Florence Devouard wrote:
Thomas Dalton wrote:
Just as I
was clicking on "send", another member who had not spoken yet,
gave its opinion, which fully contradicts the 3 other ones opinion :-)
Is it really wise to speak for the board when you've only consulted 3
members? I don't know what the quorum is, but I'm sure it's more than
3.
Plus my opinion, makes 4. That makes a quorum.
I will mention that I did not consult ONLY 3 people, I never do that. I
ask all of them. They can answer or not answer.
And yes, that outlines that there should be a deadline to answer a
question/gives an opinion.
Why should you need a deadline? Is it your demand or someone else's?
I increasingly have a problem of incompatibility of
* on one hand, the desire of the community, of the staff, of potential
partners, of journalists, etc... to always have an answer as soon as
possible, preferably yesterday
* on the other hand, an increasing requirement for procedures, with
written statements (resolutions - which needs to be written by someone),
delay requirements for calling a meeting (10 days minimum), quorum
(which implies board members should be very frequently available to
assist most meetings)
The internet flexibility does not fit well with bureaucratic requirements.
Yep! We need to find new ways of doing things.
A recent example for me was the DVD key issue. I got
several emails of
people requesting a Foundation feedback during the night. When I got
online, more requests on irc and by skype. Request was made to
immediately provide the position of the Foundation on the DVD matter.
Right. So, first collect the information (what is that key story anyway
?). Then find a lawyer. Ask for an opinion. Wait for the feedback. Write
to board members and ask their opinion. Wait for the answers. Read
further emails received from english admin asking Foundation position
ASAP. Wait for USA to wake up. Then collect 2 comments. Wonder if two
comments are sufficient to represent Foundation opinion. Wait more ? 1
hour ? 4 hours ? Consider feedback sufficient in spite of no quorum ?
Write down a resolution and call for a meeting in 10 days ? Hope 4
people will be there to vote ?
Tell them that you will answer in a week or two ...... maybe. Your
reaction is very maternal. It is a mother's instinct to want all her
children to be safe, but when those children number in the thousands you
are soon confronted with your limitations.
I am partly joking. But only partly. Some people will
complain I did not
give enough time to give a feedback. Others that the Foundation is
becoming a heavy machine unable to make decisions. Both will be correct
probably. Another solution to speed up process would be to make
decisions alone and speak in the name of the board (which is probably
legal), which would be said to be power abuse.
SNAFU = Situation Normal, All Fucked Up. Don't become captive to the
panic of others.
Nothing's ever perfect :-)
I don't even expect that of you. ;-)
Ec