[Board] Suggested text for "Expectations for Board Membership"

[Frank Warmerdam]

Cameron,

My view is different on a couple points:

1) I do *not* think the board is supposed to manage day to day operations.
 When things are working well, we should be establishing an annual budget,
putting in place policies, reviewing operations, and making some unusual or
strategic decisions.  I think it is a (mild) failure in budgeting when we
are making individual decisions about spending items (though a few at least
are exceptional), and for the most part things should be operated day to
day by the various subcommittees and officers.

2) 2-3 hours per week is somewhat on the high end for actual core board
work.  I'd say more like 2-4 hours per month is the minimum.

I do particularly like the point that board members should sometimes except
to take on extra initiatives.  Here I'm thinking about things like
reviewing the operation of some sub-committee, or writing up proposed
policies and seeking feedback from the community.

I think an accessible description of board member responsibilities on the
board of directors page is a helpful thing.  Thanks for working on it.

Best regards,
Frank


On Wed, Aug 13, 2014 at 4:36 AM, Cameron Shorter <cameron.shorter at gmail.com>
wrote:

>  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.
> Maybe think of it as a moral contract.
>
> If others think it is a good idea, I suggest we add to this page:
> http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Board_of_Directors
>
> Are there other points which should go on this list?
>
> What is expected of a board member? Boring legal details are listed in
> section 3 of our bylaws
> <http://www.osgeo.org/content/foundation/incorporation/bylaws.html>, but
> I think it would be helpful for us to extend this to practical guidelines.
> Something like:
>
> * The board's primary responsibility is to efficiently and effectively
> make decisions regarding the day to day running of OSGeo (bylaws
> <http://www.osgeo.org/content/foundation/incorporation/bylaws.html> section
> 3.1).
>
> * Board members should expect to spend 1 to 3 hours per week on board
> activities.
>
> * 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.
>
> * 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.
>
> * Board members should monitor and contribute toward discussions on the
> board email list, and aim to vote on motions within 2 working days.
>
> * Board members are not paid for their service (bylaws
> <http://www.osgeo.org/content/foundation/incorporation/bylaws.html> 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.
>
> * Ideally some board members should be prepared to speak on behalf of
> OSGeo at events.
>
> --
> 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 www.lisasoft.com,  F +61 2 9009 5099
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Board mailing list
> Board at lists.osgeo.org
> http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/board
>



-- 
---------------------------------------+--------------------------------------
I set the clouds in motion - turn up   | Frank Warmerdam,
warmerdam at pobox.com
light and sound - activate the windows | http://pobox.com/~warmerdam
and watch the world go round - Rush    | Geospatial Software Developer
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