Board Meeting Minutes, December 2021

A meeting of the Open Knowledge Foundation (OKF) Board was held via video call on Wednesday 15th December  2021  from 18:30 - 19:45

Board members who dialled in: Vanessa Barnett (VEB) (Chair), Jarmo Eskelinen (JE), Johnny West (JW),  Ira Bolychevsky (IB), Tim Hubbard (TH)

Observers: Renata Avila (RA) (CEO), Cassandra Woolford (CW) (DOO)

Apologies: Helen Turvey (HT) (Vice Chair)

Welcome & review of minutes & actions [Chair]

VEB led a short introduction to welcome everyone and advise that HT was ill and unable to attend. 

Budget [CW]

CW talked through the proposed budget. During 2022 an emphasis on investment in areas that have been neglected, such as communications, network and technical infrastructure.

The budget was approved by the Board subject to a review from HT.  

Leavers / Recruitment [RA]

RA advised that she intends to expand the team with a few crucial roles to help develop and move forward with the strategy.  The new roles reflected in the budget are areas that will significantly support the strategy and enhance a collaborative open movement.

RA confirmed that the business development area and the Justice Program will be closed by the end of the year.

EU Entity [RA]

RA opened a discussion about the possibility of an EU entity due to OKF unable to apply for EU funds in the UK following Brexit. 

Information was provided that there may be UK Funding available through the H2020 grants but possibly limited to research. No decision and no actions were agreed.

Strategy Progress / Process [RA]

RA confirmed that the new Strategy was underway and would be a collaborative process involving many stakeholders, including the Board, the network and OKF staff. 

RA will propose a draft strategy at the next board meeting, it will be developed and validated by the OKF team at the F2F.  Expected release to the public early April 2022.