________________________________
From: Florian Effenberger <floeff@documentfoundation.org>
To: steering-discuss@documentfoundation.org
Sent: Thu, 9 June, 2011 9:17:13
Subject: [steering-discuss] proposed bylaws changes
Hello,
as we are moving forward with legally setting up the foundation, and
translate/adapt the bylaws into German, we noticed that some tweaks and
simplifications are required - in general we feel the shorter these documents
are, the better it is for understanding.
Proposed change #1:
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We should replace the words "moral commitment" (which are rather off-putting to
many with a stark view of their integrity and morals) with something softer:
from:
Every membership applicant must have been active for at least three (3) months,
and should make a moral commitment to at least six (6) months activity (not
counting the first three (3) months of fulfillment of qualification).
to:
Every membership applicant must have been active for at least three (3) months,
and should make a best effort commitment to continuing their activity for a
further six (6) months.
Which I hope captures the spirit, without invoking things that cannot be
predicted.
Proposed change #2:
-------------------
Then a separate set of changes & cleanups around the Advisory Board:
* The /Donor/ definition is not referenced outside of the /Sponsor/ definition,
and so should be collapsed into there.
* The /Sponsor/ definition is referenced in a redundant, non-normative way by
the Members/Contributors definition and should be removed.
from:
The Community's Members are people who contribute their time, efforts and skills
independently (individual persons contributing on either a paid or unpaid
basis), or who may work for Sponsors (refer to definition of Sponsors).
to:
The Community's Members are individuals who contribute their time, efforts and
skills whether on a paid or voluntary basis.
Proposed change #3:
-------------------
* Remove the Sponsors section. This is now only referred to in the Advisory
Board definition and sections, and as such can be expanded there.
* Expand the Advisory Board definition.
from:
The Advisory Board represents the Foundation's Sponsors. Each Sponsor is
entitled to appoint one representative. For more information, see Advisory Board
under Governance.
to:
The Advisory Board provides a forum for organisations that provide a substantial
minimum level of financial, or other support as determined by the BoD to meet
with the BoD and provide advice. For more information, see Advisory Board under
Governance.
Proposed change #4:
-------------------
* Re-work the Advisory Board section:
from:
The Advisory Board [AB] is staffed by Sponsors' representatives (refer to
definition of Sponsors). Each Sponsor can have no more than one representative
on the Advisory Board. Each Sponsor's representative is appointed for a term of
one (1) year, but can be re-appointed for a further year in office at the end of
each term.
The AB's primary function is to represent The Document Foundation's Sponsors,
and to provide the Board of Directors with advice, guidance and proposals.
to:
The Advisory Board [AB] is staffed, at the BoD's discretion by organisations
that have made a substantial contribution to The Document Foundation. Each
organisation appointing a single representative to the Advisory Board based on a
yearly fee to be determined by the BoD.
The AB's primary function is to represent these organisations by providing the
BoD with advice, guidance and proposals.
Thoughts?
Florian
Hi
+1
I'm not a member or anything so my opinion doesn't count but i especially liked
point 2. Point 1 is not perfect grammar but probably translates well. The rest
of the points are great too but 2 is my favourite.
Regards from
Tom