diff --git a/TSC-Charter.md b/TSC-Charter.md index 5e22ef6c..7427e13e 100755 --- a/TSC-Charter.md +++ b/TSC-Charter.md @@ -36,16 +36,27 @@ approved by the Board. ## Section 4. Establishment of the TSC. -TSC memberships are not time-limited. There is no maximum size of the TSC. -The size is expected to vary in order to ensure adequate coverage of important -areas of expertise, balanced with the ability to make decisions efficiently. -The TSC must have at least three members. +TSC memberships are for one year terms that must be recertified. Motions for +recertification are automatic and require a vote. Members are recertified if a +simple majority of TSC members vote in favor of recertifying the individual as +a TSC member. Such members will continue through the next year's term. +Individuals failing recertification may return to the TSC after no less than +six months following normal TSC motion. + +There is no maximum size of the TSC. The size is expected to vary in order to +ensure adequate coverage of important areas of expertise, balanced with the +ability to make decisions efficiently. The TSC must have at least three members. + +Individuals nominated to the TSC must be members of at least one Node.js +Working Group or Team at the time of their nomination and must maintain active +participation in at least one Working Group or Team throughout their term. There is no specific set of requirements or qualifications for TSC -membership beyond these rules. The TSC may add additional members to the -TSC by a standard TSC motion and vote. A TSC member may be removed from the -TSC by voluntary resignation, by a standard TSC motion, or in accordance to the -participation rules described below. +membership beyond these rules. + +The TSC may add additional members to the TSC by a standard TSC motion and vote. +A TSC member may be removed from the TSC by voluntary resignation, by a standard +TSC motion, or in accordance to the participation rules described below. Changes to TSC membership should be posted in the agenda, and may be suggested as any other agenda item. @@ -176,10 +187,43 @@ discussion will continue. For all votes, a simple majority of all TSC members for, or against, the issue wins. A TSC member may choose to participate in any vote through abstention. +While the results of all votes must be made public, the actual individual +ballots cast for most votes may be made public or confidential at the discretion +of the TSC Chair. However, individual ballots for recertification or removal of +TSC members must remain confidential. The names of members voting or abstaining +in all votes must be made public with a clear indication given of whether the +individual voted or abstained. + +Following the completion of all votes, a public statement must be made via +GitHub specifying the results of the vote. Contextual detail about why the +vote was held, including a listing of the specific questions voted on must be +included in the statement. + Note that, in addition to requiring a simple majority vote of the TSC, all changes to this charter are also subject to approval from the Node.js Foundation board. +### Votes to Remove Members + +Should a situation arise that considers the removal of a TSC member, an +attempt should first be made to resolve the issue without requiring a vote. +The TSC Chair may, at their discretion, request that the issue be referred +to a Foundation appointed third-party mediator for arbitration. + +Failing all other possible resolutions, a simple majority vote of TSC members +is required to remove a member. Should such a vote to result in a tie (50%/50% +split of non-abstaining participants) the matter shall be referred to a +Foundation appointed independent third-party mediator for arbitration. + +All decisions regarding removal of TSC members will be subject to review by +the Node.js Foundation Board. While the Board will not have the ability to +overturn or vacate the decisions of the TSC, the Board may issue a statement +requesting that the TSC revisit the decision and recommend that the matter be +referred to a Foundation appointed third-party mediator for arbitration. + +Once referred to arbitration, the decision of the mediator will be considered +final and binding on all parties. + ## Section 9. Project Roles The Node.js Foundation git repository is maintained by the TSC and @@ -216,6 +260,39 @@ TSC. * **Maintainer**: a Collaborator within a Core Project elected to represent the Core Project on the TSC. +## Section 11. Escalation of Disputes and Code of Conduct Violations + +Participation in the Node.js project is governed by a Code of Conduct policy +that is established by the TSC. The TSC is required to establish a policy +for the enforcement of Code of Conduct issues. Any reports of Code of Conduct +or policy violations on the part of TSC members that are not resolvable through +that established policy will be referred to binding, independent third-party +arbitration with a Foundation appointed mediator. All TSC members, upon +acceptance of their nomination to the TSC body, voluntarily agree to abide by +the decisions of the independent third-party mediator. + +## Section 12: Leaves of Absence and Temporary Suspension of TSC Membership + +TSC Members may voluntarily temporarily suspend their memberships in the TSC +for any period of time not in excess of twelve months. In such cases, the member +may return to full TSC membership status at any time. + +TSC Members may have their memberships involuntarily suspended by a simple +majority vote of the other TSC members for any period of time not in excess of +twelve months. The suspension period must be specified in advance of the +decision. The members privileges as a TSC member will be restored automatically +after the given period has passed. The TSC may decide, through simple majority +vote, to lift the suspension early. + +## Section 13: Selection of Mediators + +When it becomes necessary within the context of this charter to select a +third party mediator for arbitration, a qualified mediator shall be selected by +the Node.js Foundation Board of Directors (or an individual designated by the +Board to so act on their behalf). The mediator should be trained and qualified +in mediation/conflict resolution and must not be a member of the TSC, Node.js +Community Committee, or Node.js Foundation Board of Directors. + [Consensus Seeking]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consensus-seeking_decision-making [Condorcet]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condorcet_method [Single Transferable Vote]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_transferable_vote