Decision Making
Introduction
This document describes the roles and responsibilities of the project, who may vote, how voting works, how conflicts are resolved, etc.
The Apache Foundation FAQ and How-It-Works explain the operation and background of the foundation. Terms used are defined in the ASF glossary.
Apache has a code of conduct that it expects its members to follow.
Roles and Responsibilities
Apache projects define a set of roles with associated rights and responsibilities.
Project Management Committee
The PMC has many responsibilities including complying with ASF policies, reporting to the board, approving releases and adding new committers and PMC members.
The Chair
The chair ensures board reports are submitted and that the project’s roster is up to date.
Decision Making
Different decisions require different forms of approval but community consensus is always the goal. Voting when needed should be open for at least 72 hours.
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Consensus Approval – Consensus approval requires 3 binding +1 votes and no -1 votes (vetoes).
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Majority Approval – requires at least 3 binding +1 votes more +1 votes than -1 votes.
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Lazy Consensus – consensus no objections (‘silence gives assent’).
Action |
Who can vote |
Approval |
Where to vote |
Board approval required |
Code change |
Committer |
Lazy Consensus |
public dev or commit list |
|
Release |
PMC |
Majority Approval |
public dev list |
|
New committer |
PMC |
Consensus Approval |
private list |
|
New PMC member |
PMC |
Consensus Approval |
private list |
Yes 1) |
Existing committer removal |
PMC |
Consensus Approval |
private list |
|
Existing PMC removal |
PMC |
Consensus Approval |
private list |
Yes 2) |
Change chair |
PMC |
Consensus Approval |
private list |
Yes 3) |
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Notice must be given to board.
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Except PMC member in question. Only the board can remove PMC members.
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Need to be approved by the board at the next board meeting.