Re: Proposed amendment to bylaws to allow non-member directors

[Frederic Muller <fredm gnome org>]

Hi!

I am sorry to ... not understand how to vote. First the display is off 
on FireFox and the button or titles hide the selection, then I don't 
understand what the questions Candidates & Preferences mean.

Do we have a guide for dummies somewhere?

Thank you.

Fred

On 5/10/22 18:43, Andrea Veri wrote:
> The Board has proposed the following change to the GNOME Foundation bylaws:
> https://gitlab.gnome.org/Infrastructure/foundation-web/-/merge_requests/3/diffs 
> <https://gitlab.gnome.org/Infrastructure/foundation-web/-/merge_requests/3/diffs>
>
> The proposal is to widen the pool from which the Foundation can attract 
> candidates to stand for election as directors, by allowing individuals 
> who are not currently Foundation members to submit their candidacy for 
> election.
>
> This change is intended to bring new skills and experience into the 
> governance of the Foundation. At present, Foundation membership is 
> granted principally based on contributions to the GNOME project which 
> means the process selects for skills already present in our community, 
> such as software development, design, translation, documentation or 
> engagement. Whilst we do have some members who also bring experience at 
> fundraising, nonprofit governance and establishing partnerships with 
> external organizations, they are in the minority. The Board would like 
> to establish additional pathways to try and attract individuals with 
> these skills into the Foundation.
>
> The board has published some notes about the planned strategy for the 
> upcoming year:
> https://discourse.gnome.org/t/evolving-a-strategy-for-2022-and-beyond/9759 
> <https://discourse.gnome.org/t/evolving-a-strategy-for-2022-and-beyond/9759>
>
> And more details about the changes and how they support the strategy here:
> https://discourse.gnome.org/t/updated-bylaw-amendment-allow-non-members-to-stand-for-election/9761 
> <https://discourse.gnome.org/t/updated-bylaw-amendment-allow-non-members-to-stand-for-election/9761>
>
> Specifically:
>      * The requirement that directors are Foundation members is removed.
>      * The election process is changed such that no more than 30% of the 
> board roles can be filled by directors who are not members at the time 
> of the election. Should this happen the runner-up member candidate will 
> be considered instead, similar to the existing affiliation limit. At 
> present with a board of 7, this is a maximum of two seats.
>      * Nominations are changed such that member nominees must be 
> seconded by one existing member, and non-member nominees must be 
> seconded by 5% of members, up to a maximum of 5.
>      * Members who are standing for election cannot second other 
> nominations.
>
> In lieu of a Special General Meeting, this proposal has been put to a 
> Written Ballot of the members.
>
> The voting session has opened and ballots will be sent during the next 
> hour, more information can be found at:
> https://vote.gnome.org/2022-05/index.html 
> <https://vote.gnome.org/2022-05/index.html>
>
> --
> Cheers,
> Andrea
>
> Principal Systems Engineer at Red Hat,
> GNOME Infrastructure Team Coordinator,
> Former GNOME Foundation Board of Directors Secretary,
> GNOME Foundation Membership & Elections Committee Chairman
>
> Homepage: https://www.dragonsreach.it <https://www.dragonsreach.it>
>
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