Minutes for January 6th, 2004 board meeting

[Wichert Akkerman]

SPI board meeting, January 6, 2004
  meeting opened:  19:04 UTC
  meeting closed:  19:47 UTC

Attending:
  Branden Robinson
  Bruce Perens
  David Graham
  Drew Streib
  Ean Schuessler
  John Goerzen
  Martin 'Joey' Schulze
  Wichert Akkerman

Absent with regrets:

Attending SPI members:
  Bdale Garbee
  Greg Pomerantz
  Jimmy Kaplowitz
  Jonathan McDowell
  Michael Banck
  Peter Palfrader
  Stuart Walsh

Agenda:

  1. Opening
  2. Roll call
  3. By-laws revision process
  4. Treasurer update
  5. Trademark update
  6. Date for next meeting


3. By-laws revision process
---------------------------

Last year the by-laws committee proposed a set of changes to the SPI by-laws.
Wichert split the changes into resolutions that can be voted upon by the
contributing members.

In addition Ean proposed a resolution to change the wording of the software
licensing policy to be less vague. John noted that this change would require
both a membership vote as well as amending the articles of incorporation.
In light of that information Ean dropped the proposal.

David noted that the charter for the by-laws committee would expire in 8 days
and suggested that it be extended to allow the committee to work on further
proposals. Since by-laws changes will be an ongoing effort for a while Ean
suggested making the by-laws committee a standing committee. David
drafted resolution 2004-01-05.dbg.1 to that effect and a vote is called for:

  David  : in favour
  Drew   : in favour
  Ean    : in favour
  John   : in favour
  Wichert: in favour

Resolution 2004-01-05.dbg.1 is accepted with five votes in favour and none
against.

Wichert proposed resolution 2004-01-06.wta.4 to regulate a membership
vote on the suggested by-laws changes and a vote is called for:

  Branden: in favour
  Bruce  : in favour
  Drew   : in favour
  Ean    : in favour
  Joey   : in favour
  John   : in favour
  Wichert: in favour

Resolution 2004-01-06.wta.4 is accepted with seven votes in favour and
none against.


4. Treasurer update
-------------------

Branden announced he would like to resign as treasurer and is seeking
for a volunteer to replace him. Ean volunteered, but it was quickly
noted that since he is already president he can not take the position.
Jimmy Kaplowitz said he might be interested.

John asked if there were any end-of-year reports that needed to be filed
Branden explained that the IRS tax deadline is May 15th for non-profit
organisations, but SPI does not have enough income to be required to
file a report. Jimmy asked if SPI needs to file a report with NY state
as well, Branden replied that the state requirements as far as he
was aware are the same as the federal requirements so no report is
required.


5. Trademark update
-------------------

Greg Pomerantz was present and asked if the board could comment on the
draft resolution he submitted regarding the Debian trademark in Norway.
Ean asked if immediate action was required. Greg explained none was
needed but he would like a confirmation from the board before getting
the Norwegian law firm to work on the draft license agreement. A vote
is called for resolution 2004-01-06.gmp.1:

  Branden: in favour
  Bruce  : in favour
  David  : in favour
  Ean    : in favour
  John   : in favour
  Wichert: in favour

Resolution is accepted with five votes in favour and none against


6. Date for next meeting
------------------------

The date for the next meeting is set at February 3, 19:00 UTC.

-- 
Wichert Akkerman <wichert at wiggy.net>    It is simple to make things.
http://www.wiggy.net/                   It is hard to make things simple.