I'm pretty new to C4L, mostly just an evesdropper. Sounds though what the group is looking for is to form a lightweight as possible NGO / Non Profit style entity that can operate as an organization independent of its constituent parts for purposes of liability.
A business law expert, more specifically a not for profit sector expert in business law (i'm sure one of the Uni's out there has at least one of those?) would be worth inviting to a conversation like this. A framework for operating in a lightweight fashion probably wants to look something like what in Wisconsin is called an Unincorporated Association. - http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/184 I'm not familiar with other States' equivalents, but I'm sure most States have something like it. An organization of very loosely coupled entities acting in cooperation here in Wisconsin, which demonstrates a very successful implementation of the UA organizational model is the CINC Community Area Network UA in the Eau Claire region of Wisconsin. - https://cincua.org/about/governance/ I'm rather interested in seeing how much momentum this conversation generates, and to see how or if it alters the course of the fabulously nebulous Code4Lib ship. Cheers! Joshua Klingbeil - IT Director Wisconsin Valley Library Service *I have learned that when I am able to empty my mind of * * preconception, predisposition, and prejudice... * *... what remains is possibility!* *It's easy to answer "No! And here's why not..." It's empowering to answer "Yes! Now let's figure out how..."* -- <http://facebook.wvls.org> <http://twitter.wvls.org>
