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

[Jonathan Gray]

We should *definitely* ask OKF Advisory Board member Benjamin Mako
Hill about community guidelines.

Mako: is there any chance we could call you quickly about some of this
stuff at some point? E.g. in early December?

On Fri, Nov 12, 2010 at 3:35 PM, Rufus Pollock <rufus.pollock at okfn.org> wrote:
> 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>
>
> _______________________________________________
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> okfn-discuss at lists.okfn.org
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>



-- 
Jonathan Gray

Community Coordinator
The Open Knowledge Foundation
http://blog.okfn.org

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