Ian Jackson wrote:
Note forum-shifting, of which more discussion later in this mail.
Joshua D. Drake writes on board@ ("Re: SPI support for [some project]"):
You are correct, and I find it a very, very sad prospect that we are
only able to [act as trustees for funds] this when our charter
clearly states we should be doing so much more.
I think you've misunderstood the function of the charter. The charter
for a legally constituted organisation like SPI is not its manifesto.
Everything that the founders and subsequent members of the
organisation think it might reasonably want to do has to be listed in
the legal charter, because if an organisation acts outside its charter
it and its board, officers, etc., are very legally exposed. Therefore
charters are necessarily broad, vague and often formulaic.
SPI's charter lists all of the things that SPI is permitted to do.
That doesn't mean that all of those things are primary objectives for
SPI or that we intend to do all of them any time soon.
Perhaps SPI ought to have a manifesto but at the moment it doesn't.
Except that our "charter" isn't that vague. It is pretty explicit and in
fact defines "purpose". Purpose is:
1. the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc.
2. an intended or desired result; end; aim; goal.
3. determination; resoluteness.
4. the subject in hand; the point at issue.
5. practical result, effect, or advantage: to act to good purpose.
Now, perhaps I am being too pedantic but honestly... did the founders of
SPI intend that we were only to be a glorified PayPal? Does the board
consider that the case now?
* To create, form and establish an organization to formulate and
provide software systems for use by the general public without charge;
* to teach and train individuals regarding the use and application
of such systems;
* to hold classes, seminars and workshops concerning the proper use
and application of computers and computer systems;
* to endeavor to monitor and improve the quality of currently
existing publicly available software;
* to support, educate and promote the creation and development of
software available to the general public;
* to provide information and education regarding the proper use of
the Internet;
* to organize, hold and conduct meetings, discussions, and forums
on contemporary issues concerning the use of computers and computer
software;
* to foster, promote and increase access to software systems
available to the general public;
* to solicit, collect and otherwise raise money and to expend such
funds in furtherance of the goals and activities of the corporation;
* to aid, assist, cooperate, co-sponsor and otherwise engage in
concerted action with private, educational and governmental
organizations and associations on all issues and matters concerning the
use of computers and computer software;
and generally
* to endeavor to promote, foster and advance interest in computers
and computer software by all available means and methods.
Sincerely,
Joshua D. Drake
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