Maybe 150 to 200 people will vote in this individual election. Honestly, I’m probably not the right candidate for most of you. I suspect my perspective on Open Source and OSI is idiosyncractic—certainly so, judging from the narrow focus on OSAID and the Board Agreement currently dominating the discussion.
(OSAID? Trust the process, iterate to v2. Board Agreement? Non-issue, at best.)
We Are a Gift Economy
I want to zoom waaaaay out and talk at a much higher level about the challenges and opportunities I see for Open Source. I want to talk about Open Source as a gift economy. This is probably a new or non-primary framing for most folks reading this, which is why I doubt my pitch is going to land very well … this year. 
A gift economy is a system of exchange based on the principle that to receive a gift is to accept an obligation to reciprocate at some point in the future.
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Think about when two friends go out to eat, and they argue over the check at the end. The “loser” will often say, “I’ll pick it up next time.” They walk away with an obligation to return the favor. Open Source works because enough of us who accept the gift of Open Source software also accept the responsibility to return the favor in due time with our own gifts of code and other contributions.
The implications are profound. Open Source has become foundational to civilization. Understanding the true nature of Open Source as a gift economy is the first step in properly navigating our relationships with one another and with the corporations and governments of the world who now have to deal with us. As the global steward of the Open Source movement, OSI is the right organization to lead this effort.
To Do
Projects I would eagerly undertake together with you all in OSI over the next two years as a board member:
- Develop a robust self-understanding of Open Source as a gift economy.
- Refine the mission and vision of OSI in light of this improved understanding.
- Define Open Source Governance (cf.), to complement Open Source [Software] and Open Source AI.
- Clarify roles and relationships between Open Source actors including individuals, projects, foundations, companies, and governments.
- Continue leading policy initiatives, especially in EU and US.
- Oversee continued integration of Open Source with the market economy (including fundraising for OSI itself).
If this framing and these projects capture your imagination, then I welcome your vote. If not, I’ll see what I can do to build the case before the next election. Thanks for the opportunity! 