We have several things in this thread here.
First, on the vote representation itself:
It is demanding to have one vote, in which voters say they are in favor of one part, but are not in favor of another part. However the vote is then represened in public, it can be challenged. The best solution therefore is to clearly give a +1 (plus one), 0 (zero) or -1 (minus one) on the full motion and add any short extra statements to be published with its publication. That helps to make the job much easier for whoever has to publish the vote sumary.
Second, on APELL:
We were approached by OSBA with this opportunity via their newsletter. There was no correspondence with APELL in the form it was assumed here. There was also no “urgency” vote. The OSBA newsletter was forwarded by me to the board, upon this, the proposal was made on the directors list. Could this have been done in public? Yes. Was there a bad intention? No.
Also, in the mail thread I saw none of the directors noticing this and suggesting to have the vote in public instead. I don’t remember hearing that during Monday’s board call either, and I don’t see it mentioned in the minutes, to which all board members have full access also during the call twhen hey are being written.
If there is written statement of concerns regarding private voting, please share it here - I didn’t find it, but I might have as well missed it. If there isn’t, this is a collective outcome, and we all can aim to be better. Next time, I suggest to clearly state in the vote thread to have the vote in public, and also add it to the minutes, otherwise things end up in a finger-pointing game that helps no one.
Third, on secrecy:
Can we do better? Sure. Is there a “ruling clique within the TDF keeps secrets from everybody else”? No. Rather the opposite, a long list of meetings and decisions that have been published. Decisions are published usually the same day, minutes soon after the meeting.
Some decisions are taken only by a board majority, for example:
- continuing to publish in the app stores (five board members participated in the vote)
- have a community dinner at LibOCon (five board members participated in the vote)
- have closing ledgers as required for our annual filing (five board members participated in the vote)
- file VAT as required by law (five board members participated in the vote)
- approve our activity report as required by law (five board members participated in the vote)
Is that a “clique” doing “secret” votes as per the accusation here? No. I know that life happens and not everyone has time to participate in all the votes and discussions, and I don’t blame anyone. TDF must move on. So discussions and decisions take place. That is not a malicious act.
We can always do more in public, I’m all in for that. We are gradually improving.
But things just happen. I remember a workshop at the Budapest conferene, for which today there are no recordings and no minutes published, neither here nor to the members. How many people attended? What did they say? How did the moderators act? Where is a representation of the long statement I made there?
I am not pointing fingers and tell there is a “clique that keeps things secret”. I know life happens and some things don’t work out. I don’t assume bad - I move on with productive things that bring the community and the project forward.
