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Introduction
FAmSCo currently suffers form a few organizational problems and some of them are caused be the way how FAmSCo is constituted. We need to change the FAmSCo election rules to address them.
Problems overview
- FAmSCo does not have enough (active) members
- Lack of consistency:
- When a new FAmSCo is elected, it needs time to catch up with business and become fully operational
- Missing announcements:
Proposed changes
Not enough members
Problem: FAmSCo does not have enough (active) members
Cause: Current election rules state:
"There are 7 seats on FAmSCo, of which 5 must be filled at all times."
"Below 5" means 4. For 7 seats, this is just the number to constitute a quorum. If one of the 4 remaining members then misses a meeting, FAmSCo is no longer quorate. The fact that
Proposed solution: Don't wait until the number of active committee members drops quorate
Inactive members don't step down
Problem: Inactive members don't step down.
Cause: Current election rules state:
"A supplementary election must be called immediately if number of active committee members drops below 5 in order to fill the committee's size back up to 7."
Lack of consistency
Problem: Lack of consistency
Cause: Current election rules state:
"FAmSCo members are elected for a term of two (2) major releases of Fedora, unless an election is called early by the Chairperson of the committee, an absolute majority vote of FAmSCo, or by the Fedora Project Board."
Proposed change:
New FAmSCo not operational
Problem: When people get elected, they need time to find their way into FAmSCo.
Not enough candidates
Problem: FAmSCo elections require a large number of candidates and if this number cannot be reached, the elections are delayed.
Cause: Current election rules state:
"In order to hold an election, a minimum number of candidates are necessary. This will be the number of open seats + 25%. If there are 7 seats available, there will need to be at least 9 candidates."
Missing announcements
The scheduling of the election will be set by the Fedora Election Coordinator after consultation with the Chairperson. Full details of the schedule will be announced widely prior to the beginning of the nomination period. In conjunction with other Fedora elections, reminder emails will be sent to those who are eligible to vote several times during the course of the election.
The election results will be announced in the ambassadors@lists.fedoraproject.org and other public lists.
Misconduct
Problem: Not sure if this is really a problem, because we didn't have to remove anybody form FAmSCo until now. Nevertheless the fact that the Board can remove an elected member from FAmSCo is a problem with the constitution.
Cause: Current election rules state:
"Members can be removed from the committee for misconduct by the Fedora Project Board or by an absolute majority vote of the FAmSCo."
The board is an elected body of Fedora, so is FAmSCo. The board should not be in the position to remove somebody from FAmSCo, only FAmSCo should be able to do so. The board should only be able request the removal from FAm . If a person really misbehaves, the Board can It is unclear what happens if FAmSCo disagrees
Proposed solution: Skip the Members can be removed from the committee for misconduct by the Fedora Project Board or by an absolute majority vote of the FAmSCo.