[gentoo-nfp] Re: Gentoo Linux Project / Gentoo Foundation

[William L. Thomson Jr.]

Joshua,

On Tue, 2008-01-22 at 14:07 -0800, Joshua D. Drake wrote:
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> On Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:55:31 -0500
> "William L. Thomson Jr." <wltjr@g.o> wrote:
>
> >
> > Also good to know. I think we might keep some trustees around or some
> > remains of our foundation after handing off the legal and accounting
> > aspects to the SPI. So we could make it a requirement that at least
> > one participates actively in the SPI on their board. Might be a
>
> Well you must be elected to get on the board. Elections are based on
> being a contributing member. Obviously participating increases chances
> of being on the board.

My bad, I thought I read that. Sorry doing to much at once :) Didn't
mean to imply direct board membership. More like long term intentions.

> > council member. Really not sure depends on if we keep some sort of a
> > board of trustees after the transition or not.
> >
>
> PostgreSQL has two positions within SPI:
>
> The Liaison (me)
> The Board Advisor (Robert Treat)
>
> These don't have to be two people they can be one. So the immediately
> way to benefit is to have two of your most visible (and responsible)
> contributors be the two above for Gentoo.

Ok good to know. Ideally we would have two, and likely all of our
trustees a min be SPI members. But two of them fulfilling the liaison
and Board Adviser roles.

> > How did you all handle that at PostgreSQL? Did you have a board or
> > foundational body before?
>
> Yes and we voted to let our application lapse. We then created the
> "PGFG" which is an informal group of contributors within PostgreSQL.
>
> The following is the charter for the fundraising group:
>
> http://fundraising.postgresql.org/Charter
>
> And this is how the fundraising group votes:
>
> http://fundraising.postgresql.org/Decisions

Thanks for the links gave them a quick read. Will look research more in
depth as time permits. Surely others will as well :)

> > I can surely see one or more of us participating in the SPI. Questions
> > there are:
> >
> >      1. What would be the requirements for acceptance?
>
> Your project has to be in line with our Corporate bylaws. I don't see a
> problem here.

Great

> >      2. Would we be considered?
>
> Yes. I would sponsor a motion for you to be considered. If you get the
> application in within the next several weeks you could be a member
> before the end of February (assuming that all vote as I intend to at
> this time).

That would be really great to get this dealt with sooner than later.

> >      3. Do you all have a list or etc like the SFC provided of things
> > we need to have in order before we could proceed?
>
> I am having trouble parsing this sentence. I think everything is
> covered in the two links I sent you previously:

Well if we like needed to reinstate the New Mexico entity. Or if that
was moot. Or any other legal requirements before being able to apply, or
be considered for acceptance.

Would assume we would need that, as to be able to hand over legal power
to the SPI.

>
> > http://www.spi-inc.org/treasurer/associated-project-howto.html
> > http://www.spi-inc.org/secretary/joining-spi-projects.html/
>
> >      4. Anything else prior to the application process?
>
> I don't think so. You may want to review here:
>
> http://www.spi-inc.org/corporate/by-laws
>
> Just so you are sure you feel comfortable with our mission :). I don't
> see a problem.

Yeah I am comfortable with all that I have read so far. For the same
reasons we were considering the SFC. So not a big deal at all there.

> > In order to apply, we will have to arrange a minimum a developer wide
> > vote. Usually takes 1/2 months there, but might be possible to
> > expedite. If we hunt each dev down and confirm they voted :)
> >
>
> I know that feeling.
>
> > However we would have to discuss the liaison position. Or any Gentoo
> > people that would sit on the SPI board. If trustees would remain, etc.
> >
>
> Well see above. Board is an elected position and when picking your
> Liaison remember that they effectively will control Gentoo's money.

Things we need to discuss and decided upon. Offhand would be nice to
have a remaining trustee board for Gentoo. With one designated as
liaison, and others able to step in if that person needs to step down.
Any decision approved by the group before the one liaison relays it to
the SPI. Just some off the cuff thoughts. But really has to come from
the community, either developer and user base. Or just developer.

Thanks much for all of your info Joshua. I think I have most all I need
to know now. We just need to figure out our course of action.

-- 
William L. Thomson Jr.
Gentoo/amd64/Java