Creating a sustainability team #194

avobs commented 2024年07月22日 14:06:48 +02:00

Following up on @earl-warren‘s considerations, I’m moving forward with the suggestion to etablish a sustainability team, tasked to map out and implement a strategy on how to make Forgejo a durable endeavour over the next years. It seems that the project is at a point where it could use a concerted effort in this direction, even if, or maybe because, it isn't a very popular matter. But Forgejo has a lot of potential and builds on beautiful governance mechanisms, which, in my opinion, warrants giving this a shot.

Of course, the following would be subject to said team’s efforts, but from what I understand at this point, some important aspects to make Forgejo sustainable seem to be

• the recruitment of new contributors, while maintaining the balance between volunteers and paid staff, including social growth towards „non-technical" contributors
• acquisition and management of additional funding
• promotion and supporting adoptability of Forgejo, which is linked to recent UI research efforts.

Now, all this also rises and falls with the further development of the technology, which I, as someone who doesn‘t code and approaches the project from an activist socio-philosophical perspective, can neither contribute to nor securely evaluate at this point. But I can volunteer to put time and energy into things such as fundraising, surveying, strategic planning, coordination, etc.

Given that there have already been dicussions around this topic, the idea for this team would definitely not be to create additional problems, but rather to take a lead on investigating what is being needed in a dedicated fashion, draft up a moderately flexible strategy and then do the necessary legwork.

Thoughts, anyone?

@earl-warren @fnetX @jean-daricade @KaKi87 @oliverpool @algernon @0ko @jerger @n0toose @viceice @caesar You're tagged because you all contributed to related topics previously, and might have some input now.

Following up on @earl-warren‘s [considerations](https://codeberg.org/forgejo/discussions/issues/144), I’m moving forward with the suggestion to etablish a sustainability team, tasked to map out and implement a strategy on how to make Forgejo a durable endeavour over the next years. It seems that the project is at a point where it could use a concerted effort in this direction, even if, or maybe because, it isn't a very popular matter. But Forgejo has a lot of potential and builds on beautiful governance mechanisms, which, in my opinion, warrants giving this a shot. Of course, the following would be subject to said team’s efforts, but from what I understand at this point, some important aspects to make Forgejo sustainable seem to be * the recruitment of new contributors, while maintaining the balance between volunteers and paid staff, including social growth towards „non-technical" contributors * acquisition and management of additional funding * promotion and supporting adoptability of Forgejo, which is linked to recent UI research efforts. Now, all this also rises and falls with the further development of the technology, which I, as someone who doesn‘t code and approaches the project from an activist socio-philosophical perspective, can neither contribute to nor securely evaluate at this point. But I can volunteer to put time and energy into things such as [fundraising](https://codeberg.org/forgejo/discussions/issues/185), surveying, strategic planning, coordination, etc. Given that there have already been dicussions around this topic, the idea for this team would definitely not be to create additional problems, but rather to take a lead on investigating what is being needed in a dedicated fashion, draft up a moderately flexible strategy and then do the necessary legwork. Thoughts, anyone? @earl-warren @fnetX @jean-daricade @KaKi87 @oliverpool @algernon @0ko @jerger @n0toose @viceice @caesar You're tagged because you all contributed to related topics previously, and might have some input now.

earl-warren commented 2024年07月22日 14:24:32 +02:00

I say go for it, 100% a good idea from a volunteer point of view.

I say go for it, 100% a good idea from a volunteer point of view.

Ghost commented 2024年07月23日 11:07:42 +02:00

I would happily apply to such a team.

I would happily apply to such a team.

avobs commented 2024年07月23日 23:53:31 +02:00

Requesting advice:

The Sovereign Tech Fund requires applicants to confirm the following:

"I acknowledge: I am legally able to sign contracts for this project or represent an organization that can."

The application would be sent in the name of "Forgejo Authors", but as far as I understand, there is no legal body representing Forgejo Authors, or the project as a whole. The application does foresee the establishment of such an entity entirely in the hands of the community. That entity would however only be established in the future case of successfully applying for the grant.

Does anyone have an opinion on this problem? There is no space for explanations, it's simply a "tick the box for yes" situation.

Requesting advice: The Sovereign Tech Fund requires applicants to confirm the following: "I acknowledge: I am legally able to sign contracts for this project or represent an organization that can." The application would be sent in the name of "Forgejo Authors", but as far as I understand, there is no legal body representing Forgejo Authors, or the project as a whole. The application does foresee the establishment of such an entity entirely in the hands of the community. That entity would however only be established in the future case of successfully applying for the grant. Does anyone have an opinion on this problem? There is no space for explanations, it's simply a "tick the box for yes" situation.

earl-warren commented 2024年07月24日 10:40:11 +02:00

Since there is no organization yet, I think the answer is "yes".

It would be no if there was any kind of known obstacle. Such as you operating solo without Forgejo knowing. Or Forgejo being incorporated and you not being authorized to enter such a contract. Should the grant be accepted, work will have to be done to establish an organization and empower it to sign the contract in the name of the Forgejo community. But this is tomorrow's problem and although it is not 100% sure it will work out, at this point in time there is nothing indicating it will fail.

Not the easiest question to answer, I have to say.

Since there is no organization yet, I think the answer is "yes". It would be no if there was any kind of known obstacle. Such as you operating solo without Forgejo knowing. Or Forgejo being incorporated and you not being authorized to enter such a contract. Should the grant be accepted, work will have to be done to establish an organization and empower it to sign the contract in the name of the Forgejo community. But this is tomorrow's problem and although it is not 100% sure it will work out, at this point in time there is nothing indicating it will fail. Not the easiest question to answer, I have to say.

avobs commented 2024年07月24日 11:00:05 +02:00

Since there is no organization yet, I think the answer is "yes".

It would be no if there was any kind of known obstacle. Such as you operating solo without Forgejo knowing. Or Forgejo being incorporated and you not being authorized to enter such a contract. Should the grant be accepted, work will have to be done to establish an organization and empower it to sign the contract in the name of the Forgejo community. But this is tomorrow's problem and although it is not 100% sure it will work out, at this point in time there is nothing indicating it will fail.

Not the easiest question to answer, I have to say.

Thank you - and apologies, I realized I posted this in the wrong discussion, will repost here: #185

> Since there is no organization yet, I think the answer is "yes". > > It would be no if there was any kind of known obstacle. Such as you operating solo without Forgejo knowing. Or Forgejo being incorporated and you not being authorized to enter such a contract. Should the grant be accepted, work will have to be done to establish an organization and empower it to sign the contract in the name of the Forgejo community. But this is tomorrow's problem and although it is not 100% sure it will work out, at this point in time there is nothing indicating it will fail. > > Not the easiest question to answer, I have to say. Thank you - and apologies, I realized I posted this in the wrong discussion, will repost here: https://codeberg.org/forgejo/discussions/issues/185

avobs commented 2024年07月31日 11:19:38 +02:00

Here’s a proposed team description for a sustainability team:

"Purpose: The team focuses on concerted efforts to make Forgejo a durable endeavour. This includes taking a lead on fundraising, work out propositions on strategic planning, and coordinating related activities within the community.

Accountability: The administrative aspects of grant applications from start to finish."

What do you think?

Here’s a proposed team description for a sustainability team: "Purpose: The team focuses on concerted efforts to make Forgejo a durable endeavour. This includes taking a lead on fundraising, work out propositions on strategic planning, and coordinating related activities within the community. Accountability: The administrative aspects of grant applications from start to finish." What do you think?

fnetX commented 2024年07月31日 14:18:58 +02:00

What about including that the sustainability team monitors a fair distribution of funding?

The new Liberapay team will soon need to discuss how the incoming donations are distributed. I intended to keep this team only "functional" (i.e. the position only allows to get a share of the money, not to let the team administrate or discuss the details). It could be included there, but it might be better if the sustainability team could monitor the distribution and act as a mediator in case there is disagreement.

What about including that the sustainability team monitors a fair distribution of funding? The new Liberapay team will soon need to discuss how the incoming donations are distributed. I intended to keep this team only "functional" (i.e. the position only allows to get a share of the money, not to let the team administrate or discuss the details). It could be included there, but it might be better if the sustainability team could monitor the distribution and act as a mediator in case there is disagreement.

avobs commented 2024年08月02日 15:21:44 +02:00

What about including that the sustainability team monitors a fair distribution of funding?

The new Liberapay team will soon need to discuss how the incoming donations are distributed. I intended to keep this team only "functional" (i.e. the position only allows to get a share of the money, not to let the team administrate or discuss the details). It could be included there, but it might be better if the sustainability team could monitor the distribution and act as a mediator in case there is disagreement.

That makes sense, if the team is keeping an eye on all aspects grantmaking, it would need to monitor and report on how funding is spent anyway.

> What about including that the sustainability team monitors a fair distribution of funding? > > The new Liberapay team will soon need to discuss how the incoming donations are distributed. I intended to keep this team only "functional" (i.e. the position only allows to get a share of the money, not to let the team administrate or discuss the details). It could be included there, but it might be better if the sustainability team could monitor the distribution and act as a mediator in case there is disagreement. That makes sense, if the team is keeping an eye on all aspects grantmaking, it would need to monitor and report on how funding is spent anyway.

Ghost commented 2024年08月03日 07:56:53 +02:00

The mediation aspect is challenging. But it is also in line with how the discussions went when writing the grant applications. In the absence of a hierarchy to ultimately decide, mediation and dialog rules. And for that to happen where there is friction, mediation is needed. It does not mean it will always be successful, but it will go a long way to resolve the simpler misunderstanding.

I would still be willing to participate in a sustainability team that is accountable for that. @avobs I'm not sure how to properly word that. It is delicate.

The mediation aspect is challenging. But it is also in line with how the discussions went when writing the grant applications. In the absence of a hierarchy to ultimately decide, mediation and dialog rules. And for that to happen where there is friction, mediation is needed. It does not mean it will always be successful, but it will go a long way to resolve the simpler misunderstanding. I would still be willing to participate in a sustainability team that is accountable for that. @avobs I'm not sure how to properly word that. It is delicate.

avobs commented 2024年08月03日 16:10:57 +02:00

How about the following:

"Purpose: The team focuses on concerted efforts to make Forgejo a durable endeavour. This includes taking a lead on fundraising, work out propositions on strategic planning, and coordinating related activities within the community. The team also monitors the distribution of funding, and acts as a mediator in the event of disputes related to the distribution of funding.

Accountability: The administrative aspects of grant applications from start to finish."

How about the following: "Purpose: The team focuses on concerted efforts to make Forgejo a durable endeavour. This includes taking a lead on fundraising, work out propositions on strategic planning, and coordinating related activities within the community. **The team also monitors the distribution of funding, and acts as a mediator in the event of disputes related to the distribution of funding.** Accountability: The administrative aspects of grant applications from start to finish."

earl-warren commented 2024年08月03日 17:17:56 +02:00

s/disputes/disagreements/ ?

s/disputes/disagreements/ ?

0ko commented 2025年08月27日 13:46:10 +02:00

The sustainability team has been created, though it's only member has been inactive this year.

I believe there's nothing left to discuss in this issue and it can be closed.

The sustainability team has been created, though it's only member has been inactive this year. I believe there's nothing left to discuss in this issue and it can be closed.