From e4b59333c37bf9bb4277789658e66d0bba2fabf8 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Pat Riehecky Date: Nov 25 2024 15:52:56 +0000 Subject: Outline election process with more specificity --- diff --git a/about/governance/board.md b/about/governance/board.md index 9f15281..e029956 100644 --- a/about/governance/board.md +++ b/about/governance/board.md @@ -58,31 +58,43 @@ The board may delegate any of these responsibilities to a SIG or board-appointed The term of board shall be 12 months. There are no limits on the number of terms that an individual director can serve. However, the 12 month cadence allows board members to commit to a short term of service, and reevaluate their availability and interest at regular intervals. -In order to ensure that, at most, half of the board is replaced at any one time, the Board will be divided into two cohorts, which will be staggered by six months, such that half of the board members are either reconfirmed, or replaced, every six months. This is done in order to ensure continuity of knowledge, even if a majority of the board turns over in a given term. +In order to ensure that, at most, half of the board is replaced at any one time, the Board will be divided into two cohorts, which will be staggered by six months (Feb/Aug), such that half of the board members are either reconfirmed, or replaced, every six months. This is done in order to ensure continuity of knowledge, even if a majority of the board turns over in a given term. The Board Chair will be responsible for ensuring that this is on the agenda at six month intervals, or as soon thereafter as scheduling is possible, and that a nomination period is announced prior to this meeting, in the event that there are directors stepping down. (See also, “[Mid-term appointments](#mid-term-appointments)” below, for directors that depart before the usual end of term.) ### Appointment of Board members. -The Board shall consist of 8 to 11 members, the exact number to be determined, and announced, prior to the appointment of a new board. +The Board shall consist of 8 to 11 members, the exact number to be determined, and announced, as a part of the election announcement. -Board members are selected by the existing board members, from a pool of candidates proposed by the larger community. The community should be notified of an upcoming term at least 30 days in advance of the meeting in which the new board will be selected. +Board members are selected by the existing board members, from a pool of candidates proposed by the larger community. #### Nomination -The CentOS Community (specifically, the centos-devel mailing list) will be asked for nominations, 31 days prior to a board meeting in which directors will be appointed. At this time, the board will determine how many seats will be available, based on whether any directors are stepping down, and how many seats, total, the board wishes to have on the next board. +The CentOS Community (specifically, the centos-devel mailing list) will be asked for nominations. At this time, the board will determine how many seats will be available, based on whether any directors are stepping down, and how many seats, total, the board wishes to have on the next board. It is important to remember that the Board selects directors, and that the decision is made by the sitting board, not by the larger community. -Suggested names shall be collected, and presented to the board for deliberation and voting. - Directors will typically be nominated based on their merit in the community. This includes, but is not limited to, active participation in the CentOS Project, and a clear understanding of project goals and governance. The community may decide, however, to nominate an “outsider”, if they believe that the new perspective of a potential candidate will be in the best interests of the project. -#### Vote/Appointment process +Suggested names shall be collected, and presented to the board for deliberation and voting. People nominated to the board will be expected to submit a paragraph or two describing their objectives. + +#### Election/Vote/Appointment process + +The CentOS Community Manager will lead the effort of, announcing the election and establishing nomination, confirmation, and voting stages. Timelines may be adjusted to accommodate national holidays. Each nominee will be contacted to confirm their interest and submit a brief (under 200 words) statement. Nominees who do not respond within the designated timeframe will be considered to have declined at this time. Voting procedures may vary, but will use a form of ranked-preference voting and be finalized for each election before the nomination process begins. + +Directors are encouraged to balance the goal of welcoming new members with the need for continuity, always prioritizing the community's best interests. + +If there is a single nomination or no nomination the process remains the same. + +Election Process: + +1. **Election Announcement**: The CentOS Community Manager announces the election and outlines the process for submitting nominations. The nomination period is open for *31 days*. + +2. **Nominee Confirmation**: Nominees must be contacted to confirm their interest and asked to provide a commitment and contribution statement (under 200 words). Nominees are given *14 days* to respond. -The sitting board, being presented with the list of nominated directors, will determine, in a process to be decided by the chair and the sitting board, which of the nominated individuals will be selected for the available seats. (Specific mechanics of voting are a matter of implementation, not a matter of bylaws.) +3. **Candidate Review and Voting**: After confirmations, the Community Manager forwards confirmed candidates' information to the board and opens the voting period for *14 days*, which includes an option to vote for "None of the Above." -Directors are expected to carefully weigh the balance between welcoming new members, and maintaining continuity between terms, with the interests of the entire community as their highest priority. +If no candidate is selected, the election will end without a new board member until the next term. Once results are announced, elected candidates immediately join the CentOS Board. #### Mid-term appointments