Please refer to the original posting for the full proposal, I exclude it here for brevity.
I would submit the following observations in this matter: 1) In the early days of the project communities, and later projects, were created not for the purposes of governance or contribution, but rather to provide mailing (discussion) lists. 2) These entities (Communities or Projects) without leadership can be thought of more appropriately as Special Interest Groups (SIGs) rather than contributory bodies. 3) The discussions within these SIGs may or may not result in one or more contributory efforts worthy of full project status. 4) Failing the above, these groups simply had no where else to go. I would make the following recommendations to be considered by the OGB with reguards to 2007/003: 1) That a new Incubator Community be established to provide a home for efforts that may or may not blossom. This community should be staffed with Core Contributors appointed by the OGB by whatever means it determines appropriate. These leaders should provide refuge for fledgling projects that fall outside the scope of existing Communities by supplying them with a Project or Initiative for work and discussion, and provide support to these groups as they grow and eventually are birthed out of the Incubator Community. 2) An addition to the existing framework for SIGs, being defined as non-contributory entities provided solely for discussion and being outside the direct scope of any existing Community. These SIGs should not conform to the standard definitions layed out in the constitution, and rather than "Contributors" or "Core Contributors" should rather have "Stewards" who tend to the duties of the SIG (moderation, list creation, page updates, etc). These SIGs and Stewards would fall under the authority of the OGB, and not be exempt in any reguard. 3) That the OGB solicit and establish proper leadership (Contrib and Core) for existing communities that are require but currently lack it, by whatever method the OGB finds acceptable. The Storage Community is such a case. I would propose that Core Contribs from its subordinate projects be elevated to these roles. I humbly request that this matter be added to the agenda of the next OGB meeting for consideration and review. benr.
