[Linux-aus] Converting Linux Australia's "Committee" to a "Board"

[Dave Davey]

On Thu, Feb 15, 2007 at 02:14:19PM +1100, Jonathan Oxer wrote:
> Hi LA,
> 
> 
> That raises an issue of the role of the primary Committee. I believe
> that the Committee needs to be re-invented with more of a "Board"
> identity so that it won't continue to be seen as the only way for people
> to operate officially in the name of Linux Australia.

I'm not a corporate lawyer or expert, but in my experience boards are
usually partly or entirely drawn from outside the ordinary membership (or
employees) of an organisation.  I don't think this is the model you have
in mind, or one that you would want to project to the community at large.

Other organisations that want a management "committee" to bear a name that
readily distinquishes it from committees charged with specific tasks
use the term "Council".  Just as a municipal council is elected from the
members of the municipality,  the council of an organisation is elected
from the membership.

Linux Australia also needs a clearly defined spokesperson.  "President"
is probably the best title.  Organsations with boards can, and usually have
both a president and a board chairman.

So another model would be
	elevate the committe to council
	elevate sub-committees to commitees (best named committees)
	retain president and vice president

There are pros and cons to electing vs appointing positions such as the
Treasurer.  Not everyone who would be willing to be a coucillor
would necessarily be prepared to be treasurer, but if the treasurer is
appointed it has to be the case that not all councillors would be unwilling.

Dave


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David F. Davey
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