
- A task is paused or closed

Movement does not imply obligation or ownership.

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Who Manages the Board

Management options include:

- Self-managed updates
- A rotating coordinator
- A small volunteer group

No single person should be permanently responsible.

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Rules for Healthy Use

To keep the board healthy:

- Do not attach names unless someone chooses to
- Do not pressure people to pick items
- Allow items to expire naturally
- Allow tasks to remain undone

An empty or quiet board is acceptable.

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When to Pause the Board

Pause or archive the board if:

- It creates pressure
- It becomes a source of guilt
- It concentrates responsibility
- It fuels conflict

Visibility should never become obligation.

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Relationship to Other Tools

This guide pairs with:

- Help Request Template
- Availability / Offer Template
- Mediated Pause & Reset Notice

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Why This Guide Exists

Many coordination systems fail by tracking people instead of work.

This guide exists to keep coordination simple, visible, and humane.
