Re: [gentoo-dev] Council Council: call for agenda items for June 12 meeting

[Daniel Campbell]

On 06/11/2016 06:18 AM, Rich Freeman wrote:
> On Sat, Jun 11, 2016 at 8:09 AM, Pacho Ramos <pacho@g.o> wrote:
>>
>> Yeah, I also fail to see what is wrong with suggesting the items for
>> the agenda... is not that the purpose of this call? Or maybe I am
>> missing some replies to the thread :|
>>
>
> I'm not entirely sure I've caught everything going on based on reactions/etc.
>
> But, to answer your question generally (I'm not specifically referring
> to the topics mgorny raised):
>
> Anybody can ask the council to discuss anything at the meetings.  Note
> that the purpose of the council isn't to micromanage everything in
> Gentoo, and in general we like to try to build consensus and seek
> input before we just hand down decisions.  This allows everybody to
> have their say and it is foolish to disregard the expertise of those
> who don't happen to be on the council.  I think having a forum to
> formally air opinions but leave with decisions and not endless debate
> is one of the main value-adds of the council.
>
> So, if somebody suggests a topic that isn't entirely ripe for a
> decision most likely the council is probably going to try to trigger
> some list discussion to get it there if that is reasonable, and if not
> it will probably just air some opinions and try to offer some advice
> on what still needs to be done.  There is never harm in asking the
> council to get involved, but if a council agenda item is the first
> time a topic comes up, don't be surprised if you don't leave with
> something resembling a final decision.
>
> This is of course how this council has generally operated and future
> councils are free to operate differently, though I'd generally say
> that this sort of approach has worked really well for the last few
> years IMO.  In the end it is really the individuals behind initiatives
> who have the power to make them happen.  The council functions best
> when it is opening up the way for individuals to scratch their itch
> and not just handing down "unfunded mandates."
>
That's pretty much the way I understood it. As you said, the council
seems to have been run that way for the past few years.

I like that approach, because it gives everyone some pause and gives
other perspectives a chance to percolate. Based on what I've read in
past council discussions, the council is likely to have 'the full
picture' in mind and can often point out weaknesses in proposals, which
can only help them in the long run.

-- 
Daniel Campbell - Gentoo Developer
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