The GNOME Foundation is comprised of a number of bodies - the Board of Directors, the Executive Director, the Advisory Board and the GNOME Membership. The GNOME Foundation Charter outlines the overall purpose, structure, and process for the GNOME Foundation. The GNOME Foundation By-laws (PDF) document the policies and procedures of the Foundation as a non-profit group.
The GNOME Foundation is run by a Board of Directors, which is elected annually by the GNOME community, as the GNOME Membership, to carry out much of the GNOME Foundation's tasks. The Board of Directors meets every other week with a phone conference to discuss various topics pertaining to the regular activities of the GNOME Foundation and GNOME. The minutes to these meetings are posted publicly on the foundation-list archives.
The Board of Directors for Fall 2003 through Fall 2004 is:
Tim Ney is the GNOME Foundation's executive director. Mr. Ney has a wealth of experience working for non-profit organizations from the fine arts to high tech. Previously at the Free Software Foundation, Mr. Ney is very familiar with the Free Software idealogy and community and has already integrated into the GNOME community seamlessly. Joining the GNOME Foundation at less than one year from its inception, Mr. Ney is playing a crucial role in growing and developing the Foundation in its formative years.
The executive director is tasked with managing and growing the GNOME Foundation as an organization. These tasks include working with the Board of Directors, Advisory Board members, GNOME membership, and other GNOME supporters to improve GNOME, support the GNOME community, and achieve the goals of the GNOME Foundation. The executive director also oversee's the GNOME Foundation's legal, administrative, and fundraising efforts.
The Advisory Board is made up of organizations and companies that support GNOME. The Advisory Board has no decision-making authority but provides a vehicle for its members to communicate with the Board of Directors and help the Directors guide the overall direction of GNOME and the GNOME Foundation.
The Advisory Board consists of representatives from the following GNOME Foundation member corporations:
The GNOME Membership consists of all the contributors to the GNOME project. Members can run for election to the Board of Directors, vote in the elections for the Board of Directors, and suggest referenda.