Date: 2024-10-15
My loyal followers will remember my recent complaint to the Python Software Foundation Directors and its Code of Conduct Working Group.
I have to say that while I might have been a bit peeved at the people involved before, now I’m ONLY disappointed. It’s like a clown car, and I have genuine pity for my friends and colleagues who are still riding inside of it.
The below motion transparently disregards the laws governing US nonprofits; more foolishness of this sort will quite likely lead to much worse consequence than just me (and a few others) bitching a bit on social media (i.e. it’s violation of incorporation laws):
Hi all involved,
First and foremost, I appreciate everyone’s earnest interest in the health and safety of The Python Software Foundation and its mission. Today the PSF Board voted to affirm working group procedures.
RESOLVED that the Board of the Python Software Foundation affirms that the Executive Director holds, and has held, the right to amend the memberships of working groups from time to time, subject to the oversight of the Board or its Executive Committee. Any previous actions of the Executive Director or her predecessors that were within the authority granted by this resolution are hereby ratified and adopted as actions of the Foundation.
8-0-1 passed
The resolution passed with one abstention and no objections.
Best, DW, Chair, The Python Software Foundation Board 23-24
Legally, creating a “unitary executive” to replace the role of the Board doesn’t violate US law as such. Lots of nonprofits are run that way (albeit, every time I hear about one is in the context of corruption indictments). Are the Directors members of the Federalist Society‽
However, such a large change in governance structure would legally require a bylaws change, not a simple motion. I actually don’t think this is a deliberate power grab by the Executive Director. Rather, I think she is as oblivious to US law as are the current Board.
I didn’t always agree with Van Lindberg on everything he did while Chair and Director of the PSF; but at least he was and is a smart lawyer who generally had more caution and nuance.