How did Florence get to the Chair? Options

[thekohser]

I don't think we've ever had this conversation, but who really is Florence Devouard, and how did she rise to the role of Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Wikimedia Foundation?

I suspect it's just that she was a highly active editor from at least July 2002, and that gave her tenure over a bunch of other people. But, who elected her to the Board in the first place? How did she gain the Chair?

Greg

[Yehudi]

The Board is elected by the community, and I think the Board members appoint the Chair.

[KStreetSlave]

The Board is elected by the community, and I think the Board members appoint the Chair.

Hah! If only it were so transparent. The board is half appointed, half elected (they're actually considering a mostly appointed system). The Chair, as I recall, is elected from within the board, by the board members, and if I remember the bylaws correct, the chair has the power to appoint other officer positions (or maybe it is to propose their election, I can't remember which).

[thekohser]

The Board is elected by the community, and I think the Board members appoint the Chair.

Hah! If only it were so transparent. The board is half appointed, half elected (they're actually considering a mostly appointed system). The Chair, as I recall, is elected from within the board, by the board members, and if I remember the bylaws correct, the chair has the power to appoint other officer positions (or maybe it is to propose their election, I can't remember which).

I'm not so much interested in the ticky-tack policies of Board construction, as I am in the biographical "story" of how Florence got to where she is now. I mean, I thought she was an agricultural scientist of some sort, and now she heads a web non-profit. How did that process unfold? Was she hand-picked for the Board by Jimbo, or was it a "community" nomination? Does she still keep a "day job" in agri-science?

Greg

This post has been edited by thekohser: Wed 26th December 2007, 4:06pm

[GlassBeadGame]

The Board is elected by the community, and I think the Board members appoint the Chair.

Hah! If only it were so transparent. The board is half appointed, half elected (they're actually considering a mostly appointed system). The Chair, as I recall, is elected from within the board, by the board members, and if I remember the bylaws correct, the chair has the power to appoint other officer positions (or maybe it is to propose their election, I can't remember which).

I'm not so much interested in the ticky-tack policies of Board construction, as I am in the biographical "story" of how Florence got to where she is now. I mean, I thought she was an agricultural scientist of some sort, and now she heads a web non-profit. How did that process unfold? Was she hand-picked for the Board by Jimbo, or was a it a "community" nomination? Does she still keep a "day job" in agri-science?

Greg

Given her bitter complaints about the burden of child care and related WMF expenses I don't think she is any longer employed in her field. I also seem to recall a list post in which she detailed the unseemly workings of whatever form of Euro-Dole for the middle class she collects.

[Joseph100]

The Board is elected by the community, and I think the Board members appoint the Chair.

Hah! If only it were so transparent. The board is half appointed, half elected (they're actually considering a mostly appointed system). The Chair, as I recall, is elected from within the board, by the board members, and if I remember the bylaws correct, the chair has the power to appoint other officer positions (or maybe it is to propose their election, I can't remember which).

I'm not so much interested in the ticky-tack policies of Board construction, as I am in the biographical "story" of how Florence got to where she is now. I mean, I thought she was an agricultural scientist of some sort, and now she heads a web non-profit. How did that process unfold? Was she hand-picked for the Board by Jimbo, or was a it a "community" nomination? Does she still keep a "day job" in agri-science?

Greg

Given her bitter complaints about the burden of child care and related WMF expenses I don't think she is any longer employed in her field. I also seem to recall a list post in which she detailed the unseemly workings of whatever form of Euro-Dole for the middle class she collects.

OR in SIMPLY TERMS a "SOCIAL PARASITE", not unlike the Tape worm.

other terms are ...parasite, sycophant, toady, leech, sponge. Typical of a French entitlement mentality.

Or
"something that resembles a biological parasite in dependence on something else for existence or support without making a useful or adequate return." (Webster Online)

This post has been edited by Joseph100: Wed 9th January 2008, 10:35am

[Samuel Culper Sr.]

Here's how it went down... (quotes from mailing list from various peeps, Erik, Ant, Jimbo, etc.)

Anthere was an established editor for quite some time. When the Board elections for "community representatives" were held, she was elected as a member. Fair enough. At this time (still in 2006), Jimbo was still the Chair of the Board. Everything revolved around Jimbo.

So in October, in a money-wasting move, the "Wikimedia Board met in Frankfurt, Germany on October 22, immediately following a planning retreat attended by the Board and more than 20 members of the Wikimedia community." At this meeting, "Upon Jimbo's suggestion, the board unanimously decided that I [Ant] be the chair of Wikimedia Foundation board of trustees". "Jimbo will assume the title of Chairman Emeritus of the Foundation." "I thank Jimbo for proposing it."

"Jimmy Wales said: 'I nominated Florence to be the chair of the
foundation in recognition of her outstanding service for the past few
years and her unsurpassed passion for our goals. Having such a
trusted community representative elected as our new chair demonstrates
the growth and strength of our organization.'"

"Nor was this in any way a move against Jimmy; in fact, it was him who had orchestrated the whole thing. ;-)"

"Jimmy's choice to nominate Florence as Chair reflect our commitment to not being a "one man show," but a community-driven effort."


Basically, she was an editor who really liked the wiki model, got elected because she was nice and popular, and then hand-selected by Jimbo to succeed him. She is passionate about free-information ideals, but has had major disagreements with other board members/"higher-ups" at WMF. But hey, now she has her own WP article.

You can read between the lines if you please.

[GlassBeadGame]

Here's how it went down... (quotes from mailing list from various peeps, Erik, Ant, Jimbo, etc.)

Anthere was an established editor for quite some time. When the Board elections for "community representatives" were held, she was elected as a member. Fair enough. At this time (still in 2006), Jimbo was still the Chair of the Board. Everything revolved around Jimbo.

So in October, in a money-wasting move, the "Wikimedia Board met in Frankfurt, Germany on October 22, immediately following a planning retreat attended by the Board and more than 20 members of the Wikimedia community." At this meeting, "Upon Jimbo's suggestion, the board unanimously decided that I [Ant] be the chair of Wikimedia Foundation board of trustees". "Jimbo will assume the title of Chairman Emeritus of the Foundation." "I thank Jimbo for proposing it."

"Jimmy Wales said: 'I nominated Florence to be the chair of the
foundation in recognition of her outstanding service for the past few
years and her unsurpassed passion for our goals. Having such a
trusted community representative elected as our new chair demonstrates
the growth and strength of our organization.'"

"Nor was this in any way a move against Jimmy; in fact, it was him who had orchestrated the whole thing. ;-)"

"Jimmy's choice to nominate Florence as Chair reflect our commitment to not being a "one man show," but a community-driven effort."


Basically, she was an editor who really liked the wiki model, got elected because she was nice and popular, and then hand-selected by Jimbo to succeed him. She is passionate about free-information ideals, but has had major disagreements with other board members/"higher-ups" at WMF. But hey, now she has her own WP article.

You can read between the lines if you please.

So why did Mr. Wales give her the nod? She doubtlessly was friendly and personable. I think at the time Mr. Wales was operating on the "weak by design model." That is the best way to maintain control, even while no longer holding the highest office, was to support someone who was seriously over their head. This best accounts for Flo as Chair and the other weak community members. I believe that this was a departure from Mr. Wales initial model which was to rely on cronies from Bomis and Chicago. Neither approach allows for the kind of broad based civic representation that would be needed to build a socially responsible project.

[KStreetSlave]

It's interesting: every now and then Florence expresses public criticism of the foundation and operations, but at the same time internally she suppresses attempts at transparency and perpetuates cliquish behavior that gives rise to "cabal" assertions.

it's almost like she's schizophrenic. There's critical florence, and then there's cabal florence.