[Foundation-l] Board meeting 21st of June 2008

Tue Jun 24 06:59:43 UTC 2008

Thomas Dalton wrote:
>> You are correct however that change of bylaws seem to require votes from
>> all members (though, it is actually not 100% clear...). But Frieda
>> actually voted, after the publication of the resolution. I updated the
>> resolution on wmf site accordingly. Frieda opposed the resolution.
> 
> It would be interesting to hear from Frieda about her reasons for
> opposing (assuming she hasn't already said and I've just missed it).
> For the board to be unable to reach a consensus on such an important
> issue is very unfortunate.

Not really. The issue was primarily discussed during the physical board 
meeting, which Frieda could unfortunately not attend. We further 
discussed the bylaws modifications in the following weeks, by email, but 
Frieda did not really comment the draft (I think she was either moving 
or changing job at that time). Reaching consensus requires 
communication, exchange, discussion.

What would rather be unfortunate would be paralysis due to one (or more) 
board members always missing a meeting and vote being invalid due to the 
missing voice. That was how we were organized in the early days of the 
Foundation and this resulted to near zero board meetings in a year (due 
to inability to fix a date with all members available) and near zero 
board decisions (due to lack of one or more voting voices). Ultimately, 
Michael D. proposed the resolution on consent procedures to avoid 
paralysis, and when I became chair, I decided that board meetings would 
be held, regardless of the fact some board members were missing.
Can't get the best of two worlds...

But yeah, it would be interesting to hear from Frieda about her reasons.

> 
>> Second, board reorganization has been a hot potatoe. Still is a hot
>> potatoe actually. I may be in charge of the agenda of that meeting, I
>> will probably no more be board member that day (I dunno if it will be at
>> the beginning, in the middle or at the end. Probably pretty early on
>> during the day). I am not very excited at the idea of telling the board
>> "eh, here is a hot potatoe for the day, now, if you excuse me, I'll let
>> you deal with it without me". Chance is that they will simply remove the
>> item from the agenda ;)
>> Seriously, I agree some of your points were correct and that the new
>> bylaws require fixing and clarifications. I'll let the new chair handle
>> that though ;-)
> 
> May the Flying Spaghetti Monster have mercy on their soul! Florence,
> get out while you can! Run!

You are a strange cook... you do Spaghettis with potatoes ?
Flying French fries might be best  ?

> 
> Tango
> 
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