OSGeo - User contributions [en]

Talk:Membership Rules

2006-06-22T10:59:28Z

Wiki-Emj: Democratic Problems

== Democratic Problems ==

First I want to say that there needs to be a section on exclusion of charter members.

Secondly abit flamey, but please bear with me:
I base these thoughts on a dislike of what is called ''do-acracy'' in the [[FAQ]]. Since there are 45 charter members of OSGeo at the moment, the organization is already large enough to have problems. '''OR''' not, perhaps you will always get along fine and dandy.

One problem is that the charter members are the only ones that can elect board members and new charter members. The reason:

''it would be technically possible for a group of self-interested Members to "hijack" the Board[..]turning it away from our basic goals and principles''

What you protect here are the founding/charter members economic rights, not the foundations principles. It's a democratic right to be able to hijack, and it's the job of the constitution to protect the principles. The principles should no be upheld by a friendship club.

The criteria for being a charter member are good but very vague. How can one decide all those things, it will make the application process very beaurocratic, or biased for people that already know charter members.

[[User:Emj|Emj]] 12:59, 22 June 2006 (CEST)

Executive Director

2006-06-22T10:49:47Z

Wiki-Emj: layout

So what Executive Director would need to be is a mentor helping out when
there is trouble between the bros and sisters of the Foundation.

This would be one role, but not a substantial part of the activity of
the ED in my mind. I see them more often in an outwards facing role,
as the ambassador of OSGeo. But also providing mundane support to
the various committees to ensure that things are getting done that need
to be. Drafting policies, web materials, etc.

Local Chapter Guidelines

2006-06-22T10:43:52Z

Wiki-Emj: /* Open Issues */ small correction

''This page documents the current discussion and has not yet been approved as official OSGeo policy!''

The idea of Local Chapters is to provide for Wiki pages and later mailing lists and webspace for documents and files in the native language of the members focusing on main OSGeo activities and approved policies. Local chapters are operated as all Open Source projects with a Project Steering Committee that has to be approved by the board, a list of members, etc.

== Open Issues ==
* ''Please also read the [[Talk:Local Chapter Guidelines | discussion page]]''
* Should there rather be local (or localized) chapters for languages or regions or both? Three examples:
* German language is spoken in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. One local '''language''' chapter would make sense.
** Switzerland has three several official languages, one is German. So one local Swiss chapter with several language sections would make more sense.
** Portuguese is spoken in Portugal and Brazil (and some other places). One local '''language''' chapter would make sense but the regions are so very different that a separate local chapter would be healthy.
* Wording and semantics: Can the three phases/levels be given names/labels that progress as you move up?

== How to start a Regional or Language Group ==
There are several ways to build a localised OSGeo presence. There are three specific levels of involvement that a local/regional or language group can have with OSGeo. This document does not differentiate between a Local/Regional (geographic) or Language-based group. Groups start first as an Interest Group, then become a Chapter and finally a Branch. Some groups may never desire or need to advance beyond an Interest Group.

=== Level one - Interest Group ===
* Similar to the idea of a Linux User Group - language or geographic regional
* Start a new Wiki page as a link from the [[Local Chapters]] page.
* Work out which of the above versions makes most sense (suggest others...)
* Add a short introduction in English language describing what the special needs of this language or localized group are (if its 'only' the language, fine)
* Start a member list (people who show interest) on that page
* Find out and link to other [[Like Minded Regional Organizations]]
* Contact those organizations and try to get a representative to sign up at OSGeo.org

=== Level two - Chapter ===
* Introduce your Chapter initiative to the Discuss List
* Start a motion (with the Board) to make your Chapter an official OSGeo project
* Hold regular meetings and report regularly to membership and board

=== Level three - Full Branch ===
A Chapter might want to set up a more legal, separate entity with its own board, funding, organization, etc. -
* Called a Branch because it is somewhat disconnected and self-reliant
* Maintain a representative tie back to the main OSGeo foundation and its goals
* Aid in running annual conference, especially if local to the branch

More details to be worked out...

== Guidelines ==
These guidelines might be split into three categories. See also on [http://wiki.osgeo.org/index.php/Talk:Local_Chapter_Guidelines discussion].
* The OSGeo does not want to highjack or take over any groups that already function well!
* In all cases it must be warranted that the OSGeo does not interfere but cooperates with existing groups.
* Ideally OSGeo supports existing groups without imposing strong restrictions.
* All the same OSGeo adheres to its principles. If these are not compatible to the existing local groups a consensus might be worked out.
* At least one representative of the local chapter [[Proposed Membership Rules | must be a member]] of the OSGeo Foundation.
* The chair will produce a weekly, monthly, quarternary report in English language to the OSGeo board.

A description of issues that arise from cultural aspects of the region and language may help to focus activities.

FAQ

2006-06-22T10:36:04Z

Wiki-Emj:

#redirect [[OSGeo FAQ]]

Membership Rules

2006-06-22T10:35:03Z

Wiki-Emj: read FAQ first

== Forward ==

This is a draft document, reflecting the discussions held at the June '06 face-to-face meeting, to get a better feel of OSGeos goals,and the meaning of this document, read the [[FAQ]].

A version of this document may be formally adopted by the board at some point in the future.

''Italics are used for editorial comments or to provide rationale for specific sections of the document.''

== Membership Classes ==

=== Overview ===

Loosley speaking, there are three basic types of individual affiliation with the Foundation: '''Participant''', '''Member''', and '''Charter Member'''.

* The broadest category, that of '''Participant''', is for those who are not formally registered on the osgeo.org website but who nonethess contribute code, help out on committees, follow the various mailing lists, and otherwise participate in Foundation activities. Anyone can be a '''Participant'''.

* The second category is simply termed '''Member'''. Members of this class have the same level of rights to work on Foundation activities as the Participant class, but with the important distinction that these individuals have self-registered themselves on the osgeo.org website. By registering, an individual is "opting in" and publicly acknowleging his connection to the Foundation. This registration process also provides the Foundation with a known, countable membership base. ''For example, the Board or various Committees may, from time to time, wish to poll the all Members on some important issue.''

* The third category is '''Charter Member'''. Members of this class have the rights as the above '''Member''' class, but with two important differences. First, individuals in this class are not self-selected, but rather must be voted in by the other '''Charter Members'''. Second, individuals in this class have the right to vote in elections for other Charter Members and for Board Members.
These two factors are intended to maintain the integrity of the Foundation election processes -- and by extension the integrity of the Foundation itself. We use the term "Charter" Member to explicitly indicate that these members are responsible for upholding the "charter" of the Foundation.

''Without the Charter Member category to serve as a basis for the Board election process, it would be technically possible for a group of self-interested Members to "hijack" the Board and hence the Foundation itself, turning it away from our basic goals and principles.''

''We emphasize that the only real difference between a Member and a Charter Member is the right and responsibility to vote at the Foundation level. It is not our intent to make the Charter Members out to be some "privileged" class. Furthermore, the only real difference between a Member and a Participant is the self-registration on the Foundation's website. All mailing lists, projects, committees, and other Foundation activities are uniformly open and available to all friends of the Foundation.''

=== Specifics ===

More specifically, each of these three classes can be described in terms of certain characteristics, rights, or responsibilities:

* ''Eligibility Requirements:'' who can be a member of this class
* ''Nominating Rights:'' what rights are given for nominating new members
* ''Voting Rights:'' what rights are given for Foundation-level voting

The classes and their characteristics are as follows:

'''Participant'''
* ''Eligibility Requirements:'' none (everyone is welcome)
* ''Nominating Rights:'' none
* ''Voting Rights:'' none

'''Member'''
* ''Eligibility Requirements:'' must self-register on the osgeo.org website
* ''Nominating Rights:'' has the right to nominate '''Charter Members''' and 'Board Members
* ''Voting Rights:'' may vote in general Foundation polls and election (but not for new '''Charter Members''' or Board Members)

'''Charter Member'''
* ''Eligibility Requirements:'' must be nominated and voted in
* ''Nominating Rights:'' same as '''Participant'''
* ''Voting Rights:'' may vote for new '''Charter Members''' and '''Board Members'''

The Foundation will maintain on the website a public roster of all Members and Charter Members.

"Registration" on the website shall consist of the following: self-chosen username, valid email address, postal address, professional affiliation(s) (optional), lat/lon (optional), and a short bio/description (optional).

=== Other Membership Benefits ===

''At some point, we may choose to allow Participants, Members, and Charter Members certain minor benefits, such as the right to use a logo on their web pages, an osgeo.org email address, etc.''

=== Supporters ===

A '''Supporter''' is someone who donates money to the Foundation. However, being a '''Supporter''' of the Foundation does not give one any specific rights or responsibilities. ''A Supporter has no more "power" than anyone else.''

''In return for the donation, a Supporter may receive a shirt, a conference registration discount, etc. In the future, we might choose to have levels of support, yearly subscriptions, etc. A Supporter might get the right to use a "I Support OSGeo" logo or some such thing.''

''Note that we specifically choose not to require impose on Participants, Members, or Charter Members any form of membership fee, as this may present an economic hardship and therefore be a barrier to contributing to the Foundations efforts.''

== Member Responsibilities ==

As a Member of the Foundation, you are expected to act in accordance with the goals of the Foundation. You are expected to act in a professional and responsible manner. You are expected to treat your fellow members with respect and courtesy. Foundation activities are to be undertaken in a spirit of open discussion and consensus.

== Membership Change and Revocation ==

If the Board deems that any member is not acting in the best interests of the Foundation, e.g. by not adhering to the above Membership Responsinbilites, they may by majority vote revoke the membership of that member.

== Criteria for Charter Member Nomination ==

Nominees for Charter Member status should meet the following criteria:

* The person should have made a contribution to open source geospatial software already.

* The person should be willing to put in time and effort on the foundation, perhaps joining committee(s), or volunteering in some other way that gets the foundation going.

* Members should believe in the general goals of the foundation. To support and promote the use of open source geospatial software in a collaborative manner (my words).

* Members selected should provide a diversity of geographic representation in the foundation.

* Members selected should provide representation of a diversity of projects. For instance, we have a strong desire to see the "java tribe" well represented in the foundation. We don't want the membership dominated by folks from just one project.

* Members selected should provide representation of a diversity of interests (eg. corporate, hobbyist, educational, scientific).

* Members should be prepared to works constructively and positively towards the goals of the foundation. Good teamwork skills are an asset.''

== Nondiscrimination ==

The Foundation is open to all members of the geospatial community. We do not discriminate based on age, gender, race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, or disability.

== Not Covered ==

''This membership discussion does not cover the following:''

* ''corporate membership or sponsorship; this discussion pertains to "individuals" only''
* ''board member eligibility, elections, etc''
* ''the board has the right to remove members from the Foundation''
* ''nomination and election process for selecting Charter Members''