729 lines
26 KiB
Plaintext
729 lines
26 KiB
Plaintext
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. CHARTER
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
APPENDIX D.
|
|
|
|
|
|
CHARTER
|
|
|
|
of the
|
|
|
|
FORTH STANDARDS TEAM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1. Purpose and Goals
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.1 Purpose
|
|
|
|
1.1.1 This Charter establishes and guides a voluntary
|
|
membership professional organization, the FORTH Standards
|
|
Team (hereafter referred to as the "FST") and provides a
|
|
method for its operation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.2 Goals
|
|
|
|
1.2.1 The goal of the FST is the creation, maintenance, and
|
|
proliferation of a standard (hereafter referred to as the
|
|
"Standard") for the FORTH computer programming system and
|
|
for application programs executed by a Standard system. The
|
|
Standard shall specify requirements and constraints which
|
|
such computer software must satisfy.
|
|
|
|
1.2.2 The team shall also develop a method of
|
|
identification and labeling of FORTH implementations and
|
|
programs which conform to the Standard.
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.3 Organization
|
|
|
|
1.3.1 The FST is a voluntary membership organization with
|
|
no formal status as a legal entity. It operates by
|
|
consensus of the professional and commercial FORTH community
|
|
and conducts business by the professional discourse and
|
|
agreement of its members. It is intended that this Charter
|
|
be a guide to the operation of the FST subject to reasonable
|
|
minor digression, rather than being a rigid document under
|
|
which vested rights are granted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
74
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. CHARTER
|
|
|
|
|
|
2. METHODS
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.1 Formal Meetings
|
|
|
|
2.1.1 The FST shall hold periodic formal meetings for
|
|
discussion and decisions concerning a current or future
|
|
Standard.
|
|
|
|
2.1.2 There is not specified frequency for formal meetings.
|
|
Each meeting shall be at such time and place as was decided
|
|
at the prior meeting. If a meeting cannot be held as
|
|
decided, the Chairperson may designate another time and
|
|
place.
|
|
|
|
2.1.3 The Chairperson shall send a written notice at least
|
|
sixty (60) days in advance of each formal meeting to each
|
|
voting member. A longer notification period is recommended.
|
|
It is anticipated that the continuing close coordination of
|
|
the participants, the decision at the prior formal meeting,
|
|
and publication of a meeting notice in FORTH Dimensions and
|
|
other trade journals will provide sufficient notice to the
|
|
FORTH community.
|
|
|
|
2.1.4 At a formal FST meeting, there shall be general
|
|
sessions consisting of all attendees. General sessions are
|
|
for matters that are ready for discussion and decision. All
|
|
votes concerning the Standard, Charter, or FST procedures
|
|
must take place during a general session.
|
|
|
|
2.1.5 Also at formal meetings, subteams will be established
|
|
to examine groups of proposals and to prepare
|
|
recommendations for a general session. All meeting
|
|
attendees may participate in the work and voting of a
|
|
subteam. Each subteam should elect from its members a
|
|
coordinator to conduct its meetings and a reporter to record
|
|
and report its recommendations.
|
|
|
|
2.1.6 The Chairperson may publish and distribute an agenda
|
|
at or in advance of a formal meeting. As a guideline, each
|
|
day of a formal meeting begins with a general session,
|
|
followed by concurrent subteam meetings followed by another
|
|
general session.
|
|
|
|
2.1.7 In view of the voluntary nature of the FST, at least
|
|
one third of the membership is required to hold a formal
|
|
meeting. Two thirds of the number of voting members present
|
|
at the start of each day's first general session shall set
|
|
the quorum for the remainder of that day.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. CHARTER
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.1.8 Between formal meetings, the Chairperson may appoint
|
|
such informal working groups as is appropriate. Each group
|
|
may be given a goal and scope to direct its activities. Its
|
|
conclusions or recommendations must be given to the
|
|
Chairperson in written form.
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.2 Proposals and Comments
|
|
|
|
2.2.1 Prior to each formal meeting, the Chairperson may
|
|
solicit submission of comments and proposals for changes,
|
|
additions, or deletions to the then-current Standard, the
|
|
draft Standard or this Charter. A cutoff date may be
|
|
specified for the submission of such proposals.
|
|
|
|
2.2.2 A considerable amount of information must accompany
|
|
each proposal to help FST members analyze the proposal.
|
|
Therefore, submission of proposals and comments shall be
|
|
according to the format and instructions shown in the
|
|
"Proposal/Comment Form" included as an Appendix to this
|
|
Standard. Any proposal not in the appropriate form or
|
|
received after the cutoff date may not be considered unless
|
|
the Chairperson deems it to be of sufficient significance.
|
|
|
|
2.2.3 Unsolicited proposals and comments by volunteers are
|
|
acknowledged as valuable. Any individual or group may
|
|
submit proposals and/or comments concerning the Standard or
|
|
this Charter. These should be sent to the official address
|
|
of the FST. Properly formatted proposals and comments are
|
|
preferred. The author or a representative should plan to
|
|
attend the next formal meeting to emphasize, support, and
|
|
possibly modify the proposals.
|
|
|
|
2.2.4 Since the quantity of proposals and comments may
|
|
exceed the number for which there is time to be voted upon,
|
|
submission of a proposal does not automatically mean that it
|
|
will be voted upon at the next formal FST meeting. The
|
|
Chairperson or some members appointed by the Chairperson or
|
|
elected by the voting members may screen and organize the
|
|
received proposals and comments for voting upon at the next
|
|
formal meeting.
|
|
|
|
2.2.5 To allow reflection and examination, proposals and
|
|
comments shall be distributed to FST voting members and
|
|
sponsors in advance of a formal meeting. Proposals and
|
|
comments not distributed in advance, including proposals
|
|
made during a formal meeting, may be considered at the
|
|
discretion of the Chairperson.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
76
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. CHARTER
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.3 Draft Standard
|
|
|
|
After a formal meeting, the referees and officers of the FST
|
|
shall prepare a draft Standard for review by the then-
|
|
current FST voting members. The referees and officers shall
|
|
consolidate proposals accepted by vote during the meeting,
|
|
resolve any ambiguities or problems, and incorporate these
|
|
changes with the text of the previous Standard or draft
|
|
Standard.
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.4 Standard
|
|
|
|
2.4.1 The referees and officers may, by near unanimous
|
|
decision (not more than one no vote), declare the draft
|
|
Standard, as mentioned in the previous paragraph, as being
|
|
the proposed Standard.
|
|
|
|
2.4.2 A proposed Standard shall be distributed to all FST
|
|
voting members for a mail ballot. This ballot shall be
|
|
based solely on the text of the proposed Standard as
|
|
distributed.
|
|
|
|
2.4.3 Each ballot returned shall be signed by the voting
|
|
member submitting it. An affirmative vote of at least two
|
|
thirds of the voting members shall adopt the document. Such
|
|
adoption makes the draft Standard the current, official FST
|
|
Standard which supersedes all prior Standards.
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.5 Charter
|
|
|
|
2.5.1 At a formal FST meeting, the charter may be amended
|
|
by a simple majority of voting members present provided that
|
|
at least one third of all voting members are present; such
|
|
amendments become effective at the end of the current formal
|
|
meeting.
|
|
|
|
2.5.2 At other than a formal FST meeting, the charter may
|
|
be amended by a simple majority of all voting members, such
|
|
vote to be taken by signed mail ballots.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
77
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. CHARTER
|
|
|
|
|
|
3. MEMBERSHIP
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.1 General
|
|
|
|
Membership in the FST is a privilege, not a right. An
|
|
invitation for voting membership may be extended to those
|
|
who the FST feels can contribute to the goals of the
|
|
Standard and the FST. There are several classes of
|
|
participation in the efforts of the FST. Membership in each
|
|
class has no specified term but continues from the time when
|
|
membership is initiated to the conclusion of the next formal
|
|
meeting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.2 Voting Members
|
|
|
|
3.2.1 Voting members are individuals who are elected into
|
|
such membership at the concluding session of a formal FST
|
|
meeting. Any voting member who resigns between formal
|
|
meetings shall not be replaced until the membership
|
|
elections at the conclusion of the next formal meeting. A
|
|
newly elected voting member gains voting rights only after
|
|
all voting members have been elected. A significant
|
|
professional FORTH background is required of voting members.
|
|
|
|
3.2.2 Each voting member present at a formal meeting shall
|
|
indicate in writing his or her desire to continue as a
|
|
voting member. Only these voting members can vote in a
|
|
general session of a formal meeting on any matters affecting
|
|
the Standard or the Charter and on the election of all
|
|
voting members.
|
|
|
|
3.2.3 Voting members are elected by a simple majority of
|
|
those voting members present. The number of voting members
|
|
shall be limited to thirty (30). Individuals eligible to be
|
|
elected are selected from each of the following ordered
|
|
categories in order, until the number of voting members
|
|
reaches the limit.
|
|
|
|
3.2.3.1 Category 1: current voting member who have
|
|
actively participated in at least two days of a formal
|
|
meeting. Voting members are expected to actively
|
|
participate in subteam meetings and all general
|
|
sessions.
|
|
|
|
3.2.3.2 Category 2: current voting members who are
|
|
not eligible by Category 1, but who have requested in
|
|
writing that his or her voting membership be
|
|
maintained.
|
|
|
|
3.2.3.3 Category 3: eligible candidates. Eligible
|
|
candidates will be presented to the voting members then
|
|
elected as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
78
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. CHARTER
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.2.3.3.1 If the number of eligible candidates
|
|
does not exceed the number of openings for voting
|
|
membership, each candidate is voted upon and
|
|
accepted by a simple majority.
|
|
|
|
3.2.3.3.2 If the number of eligible candidates
|
|
does exceed the number of openings for voting
|
|
membership, candidates will be voted upon by
|
|
ballot whereby each voting member may vote for up
|
|
to the number of openings remaining. Those
|
|
candidates receiving the most votes will be
|
|
elected until there are no more openings for
|
|
voting membership.
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.3 Candidates
|
|
|
|
3.3.1 Candidates are individuals who desire to actively
|
|
participate in and support the FST by becoming voting
|
|
members.
|
|
|
|
3.3.2 To be eligible, each Candidate must: declare in
|
|
writing to the secretary at the first general session of a
|
|
formal FST meeting that he or she is a Candidate, actively
|
|
participate in subteam meetings and all general sessions at
|
|
a formal FST meeting, and have a significant professional
|
|
background in FORTH. The Chairperson may request
|
|
information or ask questions of any candidate to determine
|
|
his or her technical knowledge and experience. Candidates
|
|
are expected to submit proposals, participate in the
|
|
discussions of the formal meeting, and contribute to the
|
|
work and voting of subteams.
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.4 Observers
|
|
|
|
3.4.1 Observers are individuals who attend a formal meeting
|
|
but are neither voting members nor candidates. At the
|
|
discretion of the Chairperson, they may contribute to the
|
|
discussion at general sessions and to the work of subteams.
|
|
The number of observers allowed at a formal meeting may be
|
|
limited by the Chairperson.
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.5 FST Sponsors
|
|
|
|
3.5.1 FST sponsors are individuals or organizations who
|
|
contribute funds and other assistance to aid the work of the
|
|
FST. FST sponsors have no duties or responsibilities in the
|
|
FST, but they will receive copies of proposals and comments
|
|
considered at a formal meeting, and drafts and adopted
|
|
standards prepared as a result of that meeting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
79
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. CHARTER
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.5.3 FST sponsorship exists from the end of one formal
|
|
meeting to the end of the next formal meeting.
|
|
|
|
3.5.3 Qualification of FST sponsors may be determined by a
|
|
simple majority vote at a formal FST meeting. If no such
|
|
qualification exist, the Chairperson may specify
|
|
qualifications, including the amount of financial
|
|
contributions, which will remain in effect until the next
|
|
formal FST meeting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
4. OFFICERS
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.1 General
|
|
|
|
There shall be four types of elected officers of the FST:
|
|
the Chairperson, the Secretary, the Treasurer, and one or
|
|
more Referees. Each officer shall be elected at a formal
|
|
meeting of the FST and serve until the next formal meeting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.2 Vacancies
|
|
|
|
If any office other than the Chairperson becomes vacant
|
|
between formal meetings, the Chairperson may appoint a
|
|
replacement. If the office of the Chairperson becomes
|
|
vacant between formal meetings, a new Chairperson shall be
|
|
elected by an informal majority vote of the remaining
|
|
officers. At any formal meeting, any officer, including the
|
|
Chairperson, may be replaced by a simple majority vote of
|
|
the voting members present at that meeting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.3 Chairperson
|
|
|
|
4.3.1 The Chairperson is responsible for governing the
|
|
general business of the FST. He or she is responsible for
|
|
implementing the FST's Charter and any other requirements
|
|
specified by the Standard.
|
|
|
|
4.3.2 The Chairperson's term of office shall be from the
|
|
conclusion of the formal meeting at which he or she is
|
|
elected to the conclusion of the next formal meeting. The
|
|
election of a Chairperson is held at the concluding general
|
|
session of a formal meeting after the election of voting
|
|
members; hence, newly elected voting members may vote for
|
|
the Chairperson. Only voting members are eligible to be
|
|
elected Chairperson.
|
|
|
|
4.3.3 The Chairperson shall conduct each formal meeting.
|
|
In general, the meetings will follow the current Robert's
|
|
Rules of Order; however, the Chairperson may determine the
|
|
specific rules for a formal meeting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
80
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. CHARTER
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.3.4 Any matter needing a decision between formal meetings
|
|
not specified by this Charter shall be decided by the
|
|
Chairperson.
|
|
|
|
4.3.5 The Chairperson has duties and responsibilities
|
|
specified elsewhere in this Charter.
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.4 Secretary
|
|
|
|
4.4.1 The Secretary is responsible for recording the
|
|
activities and results of the FST.
|
|
|
|
4.4.2 The Secretary is elected at the first general session
|
|
of a formal meeting and serves until a Secretary is elected
|
|
at the beginning of the next formal meeting.
|
|
|
|
4.4.3 The Secretary has many responsibilities.
|
|
|
|
4.4.3.1 The Secretary is responsible for collecting,
|
|
maintaining, and archiving the official copies of the
|
|
Standard, the Charter, all other FST documents,
|
|
correspondence, and lists of the FST members of each class.
|
|
|
|
4.4.3.2 During a formal meeting, the Secretary is
|
|
responsible for:
|
|
|
|
(a) Keeping the minutes of the general sessions,
|
|
including all votes taken. For votes affecting the
|
|
Standard or Charter, he or she shall: record the
|
|
number of voting members present, determine if a quorum
|
|
is present, determine the number of affirmative votes
|
|
required for the vote to pass, the number of voting
|
|
members voting in the affirmative and negative, and the
|
|
result of the vote.
|
|
|
|
(b) Recording and verifying the attendance and
|
|
membership class of each attendee.
|
|
|
|
(c) Recording the recommendations of subteams.
|
|
|
|
4.4.3.3 The Secretary is also responsible for collecting,
|
|
archiving, and distributing proposals before a formal
|
|
meeting. He or she is also responsible for incorporating
|
|
proposals accepted during a formal meeting into the Standard
|
|
or Charter. Other officers aid the Secretary in these
|
|
duties.
|
|
|
|
4.5 Treasurer
|
|
|
|
4.5.1 The Treasurer is responsible for managing the
|
|
financial business of the FST. He or she is responsible for
|
|
maintaining accurate and current financial records and for
|
|
accepting and dispersing funds for official FST activities.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
81
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. CHARTER
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.5.2 The Treasurer's term of office shall be from the
|
|
conclusion of the formal meeting at which he or she is
|
|
elected to the conclusion of the next formal meeting. The
|
|
election of a Treasurer is held just after the election of
|
|
the Chairperson. Only voting members are eligible to be
|
|
elected Treasurer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.6 Referees
|
|
|
|
4.6.1 At the conclusion of a formal meeting there may be
|
|
additional technical work required to prepare a draft
|
|
Standard or Charter. This work shall be performed by the
|
|
officers of the FST, including a group of Referees. They
|
|
should be individuals who have superior knowledge and
|
|
experience in the implementation and use of FORTH.
|
|
|
|
4.6.2 At least three and no more than five Referees shall
|
|
be elected by a majority of the voting members present at
|
|
the concluding general sessions of a formal meeting. This
|
|
takes place after the election of voting members. A
|
|
Referee's term is from election at the end of one formal
|
|
meeting until the end of the next formal meeting. Only
|
|
voting members are eligible to be elected as Referees.
|
|
|
|
4.6.3 The Referees shall adopt methods and rules as they
|
|
deem appropriate to complete their work; they may be
|
|
informal. However, any matter committed to the Referees for
|
|
resolution must achieve near unanimous agreement (not more
|
|
than one no vote). Lacking that, the matter shall be
|
|
omitted from further action pending further consideration at
|
|
the next formal meeting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
5. EXPERIMENTAL PROPOSALS
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.1 General
|
|
|
|
5.1.1 Since FORTH is an extensible language and subject to
|
|
evolution, the Standard may contain a section describing
|
|
experimental proposal to aid in the analysis of and the
|
|
decision for or against future adoption into the Standard.
|
|
After the results of experimentation are known, each
|
|
proposal will be considered, at a future formal meeting, for
|
|
inclusion into the Standard.
|
|
|
|
5.1.2 An experimental proposal may be individual FORTH
|
|
words, sets of related words, or specifications for part of
|
|
the Standard. Experimental proposals may be derived from
|
|
ordinary proposals or other contributions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
82
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. CHARTER
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.2 Required Information
|
|
|
|
Each experimental proposal must contain the following
|
|
minimum information:
|
|
|
|
5.2.1 A description of the proposal including an overview
|
|
of its functions and its interactions with existing FORTH
|
|
words.
|
|
|
|
5.2.2 A glossary entry of each word in the form and
|
|
notation of the Standard.
|
|
|
|
5.2.3 A statement by the author(s) indicating why the
|
|
proposal meets inclusion into the Standard. Both advantages
|
|
and disadvantages should be discussed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.3 Suggested Information
|
|
|
|
It is suggested that each experimental proposal also
|
|
include:
|
|
|
|
5.3.1 A source definition for each word in the proposal.
|
|
High level definitions using Standard words are preferred,
|
|
but new primitive words may be defined in an assembly
|
|
language of one commonly-known processor. Sufficient
|
|
documentation should be provided so that implementation on
|
|
other processors is direct.
|
|
|
|
5.3.2 An example showing usage of the new words.
|
|
|
|
|
|
6. VOTING
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.1 General
|
|
|
|
Only voting members have the right to vote on proposals
|
|
affecting the Standard, a draft Standard, or this Charter.
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.2 Advisory Votes
|
|
|
|
At the discretion of the Chairperson, advisory votes may be
|
|
requested at a formal meeting. At the discretion of the
|
|
Chairperson, all attendees may participate in an advisory
|
|
vote.
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.3 Method
|
|
|
|
Any vote at a formal meeting may be by show of hands or, at
|
|
the discretion of the Chairperson, by an informal secret
|
|
paper ballot or a roll call.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
83
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. CHARTER
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.4 Number
|
|
|
|
A vote to adopt a proposal into the draft Standard or to
|
|
change the Standard, except for the Experimental Proposals
|
|
section of the Standard requires a two-thirds affirmative
|
|
vote of the voting members present at a general session of a
|
|
formal meeting, provided that the number of votes cast are
|
|
at least two thirds of that morning's quorum count. To
|
|
adopt an experimental proposal into the Experimental
|
|
Proposals section of the draft Standard or to change this
|
|
Charter, an affirmative vote of a simple majority is
|
|
required. Accepting any other procedural matter at a formal
|
|
meeting requires only a simple majority affirmative vote.
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.5 Proxies
|
|
|
|
All votes must be cast by the particular voting member
|
|
eligible to vote. No proxy voting is allowed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
84
|
|
|
|
|
|
|