[OSGeo-Conf] Conference Committee Guidelines

[Cameron Shorter]

OSGeo board,

I suspect you'll get a minimal response to a call for membership policies.

The reasons are relatively subtle. Volunteers step up to scratch an itch 
if they feel there is a need. If such policies are not in place yet, 
then communities probably don't feel the need for them.

Having the board direct communities to produce documents, in a 
command-and-control type request is typically not how open source 
communities work effectively.

I think you will find OSGeo communities work effectively, whether their 
processes are written down or not.

If you haven't already read it, I suggest having a look at The Cathedral 
and the Bazaar, by Eric Raymond. In particular, this chapter:

http://www.catb.org/esr/writings/cathedral-bazaar/cathedral-bazaar/ar01s11.html

I suggest that leading by example and amplifying initiatives of others 
will be more effective for you than leading by directing. It will help 
you as a board be more effective during your term in office.

Warm regards, Cameron

On 6/12/2016 4:17 AM, Angelos Tzotsos wrote:
> Dear Conference Committee,
>
> Following up on your recent motion to update your membership policies 
> and process, and the issues raised by this motion, the board has held 
> a video meeting to discuss the issue of committee guidelines.
>
> As a result, the board is asking everyone to write down "committee 
> guidelines" on how each functions.  The idea is to make sure our 
> committees are transparent in their decision making, and open to 
> participation.
>
> There is a wiki page here 
> https://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Committee_Guidelines that provides more 
> information (and helpfully provides guidance for committee chairs). 
> There are some examples of different committees doing their thing here 
> (https://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Committee_Guidelines#Examples).
>
> Best regards,
> Angelos
>

-- 
Cameron Shorter
M +61 419 142 254