Project Hart is proposed as a community-based e-zine where authors can contribute stories and articles to be published to our website (currently on blogger) about their opinions and experiences with eBooks, books, literature or technology.
The purpose of the project will be two-fold:
1)To commemorate the legacy of Michael S. Hart, the founder of Project Gutenberg, and credited as the inventor of the eBook. To this end, half of the proceeds generated by the site (currently from ads and Amazon partnership) will be donated to the surviving members of the Hart family, to provide for:
A) A memorial service for Mr. Hart. This is to be in whatever manner the family deems fit, public or private. We will respect their wishes, and not impose. If they so choose to have a public ceremony, we would be grateful, otherwise, the money is theirs to use as they see fit.
B) To provide a small stipend to his survivors. If for some reason this does take off, we don't want to be in a position where we're contractually obligated to pay the family members an obscene or offensive stipend when the purpose of this venture is not profit.
C) To make a donation in their names to the charities of their choosing. At such point that we generate revenue deemed to be excessive by the Board of Trustees, the monies beyond the allotted stipend would be donated to the charity or charities chosen by the survivors.
2) To promote Mr. Hart's work in Project Gutenberg by:
A) Donating 50% of all revenue generated by the site to Project Gutenberg.
B) Promoting awareness of eBooks, and free knowledge sharing through the content we publish.
Structure
Currently we are not incorporated, although we would like to do so and register as a 501(c)3 under IRS code. I have done this for other organizations in the past, but I am looking for help right now. See the Needs Section for more info.
Our proposed structure after we incorporate will be a sort of bicameral organization wherein we have two groups.
1) The Board of Trustees will be responsible for setting the bylaws and maintaining the charter and other such rules that govern the organization. There will always be at least three Trustees on the Board, and new Trustees can be added at any time with a unanimous vote of the current Trustees.
The Trustees will be responsible for all business aspects, but will have no oversight on content. Content will be maintained by the second side of the house,
2) The Editorial Staff - The Editorial Staff will be an independent ad hoc organization of volunteer contributors divided into two subcategories.
A) Editors-Emeritus - These editors will be appointed for life by a universal vote of all existing Editors-Emeritus, and may only be removed by same.
B) Editors-at-Large - Editors-at-Large will be strictly voluntary, and no requirements may be set for the position. Anyone from anywhere is allowed and encouraged to submit material, suggest corrections, amendments, or generally voice their opinion.
Editorial Process
The editorial process will be described in two ways, first as it exists right now, 24 hours into this venture, and second how we would like it to exist in the future.
The current submission process is as follows:
1) Draft a submission and submit it fully formatted to ceo.jason.nichols@gmail.com
2) I will reshare it on Google+ with a circle comprised of all people who have asked to be editors and you, the author.
3) If changes are suggested, return to Step 1. Else, Publish.
To achieve a consensus, the current standard requires a written vote of "Yea" by at least two editors, and more "Yea"'s than "Nay"'s. Only documented votes in comments on the thread for the submission will be counted.
The author may not vote.
I will not vote.
In the case of multiple votes by a single editor, the most recent will be counted, up until the date of publication.
No post will ever be retracted unless we are so ordered by a court.
The ideal process will be similar except it should be on our own site, in a custom forum, with more formalized voting and vote tracking methodologies, better (preferably automatic) submission systems, and auto-publishing when the thresholds are reached.
Needs:
- Contact information for the family of Mr. Hart.
- Volunteers for both Editor roles and Trustees
- An FAQ page
- Submissions
- Publicity
Wants:
- Server space
- Domain Name
- Initial funding to incorporate and register with the IRS
- Celebrity Evangelist
| Goals: | Target Completion Date |
| Select Board of Trustees | 9/10/11 |
| Incorporate | 9/10/11 |
| FAQ | 9/13/11 |
| Nominate Editors-Emeritus | 9/16/11 |
Please discuss. The whole point of this project is to be open to everyone. I can be reached here in the comment section, via the e-mail address above, or at Google+
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