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Re: Community Contribution Statistics

Re: Community Contribution Statistics

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Re: Community Contribution Statistics

by
Therp, Tom Blauwendraat
- 13/09/2025 00:10:14
If I may also share something from the perspective of a "new" board member who spent now a year.

We started out this year with a feeling of urgency to make changes, and some good plans.

But, it seemed to me like the whole idea of the "Board" was conceived in a time where it was that Board who not only decided, but also executed those things that were deemed necessary to do. Whereas the rest of OCA basically did however they pleased in the anarchy (or, if you will, PSC-herded meritocracy) of Github.

Now, we are in a time where the OCA is facing complex problems and big tasks.

For complex problems, finding first consensus between 8 people with each their opinions and limited time to discuss, is already difficult, let alone that it's then necessary to get all the stakeholders on board also, for which the only official arenas are this monstrosity of a mailing list and the yearly event.

For big tasks, executors are needed, and there the tools currently are: RFQ's, some paid employees, volunteer workgroups, and enthusiastic individuals.

I don't think the solution is to be found in having new or more board members - I think the current board members should be wise enough, but:

1. They should not be the ones that make the big decisions, and neither should this mailinglist be - we need to make better use of the AGA or of delegate meetings, in order to make the tough calls with all stakeholders present. Then the Board has a clear mandate and mission.

2. They should be surrounded by enough people that can execute things, because the wiser they are (and you want Wise Men in your board), the less time they will have

3. They should not be such a large group. If you have less people, but each with a bit more time and energy available to respond quickly to pressing issues, it is easier to act.

So I think it's not about finding new Board members per se, although having like 2 new people with new energy is obviously nice; I think it's rather about having a lean, dedicated Board, a good decisionmaking structure, and all other work coordinated via workgroups and PSC teams.

In which case I'll personally also gladly step away from the Board, because I can make myself useful in the WG teams that I like, the PSC teams of the modules I like, and I can give my opinion and vote in an assembly, to proposals prepared partly by the Board and partly by stakeholding members themselves.

The above is just my observation/opinion. But I thought I'd share because it's distinctly different from "We need new Board members". If I am going to try and enthusiate people at the OCA days to become a volunteer, I'd rather try to get them to join a WG.

-Tom












12 sep. 2025 23:02:48 Enric Tobella Alomar <notifications@odoo-community.org>:

Hi,

Thanks a lot for sharing. I fully understand what you mean. I have been in the board and it is not easy. We both know that. It is quite easy to complain from the other side on the work done by the board, but we can be clear on one thing, you are doing a great job there and you all try to keep the OCA running. The same happens from the contributors, but from another perspective.

I also agree that the key is to ensure renewal by motivating more people to step forward. There have been years with several candidates and years with a small set of new possible board members, however. It is not easy to find people interested on the job.

For me, the point was never to accuse anyone of holding on to a seat (and I’m sorry if I gave you that impression). What matters is that we create space for fresh perspectives while also valuing the commitment of experienced members. Both are essential for a healthy balance. It is hard to find it, but we should do it for the sake of the OCA.

Best regards,

El vie, 12 sept 2025 a las 21:47, Frederik Kramer (<notifications@odoo-community.org>) escribió:

Hi Enric,

I honestly think that people running for the board of the OCA really want to devote a good junk of their time "to make Odoo mightier together" and help us all to succeed what we belive is our joint dreams instead of taking and keeping prestigous role just because. 

Unfortunately many context factors don't render that pursue (i.e. being impactful AND successful on the Board) easy. If we have enough volontueers this year running and forming a new board, maybe you include again, with a really tough agenda and problems already on the line or insight (among as trivial stuff as financially sustain the OCA), i am happy to devote my OCA time from a back seat and let others do this job, not being indirectly accused for taking one of the precious seats again. 

At least i would not have to take care anymore about things i DO NOT love nearly as much as contributing real community value to an overall healthy and motivated community (that was my initial motivation to run for the board).

The reality is, most of the work on the board has not been too much fun (especially lately) and am happy to hand things over to new people. Remember i personally tried to convince 5-6 newbies for the board last year out of which 1 (namely Ivan) was running and has been elected. Ivan did a great job and was a great value to the team so far. Same was Tom. So in order to move things into that direction we may organize a little on stage "running for the board" campaign next week in which volunteers can present themselfes and their agendas to the members around. What do you think ?

Best Frederik


Am 12.09.25 um 18:57 schrieb Enric Tobella Alomar:
Hi Tom, 

Sadly, I am unable to come this year for some personal reasons. I am sure that we can make an online meeting if you are interested.

Regarding the board, this has been a recurring topic in the community. What strikes me as odd is that while renewal is regularly encouraged, most former board members still run for re-election. In some cases, even when there were enough new candidates to fill the seats, the former members were all re-elected.

If we don’t intentionally make space for new candidates, it will be difficult to bring in fresh perspectives. I don’t have a definitive solution, but I believe it’s worth reflecting on how we can better encourage and support renewal.

I know that there is some new faces on the board (like you this year). I hope this trend continues.

Kind regards,

El vie, 12 sept 2025 a las 16:52, Tom Blauwendraat (<notifications@odoo-community.org>) escribió: 
On 8/22/25 15:32, Enric Tobella Alomar wrote:



> On the Board, I share your concern. At my first OCA Days (2018 or 



> 2019), the Board asked for proposals to completely renew itself. Since 



> then, few members have stepped aside, but some remain there. Maybe, at 



> some point, stepping aside could help bring new perspectives.
What we have tried to do here in the past year is to form Workgroups, 
with the goal of diverting the actual work there. Nobody wants to be a 
Board member, but there are a lot more people who want to contribute to 
a small part that they feel enthousiastic about. This idea could be 
built upon.



> Personally, I would like to see a mandate limit on the Board, PSC 



> formal election definition and a clear reflection of how each role is 



> decided, but it is my personal opinion.

Will you be at the OCA days to join discussions on how to come from 
opinions to actual proposals that can be implemented?

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