Working Group Elections

Working Group Overview

The Steering Committee establishes Working Groups (WGs) to manage one or more projects. WGs are typically centred around a particular functional area, such as the Open Source Group, the Standards Group, the Policy Group, or the Community Group. Any output created by a WG intended for publication as a GSF deliverable must be ratified by the Steering Committee.

GSF Elections 

The elected chairs are responsible for leading our Chartered WGs, which includes maintaining governance, defining strategy, and upholding our Code of Conduct. They also oversee the development of projects and mentor team members. Each WG can have up to three co-chair appointments. Both Steering and General members are eligible to become a WG chair.

Term

Foundation member Chairs are appointed for a term of two years, subject to their organization's continued membership. If a Chair resigns before completing their term, an election process will be triggered to find a suitable replacement to nominate a new Chair.

Chair Role & Responsibilities

• The Chair has overall responsibility for the management of a WG.

• Chairs SHALL maintain strict impartiality and act in the foundation's interest in performing their tasks.

• Ensure the technical activities of the Group are progressed promptly following the processes and procedures of GSF.

• Organize and run the meetings following the processes and practices of the GSF.

• The work and progress of the WG are appropriately communicated to the SC.

• Facilitate discussion during the meeting, encouraging all members to participate in decision-making.

Chair Role Considerations:

• The role requires approximately 2-3 hours per week, including chairing meetings, preparation time, and offline communications.

• Chair(s) of the WG are responsible for leading with empathy and creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all members of the GSF.

• WG Chair(s) represent the GSF, so they must ensure benefits are shared among all. 

Chair Support

The elected chairs will receive comprehensive support from their appointed PM and GSF Ops team to carry out their responsibilities effectively.

WG Call for Chair Nominations

1. Forward an email to WG & cc: GSF-All, inviting members to submit their names for chair consideration.

   1. Existing chairs are eligible to submit their names for consideration to run for a second term.

   2. Details are additionally circulated in the GSF Newsletter

2. Member nominations are submitted to the GSF WG PM in reply to the circulated email.

   1. GSF members can self-nominate.

3. Include the following information.

   1. The candidate's name and company

   2. identify if it is a self-nomination or the nomination of somebody else

   3. NOTE: The use of GSF email lists shall not be permitted for any campaign purposes by a candidate.

Results

• If ≤ 3 names are submitted, they are elected unopposed, after the Election Officers have reviewed the nominations. No voting occurs.

• If ≥ 4 names are submitted, it will trigger a *vote.

*Recommended tool OpaVote

Voting (Only required IF there are ≥ 4 Nomination)

Each member organization is entitled to one vote at the Green Software Foundation. The official primary representative, or alternate if the primary is unavailable, will vote on their organisation's behalf. However, before the vote is cast, a popular vote will be conducted to determine the majority choice of the WG. The member organization will then be informed of the popular vote and can either cast their ballot in favour or vote independently.

Voting instructions

1. Any individual from a Steering or General level is entitled to vote.

2. Members are entitled to change their vote as often as they wish until the ballot closes.

   1. Recommended tool OpaVote

Create an election timeline.

Election Officers

The election officers for the WG election are GSF ED and GSF OD.

Current Incumbant Working Group Chairs

The following members are in post until December 2025;