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

Wed Aug 13 07:48:13 PDT 2014

+1 to Cameron here from me too. He's trying to clarify the expectations of a board member, not setting any rules - these are good things to be thinking about as we all think about the next round of Board Members. 

.mpg

> On Aug 13, 2014, at 7:07 AM, Daniel Morissette <dmorissette at mapgears.com> wrote:
> 
> I don't think Cameron is inventing or changing any rules, he is just proposing to collectively document what is and has always been expected from a board member for the posterity.
> 
> FWIW I am also in favor of documenting our processes and expectations (in general) as much as possible to help future boards in their work, and I find that Cameron has exceptional patience to help with that documentation process (he managed to walk the membership to a consensus on the new charter member election process, something nobody managed to achieve before), so instead of shooting down his initiatives, I think that more charter members should help by contributing to them.
> 
> All that being said, I do not have the time and energy to argue this point any more, so this will be my one and only email on this topic.
> 
> Daniel
> 
> 
>> On 14-08-13 8:54 AM, nicolas bozon wrote:
>> Cameron,
>> I agree that rules and documents must/should not change during
>> elections, because this is confusing.
>> I also think that all past, present and future board members must/should
>> already know what they should do, and what is working or what is not.
>> Let us the Board change the many needed rules after elections, so it can
>> also benefit from upcoming new director's visions, and hopefully from
>> Charter Member's and Committee's input too.
>> 
>> Best,
>> 
>> Nick
>> 
>> 
>> 2014-08-13 14:29 GMT+02:00 Venkatesh Raghavan
>> <raghavan at media.osaka-cu.ac.jp <mailto:raghavan at media.osaka-cu.ac.jp>>:
>> 
>>    Board elections have already started and I have made my first
>>    nomination.
>>    Please don't try to invent new rules after the process has begun.
>>    Whatever
>>    changes needs to be made can be discussed and made by the upcoming
>>    new board.
>> 
>>    Venka
>> 
>> 
>>>    On 2014/08/13 20:36, Cameron Shorter 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 ourbylaws
>>>    <http://www.osgeo.org/content/foundation/incorporation/bylaws.html> <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> <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> <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.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>>    _______________________________________________
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>>>    Board at lists.osgeo.org  <mailto:Board at lists.osgeo.org>
>>>    http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/board
>> 
>> 
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>> 
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> 
> -- 
> Daniel Morissette
> T: +1 418-696-5056 #201
> http://www.mapgears.com/
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