User talk:Alecmconroy/Role of a Board Member

You may also want to read the Wikimedia board manual, if you haven't looked at it yet, and some of the materials available in the BoardSource knowledge center, e.g. Board essentials and Ten Essential Responsibilities of Foundation Board Chairs.--Eloquence 00:25, 15 June 2011 (UTC)

Great reads!

As I've said elsewhere, we should 'clarify donor(i.e. community) intent' more on tough issues by opening up some of the debates the board currently has behind closed doors. I know we may always need a measure of 'behind closed doors', but it's really important that we also start having some foundation-level debates, aided by the board members.

Also interesting-- Board member page on the foundation server lists a duty to:

"determining mission, goals, long-term plans and high level policies of WMFand its projects".

I'd submit that the role of the board is not to define the mission, goals, or plans of any projects. I would also say the board "interprets" the WMF's mission more than the board "defines" WMF's mission, as subtle a distinction as that is.

I don't think the bylaws mention any direct authority over the projects, but I'm hardly an expert. --Alecmconroy 04:21, 15 June 2011 (UTC)