SIG Meetings (3/9/96) Minutes

Meeting minutes were taken by Dean Oberg and Bill Mullen.

The meeting got under way about 2:19pm on Saturday, 3/9/96.

Those in attendance:

George Emery, David Ennis, Cathy Hetzler, Jon Hilgreen, Richard Jones, Mike Kisiel, Peter Lee Kwen, Susan Lewis, Brian Martin, Mike Morin, Bill Mullen, Wayne D. Mullen, Dean Oberg, Jane Rosenfield, Brian Scherer, Lisa A. Seivert, Radhika Suresh There was an around the table introduction with attendees each giving their name and affiliation with the Buffalo Freenet. Richard Jones had some introductory comments plus he mentioned a note from Neil Yerkey about the new dial-in number, 515-2100. He then suggested the moderators put some kind of notice within their SIGS to publicize the fact. Jon Hilgreen included in his opening comments the proposition that it be put into the hands of the moderators to decide the status of the trainer including who should train and what the training should include.

Richard Jones went on with some general comments. The next meeting was noted as being on the 2nd Saturday of next month, April 13th from 2-5pm and would be held in the UB Library in Capen Hall, Room 127 in the UGL. Jon Hilgreen noted that he had the same room booked till June. The extra time (from 2-5 instead of the normal 3-5) was proposed to be included so that there would be the opportunity for a regular moderator discussion and business in the first half of the meeting followed by a training session. Jon Hilgreen said he would have to check with Neil Yerkey for the extra hour but was confident he could get it. It was mentioned that we would make an effort to car pool to provide transportation for those who would have difficulty getting to the UB North Campus site. Alternate sites were also suggested including D'Youville College by Mike Morin.

Upon opening the meeting for moderator business discussions, Richard began with a statement pertaining to what he hoped for the meeting which was what we were not looking for final votes on all topics but just to determine the consensus, if any, of the group attending the meeting. He mentioned that the Steering Committee had gone to great lengths to not direct or influence with the direction the Moderators group would take on the process of providing representation for the Moderators on the SC. The SC did however want us to make a near term decision on this matter.

Discussion then ranged to the following topics or subtopics:

Issues need to be voted on in a structured way.
How long should an issue be discussed, should there be a set time limit so decisions can be made in a timely manner.
Use of electronic voting, how to setup.
Should the 3 Moderator appointees be granted some limited power to vote on urgent SC matters (ie
security problems, etc.) on their own.
Appointees would have the chance normally to get input on-line at the Moderators SIG

Richard asked for our consensus on how the 3 person committee should get information and suggested/proposed the following for resolution of regular Moderator issues:

20 Days of discussion (on-line ie. BFNMOD-L and SIG)
11 Day Call for votes prior to meeting

There was a consensus among the majority of the meeting attendees that this or some variation would be acceptable.

Further discussion:

Votes should be sent to 1-2 people
Would need agreement on what were the issues to decide
Should vote be public or private?

The discussion was brought back to the more pressing issue of the 3 appointees. It was mentioned that if no decision was made today that the appointment would be delayed 2 months assuming it would take 1 month to decide how to vote.

Should we then have Interim Appointees? Related to final appointees - should they all be co-chairs or should the hierarchy suggested in Agenda item 3.A. 1-3 be employed. It was mentioned that Finamore felt that the MOD SIG looked favorable but that he needed 2 names for the SIG to be moderators of same. Should those SIG Moderators be the Interim SC representatives? The top 3 vote getters would get the final positions and be moderators of the SIG/ newsgroup wny.freenet.sigs.moderators

More discussion on On-Line decision and voting process:

Will the temporary appointments prolong the discussion by taking the pressure off resolve the final appointees?
How should we vote this month (prior to deciding on a voting process ? (Chicken & Egg.)
Suggested from the floor again: two moderators names for vote on temporary appointments

There was a motion from the floor by Jon Hilgreen:

That we select 3 temporary representatives for a term to expire May 11, 1996 for the purpose of moderating the SIG, auditing the on-line vote and representing the Moderators on the SC.
Seconded by Paula Salamone
In discussion Richard Jones proposed amending the motion to include the SIG name BFNMC
Jon Hilgreen seconded the motion amendment
Ensuing discussion leaned towards the SIG name of MODCOM
Richard withdrew his motion amendment
Paula Salamone moved that the original motion be amended to include the name MODCOM
Susan Lewis seconded
Motion passed by the ayes

It was mentioned that next Steering Committee meeting would be at 1:30pm on Friday 3/29/96

Discussion on Appointees Roles/Duties:

SIG Moderators, UNIX knowledge
Jon Hilgreen suggested that the position include chair, vice chair and trainer.
No hierarchy, keep positions more open and equal
Should terms overlap or be co-terminous
Dean Oberg suggested one year co-terminous terms, simplicity, and eliminates constant selection process.
Wayne D. Mullen suggested the importance of having the appointees be able to attend the SC meetings.

Discussion on volunteers for temporary appointments to SC:

Paula Salamone asked Richard Long if he was interested. He said yes.
Jon Hilgreen offered his services.
Mike Morin was asked but he declined
Mike Kisiel then offered his services

Paula Salamone moved to select these 3 volunteers as the above temporary appointees. Mike Morin seconded. The motion passed.

Mike Morin moved that we have flat Tier group of 3 Co-Chairs. Jon Hilgreen seconded.

Vote: Ayes were a majority. Motion passed.

Mike Morin moved that Appointees have overlapping Terms ref. Agenda 3. A 2a. {Initially, the terms of office will be for one (1) term of six months, one (1) term of one (1) year, and one (1) term one and a half (1.5) years} Jon Hilgreen seconded.

vote: 6 in favor, 8 against. One year term wins by default.

Mike Morin moved that Appointees terms have a 30 day overlap for outgoing personnel to bring new appointees up to speed on current business and methology. Brian Scherer seconded.

vote: 12 in favor, 2 against. Motion passed.

Further discussion on voting process:

What are the short and long term solutions
Jon Hilgreen suggested:
- Discussion Period of 10 days
- Votes due by 1st Saturday before Moderators Meeting on the 2nd Saturday.
Agenda Item 3 A. 3. {The ability to hold two (2) or more concurrent terms for the same individual will need to be discussed.} was discussed. The word concurrent, seem to cause confusion. A better word, consecutive was suggested. By general consensus the word "consecutive" was substituted.
Further discussion on Agenda Item 3 A. 3. (see above) led to the rewording of it to read.

There are no restrictions to the number of terms a moderator may hold office.

vote: 12 ayes, 4 nays. Motion passed

Should due dates be set by 3 person Committee based on needs of the issue

Discussion tabled.

Actual voting

1 vote per moderator
1 vote per SIG

Discussion tabled until next meeting due lack of time.

Richard Jones moved to close meeting
Radhika Suresh seconded.
Motion passed Meeting closed 4:51 pm

Buffalo Free-Net SIGS Hall
This site maintained by Jim Gerland, bfn@freenet.buffalo.edu
Last revised: March 14, 1996