Open Stack

Hi everyone,

I've been elected on the TC (or its previous incarnations) since we had 
community-elected seats in that body (2011). However, as announced 
during the previous election round (and in the discussion about reducing 
the number of TC seats) I do not plan to run for the TC in the upcoming 
election round.

There are multiple reasons for this. The main one is that with name 
recognition and a Condorcet voting system, it's relatively easy for 
incumbents to be reelected. We only elect 5 seats this time, so I think 
it's important to make room for new names to step up.

The second reason is that I'd like more people with an operational 
background to be present on the TC. I think we can simplify our 
governance by having a single elected body handling the open source 
project, rather than maintain separate representation for users and 
developers. As we get more people bringing operational perspective to 
the TC, that simplification will be even more obvious.

The final reason is that I've always been saying that you can work on 
governance issues and voice your opinion on them, without being elected 
on the TC and formally voting on things. It's time for me to walk that 
talk. I do not intend to go anywhere, and I'll be as present as always 
in proposing the OpenStack governance changes that I deem needed in this 
day and age.

I'll finish this email by encouraging anyone interested in open source 
project governance, or wanting to help shape the next chapter of the 
OpenStack story, to step up and run for TC election. As for all 
governance bodies, the experience can be frustrating, as you'd like to 
fix more things but there is only so much you can do. But it's a great 
experience, one that I recommend everyone working on open source project 
should have. The only prerequisite is an interest and care for 
"OpenStack" as a whole. No specific experience or diploma needed. If you 
wonder if you can do it, the answer is yes.

Nominations[1] open up March 24. Please consider running, especially if 
you have operational experience with some cycles to spare. If you have 
any questions on the job, feel free to reach out to me -- you know where 
to find me.

[1] https://governance.openstack.org/election/

-- 
Thierry Carrez (ttx)