Koha Community Update: Foundation Steering Group Progress 1 November 2024
Dear Koha Community, We’re pleased to share updates from the recent Foundation Steering Group meetings that we have had since the Steering Group was formed at Kohacon in Montréal. These sessions have focused on building a transparent governance structure for Koha’s future within the Open Library Foundation (OLF), aligning with both our values and the community’s democratically driven spirit. Below, we outline some key topics discussed, with the intention that the wider Koha community can stay informed and engaged in this process of moving towards joining the OLF. Commitment to Community-Driven Representation We understand the importance of having representatives on this Steering Group, and also on the eventual Governance Committee, that reflect the diverse perspectives of the Koha community. All of us are dedicated to ensuring that those who volunteer to represent Koha in the Foundation remain aligned with the community’s values and the open-source mission that guides our work together. Inclusive Governance Structure As part of our work with the OLF, we are establishing key roles — which include the legally necessary roles of Manager, Treasurer, and Secretary — required to help Koha operate within a solid framework. Our aim is to ensure that active, meaningful participation from the community remains central to governance decisions and membership guidelines. Financial Oversight and Independence Each entity within the OLF, such as Koha, is fully accountable for its own finances and activities as what is called a ‘Single Member Limited Liability Company’ (SMLLC). The OLF provides support, but each SMLLC operates independently. To help with banking and financial management, we are considering practical solutions, such as appointing a U.S.-based Treasurer to simplify banking processes. Improved Community Communication and Transparency We are drafting guidelines to ensure clear communication about who represents the community, how decisions are made, and when input from the community is necessary. Our goal is to make sure that every voice is heard and that our governance structure reflects the collective will of the community. Protecting Koha’s Charitable Mission We are dedicated to preserving Koha’s charitable status, aligning our activities and tax considerations with both legal standards and community values. Next Steps and Community Engagement We are pleased to be welcoming some additional members to the Steering Group who work in Libraries in different parts of the world. This is to address the current imbalance of the Steering Group in favour of Koha Support Companies. Our next meeting will focus on finalising the Steering Group’s guidelines and defining roles that will be needed in the Koha Foundation Committee. We encourage everyone who is passionate about Koha to join us in these discussions by giving us your feedback, as we build a robust foundation for the project’s future. We remain committed to open, community-led governance. Please stay tuned for updates, and reach out with any questions or suggestions. Together, we’re building a strong future for Koha! Best regards, Koha Foundation Steering Group The Koha Foundation Steering Group is currently made up of the following members: Andrew Auld - PTFS Europe, UK [email protected] MM @aulda (currently acting as Chair of the Steering Group) Peter-Paul Kloppenborg - BSZ, Germany [email protected] MM @paulkloppenborg (currently acting as Secretary of the Steering Group) Aleisha Amohia - Catalyst, New Zealand - [email protected] - MM @aleisha Brendan Gallagher - ByWater Solutions, USA - [email protected] - MM @bag David Cook - Prosentient Systems, Australia - [email protected] - MM @dcook Éric Bégin - inLibro, Canada - [email protected] - MM @eric Esa-Pekka Peskitalo - National Library of Finland - [email protected] - MM @keskitalo George Williams - NEKLS, USA - [email protected] - @georgehwilliams Nick Clemens - ByWater Solutions, USA - [email protected] - MM @kidclamp Sonia Bouis - Université Lyon 3 and Kohala, France - [email protected] - MM soniab Thomas Dukleth - USA - [email protected] - MM @thd Tomas Cohen Arazi - Theke, Argentina - [email protected] - MM @tcohen -- Andrew Auld Commercial Director PTFS Europe [image: Phone icon] M: +44 7811 370104 | T: +44 1483 378728 ext. 1010 [image: Email icon] [email protected] [image: Link icon] www.ptfs-europe.com Sign up for our Newsletter. <http://eepurl.com/dPjjkn> <http://www.linkedin.com/company/ptfs-europe-limited> <http://youtube.com/@PTFSEurope> [image: Click to open PTFS Europe webpage] <https://www.ptfs-europe.com> _______________________________________________ Koha mailing list http://koha-community.org [email protected] Unsubscribe: https://lists.katipo.co.nz/mailman/listinfo/koha
