tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33573016.post6952763205353806389..comments2024-02-11T02:24:22.330-06:00Comments on Nonbovine Ruminations: What do Wikimedia and bananas have in common?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04107127399494404366noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33573016.post-57363695829828624852007-07-06T20:41:00.000-05:002007-07-06T20:41:00.000-05:00I seem to remember somebody pointing out a revolt ...<I>I seem to remember somebody pointing out a revolt at the American Chess Federation (?)</I><BR/><BR/>Wikipedia's own <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Sam_Sloan" REL="nofollow">User:Sam Sloan</A>, <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Sloan" REL="nofollow">(encyclopedia article)</A> was elected to the <A HREF="http://www.uschess.org/about/uscfeb1.php" REL="nofollow">USCF board</A> on a platform that the board needed to be completely independent from the staff.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33573016.post-19887716097551753292007-07-06T18:50:00.000-05:002007-07-06T18:50:00.000-05:00Ummm, he did. Please go read the link that jan gav...Ummm, he did. Please go read the link that jan gave. It explains many good reasons for a waiting period.<BR/><BR/>The one that resonated the most with me is that there are high profile employee positions within the foundation that give the employee a lot of exposure - in effect subsidizing that employee's campaign should he choose to run.<BR/><BR/>My own view is that employees rolling over to board positions (without a waiting period) contribute to entrenched bureaucracy. I seem to remember somebody pointing out a revolt at the American Chess Federation (?) over very similar circumstances.<BR/><BR/>But Danny's behavior is just out of this universe. In effect, using his inside information as a employee to accuse people of thievery, just because they got a rental car or aid for child care while on Foundation trips. Unbelievable. I wonder if it's within Danny's nature to compete on his merits, rather than unfairly cutting down others.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33573016.post-31221715864394650372007-07-06T15:35:00.000-05:002007-07-06T15:35:00.000-05:00Jan and please tell me why a waiting period is nee...Jan and please tell me why a waiting period is needed?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33573016.post-21792661248799709622007-07-06T00:46:00.000-05:002007-07-06T00:46:00.000-05:00For historial reference, this is what I wrotePleas...For historial reference, <A HREF="http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/foundation-l/2007-April/029433.html" REL="nofollow">this is what I wrote</A><BR/><BR/>Please note that am proposing a one-year waiting period for ex-employees, nothing permanent.<BR/><BR/>Thank you for your continued coverage of these elections<BR/><BR/>Jan-BartAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33573016.post-83020574295166141612007-07-05T09:10:00.000-05:002007-07-05T09:10:00.000-05:00You certainly do not know how to spell my name cor...You certainly do not know how to spell my name correctly. <BR/><BR/>I have been making the point for a long time that Danny should not stand as a candidate board member, there is nothing new here. Also when you read what Jan-Bart wrote, there are sterling arguments why (ex-)personnel should not stand for this position. Arguments that Danny has so far refused to face.<BR/><BR/>What I write about Gregory Maxwell's stunt is that it fits accepted behaviour in his culture. This is not universally shared as welcome behaviour as many people consider his action SPAM. It is however understandable given an American background.<BR/><BR/>I have taken the trouble providing a favourable argument explaining Greg's action. To my amazement this is equated as being anti-US-American.. I find it exactly the opposite.<BR/><BR/>As to me and Erik, we have our own opinions and they clash with some regularity .. we can handle this quite nicely. Also, how can I be bad cop to his good cop, I do follow only the issues I am interested in ? I have no ambition in becoming a board member :)<BR/><BR/>I agreed with you that the board can, if it so chooses, accept election results. Equating this with calling the board to do so .. well, it was you who raised this as an issue :) <BR/><BR/>Thanks,<BR/> GerardMGerardMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14287269079265427282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33573016.post-62168980104873242212007-07-05T08:55:00.000-05:002007-07-05T08:55:00.000-05:00Both the Foundation and the individual board membe...Both the Foundation and the individual board members are potentially in real legal danger under U.S. and Florida law if they try to repudiate Danny's election (if it occurs). While individual board members cannot be sued personally in most other cases when the Foundation is sued, this sort of thing would be probably be an exception.<BR/><BR/>U.S. laws vary by state and there may be a way around this, however, before undertaking anything of this sort, board members must consult a competent lawyer familiar with Florida laws and legal precedents. You can't just look at the law by itself under the U.S. system -- legal precedents (previous interpretations of the Florida law by judges in similar cases) also have the effect of the laws themselves.<BR/><BR/>Otherwise, a huge legal mess may ensue that could endanger the Foundation as well as the personal assets of individual board members (including non-U.S. members when they travel in that country).<BR/><BR/>A judge and jury are likely to take a dim view of board members acting against a majority vote of their members. They will probably be viewed as trying to entrench themselves to the detriment of the organization.<BR/><BR/>Furthermore, any move to repudiate Danny's election (if it happens) will have negative moral implications for active Wikipedia members. Board members that try to effect this will lose their legitimacy in the eyes of much of the Wikipedia community.<BR/><BR/>Many U.S. for-profit and nonprofit corporations operate with one or more ferociously dissident board members -- the majorities of these boards just have to learn to live with it.<BR/><A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:A._B." REL="nofollow">en:User:A. B.</A>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com