[Foundation-l] board candidacies

Sat Aug 12 01:14:18 UTC 2006

daniwo59 at aol.com wrote:

>I am confused by this thread. It is starting with false assumptions (Board  
>members are required to spend their own money for things) and builds on that to 
> create further false assumptions (we have enough dot com millionaires on the 
> Board). 
> 
>To the best of my knowledge: 
>1. The expenses of Board members relating to Foundation work are covered by  
>the Foundation. They do not come from the individual Board members' "personal  
>savings." 
>2. We currently have no dot com millionaires on the Board. 
>3. Paying Board members for Board-related activities can be perceived  as a 
>potential conflict of interests. 
>4. In many non-profit organizations in the US--but not the WMF--Board  
>membership is actually contingent upon making a significant donation to the  
>organization.
> 
>Please get the facts right when complaining about the Board and its  members. 
>
Absolutely!  But the kind of false assumptions expressed by Erik are out 
there, and they will continue to be out there whether any of us like it 
or not.  Nevertheless, I feel more comfortable when those with the 
concerns can express them openly where the situation can be peacefully 
and patiently clarified ... even if it means being repetitious.

Ec