On Fri, Feb 13, 2015 at 12:16 PM, Olav Vitters <o...@vitters.nl> wrote:

> On Fri, Feb 13, 2015 at 11:20:21AM +0000, Magdalen Berns wrote:
> > It doesn't make a difference. The bylaws are the rules which regulate the
> > GNOME Foundation. GNOME's bylaws state the rules on membership
> eligibility
> > by defining what a contributor is and who is illegible for membership
> (i.e.
>
> IMO: It almost feels like GNOME is paying someone to become a member of
> the foundation.


This is not a coherent statement. Can you clarify what you are talking
about?

Arguing a lot about what the current rules state will
> not help with the concerns people have raised.
>

If you have a concrete reason why it does help to continue to ignore bylaws
that are inconvenient for whatever is more convenient, then you are free to
make a case for that. California law probably would probably override that
idea, though.


> Let's focus on why there's any difference, see if can reach a conclusion
> on that. "Because the rules" state so leads IMO to too much nitpicking
> on the rules, instead of focussing on the concerns.
>

If people want to focus on that then the procedure to follow is to suggest
an amendment to the bylaws and make a case for that, it is not introduce
practices by the back door which contradict the rules laid out by the most
current bylaws . Again, if any member wishes to make amendments to the
bylaws then there is a process for that which is laid out in the
"amendments" section of bylaws.

"Any member can propose the adoption, amendment or repealing of the Bylaws.
In the event of such a proposal, the following procedures shall be
implemented:
1. The members shall be provided with the reasonable means to comment upon
and/or object to any such proposal for twenty one (21) days
2. The proposal shall be sent to the membership and shall be posted on //
foundation.gnome.org http: by the Board
3. In the event that five percent or more of the members object to the
proposal, a special meeting of the members shall be convened in accordance
with the provisions of Article VII, and the proposal shall be voted upon
4. In the event that five percent or more of the members do not object to
the proposal, then the proposal shall be adopted by the Board to the extent
permitted by CNPBCL Section 5150(a)."

This is not a complicated process, it is fairly clear and transparent
(especially when compared with the alternative). What is the problem with
using It?

Various people have stayed after GSoC (+ anything similar). On other
> hand: some you don't hear about at all once they leave. For some
> internship, the person has a mentor assigned to them. That eases the
> "stickyness" vs someone who sends patches on his own. I'd wonder about
> why someone applies, is it real interest in GNOME and free software, or
> just good for resume and finding work?
>

As Meg seems to have pointed out already in her question, the same could be
said for any sponsored contributor. The bylaws are explicit in not
discriminating against sponsored/paid contributors compared with any other
kind of contributor. There is a concrete process for anyone who disagrees
with bylaws to suggest an amendment to them.

For foundation membership (IIRC) to have to specify a few people to
> vouch for you. I have never been a mentor. I'm wonder if the mentor
> could guess if the person would stay or not.
>
> I think detailing the expectations would help a lot.
>

At the moment we are talking about whether it is justifiable to tell all
successful interns that they are not eligible for membership not how the
membership committee make their decisions. The bylaws give the membership
committee the overriding decision but says all applications are to be
considered on a case-by-case basis.

Magdalen
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