yacc v0.1 (Yet Another Constitution Candidate)

["Gurunandan R. Bhat" <grbhat@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

OK, Here are some suggestions on the broad structure for LI. I look
forward to your comments and suggestions.

First let me get to the all important relation between the LUGs and LI.

1) LI is an organisation that exists to give shape to the
aspirations of the LUGs at the national level. The LUGs guide LI through
their coordinators who form the core group that manages LI.

2) LI must in no way hold any "power" over the LUGs.  We need to
evolve guidelines/criteria to decide "the one true LUG for every city"
and the "the one true coordinator" for each LUG. Considering that
Thaths has constructed this mailing list without much ambiguity should
give us hope that this is not difficult.

3) The LUGs and LI work together coordinate and work together on a
per-programme basis. If the individual LUGs sense an opportunity, and
believe that they (the programme) might benefit from nation-wide
exposure/participation, they approach LI (through their
coordinator). LI then gives a call to other LUGs and coordinates. IF
LI sees an opportunity, it notifies all LUGs and calls for
cooperation.

4) All coordinators of LUGs get automatic membership to the core group
of LI. A core group member automatically lays down his position when
his LUG appoints a new coordinator, who then automatically joins the
core. A coordinator is free to abstain from exercising this privilege
(membership of the governing council) , if her LUG sees no benefit in
their alignment with LI and informs her accordingly.

5) The only issue on which the LUGs yield to LI is that LI gets to
register with Linux International. That is the first and last
concession that the LUGs make to LI. After that the collective wisdom
of the individual LUG coordinators shall guide LI

In times that the LUGs do not need any help/cooperation from the LI,
it will have lots of things to do.

a) Administer mailing lists.

b) Maintain and Update Website.

b) Keep eyes and ears open to opportunities of

	a) Organising national events

	b) Correcting misconceptions about Linux in the national
	   press with joint statements on behalf of the LUGs.

	c) Organise national events to highlight Linux and its
 	   community of users

	d) Organise a annual Linux Convention and User Meet.


Now a few thoughts on the functioning of LI:

First of all, LI could be registered by the coordinators of LUGs
currently extant. Coordinators of LUGs that will be formed in the
future, will of course not be Registrars, but will share equal power
and responsibility as the original Registrars if and when they come
aboard. All coordinators are equal, all conflicts resolved by a
referendum among the coordinators.

Here are some functionaries of LI:

1. Managers for (Term 1 year):

        a) Public Relations and Awareness Management (Mailing List
           management, Web site management, Press Releases, Opportunity
           identification)
        b) Programmes and Event Coordination and Inter-LUG affairs
           (National Linux related event, participation and organisation)
        c) Resource Mobilisation (Fund raising, Library management)
        d) Research and Development (Student events, Scholarships, Geek
           stuff)

I had earlier put in posts like President, Secretary, Treasurer etc,
but the whole thing sounded so pompous that I quickly changed my
mind. Better to keep it all low key ;) What we can (must) do is divide
up responsibilities and believe in collective responsibility. 


Heres the financial part:

LI should not raise funds (either from sponsorships or donations or
membership dues, anything) in a manner that would create wealth
(capital). On the other hand it should strive to raise monies for
specific programmes and spend them exactly on those programmes. In
short, between two programmes, LI should be as broke as the Ten
Commandments.

Comments?

Regards,
Guru