[OpenID board] The new OIDF Local Chapters Policy

[Martin Atkins]

Drummond Reed wrote:
> 
> While I think I understand the intent here, it is somewhat confusing for 
> a Chapter to become a Member of OIDF. Does that mean as a member of 
> OIDF, it has the same voting rights as any other member of OIDF? How are 
> the dues determined, or are there dues for Chapters? Is this entirely 
> separate from whether any of the members of the Chapter are also members 
> of OIDF? The overall principal is okay, but answers to those questions 
> should be spelled our clearly in this paragraph.
> 

We touched on this briefly in the last board meeting.

There seemed to be agreement (though, to be clear, it was not put to a 
vote) that when it comes to joining the foundation a Local Chapter is 
just like any other corporate member, and can take part in work groups, etc.

The most important implication of this -- which again, no-one raised 
objections to in the meeting -- is that if desired a local chapter could 
in theory act as a "proxy" for its members, thus allowing them to 
contribute without actually joining OIDF themselves. We should consider 
carefully what effects this will have on the IPR policy; presumably any 
issues that arise from this -- if indeed there are any at all -- could 
also equally arise from any company acting as a "proxy" for anyone else.

Cheers,
Martin