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<tt>Hello all,</tt><br>
<br>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 9/21/20 7:29 PM, Eyal Rozenberg
wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite"
cite="mid:b2d325c1-3c69-5d46-1c92-1f3862754ed8@technion.ac.il">
<pre class="moz-quote-pre" wrap="">* Haven't decided yet?</pre>
</blockquote>
<div>I have not yet decided to run, but I would invite anyone who
cares about keeping Thunderbird a community-run project, to be a
candidate, because of the following:</div>
<div><br>
Biggest Challenge for next year<br>
<br>
The next council will oversee change in the model of operation.
Philipp has announced this in his personal statement, so he does
not see that as a confidential council subject, I<span
class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> provide some insight into
this most CRITICAL subject and how it may look. <br>
<br>
There is a draft proposal to the Council that envisions a staff
organization with CEO and similar staff roles, WHERE the role for
the future Thunderbird Council Responsibilities were narrowed
(that was the actual word) to ONE single item:<span
class="Apple-converted-space"> <br>
</span>
<blockquote>
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-converted-space">Approving a yearly
budget<br>
</span></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
Surrounded with a little fluff like
‘helping the team…’ and ‘championing community concerns’,
effectively meaning RIEN DU TOUT.<br>
<br>
Such a Council will have no effective role, other than to exist as
a facade. You may as well eliminate it as waste of time. This
proposal leaves the Council with ZERO power in the future, and
hands ALL executive power to the staff members, WITHOUT a proper
and effective oversight mechanism. One of the worries was how to
avoid a rogue council? As if an<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><u>elected</u><span
class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>council could ever be
rogue...It has something to do with democracy. <br>
<br>
I have been the only Council member pushing back against this
proposal, which is effectively fully removing the community and
the council from any decision, power and oversight, and this will
hence likely be implemented if the Council does not change in
composition/majority.<br>
<br>
I believe that change is necessary in the management of
Thunderbird and further professionalism is a good thing, qualified
staff and best practices should be the goal. Governance and
conflict of interest processes should be clearly defined,
independently monitored and transparent to all. <br>
<br>
This proposal for future Council role is a change in the wrong
direction by removing effective community oversight of the staff
positions and of the future of Thunderbird. It will be the END of
Thunderbird as a community project. There is no way back if it
happens. <br>
<br>
I encourage every community member on the electoral roll to self
nominate, especially if you care and remember that you get what
you vote for.<br>
<br>
If you want me to run again, drop me a personal note. A few
positives nudges may remind me why I did this in the first place…<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
--ba<br>
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline">
</div>
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