The Free Software Foundation has approved two documents that regulate the duties and behavior of board members and set a new standard for how an organization should be run. Each member of the board of directors will be required to sign the document "Board Member Agreement", which defines the list of duties and rules of work. The second document, the Board of Directors Code of Ethics, sets out the general ethical rules of conduct that board members must follow. At the beginning of next year, taking into account the submitted documents, it is planned to review the composition of the current members of the Board of Directors and begin attracting new persons to the management of the organization.
The new requirements consider the board of directors as a supervisory and advisory body that controls the activities of the Fund's management (president and executive director) and helps to achieve the goals set for the Fund. Board members are prohibited from directly interfering with staff and communicating with the media on behalf of the entire organization (all media inquiries must be forwarded to a designated representative, and staff issues should be resolved at general meetings or through the president/CEO).
The requirements govern the mandatory participation in committees and attendance at annual board meetings, as well as at least 75% of meetings held by committees. Members of the council must allocate at least 100 hours per year to work in the organization. The document also requires an annual general discussion with an assessment of the activities of each participant and prohibits the disclosure of confidential information about the work of the Fund unless its disclosure is approved in writing.
The Code of Ethics prescribes putting the interests of the organization ahead of personal interests, prohibits speaking on behalf of the organization, accepting bribes or promoting any decisions for personal gain, displaying discriminatory or offensive behavior, violating the confidentiality of internal proceedings, using the property, personnel and other resources of the organization for personal gain , engage in activities that harm the organization or result in the severing of relationships with employees, sponsors and other individuals or entities interacting with the organization.
Source: opennet.ru