[haiku-inc] Re: Updating the donat-o-meter...
- From: Karl vom Dorff <karlvd@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: haiku-inc@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2014 20:22:42 -0400
On Wed, Oct 1, 2014 at 7:34 PM, Michael Phipps <michael.phipps@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
> -----Original Message-----
> From: "Karl vom Dorff" [karlvd@xxxxxxxxx]
> Date: 09/30/2014 20:23
> To: haiku-inc@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [haiku-inc] Re: Updating the donat-o-meter...
>
> It is nice to hear from you Michael. I am sorry, maybe I got over
> passionate about this subject - I just read into a lot of the comments here
> very differently. 8/18 bounties were completed or partially completed (mind
> you these had definitive goals), and one is in progress. I wouldnt call
> that a huge failure. Even for the bounties that were not completed, the
> money was pooled together for and donated for future Haiku contracts. So, I
> dont know which system is better, I was just saying it did work. For
> comparison sake, it would be interesting what the success rate is for GSOC
> (because they are similar).
>
>
> I just think that if Haiku collects the money automatically anyways, they
> could try something different. At least try something. Having the
> corporation sit on assets for six months when nobody knows there are assets
> there that could have been used is frustrating. Part of the problem is the
> way Haiku Inc. is run IMHO. I have written a separate email in that regard.
>
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Hi Karl!
>
> Nice to hear from you too. Since the very beginning of Haiku, the
> paperwork has never been a priority. I know that you and I have some past
> history with that, sadly. That still bothers me, you know.
>
> As for the bounties, that's 50/50. Better than I thought, but it still
> means that you have to hold a good bit of money and judge a number of
> projects. I would still not take it on, personally. The group pretty much
> agrees that funding people "full time" as contractors is a better choice
> for the people involved. Sorry you don't agree (no, really I am - I LOVE
> consensus and hate argument).
>
I didn't say I don't agree that contracts are better for developers. I did
say, social aspects aside, I viewed bounties as a more efficient means
(when one is completed) of using precious financial resources.
> The date in the bylaws, unless I remember wrongly, for the elections is
> Haiku's birthday (8/18).
>
> There is NOTHING that I know of that says that any of this has to be made
> public, incidentally. Not that I advocate for a secret society of some
> kind, but as far as I know, the meetings can be between members only. And
> since Haiku Inc has members consisting solely of the board, that means that
> none of us have to be made aware of any of the minutes or anything. I speak
> from a (semi-legal) point of view, not from a "what do I think would be
> best" point of view.
>
Well, I believe Ryan already implicated the corporation by saying that
minutes weren't kept and meetings weren't attended. It may be true that
they may not have to be public, but from what I read, there do have to be
annual meetings at the same date every year (which must be in the by-laws
or certificate of incorporation) and elections must be called. If the
documentation is called upon by members (of which there are none
apparently), or the State, they must be provided.
That said, legal aspects aside, when I donate money to a non-profit, I like
to see things publicized. I like to read the minutes, and read on how and
what the money was spent on. It brings about peace of mind, and that the
corporation is taken seriously. So, when I see these things missing I
really wonder how the BOD operates.
> When I wrote up the bylaws, originally, I wrestled over the idea of
> elections and membership. I couldn't see a way to make a membership that
> means something. I would propose that, rather than talking about "was a
> meeting held" and "are the bylaws legal", it would be more productive to
> talk about what you would like to see done differently. We know that you
> are a fan of the bounties, but you will have to admit that the current
> board doesn't want to do it. Maybe they are all boring people or whatever,
> but they aren't interested. You win some and you lose some. What else would
> you like to see Haiku doing? What changes would YOU like to see in the
> bylaws? How would you like to run the group.
>
> Don't get caught up in the details of things that don't matter. If the
> paper work isn't in order, NY state and the officers will deal with it.
Well, I do think what I mentioned matters. I'd rather fix the problems
before getting into trouble. I can't see writing up some bogus minutes for
the past couple years, and electing/rotating a new BOD more than a 1/2 hour.
> Let's use this list to make a set of POSITIVE changes. What things would
> you like to see the organization doing? What kind of fund raisers can we
> think of (and do without overworking the board)? How can we make Haiku, Inc
> better?
>
As I mentioned before, only the 'inner circle' it seems will ever get into
the board of directors the way it's currently structured. I don't agree
with that. I do think some members of the board are there that don't want
to be, some have grown complacent with their duties as directors, and
overall it just isn't run well. I think there should be memberships (paid
memberships with voting rights + developer voting rights), with elections
based on these members. I think annual elections would be more democratic
and bring about accountability and fresh ideas/changes. Additionally, at
least quarterly meetings, if not monthly meetings, to strategize how Haiku
Inc. can be of financial help to Haiku and how more money can be raised
(plus other business).
Those are some of the things I'd like to see changed and believe they would
be, and would bring about positive changes.
>
> Michael
>
>
>
>
>
>
--
Karl vom Dorff
BScH Biology (German Minor)
numbdesign.com
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