[foundation-board] Omidyar Grant Agreement

Thu Oct 9 09:01:41 UTC 2014

Just an update: Omidyar basically said no:

<quote>
We’ve discussed this as a team and would like to maintain the original
wording. Although we recognise that the senior management review may
uncover additional human resource needs, we would like to maintain the
focus of this particular executive search support on finding a single
high-quality executive, rather than diluting the search resources. If you
or the board feel strongly that this is not the right way forward, it might
be best you discuss with Penny directly (now copied).
</quote>

At this point I think we want to move forward and get the agreement signed
without delay (we can always try and discuss this further if the need
arises - I agree it is annoying to not be able to use the money and gives
us a perverse incentive ...)

Rufus

On 6 October 2014 11:32, Laura James <laura.james at okfn.org> wrote:

> That sounds good, Rufus, although I'm not sure I'd include the bit in
> brackets as it doesn't add much.
>
> (I'd note we already have "an operations person", and that a part time
> accountant / grant manager is definitely something I am evaluating at
> present and may look to get an interim in asap. For those on the board who
> are not aware, Michelle Heydon has been taken ill and I am covering for her
> at present. We have had a need for grant management for some time - the
> Development Director role was originally intended to include this but that
> did not work out, and we have not been able to find funds for an additional
> role like this thus far. However with Michelle out of action at a busy time
> this is the key gap where coverage is most needed, and as I think about
> interim solutions of course I will evaluate longer term potential too.)
>
> Laura
>
> On 6 October 2014 11:18, Rufus Pollock <rufus.pollock at okfn.org> wrote:
>
>> @Jane / Laura (and anyone else): they have come back with a clarification:
>>
>> "1. Can you explain the reasoning for changing the language? Are you now
>> considering recruiting several senior people?"
>>
>> For context I wrote to say:
>>
>> <quote>
>> 1. [Board] suggested a small modification in the conditions on item in
>> Exhibit B #3 from:
>>
>> " Grantee shall hire a recruiting firm to lead the senior executive
>> search, to the satisfaction of the Grantor. Supporting documentation must
>> be provided no later than 31 August 2015."
>>
>> To be modified to:
>>
>> "Grantee shall hire a recruiting firm to lead searches for required
>> senior roles, with the pre-agreement of and to the satisfaction of the
>> Grantor. Supporting documentation must be provided no later than 31 August
>> 2015."
>> </quote>
>>
>> I suggest we write back and say:
>>
>> "I believe that is correct in that the Board had thought that given that
>> we will be reviewing the senior leadership it could be possible that we
>> end up seeking to locate 2 roles rather than one (e.g. you might have a
>> part-time finance director or an operations person as well as an ED) and if
>> this still fitted within the allocated budget it would seem to sensible to
>> do."
>>
>> Any thoughts?
>>
>> Rufus
>>
>>
>>
>> On 3 October 2014 15:20, Laura James <laura.james at okfn.org> wrote:
>>
>>> Jane's suggestion seems sound.
>>>
>>> As an aside, we have a requirement for "review of leadership roles" in
>>> the grant agreement - that might be something worth checking with Andrew,
>>> Rufus, if you haven't already, just to make sure we know what they are
>>> expecting there; it seems potentially to link with Jane's suggestion (in a
>>> positive way).
>>>
>>> Laura
>>>
>>> On 3 October 2014 15:15, Jane Silber <jane.silber at canonical.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>>  On 03/10/14 15:05, Rufus Pollock wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>  On a new point, can you share the language around the $75K for
>>>>> executive search?  I'm asking because I believe we will spend less than
>>>>> that. I'd like to see if we can get access to the remaining funds for
>>>>> something else.  For example, it could be used to pay a search firm for a
>>>>> new Technical Director, or A Business Development Executive, or a Finance
>>>>> Director, or any other senior role that may be needed in the next year or
>>>>> so.  Or it could be used to facilitate further org development.  The
>>>>> language in the grant may allow for this already, or this may be a place in
>>>>> which we want to negotiate some additional language.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>  I'm pretty certain this 75k is earmarked for exec search and can't be
>>>> used for anything else (though I note it is not clear if just one person).
>>>> I can try and clarify further here.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> The relevant language seems to be in Exhibit B, which says
>>>>
>>>> " Grantee shall hire a recruiting firm to lead the senior executive
>>>> search, to the satisfaction of the Grantor. Supporting documentation must
>>>> be provided no later than 31 August 2015."
>>>>
>>>> It would be great if we could modify that to read
>>>>
>>>> " Grantee shall hire a recruiting firm to lead searches for required
>>>> senior roles, with the pre-agreement of and to the satisfaction of the
>>>> Grantor. Supporting documentation must be provided no later than 31 August
>>>> 2015."
>>>>
>>>> That would leave leeway to use recruiters for additional searches,
>>>> still time limit it, and still let ON approve ahead of time.  Advantage to
>>>> us is that it doesn't throw away unspent money.
>>>>
>>>> Jane
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *Dr Laura JamesCEO  *
>>>
>>> *skype: laura.james  |  *@LaurieJ <http://twitter.com/LaurieJ>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> *Rufus PollockFounder and President | skype: rufuspollock | @rufuspollock
>> <https://twitter.com/rufuspollock>Open Knowledge <http://okfn.org/> - see
>> how data can change the world**http://okfn.org/ <http://okfn.org/> |
>> @okfn <http://twitter.com/OKFN> | Open Knowledge on Facebook
>> <https://www.facebook.com/OKFNetwork> |  Blog <http://blog.okfn.org/>*
>>
>> The Open Knowledge Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation.  It is
>> incorporated in England & Wales as a company limited by guarantee, with
>> company number 05133759.  VAT Registration № GB 984404989. Registered
>> office address: Open Knowledge Foundation, St John’s Innovation Centre,
>> Cowley Road, Cambridge, CB4 0WS, UK.
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> foundation-board mailing list
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>> https://lists.okfn.org/mailman/listinfo/foundation-board
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>>
>
>
> --
>
>
>
> *Dr Laura JamesCEO  *
>
> *skype: laura.james  |  *@LaurieJ <http://twitter.com/LaurieJ>
>
>
>
>
>
> *Open Knowledge <http://okfn.org/>    -    A world where knowledge creates
> power for the many, not the fewhttp://okfn.org/ <http://okfn.org/>  |
>  @okfn <http://twitter.com/OKFN>  |  Facebook
> <https://www.facebook.com/OKFNetwork>  |  Blog <http://blog.okfn.org/>
> <http://okfn.org/about/newsletter>Open Knowledge Community Stories
> | http://okfncommunity.tumblr.com/ <http://okfncommunity.tumblr.com/> | see
> how people are changing the worldThe Open Knowledge Foundation is a
> not-for-profit organisation.  It is incorporated in England & Wales as a
> company limited by guarantee, with company number 05133759.  VAT
> Registration № GB 984404989. Registered office address: Open Knowledge
> Foundation, St John’s Innovation Centre, Cowley Road, Cambridge, CB4 0WS,
> UK.  *
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> foundation-board mailing list
> foundation-board at lists.okfn.org
> https://lists.okfn.org/mailman/listinfo/foundation-board
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>

-- 

*Rufus PollockFounder and President | skype: rufuspollock | @rufuspollock
<https://twitter.com/rufuspollock>Open Knowledge <http://okfn.org/> - see
how data can change the world**http://okfn.org/ <http://okfn.org/> | @okfn
<http://twitter.com/OKFN> | Open Knowledge on Facebook
<https://www.facebook.com/OKFNetwork> |  Blog <http://blog.okfn.org/>*

The Open Knowledge Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation.  It is
incorporated in England & Wales as a company limited by guarantee, with
company number 05133759.  VAT Registration № GB 984404989. Registered
office address: Open Knowledge Foundation, St John’s Innovation Centre,
Cowley Road, Cambridge, CB4 0WS, UK.
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