[okfn-discuss] Governance and structure of the Open Knowledge Foundation and its activities

Wed Nov 18 16:13:00 UTC 2009

I know many people find goverance/structure stuff a bit dull but
please don't be put off -- this is important stuff if you're
interested in the OKF and its activities!

The OKF has had a governance document from the inception:
<http://www.okfn.org/goverance/>

However, due to our small size much of what has been in there has been
implemented informally rather than formally. It is now time be a bit
more formal in how we organize the community. Not only is this
important in itself but it should also provide greater clarity as to
what is going on, who is involved etc.

The proposed setup is as follows:

1. There are "Network Members" of the OKF. Anyone may become a network
member but membership must be approved by the Projects Committee (see
next item). In general, Network Members are expected to be actively
involved in one or more projects or working groups.

2. There is a Projects Committee which is elected by Network Members
from among the Network Members on an annual basis. It deals with all
project and working group related matters including incubating,
approving, retiring project and working groups, monitoring their
progress, etc.

3. The Project Committee has regular monthly meetings via irc, e.g. on
the second Tuesday of every month.

4. To bootstrap this process the Board will appoint an initial set of
Network Members and a Projects Committee. All current working group
and project members will be automatically be invited to become network
members.

What do people think? What is good/bad, in need of amendment or clarification?

Regards,

Rufus Pollock

## Background to this

Discussion over the summer indicated that clearer structure and
governance is needed, see:

<http://wiki.okfn.org/Vision/Structure>

plus last email on this subject:
http://lists.okfn.org/pipermail/okfn-discuss/2009-October/001675.html