Resolution 2007-02-28.iwj.1.jrk.1: Formally recording Debian's status as an Associated Project

This resolution was adopted by the Board of Directors of SPI at their meeting of March 16, 2007.

Whereas

  1. Debian is a substantial and significant Free Software project;

  2. SPI and Debian regard Debian as an SPI Associated Project; however

  3. The detailed terms of the Association have not been formally stated by the SPI Board in the manner now customary.

The SPI Board Declares That;

  1. Debian is already an SPI Associated Project, according to the SPI Framework for Associated Projects, SPI Resolution 1998-11-16.iwj.1-amended-2004-08-10.iwj.1, a copy of which can be found at https://www.spi-inc.org/corporate/resolutions/2004/2004-08-10.iwj.1

  2. The Debian Constitution (http://www.debian.org/devel/constitution), and the persons holding the roles it defines and acting according to that Constitution, are recognised by SPI as ultimately authoritative regarding decisions of the Debian Project.

  3. The SPI Board does not intend to monitor the Debian mailing lists. The Board will recognise decisions, statements, and delegations made by the Debian Project Leader, currently Anthony Towns, as made on behalf of Debian, except to the extent this assumption is contradicted by information to the SPI Board by the Debian Project Secretary in accordance with paragraph 4.

  4. The Board specifically asks that the Debian Project Secretary inform the SPI Board of any Debian General Resolutions which might be relevant to SPI, including any proposals to put spending on hold, as well as any dispute or change regarding the identity or authority of the Debian Project Leader.

  5. The Board relies on Debian Developers and others to ensure that the Board is made aware of Debian decisions relevant to SPI that are not communicated to the Board in a timely manner by the Debian Project Leader or the Debian Project Secretary; of disagreement among Debian developers regarding the identity of the Debian Project Leader or the Debian Project Secretary; and of disagreement among Debian developers as to the authority held by either of those two Debian officials, but only insofar as this authority is relevant to SPI. The Board requests that those who notify it of decisions or disagreements in accordance with this paragraph take reasonable efforts to look for prior notifications to the Board on the same topic, and that the Board not be notified again if the new notification would be substantially the same as a previous one.

  6. The Debian Constitution in 5.1(10) gives the Project Leader the primary responsibility to decide on the proper uses of assets held in trust by SPI for Debian purposes.

Notwithstanding this, for the avoidance of any doubt, the SPI Board and Treasurer cannot and will not delegate their judgement as to whether a proposed use of assets meets SPI's charitable purposes. As recognised by the Debian Constitution in 9.2(1), SPI must make that decision, itself ensuring SPI's funds are used lawfully.