Steering/CoCC Conflict Resolution

CONTRIBUTING.md

@@ -1,11 +1,16 @@
 # Contributing to Steering  
-This repo and the committee itself   
+This repo and the Committee itself   
 
-This repo is for the use of the steering committee to organize itself and record
+This repo is for the use of the Steering Committee to organize itself and record
  decisions and processes.
 
 The right mode to contribute depends on the type of change that you are
-proposing or engagement level you are seeking with the committee.
+proposing or engagement level you are seeking with the Committee.
+
+# Non-members
+
+Submit a PR and then send email to [email protected].
+To communicate sensitive items with the Steering Committee privately, send an email to [email protected].
 
 # Steering Committee Members
 

changes.md

@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 # Changes to the Steering Committee
 
-At any time, a steering committee member may propose a governance change for
-how the committee itself operates (e.g. charter, election process, etc.).  
+At any time, a Steering Committee member may propose a governance change for
+how the Committee itself operates (e.g. charter, election process, etc.).  
 This should be used sparingly, if ever, and in the presence of clear failures
 of the existing process. This process is intended to cover significant changes
-versus small tweaks.  The steering committee does not allocate a role for
-the broader community in reformulating governance.  The steering committee believes
+versus small tweaks.  The Steering Committee does not allocate a role for
+the broader community in reformulating governance.  The Steering Committee believes
 that in the presence of clear failures, the community will "vote with their feet"
 by either leaving or forking the project.
 
@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@ To propose a change, the following process shall be followed:
 * Post a pull request to this repository describing the change.
 * Send a notice to [email protected] announcing the proposed change.
 * If there is no protest after 4 weeks, the change is accepted.
-* At any time prior to acceptance, a steering committee member may call a vote.
+* At any time prior to acceptance, a Steering Committee member may call a vote.
 A vote is scheduled no later than 4 weeks after initial introduction of the change.
-A vote may be scheduled earlier if all committee members agree.
-* The change is accepted if three-fourths of the committee members vote in favor.
+A vote may be scheduled earlier if all Committee members agree.
+* The change is accepted if three-fourths of the Committee members vote in favor.
 * The pull request is merged or closed.

charter.md

@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ The following responsibilities belong directly to the Steering Committee.
 
 ### Not yet delegated responsibilities
 
-The following responsibilities belong to the Steering Committe, but may be delegated in the future.
+The following responsibilities belong to the Steering Committee, but may be delegated in the future.
 
 * Coordinate with the CNCF regarding usage of the Kubernetes brand and deciding
   which things can be called “Kubernetes”, as well as how that mark can be used

elections.md

@@ -1,14 +1,14 @@
 # Kubernetes Steering Committee Elections
 
-This document outlines the process, for steering committee elections.
+This document outlines the process, for Steering Committee elections.
 
 ### For the 2021 election check the [2021 Kubernetes Election Voter's Guide][voter-guide]
 
 ### Eligibility for voting
 
 Eligibility for voting in the 2021 Election is [defined in this year's voter guide][voter-guide]
 
-Eligibility to vote for steering committee members for prior years is defined by:
+Eligibility to vote for Steering Committee members for prior years is defined by:
 
 * People who had at least 50 contributions to the Kubernetes project over
   the past year, according to a snapshot taken 2021-09-15 of the data driving
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ Eligibility to vote for steering committee members for prior years is defined by
   majority vote, and the criteria used during this process will be used to
   help refine further elections.
 
-It is the responsibility of the steering committee to refine these criteria
+It is the responsibility of the Steering Committee to refine these criteria
 prior to each election.
 
 ### Eligibility for candidacy
@@ -66,9 +66,23 @@ elections held. In the event of a question of company membership (for example
 evaluating independence of corporate subsidiaries) a majority of all
 non-involved Steering Committee members will decide.
 
+### Committee Conflict of Interest
+
+As project committees have unique charters, there is a possibility
+for a conflict of interest to arise.  While multiple scenarios may
+be possible now or in the future, one known example of such conflict
+of interest is where a member of the Code of Conduct Committee is
+elected to the Steering Committee.
+
+Such conflict will be resolved by the applicable election committee
+reaching out to the newly-elected member and facilitating a decision
+regarding on which committee the individual will continue.  The
+committee where that individual vacated their seat will fill that
+vacancy as per existing election or committee vacancy rules.
+
 ### Terms and Election Cycles
 
-Steering committee members are elected to serve one, two year term. Members can
+Steering Committee members are elected to serve one, two year term. Members can
 serve two consecutive terms (4 years) and a lifetime of four terms (8 years). 
 Bootstrap and terms that result in equal to or less than one year served are 
 exempt.   
@@ -80,16 +94,16 @@ alternates between 3 and 4, with the first 3-seat election taking place in
 
 ## Emeritus Term
 
-Members of the steering committee will graduate to becoming Emeritus members of
-the steering committee upon vacating their seat.  This confers honor on the
+Members of the Steering Committee will graduate to becoming Emeritus members of
+the Steering Committee upon vacating their seat.  This confers honor on the
 recipient, acknowledging the significant contributions they have made to the
 project. Emeritus members have no binding vote, and no expectation of continued
-participation in steering committee affairs.
+participation in Steering Committee affairs.
 
 ## Election schedule and operation
 
-The steering committee picks election officers to operate the election and
-circulate a timeline for nominations, and the vote. The steering committee
+The Steering Committee picks election officers to operate the election and
+circulate a timeline for nominations, and the vote. The Steering Committee
 should consider the following rough schedule:
 
 - End of July
@@ -107,7 +121,7 @@ final schedule to steering per the [election procedure].
 
 ### Election officer selection
 
-The steering committee should choose three election officers, ideally by the
+The Steering Committee should choose three election officers, ideally by the
 following criteria, so as to promote healthy rotation and diversity:
 
 - election officers must be eligible to vote
@@ -130,7 +144,7 @@ History of election officers:
 In the event of a resignation or other loss of a [bootstrap committee member],
 the position will not be refilled.
 
-In the event of a resignation or other loss of an elected steering committee
+In the event of a resignation or other loss of an elected Steering Committee
 member, the candidate with the next most votes from the previous election will
 be offered the seat.  This process will continue until the seat is filled.
 
@@ -151,15 +165,15 @@ treated as “brand free” activities.
 
 ## Steering Committee and Election Officer Recusal
 
-Currently serving steering committee members and the appointed election officers
+Currently serving Steering Committee members and the appointed election officers
 pledge to recuse themselves from any form of electioneering, including
 campaigning, nominating, or endorsing. We would prefer that the community
 decide without our heavy influence.
 
-Steering committee members _may_ ask other contributors to consider running,
+Steering Committee members _may_ ask other contributors to consider running,
 and they _may_ vote, so long as this information is kept private.
 
-Steering committee members who intend to run for re-election _may_
+Steering Committee members who intend to run for re-election _may_
 self-nominate but are otherwise expected to adhere to this recusal.
 
 [Condorcet]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condorcet_method