________________________________
From: David Nelson <commerce@traduction.biz>
To: steering-discuss@documentfoundation.org
Cc: steering-discuss@global.documentfoundation.org
Sent: Thu, 9 June, 2011 20:22:51
Subject: Re: [steering-discuss] proposed bylaws changes
Hi Florian,
On Thu, Jun 9, 2011 at 11:17, Florian Effenberger
<floeff@documentfoundation.org> wrote:
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:
-------------------
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.
"best-effort"
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.
"and skills, whether on a paid or voluntary basis."
(Just adds a comma.)
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.
"organizations"
(US spelling, like everywhere else in the bylaws.)
"minimum level of financial or other support, as determined by
the BoD, to meet with the BoD and provide advice."
(Minor punctuation changes.)
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.
"organization" / "organizations"
(US spelling.)
That's it... pretty painless, no?
I've proofread the rest of the bylaws in the past so many times I
don't think there are any / many spelling / grammar errors in them.
Otherwise, I was only going to add a clause about transferring TDF's
funds into my personal bank account every 6 months...
David Nelson
Hi
Yup +1
I always try to use Uk spellings but i think this has to be American
Regards from
Tom