[okfn-discuss] Code of Conduct / Community guidelines for the OKF

[Rufus Pollock]

On the coord group this week there was a brief discussion in relation
to having a set of Community Guidlines or Community Code of Conduct.

We already have some text along these lines in the
<http://okfn.org/governance/> document (excerpted below).

I've also been looking at the excellent Ubuntu Code of
Conduct:<http://www.ubuntu.com/community/conduct> and wondered if we
should merge some of this in.

Anyone have thoughts, suggestions or opinions here?

Regards,

Rufus


## Current text in Governance Doc

<quote>
Philosophy, Goals and Operation

Projects and working groups are the chief decision-making units. This
reduces friction and allows greater diversity to emerge than in a
top-down monoculture model. Each project and working group is
delegated authority over its activities, and is given a great deal of
latitude both in what it does and how it does it, but all share a
similar core philosophy.

Commitment to Open Knowledge

All projects and working groups should be involved in promoting open
knowledge. Promotion can be interpreted broadly and would include
running events, producing tools and services to assist in the
production or dissemination of open knowledge as well as creating open
material directly.

Open Discussion

Open discussion allows the most promising ideas to come to the fore,
and for decisions to be reached on a consensus basis. Communication
within projects is typically carried out via mailing lists. These
enable all individuals to contribute, at a time convenient to each.
They also provide a record of the development process which is
available to all users and project members.

Meritocracy

The OKF believes that authority must be matched by responsibility.
Merit should be respected and encouraged. Concretely this means active
and able contributors will have the greatest control over the
project’s activities; our governance structure is simply there to
ensure that there is a solid institutional framework to support these
activities.

Tolerance

A pre-condition for all projects, and essential to a meritocracy.
Differences are recognised as a creative force: when discussed openly
and without aggression, they allow a group’s thinking to be clarified.
</quote>

We also have a statement regarding 'members':

<quote>
As a Member of the Foundation, you are expected to act in accordance
with the basic goals and philosophy of the Foundation as set out
below. You are expected to act in a professional and responsible
manner. You are expected to treat your fellow members with respect and
courtesy.
</quote>