Board of Directors

Free Geek's 501(c)(3) status requires that we have a board of directors. And that carries with it certain implications, not the least that the BOD is responsible for seeing that decisions are responsible and in the best interest of the corporation. Pursuant to the adoption of the 2011 governance proposal, the board has been enhanced with dedicated volunteer-representative seats (selected by core volunteers), seats representing different skills, stakeholder populations, and mission-related interests, and dedicated staff-board liaisons. When transition is complete, all directors will be holding specialized seats, with job descriptions. Board meetings are also attended by liaisons from both the collective and non-collective staff.

Active projects

• Working toward a stable and healthy Free Geek
  • Bringing in a temporary consultant to help with this process
  • Developing a high-level strategic plan
• Clarifying policies, past and present, and making them findable (see Policy register)
• Pursuing transparency throughout the organization
• Increasing the size and capacity of the board
• Creating a more effective fundraising strategy, developing relationships in the community
• Preparing Free Geek's processes and records for auditability

Board Meetings

The board meets monthly; meetings are on the second Wednesday of the month. The meeting starts at 6:15. The October meeting is the annual meeting as required in the bylaws. Board meetings are open, though occasionally a segment of the meeting will be closed as an "executive session," wherein the board may discuss legally sensitive items. If an executive session is called, a reason will be given.

There is a Meeting Template that may be used when setting up a new Board Meeting. (Remember to copy commitments from the previous meeting's minutes.) Meeting minutes are posted to the directors email list and to the minutes list. Agenda items may not be added within a week of the board meeting, so that the board may be properly prepared (see making an agenda and meeting packet for the board). As of late 2011, there are three email lists related to board business: see knowing which board list to use.

Occasionally the board will have to make decisions via email: our policy on that is outlined here. Email decisions will be reported at the next board meeting.

Current Board Members

Board members are elected to two year terms, except where indicated. (When the board re-formed in October 2005, half of the positions were for one year terms to implement staggering of terms, and we still try to keep that ratio.) The number of directors is currently set (by resolution of the board) to 7.

Dina Dickerson, Director for Development, Chair

first term, started August 2011, ends Oct 2013

Jason Owen, Volunteer representative, Secretary

first term, started October 2011, ends Oct 2013

Larry Lloyd, Volunteer representative

first term, started October 2011, ends Oct 2013

Mark Ralston, Director for the Environment

first term, started January 2012, ends Oct 2014

Nina Amin, Volunteer representative

first term, started October 2012, ends Oct 2014

Past Board Members

this may not be a full list

• Bob Griggs, October 2005 - March 2006
• Joe Buckmaster, October 2005 - August 2006
• Wren Ng Thornton, October 2005 - August 2007
• Aaron Burt, October 2006 - October 2007
• Tim Collier, ??? - October 2008
• Oso Martin, August 2005 - February 2009, Free Geek founder, original incorporator of Free Geek.
• Seamus Campbell, October 2005 - October 2009
• Marie Deatherage, September 2005 - December 2009
• Shannon Beutel, October 2009 - October 2010
• Curt Pederson, Director for F/OSS, October 2007 - October 2011
• Jon van Oast, October 2006 - December 2011
• Laurel Hoyt, September 2005 - February 2012
• Anne Glazer, Director, Intellectual Property Attorney - first term, started 2008, second term, ended October 2012
• Kathey Sutter, Director for Process, August 2011 - December 2012

Earlier board members

• Brent Campbell
• Laura Berg
• Jeff Finz
• Kenneth McGair
• Jim Deibele
• John Telford
• Michelle Brooks
• Mark Neiman-Ross
• Dennis Bridges
• Lewis Barr

Board Committees

Established at board meeting on October 14, 2009.

Audit committee

aims to make Free Geek prepared for an audit

Chair: Sayer

Additional members:

Staff representative:

Propagation (Intergalactic, Trademark Licensing, etc.)

merged with staff propagation committee, deals with issues surrounding other free geeks.

Chair: Anne

Additional members: Kathey

Staff representative:

Board recruitment and development

Chair:

Additional members:

Staff representative:

Relationship Development

developing free geek's social skills

Chair: Dina

Additional members:

Staff representative:

Director job descriptions

These descriptions have been approved by the board and are to be used as guidelines for selecting new board members and guiding the service/evaluating the performance of sitting board members. They can be changed at any time by the board.

• Responsibilities of directors applies to all directors.
• Board officers are selected by the board at the annual meeting in October. (What to do when officers change)
  • Board Secretary
  • Board Chair
  • Board Treasurer
• Other seats (these descriptions have been approved by the board. further descriptions-in-progress may be found linked from Groups to be represented on the board)
  • Volunteer representative job description

Useful links

• Bylaws
• Oregon Sec of State nonprofit services page
• 2011 governance proposal -- accepted by board and council in April 2011. In the process of being implemented.

• Board executive session email list
• Minutes list for keeping track of other stuff in the operation

• Board Election Checklist

• Meeting tips: Facilitator (making an agenda and meeting packet for the board), Scribe