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

[Andrea Veri <av gnome org>]

Frederic,

unfortunately we had to re-use the voting system we use which is mainly focused on Board of Directors elections. Let me explain how it works:

1. Under candidates, you will find a list of 2 items, "yes" and "no"

2. For either yes or no to end up in your preferences list, you mainly need to click on either yes or no, you should expect to see your final choice under Preferences and the option you didn't select under Candidates

3. While you can theoretically select both and have both options added to preferences, it's preferred to only select one single option and confirm

Please let me know if that made things clearer for you, thanks!

On Tue, May 10, 2022 at 3:02 PM Frederic Muller <fredm gnome org> wrote:

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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--

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