Topic: REQUEST FOR VOTE: SME Project Leadership

[gzartman]

It appears that there are some who feel the current Koozali Foundation and Board of Directors is illegitimate and has no community backing because it was formed instead of officially voted in.  The current Foundation was formed under the direction of a US licensed attorney and follows standard Non-Profit Organization practices and guidelines.

All organizations need some kind of leadership in order to make decisions for the organization; otherwise, the organization basically goes nowhere.  The intention of all of those who have been working on this effort was and is to bring order to disorder and help grow the SME project and make it better.  This is it – no agenda beyond that.  Those on the current board essentially volunteered.

Directly to the point:  Since there are those who think the organization that was formed over the last six months is illegitimate because it wasn't voted on, let’s vote.  There are many people putting in a lot of their own personal time and money to build the current organizational structure.  If this isn’t what the community wants, then please let’s put an end to it and stop wasting the time of those putting in the time and money to make the organization.

Please don’t just pass this message by.  Vote on it so that we can move forward in a productive fashion without even the implication of illegitimacy, one way or the other.

Here are the options I see:

Option 1:  Dis-ban the current board and foundation and go back to the status quo as of six months ago.

Option 2:  Keep the current Foundation, but elect a new board of directors.

Option 3:  Keep the current Foundation and board of directors.

[janet]

gzartman

It appears that there are some who feel the current Koozali Foundation and Board of Directors is illegitimate and has no community backing because it was formed instead of officially voted in.

Can you illuminate us all as to where that conclusion or knowledge has come from ? ie how do you know that some people feel that way ? Can you indicate how many people feel that way ? How & where did they express that opinion ?

Furthermore was there any requirement either legally or obligation wise, for "people" to follow any rules or regulations that somehow govern this community.
I know there was a lot of words written a few years ago (a constitution) but was that in any way legally binding to affect the actions of those who created the Koozali Foundation & created the current board of directors.

If the constitution is legally binding then does it require the matters you now raise to be voted upon, or perhaps handled in some other way ?

Those on the current board essentially volunteered.

Perhaps that is the issue, volunteering is OK, but the decisions of the volunteers need to be voted upon, does the constitution actually say that ?


Unfortunately I do not see any voting form or buttons, did you setup the poll ?

[ajkeane]

I as one of the members of the Koozali Foundation, Inc board would like to encourage all community members to speak up and make a vote.

It is time for the community to choose their fate you all have a responsibility to speak if you want SME to continue.

I will as the Secretary of the board be collating the votes from the forums and email lists. I realise this is not the best method to run something like this but it is what we have and it appears to be working.

Regards
Tony Keane
Secretary
Koozali Foundation, Inc

[slords]

It appears that there are some who feel the current Koozali Foundation and Board of Directors is illegitimate and has no community backing because it was formed instead of officially voted in.

Since you brough it to light Greg we might as well get the whole story and reason out in the open.

I (Shad Lords) am the one that said the Board doesn't have the backing of the community.  We (me included) are a group of self appointed individuals that are making decisions for the community without the direct approval of the community.

10 years ago I was entrusted with the content of the wiki, forums, bugzilla database.  I think I've been a good steward of that information and have helped build out what is the current contribs.org infrastructure and site.  I've done everything I can to keep the data open and available for everyone.

With the concerns over the move of my equipment to the ClearCenter data center the board has asked for that data to be turned over to them.  This vote is really to empower the board to be able to own and mange all the assets and intellectual property of the community.

Voting to give the board this power doesn't mean that anything will change with the contribs.org site.  It also doesn't mean that things remain the same either.  It just gives them the power to govern what happens instead of me making the decision based on what I feel is best for the community.

I have agreed to do whatever the community decides.  If they want to give the board full control then I will honor that decision and turn things over to the board as/when requested.

[janet]

slords

10 years ago I was entrusted with the content of the wiki, forums, bugzilla database.  I think I've been a good steward of that information and have helped build out what is the current contribs.org infrastructure and site.  I've done everything I can to keep the data open and available for everyone.

You have done a very good job Shad, & I am very thankful for your efforts.
I'm sure the majority of users here are also very appreciative of your efforts & level of committment. The contribs.org community is lucky to have you.

[gzartman]

With the concerns over the move of my equipment to the ClearCenter data center the board has asked for that data to be turned over to them.  This vote is really to empower the board to be able to own and mange all the assets and intellectual property of the community.

That is ABSOLUTELY not true.  If you'd like we can post all of the correspondence on the the topic, which will clearly show this was never asked nor demanded.

Fact is, you didn't talk to anyone here before you sold your equipment, AND SMEs data, to ClearCenter and put some level of control in their hands.  None of us knew exactly what was going on.  David Loper made it pretty clear in his post here that they feel they have some level of control over SME. 

The Koozali Executive had a virtual meeting with ClearCenter to clear the air on this move and ascertain the terms of the hosting agreement.  Since you work part time at ClearCenter, you offered to facilitate the meeting.  Those in the executive that were in this meeting came away from that meeting not entirely trusting them.  None of us want to see SME wind up in Micheal Proper's resume here as an acquired company:  http://www.clearfoundation.com/Community/Profile/mproper.html 

Shad was simply asked to come up with an exit strategy to move SME project data off ClearCenter hardware in the event things went south with ClearCenter.   That's it. 

Your reply was:

"I don't want to make this an arguing point.  I just want to state that I have been in charge of the community assets for 10+ years now.  I haven't let them down and don't plan on doing so.  That doesn't say that I won't go along with the board if what they propose is the best for the community in my opinion.  Until the community says that they back the board and are fine with them making all the decisions I really do control everything."

By the way, this not only includes all of the community data, but also the donations.

The Koozali Executive has also asked Shad for information on the backups of the community data in the event something happens to him.  He's the only one who knows how all of this works.  Simply, how do we put humpty dumpty back together again if you aren't here.

Quite frankly, none of these are unreasonable requests and something I would expect from ANY leadership. 

Voting to give the board this power doesn't mean that anything will change with the contribs.org site.  It also doesn't mean that things remain the same either.  It just gives them the power to govern what happens instead of me making the decision based on what I feel is best for the community.

And the problem with this is?  You are on that board Shad.  You have a voice in the vote just like all 9 members.

[slords]

That is ABSOLUTELY not true.  If you'd like we can post all of the correspondence on the the topic, which will clearly show this was never asked nor demanded.

Fact is, you didn't talk to anyone here before you sold your equipment, AND SMEs data, to ClearCenter and put some level of control in their hands.  None of us knew exactly what was going on.  David Loper made it pretty clear in his post here that they feel they have some level of control over SME.

Now what you are saying is completely untrue.  ClearCenter doesn't own SMEs data.  It is true that the hardware is being transitioned to ClearCenter's ownership and by adding their admins to the hardware that gives us an extra level of redundancy in the event I can't be gotten a hold of.  How would that have been any different if I had given them access when it was at my house?  The fact is it was/is my hardware.  Who I give access to is my business.  I've had admins come and go over the years.  It isn't a concern of the community who is administering the hardware as long as the site and assets remain up and functional.

The Koozali Executive had a virtual meeting with ClearCenter to clear the air on this move and ascertain the terms of the hosting agreement.  Since you work part time at ClearCenter, you offered to facilitate the meeting.  Those in the executive that were in this meeting came away from that meeting not entirely trusting them.  Shad was simply asked to come up with an exit strategy to move SME project data off ClearCenter hardware in the event things went south with ClearCenter.   That's it.

If you left that way then it was a surprise to me.  I felt everyone left the meeting all in agreement and knew what direction both sides were going to go.

"I don't want to make this an arguing point.  I just want to state that I have been in charge of the community assets for 10+ years now.  I haven't let them down and don't plan on doing so.  That doesn't say that I won't go along with the board if what they propose is the best for the community in my opinion.  Until the community says that they back the board and are fine with them making all the decisions I really do control everything."

And I still feel this way.  Until the community tells me to give control to someone/something else I will continue to do as I've done before.  I think my track record speaks for itself.  This is the real reason that you brought up the vote.

By the way, this not only includes all of the community data, but also the donations.

I don't deny this either.  But as has been shown that didn't even cover my electricity and internet connections for hosting.  Even if we were to sign over all of the donations currently coming in that wouldn't cover the increase in hosting costs at the ClearCenter data center.  On a side note to this nothing has ever been discussed about the donations or who controls them.  They were only recently handed over to me when ruffdogs didn't want to manage them anymore.  If the board wants control of the paypal account then I'll gladly hand that over.  The money never did control what I did (or will do).

The Koozali Executive has also asked Shad for information on the backups of the community data in the event something happens to him.  He's the only one who knows how all of this works.  Simply, how do we put humpty dumpty back together again if you aren't here.

Which I have provided.  This isn't a big secret.  All the source code is in sourceforge (including most of the scripts I use to manage the internal workings of contribs.org).  All of the data (graphics, code changes, mysql dump) associated with the wiki, bugzilla, forums, translations has multiple redundant backups both at my site, ClearCenter data center, and 2-3 trusted community members sites (they know who they are).  In the event that things go south or I disappear all the IP of contribs.org could be rebuild/restored.  It wouldn't be pretty as machines would need to be aquired, systems installed, software (bugzilla, mediawiki, smf, pootle) would have be be installed, customizations of those packages would need to occur and the database would have to be restored and pointed to.  Everything you need to customize the software install is there along with instructions how to do it.

Quite frankly, none of these are unreasonable requests and something I would expect from ANY leadership. 

And the problem with this is?  You are on that board Shad.  You have a voice in the vote just like all other 9 members.

Where in my post did I say there was a problem?

I have concerns with the board not being ratified by the community.  I also have concerns about the board that I can't put my finger on.  It is posts like this that seem to jump down my throat everytime I bring it up.  I'm trying to trust in the board and have given them my cooperation so far, but I still have reservations about where they are hinting they want to take contribs.org.

[gzartman]

And I still feel this way.  Until the community tells me to give control to someone/something else I will continue to do as I've done before.  I think my track record speaks for itself.  This is the real reason that you brought up the vote.

That is exactly the point.

None of us want to waste our time building an organizational structure for nothing.   I have much better things to do with my time, like earning a living or spending time with my family.     I'm sure John and Tony feel the same way about it. 

What's the use in all of us business people working to establish organization and infrastructure and working to increase donations and cash flow only to have you tell us "I make all the decisions."

If that's the case, then let's just stop wasting everyone's time on this and go back to everyone doing nothing except a few developers tinkering with SME as a hobby. 

[janet]

gzartman, shad, et al

It sounds like everyone is working in the same general direction, perhaps with a slight misunderstanding or slight miscommunication about who said what, when & exactly how etc.
People's motivations or intent is also being examined.
Human emotion is also "at play" here, fears from existing administrators that things will not stay the same or maybe even get worse, fears from the new board & community members that their efforts could be derailed, it's only natural when change happens for humans to feel this way as we are emotional beings.

I can see the votes here, in the forums & mail lists & virtually all are in favour of option 3 to keep the current Foundation & board of directors.
That I expect will be the final outcome unless there should be a radical departure from the trend so far.

Shad is on the new board so his wealth of experience building & maintaining the backend system & ensuring data integrity etc, will still be utilised & it is good to know he is still there "keeping an eye on things" so to speak.
With this vote going the way it appears, then any concerns by anyone about the hierarchy should be adequately resolved.

I think all these questions & answers coming out here is a good thing, it's good to hear that Shad has redundancy built in as far as data backup is concerned & that the new board are looking at these issues, rather than relying or depending solely on Shad.
An issue now is for the new board collectively to take control of the "system" with as much integrity that Shad has displayed over all these years.
I believe this is part of what was trying to be achieved by creating a new Foundation & a board, be they elected or a product of volunteering.

Requests were made many months ago for volunteers to join the board etc & lead SME Server, which has also happened in the past, both with & without success.
Up until a few months ago, SME server was effectively "Leaderless" since the last "batch of leaders" resigned a few years ago, although many people were still active.
By virtue of the fact that some people stood up & volunteered themselves for the role(s) in early 2013, they were effectively "voted in" as they were the only ones to step up, and the community allowed them to do so without any significant objections or interference.
It appears we have even had one board member resign at this early stage, I assume due to differences of opinion & style of management etc. This is democracy at work.
 
So to me the efforts of a group of individuals to establish a Foundation & a board & improve the direction that SME server is going, is quite valid, any of us could have done so & we were all allowed to do so by our peers in this community.
Voting now is just a further confirmation of the above process, and if the constitution or Foundation regulations do state so, then perhaps a vote is necessary to ratify the actions of individuals who created the Foundation & the board of directors.

For whatever reasons this vote is being called for, my vote is for Option 3, to Keep the current Foundation and board of directors.

I wish the Foundation & the Board of Directors well, & look forward to the ongoing development & success of Koozali SME Server, but please keep us informed of your plans, deliberations & decisions, so that everyone understands what is happening, & none can say "I never heard anything about that" etc.

[ajkeane]

All

You can view the results of the vote here:

https://docs.google.com/a/koozali.org/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AnDnfrnOTXFcdDk1SkQ5LU00bzU4a0Q0Z0tPeHRBZWc&usp=sharing

Please note that at this time I have not verified that there are no duplicate votes between the forum and lists.

Regards

Tony

[gzartman]

Voting for this topic will remain open through July 7, 2013.  On July 8, this thread will be locked and the votes will be tallied.  Shortly thereafter, the results of the vote will be posted to this thread.

Please let your voice be heard and vote.   The community wants to hear from you!

Thank you to everyone who has voted.  Your activity in this project is what will make SME the best distribution it can be.

[guest22]

So less then 50 votes from 260 forum readers and who knows how many whatever lists subscribers (out of the thousands of active community members) on a un announced poll during holiday season in many parts in the world is representative for democratic way of listening to the 'public'? And then closing the vote at will?? also unannounced??

By the way, who is:
Jodi Unruh
Director of Communications
Koozali Foundation, Inc
jodiunruh@koozali.org

I never saw an election or any communication or discussion about that position???

I also do not understand the discussion about the move to ClearCenter at this stage. Private equipement from a person moved to another entity. Contribs.org/Koozali have no business with that other then making a descision on if it want's to be hosted by that new entity at all. Contribs.org and all it's contents can't be sold, neither be descided on by CC or any other (legal) entity.

Hence my surprice at the time that this was all done under the Koozali board responsibility whilst Koozali acknowledged that it was not informed not consulted about such a critical change moment.

guest

ps. Why is the board mailing list not advertised like all the other lists? And why are specific (or hand picked) persons allowed/invited to post to this list as IF they were a member of the board? Is the list naming wrong?

http://lists.contribs.org/mailman/listinfo/board

[guest22]

That is exactly the point.

None of us want to waste our time building an organizational structure for nothing.   I have much better things to do with my time, like earning a living or spending time with my family.     I'm sure John and Tony feel the same way about it. 

What's the use in all of us business people working to establish organization and infrastructure and working to increase donations and cash flow only to have you tell us "I make all the decisions."

If that's the case, then let's just stop wasting everyone's time on this and go back to everyone doing nothing except a few developers tinkering with SME as a hobby.

Until some 'body' comes up with a real vision, roadmap and full community support, it will stay a hobby for many, many of us.

The community is now faced with techies and self appointed business people who do things without a plan and are not united and/or share the same vision. Hence the surpirse action of Shad as an individual without any discussion or even giving a heads up to the community nor the board. Hence the 'internal board' discussion in this thread.

I vote for option 1 for now before more harm is done. I will not use the poll, for my vote should be anonymous, as all votes should be. I wonder how the listed people in the publicly shown spreadsheet feel about their vote being made public.

Next to that, it is a HUGE violation of EU rules on voting and polls!!!!! It makes the voting completely invalid and also the fact that there are no voting rules set such as minimum amount of valid votes etc. makes this vote/poll completely invalid. So it did not happen. Hence the incompetence of the Koozali board. How the HE** can you post personal details!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[guest22]

Interesting Koozali board members discussion about vision and direction of the project.

[guest22]

Here are the options I see:

This whole poll/vote is another individual action without a planning or proper organisation around it. The bad thing is, the Koozali board accepts this and simply takes it on as their own initiative as if it was a board descision and has been discussed and descided upon to take such an action. Unless I am mistaking, I did not see this topic on any agenda or meeting minutes.

[ajkeane]

HSF

May I ask you one question as ajkeane (not a board member)?

Why is it that you have so much energy to put into talking any progress down instead of putting all that energy into something constructive for a change.

No one else has seen the need to be negative in relation to what is being done to try and move SME forward. Maybe I have missed something but I believe this board has received more votes than any before it.

I appreciate the time people have taken to vote and have their say, I am only to happy to work for the community and hope that more people will see fit to stand up and join the movement. Let face it SME can be so much more than it is today but it will not succeed unless the community join with the board in deciding the distributions future.

We all have day jobs and are working away as we can for the future of SME in a positive and uplifting manner. This would all go faster and be more productive if we had two things.

More motivated people giving their time or money. It is a simple recipe really. But negativity motivates no one.

To all the forum and list members who have voted once again thanks and to those lurkers who have chosen to not vote why not take the time to join in now and have your say.

Tony

[ajkeane]

All

Voting on this thread has now closed and the thread will be locked shortly.

I will now verify that we have no duplicate votes between the forum and list votes and will then post the official results of this vote.

All of the Koozali Foundation, Inc board members would like to thank those of the community that took the time to read, comment and vote on this matter. It means a lot to all of us that you took the time and have shown that you are interested in the future of this community.

Tony