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As we move into a board election, I think it would be beneficial to
document what we consider should be expected of board members. I
think that it would be helpful for potential board members when
considering joining the board, and also something that board members
can point toward if community members complain about lack of action
from the board.<br>
Maybe think of it as a moral contract.<br>
<br>
If others think it is a good idea, I suggest we add to this page:<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Board_of_Directors">http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Board_of_Directors</a><br>
<br>
Are there other points which should go on this list?<br>
<br>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<p style="margin: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Times;
font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;
font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal;
orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;
text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto;
word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">What is
expected of a board member? Boring legal details are listed in
section 3 of our<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a
href="http://www.osgeo.org/content/foundation/incorporation/bylaws.html">bylaws</a>,
but I think it would be helpful for us to extend this to practical
guidelines. Something like:</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Times;
font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;
font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal;
orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;
text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto;
word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">* The board's
primary responsibility is to efficiently and effectively make
decisions regarding the day to day running of OSGeo (<a
href="http://www.osgeo.org/content/foundation/incorporation/bylaws.html">bylaws</a> section
3.1).</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Times;
font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;
font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal;
orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;
text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto;
word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">* Board
members should expect to spend 1 to 3 hours per week on board
activities.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Times;
font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;
font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal;
orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;
text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto;
word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">* Board
members should sometimes contribute a little more, maybe
negotiating with the community or external organisation, collating
or developing ideas and writing them up, doing some extra research
to back a decision, or helping with administrative work like
taking minutes.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Times;
font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;
font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal;
orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;
text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto;
word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">* Board
members should attempt to attend all board meetings, which happen
at a frequency of ~ once per month, which take ~ one hour.
(Selection of meeting timeslots are to be negotiated to try and
suit all members.) If unable to attend, the board member should
attempt to provide opinions on issues before hand, and vote on
motions afterwards.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Times;
font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;
font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal;
orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;
text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto;
word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">* Board
members should monitor and contribute toward discussions on the
board email list, and aim to vote on motions within 2 working
days.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Times;
font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;
font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal;
orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;
text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto;
word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">* Board
members are not paid for their service (<a
href="http://www.osgeo.org/content/foundation/incorporation/bylaws.html">bylaws</a> section
3.4), but should not be out of pocket if working for the board.
For instance, a board member should be refunded travel expenses if
requested to travel on behalf of the board. </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Times;
font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;
font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal;
orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;
text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto;
word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">* Ideally some
board members should be prepared to speak on behalf of OSGeo at
events.</p>
<br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
Cameron Shorter,
Software and Data Solutions Manager
LISAsoft
Suite 112, Jones Bay Wharf,
26 - 32 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009
P +61 2 9009 5000, W <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.lisasoft.com">www.lisasoft.com</a>, F +61 2 9009 5099</pre>
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