Overview of the GNOME Foundation Board of Directors



GNOME Foundation Overview

The GNOME Foundation will work to further the goal of the GNOME project: to create a computing platform for use by the general public that is completely free software.


To achieve this goal, the Foundation will coordinate releases of GNOME and determine which projects are part of GNOME. The Foundation will act as an official voice for the GNOME project, providing a means of communication with the press and with commercial and noncommercial organizations interested in GNOME software. The foundation may produce educational materials and documentation to help the public learn about GNOME software. In addition, it may sponsor GNOME-related technical conferences, represent GNOME at relevant conferences sponsored by others, help create technical standards for the project and promote the use and development of GNOME software. For more information, see The GNOME Foundation Web Site.

Becoming a Candidate for the Board of Directors

If you would like to become a candidate for the Board of Directors, please:

  1. Read this document.

  2. Read the GNOME Foundation charter (http://foundation.gnome.org/charter.html).

  3. Make sure you will have adequate time and interest in performing the tasks described below.

  4. Announce your candidacy by sending an email to foundation-announce@gnome.org AND to foundation-list@gnome.org with a description of how you have contributed to GNOME and why you want to be on the Board of Directors. (Deadline: Oct 23, 2000)



Partial List of Tasks of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors must perform a broad set of both technical and non-technical tasks including:

  1. Help set overall direction for GNOME.

  2. Work with GNOME Foundation Advisory Board.

  3. Finalize GNOME Foundation by-laws and finish creation of the GNOME Foundation.

  4. Work with companies who would like to learn more about GNOME and define how they can help and work with GNOME.

  5. Create GNOME release schedule and appoint release coordinators.

  6. Promote and market GNOME.

  7. Make announcements and press releases on behalf of GNOME.

  8. Appoint individuals/committees to handle media, booths at conferences, press releases, etc.

  9. Determine where and when GNOME conferences should be held and appoint individuals to coordinate the conferences.

  10. Administer GNOME Foundation funds.

  11. Address any legal issues which come up (trademarks branding, licensing, copyright assignment, etc.).

  12. Maintain a web page and mailing lists. Post public parts of Board meeting minutes.

  13. The board will arbitrate technical disputes between maintainers.

  14. Be a liaison with other open source projects.

Diversity of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors should reflect the diversity of the GNOME project, including leaders of the core GNOME technologies, volunteer contributors as well as representatives of companies which are making major contributions to GNOME, individuals from various geographic regions, and representatives of other aspects of GNOME.



Qualities of a Good Director

A good director will have the following characteristics:

  1. Be a good leader.

  2. Willing and able to dedicate a significant amount of time to GF work.

  3. Be an active GNOME contributor who tracks the day-to-day happenings of GNOME.



Director Requirements

All directors must be willing to:

  1. Respect confidentiality of private discussions with corporations who are interested in working with the GNOME Foundation.

  2. Contribute a significant amount of time to working on various GNOME Foundation projects and tasks.

  3. Participate in biweekly meetings which are held over a telephone conference call.

  4. Attend an annual in-person meeting of the Board of Directors (travel expenses would be covered by the Foundation).

  5. Act on behalf of all GNOME contributors in the best interest of GNOME, and not solely represent the interests of a specific company or constituency.