PgUS Elections

    2022-02-22 00:00:00 by Mark Wong

    It's almost time for this year's PgUS board elections. PgUS needs volunteers who have the time to serve on the board of directors to run this corporation and carry out its mission:

    Increase PostgreSQL adoption through advocacy, user groups, and events.

    PgUS is a 501(c)(3) public charity that is run by an unpaid board of directors. Members of the board currently fill the corporation's officer positions as there are no employees at this time. What this means is that the board is also responsible for:

    • Maintaining the corporate status with the Oregon Secretary of State.
    • Maintaining documents such as the minutes from meetings and resolutions proposed.
    • Conducting yearly elections as board terms are for 2 years with half the board seats designed to expire every year.
    • Accounting and payments for insurance, finance, legal and other services.
    • Filing the Federal and State tax returns and issuing IRS Form 1099s.

    In addition to maintaining the corporation, PgUS has set up a number of subcommittees to which PgUS members can volunteer time to our activities and programs. While board members don't have to drive a committee, it is the responsibility of the board to have a board member to oversee a committee.

    Here are some committee activities that the PgUS board supports in the US:

    • Diversity
    • PostgreSQL exhibitions at events including PyCon, SCaLE, and All Things Open.
    • 1 Day PostgreSQL events and conferences (e.g. PGDay SF, PGConf NYC, PostgresOpen)
    • User groups https://www.meetup.com/pro/postgresql

    How does PgUS function

    There are regularly scheduled monthly meetings used to sync up on outstanding tasks or discuss topics that are harder to discuss with just email. Board meetings only require a majority of the board members to participate in order for the corporation to conduct business. Email can be used to conduct business but also requires the entire board to participate, so in many ways it is important for board members to be responsive to emails if not always available for monthly meetings.

    You need to be a member of PgUS order to vote as well as run for the board. Membership is currently $25 USD for 1 year. It is important for the community to join and elect people they feel can make a difference.