Board term limits

[Matt Domsch]

On Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 08:52:08AM -0400, Paul W. Frields wrote:
> During the discussion following the Board election, the subject of term
> limits was raised.  Generally those who commented on term limits thought
> they were a good idea, including several Board members.  I've written up
> a proposal to amend the Board's succession plan with term limits, in the
> hopes that these limits would encourage continual but gentle change in
> the Board's elected membership over time.
> 
> https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/User:Pfrields/Proposal_for_Board_Term_Limits 
> 
> Comments appreciated either here or in the discussion page for the
> proposal on the wiki.  I'll bring this before the Board for final
> discussion and a vote at our August 5th session, which will likely be a
> public IRC meeting.

I'll throw in my bits here.  I'm generally opposed to term limits,
preferring elections to serve that purpose.

By my count [1],  we have had 21 different people serve on the Board since
its inception 2 years ago, with a broad range of experiences and
interests being represented.  11 different people have held Elected
seats during that time, and 4 of the elected seats have almost always
had turnover (one could argue Jeff being re-elected he changed seats
but remained; that doesn't really change the argument much.)  Each
seat is elected to a 1-year term, enough time to make a difference,
but not so long as to build an incumbancy so strong an election could
not easily displace.

The goal of term limits is to get fresh faces, fresh ideas, and broad
project representation.  I think we're doing a fine job of that as-is
personally.

Personally, I've been fortunate to have been re-elected once.  I have
very much enjoyed being a part of the Board, and hope I have been able
to contribute in measure worthy of having held a seat thus far.  If
Paul were to ask me to step aside, I of course would oblige.

I suspect term limits is a cure for a problem we do not (yet) have,
and should that problem truly arise, I have confidence in the Chair to
take steps necessary to address, without adding rules apriori.

Thanks,
Matt

[1] http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Board/History.  Thanks to whomever
has kept that page up-to-date.