[Foundation-l] Future Board election procedures and guidelines

[Michael Snow]

George Herbert wrote:
> I agree that there are some organizations and some circumstances under
> which there are valid organizational conflict of interest issues which
> make it a good idea to keep ex-employees off the board for some period
> of time.
>
> I don't believe that a good case has been made that the Wikimedia
> Foundation is one of those organizations.  I oppose imposing such a
> ban at this time.
>
> I am willing to be convinced otherwise, and this is a good discussion
> to have.  I would like to know if there is anyone who wasn't opposed
> to Brad's run this time who feel that the rule is necessary.
I would like to know how many other people were confused about whether 
it was Brad running or Danny. (Just teasing, I'm sure this was a simple, 
honest slip-up on George's part.)

Recklessly extrapolating generalizations from this single instance, I 
would say it means one of two things. One possibility is that most 
voters wouldn't know the difference between Brad and Danny. Which is to 
say, despite their work these former employees really aren't that 
well-known, so the concerns about Wikimedia staff cashing in on their 
name recognition to win board elections are obviously overstated. The 
other possibility is that most voters wouldn't know the difference 
between Brad and Danny. Which is to say, the voters don't recognize the 
names of two former employees in crucial positions, so we're allowing a 
bunch of people to choose a board when they know so little about the 
Wikimedia Foundation that they really have no business being allowed to 
make such a decision.

Removing my tongue from my cheek and speaking in all seriousness now, I 
think a waiting period between employment and board membership deserves 
fair consideration. I fully agree with those who say that if we have 
one, it must apply in both directions. However, I would suggest that 
some of the people who have the most to offer as board members would 
bring similar value as employees or in other positions (notice the 
connection between chapter leadership and board membership - should this 
have a waiting period too?). Rather than forgo their help, which I think 
is unwise, I believe any waiting period should be kept as short as we 
can possibly bear while still respecting the concerns behind it. Six 
months seems quite sufficient to me.

--Michael Snow