<html><head><style type="text/css"><!-- DIV {margin:0px;} --></style></head><body><div style="font-family:verdana, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12pt"><DIV></DIV>
<DIV>Hi. If the foundation want to make a new rule will it not have to be passed at the next <SPAN class=mark id=misspell-0>AGM</SPAN>? And will it not be open to a vote by those members present? If this is the case, then the members hold the position of power. The board members then carry out the wishes of the members. Also do all members not have the right to propose a motion at the AGM?</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Regards,</DIV>
<DIV>Anthony<BR> </DIV><A href="http://www.fsf.org/register_form?referrer=5006" target=_blank rel=nofollow><IMG height=31 alt="[FSF Associate Member]" src="http://www.geocities.com/aclearn/getButton.png" width=88></A>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif"><BR>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif"><FONT face=Tahoma size=2>
<HR SIZE=1>
<B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">From:</SPAN></B> Richard Weait <richard@weait.com><BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">To:</SPAN></B> osmf-talk@openstreetmap.org<BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Sent:</SPAN></B> Wednesday, 29 July, 2009 13:40:15<BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Subject:</SPAN></B> Re: [Osmf-talk] OPENSTREETMAP FOUNDATION - NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING<BR></FONT><BR>On Wed, Jul 29, 2009 at 7:24 AM, Nick Black<<A href="mailto:nick@blacksworld.net" ymailto="mailto:nick@blacksworld.net">nick@blacksworld.net</A>> wrote:<BR>> I think the issue here is that we all want to have a balanced Board<BR>> that represents the interests and wishes of the membership. People<BR>> will naturally be concerned when there are several people on the Board<BR>> from one 'bloc'. That blog could be a company, a country, or a<BR>> viewpoint.<BR>[ ... ]<BR>> In short, I think that the sentiment behind
Richard W's post is well<BR>> placed - he wants to ensure we have a balanced Board that represents<BR>> the interests of the OSM community. But the method for achieving this<BR>> that he suggests is not appropriate. Rather than impose restrictions<BR>> on the democratic process, we should be working to strengthen it.<BR><BR>Most (all?) democratic jurisdictions permit only one vote per person,<BR>per elected position. Is that a restriction on the democratic<BR>process? Yes, it is a restriction, but one that supports the<BR>democratic principles.<BR><BR>The European Commission consists of one representative per member<BR>state (plus the rotating president). Have they restricted the<BR>democratic process? ;-) Of course not.<BR><BR>Some counter questions then. For democracy.<BR><BR>How would a board composed entirely of employees / contractors /<BR>directors of a single company benefit the
foundation and the community<BR>at large? Is that monolithic board desirable? Even if the company is<BR>Ordinance Survey?<BR><BR>If a monolithic, single company, board is not desirable. If seven of<BR>seven board members paid from the same pot is not a benefit to the<BR>community then where would you draw the line? What is the maximum<BR>number of board members that should be permitted from a single<BR>company?<BR><BR>My answer; one delegate per company.<BR><BR>Best regards,<BR>Richard.<BR><BR>_______________________________________________<BR>osmf-talk mailing list<BR><A href="mailto:osmf-talk@openstreetmap.org" ymailto="mailto:osmf-talk@openstreetmap.org">osmf-talk@openstreetmap.org</A><BR><A href="http://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/osmf-talk" target=_blank>http://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/osmf-talk</A><BR></DIV></DIV></div></body></html>