Even better news.
The board approved a conflict of interest policy by 4 support, 1 abstention.
I invite all participants to the projects to read it.
Resolution: http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Resolution:Conflict_of_interest%E2%80%8E
Policy: http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Conflict_of_interest_policy
Pledge of personal commitment: http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Pledge_of_personal_commitment This pledge will be publicly hosted on WMF website, and shall be reconducted at least once per year.
Conflict of Interest Questionnaire: http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Conflict_of_Interest_Questionnaire This questionnaire will have to be filled up and modified each time the situation change. It will be reviewed by the legal counsellor and be viewable upon request by board members only.
This policy applies to the Foundation’s board members, officers, and executives.
I will consequently ask that * all 5 board members * all staff members
1) Fill the pledge and post it on Foundation website themselves under their own user account before 45 days.
2) Send an email with the pledge and their signature on this very list before 45 days.
3) Fill up the questionnaire and send it to Brad, who shall be the repository of these documents and so, before 45 days.
Since any board member can request to see these documents anytime, I suggest the best choice is that Brad (as legal counsel) post the questionnaire of each board member and staff member on the board wiki. These documents will have to be posted by Brad on the board wiki before 46 days from today (The board wiki is accessible only to Brad and the board).
Brad will have to ensure that any person having forgotten to fill up pledge and questionnaire, will be personnaly reminded at least 10 days before the deadline by email or any suitable trackable method (phone is not).
I recommand that all staff and board members make the extra effort to fill up these questionnaires before the board retreat. Though it is not mandatory, it will be considered a good move and greatly appreciated.
Staff and board members will also note that they should mention any change of their situation with respect with that policy as soon as possible. Failure to respect decent times will be considered bad will and prone to sanction.
Board members are reminded that they should retract voluntarily and spontaneously from any vote which might cause a conflict of interest. They are reminded as well that they should notify the board when their participation to a vote might be perceived by the board or others to cause a conflict of interest.
Failure to respect this policy can lead to be removed from the organisation, and this, whether staff or board member.
Florence Devouard 24 of september 2006 (considered to be official date of notification).
Anthere wrote: [snip]
This policy applies to the Foundation’s board members, officers, and executives.
I will consequently ask that
- all 5 board members
- all staff members
Does this include Danny, me, Tim, and Mark? We're staff, but not afaik officers or executives in that sense.
The pledge talks about being a member of the board of trustees. Have we been promoted? ;)
-- brion vibber (brion @ pobox.com)
Brion Vibber wrote:
Anthere wrote: [snip]
This policy applies to the Foundation’s board members, officers, and executives.
I will consequently ask that
- all 5 board members
- all staff members
Does this include Danny, me, Tim, and Mark? We're staff, but not afaik officers or executives in that sense.
The pledge talks about being a member of the board of trustees. Have we been promoted? ;)
-- brion vibber (brion @ pobox.com)
Yup. Overnight. We needed to expand the board :-)
Yeah, it is no perfect as of today. The mention of staff and officers was added at the last moment, and we apparently did not re-re-read the whole text well. Original mention was board+manager. Manager being an awfully fluttery word... I'll list all the little points to be fixed and will propose an minor update soon (before 45 days :-)).
For now, spirit of the law please. Pledge and questionnaire for board members. Questionnaire for staff (Brad, Brion, Mark, Tim, Danny and whoever else there is as of today) Replace "member of the board of the Foundation" by "employee of the Foundation".
ant
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