Secretary

As the SME Server community gets organized, it has already became apparent that there needs to be a set of semi-formal rules to help in conflict resolution, and as a result this constitution will be needed. (wee used the Debian constitution as the basis for our constitution)

The SME Server constitution describes the organisational structure for formal decision making in the community. The constitution delineates who makes decisions, and what powers are attached to each such decision making individual or body. The office of the Community Secretary is one of the six entities enumerated in the SME Server Community constitution as a decision making entity.

Any SME Server developer is eligible to be considered for the post of the Secretary. Any person may hold several posts, except that the Secretary may not also be the Leader, or the Chairperson of the Technical Committee.

Appointment

• Unlike other delegates, who are appointed by the SME Server Community Leader, the next Secretary is appointed by the Leader and the current Secretary. In case the current secretary and the project leader disagree, there must be a vote by the Leader, Secretary and all the team leaders.
• The Secretary's term of office is 1 year, at which point they or another Secretary must be (re)appointed.

Tasks performed by the Secretary

• Conducting votes The most visible task performed by the secretary is conducting votes for the community -- notably the Community Leader elections, but also any other votes that are run (General Resolutions, for example). Running a vote also entails determining the number and identity of the people eligible to vote, for the purpose of calculating quorum.
• Standing in for other Officers The Secretary can stand in for the Leader, together with the Chairperson of the Technical Committee. In this situation, they may jointly make decisions if they consider it imperative to do so -- but only when absolutely necessary and only when consistent with the consensus of the Developers.
• If there is no Secretary or the current Secretary is unavailable and has not delegated authority for a decision then the decision may be made or delegated by the Chairperson of the Technical Committee, as Acting Secretary.
• Interpreting the Constitution The secretary is also responsible for adjudicating any disputes about interpretation of the constitution.