This document outlines the process for establishing and running Hyperledger working groups.  We begin with information on the process for creating a new working group. Then we define the standard process that all working groups are expected to follow. It ends with  the steps necessary after a working group is approved by the TSC.


Creating a New Working Group

Following are the steps to create a new working group:

  1. Create a new working group proposal
  2. Look for other interested parties who would like to see this working group created
  3. Send an email to tsc@lists.hyperledger.org with a link to the proposal that you created
  4. Represent the proposal at the next TSC meeting

Process of the Group

Participation is open to everyone in the community. Meetings will be held weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly (as determined by the chair) via teleconference. When needed a task force can be created and have separate working sessions to discuss specific work items.

Chair Term

The chair of the working group will serve for as long as they still want to lead the working group. At which point, they will inform the TSC of their desire to step down from the position. The TSC will then appoint another chair with input from the community and existing chair.

Transparency

Meeting details, meeting notes, and documentation shall be made publicly available. The following proposed items will be created:

Amendments

Changes to the charter may be proposed by active group members and, if it obtains rough consensus as determined by the chair, can be brought forward to TSC.

Disbanding

Should the scope reach completion or conversely the traffic on the various conversation forums and the teleconference activity wither to very low levels, then the chair of the WG may ask the TSC to disband the WG.

Running the Working Group

Responsibilities of a Chair

The chair is responsible for the following items:

Minutes

Minutes for each meeting should be kept and accessible from the working group's wiki page on wiki.hyperledger.org. Members of the working group will need to decide who will keep notes.

Meeting Cadence

Working groups typically meet on a bi-weekly basis. However, each working group chair should determine whether they will meet on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis.

Agendas

In advance of every meeting, the chair should send out an agenda to both the chat and mailing list to ensure that attendees know what will be discussed.

Cancelling a Meeting

Meetings are placed on the Hyperledger Community calendar. To ensure that the meeting can be removed, please send an email in advance of the meeting to zoom@hyperledger.org. In addition, please notify the mailing list and Rocket.Chat.

After Approval of Working Group

When a new working group gets approved, Hyperledger staff will ensure the following checklist is completed: