[epo-core] Cut out the middleman - Donate TIME to EPO

[Mark Keating]

On 16 Dec 2009, at 16:56, Jay Kuri wrote:

> 
> Hey all,
> 
> I sent this to the #epo-core channel but I figure I might as well post it here.
> 
> I think there is a lot of good will towards Perl and the EPO that doesn't translate quite to willingness to part with money right now. Also - Going from work to money to work, IE Donation - Grant - Paid work, is highly inefficient and if we can cut out the money portion we may be able to get more things done....
> 
> I'm proposing that we add some new things to the EPO.
> 
> 1) Become an EPO partner / donate time thing
> 
> 	A plan by which people can sign up to donate time toward EPO sponsored projects and grants.  This could be on a company level or an individual level.  I think that having a way to officially indicate what types of work a person or organization is interested in (general documentation, particular modules/dists, etc.) and a way to pair up and get people to spend an hour here and there to add to those projects could be very powerful.  Especially if we add a recognition page for donations of this sort.
> 
> 	It could also be very useful with regard to companies who have full time employees and could spare hours here and there 'on the clock' to work on EPO sponsored projects.
> 
> 2) Apprenticeship
> 
> 	A way for newbies who are generally full of enthusiasm but somewhat lacking in direction to both assist with EPO sponsored projects and get trained up / learn by example.  I envision this as having more seasoned developers mentor the apprentice and provide specific tasks for the apprentice to work on.  This could be a good way to get some of the tasks done that more seasoned developers would rather not do.  Some set of tasks or skill level could be set to indicate 'completion of apprenticeship' which the EPO could recognize somehow - a certificate or listing, perhaps a written recommendation by the EPO / Mentor?
> 
> 3) Time for membership program
> 
> 	A way for people who would like to be members of the EPO to become members without a monetary donation.  This could take the form as a new member level, based on a contribution of x number of hours per month or something along those lines.  We wouldn't want to put the # of hours too low, as the membership fee is also a deterrent for riff-raff, to put it bluntly.  I also don't know the legal issues surrounding this.
> 
> 
> Even if we don't do #3, I think the first two would be a very powerful way to add resources to EPO initiatives / projects, and would generate even more good will (and some good publicity) in the process.  I think it's key to give something tangible back in both cases, but I think 'official' recognition is going to be plenty in most cases.
> 
> Obviously I'm willing to put time in to help get these things rolling.
> 
> Thoughts?
> 
> Jay
> 

I like all of these and see no objections. As for the legal requirements in promoting someone to Ordinary Member for work contributed. It has been done in the past as an "exceptional circumstance" and was noted as such. To do so in the future would require:

1. A mail out to all members with the suggestions and a period where they could contribute comments/suggestions
2. A revised document outlining the revised rules of membership that would be shown to all members and would be the conclusion of the consultation period (a short period would be allowed to clarify any points)
3. A vote by the membership - Ordinary members
4. A vote by the board

That seems to satisfy our legal requirements under the articles/memorandum (afaics) and I think makes us as transparent in our motives/objectives to the membership.

If successful then we could change the rules as proposed and voted upon. The only caveat is to ensure that people who gain membership in this manner -do- what they proposed as you outlined above. Persoanlly I see it as a great way to bring on board students/less financial fluent members into the organisation and to get them active and contributing towards the same ends. It also rewards those people who put a lot of effort in because they cannot put money - such as Rosellyne who will be running the send-a-newbie program with us.

(saw this in channel but I was in a car at the time and slow connection meant I couldn't respond)

-Mark

> 
> 
> 
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> 
> -- 
> Jay Kuri
> President
> Ionzero LLC
> P: 720-438-4660 x101
> 
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