[Wikimedia-l] Board visitors resolution passed

[Michael Peel]

On 28 Jun 2012, at 00:03, Thomas Dalton wrote:

> In what sense do these visitors have a "one-year term" when they are
> actually just attending one meeting?
> 
> And why doesn't the board just allow anyone that wants to come along
> to observe their meetings?

+1. Compare and contrast with WMUK board meetings, where we regularly have several (different) visitors attending each meeting, and also webcast our board meetings wherever possible. We have 'in-camera' elements as needed to protect the limited amount of confidential discussion we need to have, but otherwise we're striving for as much transparency and openness as possible. We've yet to encounter distractions as a result that haven't been rather constructive in the discussions that were being held.

I think that this visitor's resolution is a great step forward for transparency at the Board level of the WMF, but please consider being BOLD and walking down the rest of the path. :-)

Thanks,
Mike

> On 27 June 2012 23:58, phoebe ayers <phoebe.wiki at gmail.com> wrote:
>> All,
>> FYI
>> 
>> The Board of Trustees passed a resolution extending and making
>> permanent the Board Visitors visitors program,  which we tried out for
>> a one-year trial in 2011.
>> http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Resolution:Board_Visitors_%282012%29
>> 
>> The language is the same as that in the resolution establishing the
>> trial program:
>> http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Resolution:Board_visitors
>> 
>> The resolution allows for having up to two visitors per year, who
>> would attend one meeting apiece. Board visitors sit in on the meeting
>> they attend for most items, but do not participate in voting or the
>> board email list.
>> 
>> The intent is that by having visitors the board can learn from
>> significant contributors and related institutions, while at the same
>> time related projects and institutions as well as individuals can
>> learn more about the WMF. The number of visitors and the amount they
>> can participate is deliberately limited to avoid becoming a
>> distraction.
>> 
>> Suggestions of potential visitors are welcome and should be made
>> directly to the board (via me or another trustee).
>> 
>> best,
>> phoebe
>> 
>> --
>> * I use this address for lists; send personal messages to phoebe.ayers
>> <at> gmail.com *
>> 
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