Governance New Thread!

[Melissa Draper]

On Mon, 2010-03-08 at 17:45 +1100, Norm, VK3XCI wrote:
> Folks,
> 
> I've had a fair bit to do with "committees" over a vast range of involvements, 
> from Radio Clubs to rural Progress Associations and Distance Education parent 
> Committees. All have a couple of things in common. Dissent (is that the word you 
> were looking for Scott?) and egos. From an almost outsider (Lurker!) looking in 
> and still involved in radio club committee, I'll make a few observations.
> 
> ...The best person for the job usually gravitates there(eventually)
> ...Extraneous positions are often introduced to sooth bruised egos.
> ...In an "Inc. Assoc." a degree of formality is required to satisfy the law.
> ...Excessive formality kills organisations!
> ...I'm unsure of Ubuntu-au's formal standing; how much "committee" do we need?

In regards to legal formality... ugh. I really don't want us to go
there. I really really don't. There's various LUGs around the country
(at least 2 capital LUGs I'm aware of) who are currently looking to one
day getting the heck out of the paperwork overhead by dissolving the
legal orgs.

> Which begs a few questions
> ...What is the LoCo's mission? What are we trying to achieve?
> ...What is the relationship with the "Mother Company"?
> ...How is it all funded?
> ...What are the legal obligations.

The team is a Local Community Team just like any other across the world.
In essence - a promotional fanclub.

We're the grunt to represent the ubuntu project at expos and stuff, but
we do /all/ the organising. The relationship with the "mother company"
is that if we ask nice enough and not too often, they'll send us a stack
of CDs and brochures for us to hand out for them. In return, they host
our website stuff. This of course is a simplified explanation of the
arrangement and would change (we'd get fewer cds, no web hosting) if we
ceased to be an approved team.

Basically, we have no funding outside what folks are willing to pool
from their own resources, and PLI we can get through Linux Australia if
needed. This is also why we really don't have legal obligations either.
Which is good. Legal obligations are a pain for a small volunteer
organisation.


-- 
Melissa Draper

w: http://meldraweb.com & http://geekosophical.net
p: +61 4 0472 2736