Groups | Search | Server Info | Keyboard shortcuts | Login | Register [http] [https] [nntp] [nntps]

Groups > linux.debian.vote > #2256

Re: Amendment to RMS/FSF GR: Option 4, assert the need to learn and grow from recent events

Show all headers | View raw

[Multipart message — attachments visible in raw view] - view raw

Quoting Jonathan Wiltshire (2021-03-31 00:28:47)
> This is a late amendment proposal which I hope seconders will feel able to
> support in time for it to make the ballot paper. It is late because I feel
> strongly that events in the past few days [1] [2] [3] [4] risk overtaking
> this GR; Debian already has enough criticism for being slow to respond, and
> I want to head off anything which might reinforce that view.
> 
> 1: https://www.fsf.org/news/preliminary-board-statement-on-fsf-governance
> 2: https://www.fsf.org/news/update-on-work-to-improve-governance-at-the-fsf
> 3: https://www.fsf.org/news/welcoming-ian-kelling-to-staff-seat-on-fsfs-board-of-directors
> 4: https://www.fsf.org/news/statement-from-the-fsf-board-of-directors-meeting-on-march-29-2021
> 
> I acknowledge that this text is not worded so strongly as many people would
> like it to be. However, I don't believe in fueling fires and I would like
> to see Debian calling for overhaul of FSF governance without joining any
> lynch mobs. There are competing extreme opinions at the moment, and I'm
> hoping this is a text on which we can have broader agreement.
> 
> CHOICE TEXT FOLLOWS:
> 
> This is a position statement of the Debian Developers in accordance with
> our constitution, section 4.1.5.
> 
> The Developers firmly believe that leaders in any prominent organisation
> are, and should be, held to the highest standards of accountability.
> 
> We are disappointed that issues of transparency and accountability in the
> governance of the Free Software Foundation have led to unresolved and
> serious complaints of impropriety by its founder Richard Stallman over a
> number of years whilst in the position of president and as a member of the
> board. In particular, we are deeply concerned that the board saw fit to
> reinstate him without properly considering the effect of its actions on
> those complainants.
> 
> The Developers acknowledge that people make mistakes but believe that where
> those people are in leadership positions, they must be held accountable for
> their mistakes. We believe that the most important part of making mistakes
> is learning from them and changing behaviour. We are most concerned that
> Richard and the board have not sufficiently acknowledged or learned from
> issues which have affected a large number of people and that Richard
> remains a significant influence on both the FSF board and the GNU project.
> 
> We call upon the Free Software Foundation to further steps it has taken in
> March 2021 to overhaul governance of the organisation, and to work
> tirelessly to ensure its aim is fulfilled. We believe that only through
> properly accountable governance can members of an organisation ensure their
> voice is heard. The Free Software Foundation must do everything in its
> power to protect its staff and members, and the wider community, including
> a robust and transparent process for dealing with complaints.
> 
> We urge Richard Stallman and the remaining members of the board which
> reinstated him, to consider their positions.
> 
> The Developers are proud that contributors to free software come from all
> walks of life and that our diverse experience and opinions are a strength
> of software freedom. But we must never cease in our efforts to ensure that
> all contributors are treated with respect, and that they feel safe and
> secure in our communities - including when we meet in person.
> 
> END CHOICE TEXT

Seconded.

This text adresses the concerns I have raised on this list (as far I I 
have so far been able to understand it - and due to the shortened 
processing time I hope that anyone spotting issues in it does so in 
time...).

Thanks, Jonathan!


 - Jonas

-- 
 * Jonas Smedegaard - idealist & Internet-arkitekt
 * Tlf.: +45 40843136  Website: http://dr.jones.dk/

 [x] quote me freely  [ ] ask before reusing  [ ] keep private

Back to linux.debian.vote | Previous | Next — Previous in thread | Next in thread | Find similar | Unroll thread

Thread

Amendment to RMS/FSF GR: Option 4, assert the need to learn and grow  from recent events Jonathan Wiltshire <jmw@debian.org> - 2021-03-31 00:40 +0200
  Re: Amendment to RMS/FSF GR: Option 4, assert the need to learn and  grow from recent events Nicolas Dandrimont <olasd@debian.org> - 2021-03-31 01:00 +0200
  Re: Amendment to RMS/FSF GR: Option 4, assert the need to learn and  grow from recent events Thadeu Lima de Souza Cascardo <cascardo@minaslivre.org> - 2021-03-31 02:20 +0200
  Re: Amendment to RMS/FSF GR: Option 4, assert the need to learn and  grow from recent events Pierre-Elliott Bécue <peb@debian.org> - 2021-03-31 02:40 +0200
  Re: Amendment to RMS/FSF GR: Option 4, assert the need to learn and  grow from recent events Richard Laager <rlaager@debian.org> - 2021-03-31 03:20 +0200
    Re: Amendment to RMS/FSF GR: Option 4, assert the need to learn and  grow from recent events Jonathan Wiltshire <jmw@debian.org> - 2021-03-31 08:30 +0200
      Re: Amendment to RMS/FSF GR: Option 4, assert the need to learn and  grow from recent events Richard Laager <rlaager@debian.org> - 2021-03-31 19:30 +0200
  Re: Amendment to RMS/FSF GR: Option 4, assert the need to learn and grow from recent events Jonas Smedegaard <jonas@jones.dk> - 2021-03-31 08:50 +0200
  Re: Amendment to RMS/FSF GR: Option 4, assert the need to learn and  grow from recent events Zlatan Todoric <zlatan@riseup.net> - 2021-03-31 09:00 +0200
  Re: Amendment to RMS/FSF GR: Option 4, assert the need to learn and  grow from recent events Paride Legovini <paride@debian.org> - 2021-03-31 10:40 +0200
  Re: Amendment to RMS/FSF GR: Option 4, assert the need to learn and  grow from recent events Holger Levsen <holger@layer-acht.org> - 2021-03-31 10:50 +0200
  Re: Amendment to RMS/FSF GR: Option 4, assert the need to learn and  grow from recent events Micha Lenk <micha@debian.org> - 2021-03-31 11:20 +0200
  Re: Amendment to RMS/FSF GR: Option 4, assert the need to learn and  grow from recent events Gard Spreemann <gspr@nonempty.org> - 2021-03-31 12:00 +0200
  Re: Amendment to RMS/FSF GR: Option 4, assert the need to learn and  grow from recent events Kurt Roeckx <kurt@roeckx.be> - 2021-03-31 19:30 +0200
  Re: Amendment to RMS/FSF GR: Option 4, assert the need to learn and  grow from recent events Richard Laager <rlaager@debian.org> - 2021-03-31 19:30 +0200
  Re: Amendment to RMS/FSF GR: Option 4, assert the need to learn and  grow from recent events Richard Laager <rlaager@debian.org> - 2021-03-31 19:30 +0200
  Re: Amendment to RMS/FSF GR: Option 4, assert the need to learn and  grow from recent events Sean Whitton <spwhitton@spwhitton.name> - 2021-03-31 21:00 +0200
  Re: Amendment to RMS/FSF GR: Option 4, assert the need to learn and  grow from recent events Philipp Kern <pkern@debian.org> - 2021-04-01 18:40 +0200

csiph-web