[Osmf-talk] OSMF 2020 between concern and disappointment

[Mikel Maron]

Hi

A lot here. I just want to make a few corrections for the record.

> In the absence of a visible history in the wiki (which would obviously be interesting here again in terms of transparency), it is difficult to say when exactly the sentence: "Is responsible for allocating $$ to diverse worthwhile software projects with grants and microgrants was added. "in the Mission statement page.

The version history is accessible but a little hidden in the template of this page (look at  lower right for "More"). This could be improved for sure with a better color choice. Help welcome.

Looking at the full history, that bullet was added in December 2015, apparently based on previous discussion that year (which was before my current tenure, and I have not delved into...).

https://wiki.osmfoundation.org/w/index.php?title=Mission_Statement&oldid=3461

It's right that "$$" is a bit odd in our Mission Statement, but I think it's simply a universal way to talk about "money" rather than a specific currency (which in practice is several). Anyway if that remains unclear or controversial, the Board can amend the statement.

> Half of the available funds will thus have been spent in a single year, practically the equivalent of the Pineapple Fund donation spent on software projects outside the OSMF's perimeter. The sustainability of this approach would be based on a fundraising strategy that has yet to be fully defined, given that the future economic context is particularly gloomy, that there has so far only ever been a single donation in excess of 100,000 Euros, and that the physical SotMs, a source of income for the Foundation, may not be organized in the coming years.

In August, we announced the approach to funding this without drawing on OSMF reserves.
https://lists.openstreetmap.org/pipermail/osmf-talk/2020-August/006997.html

"To help fund this project, as well as the SSRE role, we're looking at earmarked donations from companies, chapters and organisations."

We're not ready to announce the full results yet, but I can say that we will meet our fundraising goal and will not be required to draw on our reserves for this. Further, we are devising a longer term fundraising strategy to bring us sustainability in the coming years.

> For my part, I would add the new tendency to create restricted committees whose members are chosen directly by the board (or whose selection is made through the caudal forks of one of the board members), which differs significantly from the practice of working groups open to any member who wants to get involved. 

The committees are not fundamentally more restricted. All the working groups, and committees within groups, all have different qualifications expected of members and processes of approving new members. The Microgrants Special Committee did have a selection process, but was open to nomination by anyone. The Diversity and Inclusion Special Committee in open to people who want to actively contribute with no defined process (note we have been unfortunately been inactive). 

> Moreover, this action focused solely on technical needs completely ignores other major issues

I think it's a mischaracterization to say the Board has only been focused on these issues, and that in fact the topic of takeover protection is being actively worked on. Yes it has been an issue for a while, it's a complex topic. If funds might be needed to help investigate or implement ideas, the availability of funds is not a concern for the Foundation.

-Mikel

* Mikel Maron * +14152835207 @mikel s:mikelmaron

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