Project Governance
Each DuraSpace project has a governance model. This representative, community-based model includes several governing groups with various levels of responsibility (identifying project strategic direction, setting project roadmap, establishing project budget, etc.). Eligibility to serve in project governance is determined by participation in the DuraSpace Membership Program, incrementally enabling member organizations who have made the greatest commitments (financial or in-kind staff commitments) to the project. It is NOT TOO LATE to become a Member and participate in the Fedora project governance! For more information on how to become a Member visit http://duraspace.org/about_membership. And for more information about the new governing groups, please visit http://fedorarepository.org/governance
Leadership Group
The Leadership Group is made up of members that contribute over $20,000 annually to the project, along with representatives from institutions contributing at least 0.5 FTE in-kind developers, or a combination of financial and in-kind resources. Members that contribute at lower levels can also be elected to serve on the leadership group. The Leadership Group approves the overall priorities and strategic direction of the project by:
- Approving the annual budget allocation and any modifications
- Approving the product roadmap
- Approving the strategic direction
- Nominating and electing Steering Group members
- Voting on key decisions presented by Steering Group
- Helping to raise funds and secure other resources on behalf of the project
Leadership Group Nominations
Once an election has been announced, each DuraSpace member that supports Fedora at either the Bronze, Silver, or Gold level may nominate an individual from their institution who they believe would be a good representative of the community. Typically, Leadership Group candidates have fiscal or staffing responsibility within their organization and are able to allocate resources. And they will be able to bring the commitment, creativity, and dedication that the role calls for.
At the end of the nomination process anyone nominated will be asked for a brief personal statement. Voting will be based on membership levels, with each member organization’s Community Liaison casting a vote for candidates at their Fedora membership support level (Bronze, Silver, or Gold) based on the direction of their management. In the event of a tie, the Steering Group (excluding Ambassadors) will vote to break the tie.
Committer Nominations
In order to facilitate transparent communication between Fedora governance and the technical team, members of the Fedora Committers group may nominate (or self-nominate) a Fedora committer to serve as a representative on the Fedora Leadership Group on an annual basis. If more than one committer is nominated, an election will be held and each Fedora Leadership Group member will have an opportunity to vote for the candidate of their choosing. In the event of a tie, the Steering Group (excluding Ambassadors) will vote to break the tie.
Steering Group
The Steering Group is nominated and elected by the Leadership Group. Steering Group members serve three-year terms. The Steering Group provides project oversight and ensures that the priorities of the Leadership Group and members are met, by:
- Providing strategic direction to the Project
- Providing guidance to the Product Manager / Project Director / Technical Manager, with input on their annual performance reviews
- Recommending annual budget allocations
- Presenting key decisions to the Leadership Group for discussion and approval
- Raising funds and securing other resources on behalf of the Project
- Overseeing project operations
Steering Group Nominations
Once an election has been announced, each Leadership Group member may nominate themselves or another member of the Leadership Group to serve on the Steering Group. Steering Group members serve three year terms with no term limits.
At the end of the nomination process anyone nominated will be asked for a brief personal statement. Each Fedora Leadership Group member will have an opportunity to vote for the candidate of their choosing. In the event of a tie, the Steering Group (excluding Ambassadors) will vote to break the tie.
If you have any questions about Fedora project governance or the nomination and election process please contact David Wilcox.
