Since 16 years I am the CEO of in2code and for a much longer time I am involved with the community. I made the journey from a decider, via editor, admin to developer. My frist TYPO3 event I remember to attend, was the TYPO3 Conference back in 2007. From 2012 to 2021 I was already a member of the Board of the TYPO3 Association. In 2022 i returned to the Board as the Treasurer. Since 2016 I support the TYPO3 GmbH as a member of the Supervisory Board.
Could you elaborate on how your approach on creating governance for a community like TYPO3 is? And what are the upsides and downsides of “bottom-up” and “top-down” approaches for you, specifically in terms of the Association’s Board members creating a structure for its community? What are key positions that you stand for?
Stefan, a broader question about governance philosophy has already been raised here, so I would like to make one aspect of it more concrete.
There appear to be discussions about governance or organizational changes that could materially affect how teams, leads, and volunteers are expected to work together in TYPO3.
Since Board members elected this year will serve for three years, I believe the members of the Association should be able to assess any substantial governance shift before casting their vote, not only afterwards.
Do you think such a model, if it exists or is being prepared, should be published and openly discussed before the election?
And what is your own position on stronger hierarchical leadership structures in a volunteer-driven open source community like TYPO3?
Dear Garvin, thank you for your question. I think we need two approaches. On the one hand, we need better proceedings, with the aim of clear responsibilities for acting bodies, better collaboration modes and decision making processes. On the other hand contribution must get easy and joyful. Both approaches should lead into a scalable organization,
My aim is, to let our members decide on the introduction of those ideas. This means any kind of governance needs the acceptance by its members.
Dear Jo, of course, any changes to by laws need to be accepted by the GA - aka the members. Therefore those changes will get published at the GA page.
At the moment those drafts are discussed with the team leaders, stakeholders and external consultants. Those drafts will not reinvent the wheel, they are inspired by a much bigger volunteer organization.
My question was not about the formal GA process after the election. It was about transparency before the election closes.
Since you have confirmed that substantial governance drafts already exist and are being discussed with team leads, stakeholders, and external consultants, I think Association members should be able to read and publicly discuss them before casting their vote.
Otherwise, members are effectively asked to elect Board members first and only later learn about the governance direction and possible shifts in responsibilities, authority, and expectations that those same people may shape or operate under for the next three years.
So my question remains, should members be able to read and publicly discuss these drafts before the election closes, so they can take that direction into account when voting?
Stefan, thank you for clarifying that such drafts do in fact exist and are currently being discussed and will be put up for a vote at the GA.
My point is narrower, but also more important than the later formal GA procedure. If a draft implies a substantial shift in governance, roles, and power within TYPO3, then members should know that direction before electing people into positions that may soon operate under that changed structure.
This is not just about publishing texts at some later stage. It is about whether members can assess the people they are about to elect in light of the structure those people may then be expected to shape, interpret, and enforce.
serving on the TYPO3 Association Board requires a considerable and ongoing volunteer commitment.
Based on my experience, the role typically requires around 8 hours per week on average, plus occasional travel for QSA meetings and other community events. As the position is voluntary and not financially compensated, this time investment is an important factor.
You have already served in the Board and therefore demonstrated that you were able to dedicate the necessary time.
How will you ensure that you can continue to dedicate the time required for the role in the coming term?
My position did not change for the last years. I want to continue the path, of ensuring success for our project. That was the reason behind many changes in the last decade. In General I want to ensure clearer proceedings, democratic processes for leading positions and increase of contributions.