Compiling resources on OS project governance

[tobyhodges]

In the community call today we proposed trying to conduct and present a survey of what governance models are out there, what seems to work, and how that varies across different kinds of projects. I am interested in models of governance as well as what makes them work practically (tooling + behaviours/processes).

[melissawm]

Tagging @psupp for awareness.

[melissawm]

For reference: https://carpentries.github.io/lesson-development-training/collaborating-team.html

[tobyhodges]

Thanks @melissawm. Adding https://carpentries.github.io/lesson-development-training/project-management.html too, and the section in between also includes some Contributor Experience-related content.

[melissawm]

Here's a few highlights from my research on this topic:

• https://github.com/kubernetes/community/blob/master/governance.md
• https://github.com/jupyter/governance <- The github repo is more interesting than the rendered documents because you can see the history, discussions and decision-making process.
  • In particular, the three pages listed under the "Previous Governance" rubric are very interesting, starting with this one: https://jupyter.org/governance/governance.html
• Astropy is an example of a team with very defined roles and assignments: https://www.astropy.org/team.html
• There are two enhancement proposal for scikit-learn which are also interesting with great points for consideration: SLEP019: Governance Update - Recognizing Contributions Beyond Code scikit-learn/enhancement_proposals#74, SLEP019: Governance Update - Recognizing Contributions Beyond Code (version II) scikit-learn/enhancement_proposals#81 and SLEP020: Simplifing Governance Changes scikit-learn/enhancement_proposals#84
• A more succint and different approach, based on privileges and responsibilities: https://github.com/programminghistorian/jekyll/wiki/Privileges-and-Responsibilities-of-Membership
• On the more academic side, there's also:
  • THE EMERGENCE OF GOVERNANCE IN AN OPEN SOURCE COMMUNITY
  • PolicyKit: Building Governance in Online Communities
  • The Tyranny of Openness, of course 😄

I'm sure I'll come back to this and update with more stuff, but I think this is it for now. I hope it's useful as a starting point. Cheers!

[jduckles]

Dan Katz has pulled some good stuff together here including examples of governance documents: https://github.com/corsa-center/oss-documents/

[DeaMariaLeon]

Adding resource links:

• A code of conduct for open source communities that has been adopted by some of the largest OS projects: https://www.contributor-covenant.org

• Organization for Ethical Source. A nonprofit charity "that focuses on ethical outcomes in OS and other public interest technologies". https://ethicalsource.dev

• The open source way guidebook: https://www.theopensourceway.org