Free Software Foundation—FSF implemented governance reforms including staff board representation and member nomination process
Following the 2021 Stallman reinstatement crisis, the FSF board undertook governance reforms between 2021-2024. The board amended bylaws to protect FSF licenses, drafted a board member agreement, developed a board code of ethics, and opened a board seat to a union-elected staff member in 2021. In 2023, associate members gained the ability to make board nominations. In June 2024, three new board members were elected using a newly designed process with associate member input. A board member review process began October 2024, reviewing five sitting members including Stallman, who were all re-confirmed in April 2025.
Scoring Impact
| Topic | Direction | Relevance | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corporate Governance | +toward | primary | +1.00 |
| Corporate Transparency | +toward | secondary | +0.50 |
| Overall incident score = | +0.372 | ||
Score = avg(topic contributions) × significance (medium ×1) × confidence (0.66)× agency (reactive ×0.75)
Evidence (2 signals)
FSF completed board member review process and re-confirmed five sitting directors
The FSF voting members conducted a review of all board directors serving before March 2024, including Richard Stallman. The review began October 2024 and concluded April 2025 with all five board members re-confirmed. Associate members assisted in the review process, representing improved transparency in governance.
FSF opened board seat to union-elected staff member and enabled associate member nominations
As part of governance reforms, the FSF board opened a seat to a union-elected staff member in 2021 after the staff union formally asked for direct participation. In 2023, associate members gained the ability to make board nominations alongside FSF staff and voting members.