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<h1>Membership for the GNOME Foundation</h1>
<p>
The Membership consists of all GNOME contributors who wish to become part
of the Membership and go through the application process. Members can run
for election to the Board of Directors, vote in the elections for the
Board of Directors, and suggest referenda. The membership process is
overseen by the Membership and Elections Committee. You can also browse
the <a href="members.php">current membership list</a>.
</p>
<p>
If you are a GNOME contributor and would like to become a member of the
Foundation, fill in the <a href="application.php">membership application
form</a>. If the form is not available, feel free to send your
application by e-mail to <a
href="mailto:membership-committee@gnome.org">membership-committee@gnome.org</a>. You can also check <a href="http://www.gnome.org/rt3-stats/membership.html">current status of Foundation Membership queue</a>.
</p>
<h2>Who is eligible for membership in the GNOME Foundation?</h2>
<p>
Per the GNOME Foundation's charter, any contributor to GNOME is eligible
for membership. Although it is difficult to specify a precise definition,
a contributor generally must have contributed to a non-trivial
improvement of the GNOME Project. Contributions may be code,
documentation, translations, maintenance of project-wide resources, or
other non-trivial activities which benefit the GNOME Project. While large
amounts of advocacy or bug reporting may qualify one as a member, such
contributions must be significantly above the level expected of an
ordinary user. Membership eligibility is an individual determination:
while contributions made in the course of employment will be considered,
they will generally be ascribed to the individuals involved, rather
than accruing to all employees of a "contributing" corporation. As noted
above, these guidelines are not meant to define precise objective
criteria: ultimately, an individual's membership eligibility will be
determined on a case-by-case basis, in the sound discretion of the
Membership Committee and the Board of Directors.
</p>
<p>
For a more complete definition of the guidelines, you can look at the <a
href="http://mail.gnome.org/archives/foundation-announce/2002-October/msg00003.html">proposal
for guidelines</a> that was accepted by the board in 2002 October.
</p>
<h2>How can I apply for membership in the GNOME Foundation?</h2>
<p>
To apply for membership, please complete the form available <a
href="application.php">on the web</a>. Please note that applications for
membership must include sufficient information to allow the Membership
Committee to verify the applicants' eligibility; applications which
include inaccurate or insufficient information may be rejected at the
committee's discretion.
</p>
<h2>My application was rejected; what can I do?</h2>
<p>
If you have questions as to why your application was rejected, please
contact the Membership Committee by electronic mail to <a
href="mailto:membership-committee@gnome.org">membership-committee@gnome.org</a>;
you may be able to provide additional information which will lead to the
approval of your application. If you are still dissatisfied with the
Membership Committee's determination, you may appeal the decision to the
Board of Directors by e-mailing <a
href="mailto:board@gnome.org">board@gnome.org</a>.
</p>
<h2>Renewing your membership</h2>
<p>
Membership in the GNOME Foundation ordinarily lasts for two years. A
reasonable period of time before your membership expires, you will be
contacted by the Membership Committee with a request that you file a
renewal application, available <a href="application.php">here</a>.
Renewal applications and applications from previous members who did not renew are automatically accepted. If your membership expires, you won't be able to use rights of GNOME Foundation Members before renewing your membership.
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