[Ma-linux] Extension to Tux.Org Board of Directors Elections deadline

[Serge Wroclawski]

On Mon, Jan 22, 2007 at 01:32:13PM -0500, Pete Nuwayser wrote:
>     We need YOU to run for the Tux.Org Board of Directors!
> 
>   As you know, Tux.Org was founded in November, 1999 to serve the
> open source community with education, outreach and community.

I'm sorry to flame, but I feel I have to...

Pete, I was on the original list which helped found Tux.org and I think 
your mail is somewhat misrepresenting some of both the goals of the 
organization and the way they've been carried out.

> Our ability to do all this is completely dependent on the donations 
> of hardware, software, network bandwidth, server facilities, event 
> booths, and, most importantly, VOLUNTEERS.

Yet Tux rejects voulenteers quite often... I've seen several been turned 
away.

>   To accommodate a larger foundation, we spent the last year going
> through the by-laws with a fine-toothed comb to allow more people to
> participate.  Participation means that you would be able to attend
> monthly meetings (held via IRC) and express your views on the
> direction we should go in.  Any level of Linux and/or software
> knowledge is beneficial to the organization so you do not have to be
> an expert at anything, just willing to be a part of it.

It's amazing to me that you'd say this...
A separate group was formed at Tux's inception to help the board with 
outside commentary, and the reaction I've heard from you and others on 
the board is that you've never heard of it, and won't use it.

How can we reconsile these two different statements?

>   Who will help us?

A number of us, including myself, are, after more than ten years of 
dealing with Tux, both as an independant group and as a non-profit, 
pretty exhausted by the organization. 

I was a vocal supporter of Tux.org's move to becomming a non-profit, and 
did a lot of the early legwork.

Since then, Tux.org seems to have gotten worse and worse, including 
having its core functions being down for nearly four months and having 
its funds frozen from the president of the organization for a year.

I know I'm not the only one whose frustrated with the situation at Tux,  
and I think that a number of people who might step forward would want to 
hear concerete steps the board would make to improve the situation for 
new board members and the community.

- Serge Wroclaski