Documents
The bylaws that govern OSHWA are available here.
Meeting Minutes
Board Meeting Minutes
2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012
Annual Member Meeting Minutes
2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 (On pause due to pandemic) | 2019 (On pause due to only staff member on Maternity Leave) | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 (No members present, no notes taken) | 2015 | 2014 (No members present, no notes taken) | 2013
OSHWA Taxes
2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012
Open Hardware Summit Budgets
2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012
Policies
Policy on Partnerships and Products
OSHWA serves as a neutral forum for discussion of open-source hardware and tries hard to avoid bias in favor of or against particular products or companies. As such, OSHWA does not fund, endorse or promote specific outside projects. That said, as part of our mission to educate the public about open-source hardware, we may discuss news or issues that involve specific open-source hardware products if we feel there is a broader goal achieved or to bring interest to an open process, field, or study rather than the product itself.
Example of something we will not post:
I’m launching a new (open-source) product, would you please share it with your community?
Example of something we may post:
I have a novel way of doing something openly that affects the whole community, will you please share it with your community?
For Example:
I’m applying open-source hardware in a new domain.
I’ve written up the strategies we used to build up our open-source hardware and knowledge of this will benefit similar communities.
OSHWA Board Attendance Policy
Board meetings are generally every six weeks. Missing 3 consecutive meetings without reasonable justification as defined by board vote is grounds for removal of the OSHWA board. OSHWA board members will be advised to vote for the removal of any board member after the 3rd consecutive meeting has been missed. The vacant slot will be filled during the next Annual Meeting of the Members.
Why is this policy important?
The majority of work that the board is responsible for is completed during board meetings.
Quorum must be met for board votes. If enough board members are not present, votes must be pushed to the next meeting.
OSHWA Board Election Process
How do we run our elections?
All OSHWA board candidates have to self-nominate to be eligible for election. Self-nomination demonstrates that the candidate has a personal commitment to serving on the OSHWA board. The candidates outline their motivation and qualifications so voters can make informed decisions.
OSHWA board members are elected for two year terms. Terms are staggered so that only a portion of the OSHWA board terms expire in any given year in order to maintain continuity within the board. Elections are held each year for the portion of the board seats that are open in that year.
We announce the start of the board nomination process on the front of the OSHWA website and on the OSHWA twitter accounts (@oshwassociation and @ohsummit). These platforms reach beyond just existing OSHWA members to the broader OSHW community.
In addition to the general announcement, we directly reach out to potential candidates with diverse backgrounds, suggesting they nominate themselves.
Once the nominations are closed, OSHWA members vote to elect new board members. Voting is limited to OSHWA members as per the rules that govern OSHWA’s non-profit incorporation. We use online voting for board elections. Our bylaws require that at least 10% of our membership vote in order to reach quorum to validate the election.
Who should consider running?
People who love OSHWA! If you want to support the work OSHWA does and advocate on our behalf, this role is for you. To be a board member you should have some knowledge in one of the many facets of open hardware, be it manufacturing, education, policy, or more. We pride ourselves on having a diverse board and would love help spreading the word to people in underrepresented groups. We welcome those who have no prior board experience.
If you’d like to talk to current board members prior to running and find out what’s it’s like being an OSHWA board member please email info@oshwa.org.
Timeline
Last Tues in Sept, Nominations open
2nd Tues in Oct, Nominations close
3rd Tues in Oct, Voting period 1 week (7 days) in length
4th week in Oct, new members announced
OSHWA Code of Conduct
OSHWA is dedicated to providing a harassment-free online and in-person community experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, age, body size, race, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment in any form on any OSHWA platform, including mailing lists, forums, comments, venues and anywhere else you interact with OSHWA hosted space, online or in-person, private or public.
Read the Code of Conduct