Add TAG leadership election governance template

[leonardpahlke]

This PR adds a template under the toc/tags/resources/tag-formation-template to document the leadership election process within TAGs. This PR https://github.com/cncf/toc/pull/1086 established the /tags/resources structure, and this PR adds content to one of the empty stub files. More PRs will follow to add content to the other template files (like: https://github.com/cncf/toc/pull/1128 and https://github.com/cncf/toc/pull/1116).

The election process is a combined version of the TAG ENV TL, TAG ENV Chair and TAG ENV WG Chair election process. TAG ENV originally pulled the governance files from TAG Security, see file.

[leonardpahlke]

Added the suggestions 👍

[leonardpahlke]

ref "Implementation of an updated TAG formation process" issue: https://github.com/cncf/toc/issues/1043

[leonardpahlke]

I am thinking about splitting the document into two parts.

1. election procedure for TAG chairs and TAG TLs
2. election procedure for working group and project leads.

I think the procedure for working group and project leads can be simplified.

[TheFoxAtWork]

@leonardpahlke, agreed. Since working group and project leads are a different process, than TAG Chairs and TAG TLs it makes sense to separate them.

[TheFoxAtWork]

@nikhita @linsun would you both PTAL and see if this aligns with the current direction of the leadership terms and ladder effort? if it does would you provide your review so this may be merged in?

[linsun]

Sorry about the delay with lots of travel, I will review this this week and make sure the doc content is also merged in: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xP1SXy4LW9yxI_1cs3GYQyv6wb3-JYBdXE8MYO0RnqQ/edit?usp=sharing

[linsun]

Hi @leonardpahlke this looks great. Based on our prior discussion, do you think we can add the following as well?

Leadership Terms: Each leadership role is on a 2 year term once appointed.

Elections: Elections should be conducted by CNCF staff. TAG leadership Election should start 1-2 months after the TOC election finishes each year, pending CNCF staff’s availability to run the elections.

For the immediate election in 2025, roughly 50% of the roles should be made available for election where existing leaders can choose to rerun, starting with the longest serving leaders. The rest of the leads who are not up for election should plan to be up for elections in 2026.

Co-chairs can be nominated by any existing co-chairs or TOC member. TL roles should be nominated by any existing co-chairs or TLs. WG leads can be nominated by any TAG leaders.TAGs may define their own process by which they field nominations for these roles, provided they adhere to CNCF and TOC expectations of openness, transparency, and accountability.

Co-chair elections should be voted on by the TOC. Other TAG leads elections should be voted by TAG co-chairs, TLs, WG leads or other active members of the TAG.

Vacancies In the event that a TAG lead vacates their seat during their term, a by-election shall be conducted to fill the position for the remainder of the term in accordance with the regular election procedure. The TAG co-chairs may initiate a vote of no confidence in a TAG leader when the TAG leader has not performed any TAG leader tasks for 6 months. The leader shall be removed if the motion is approved by at least sixty percent (60%) of the TAG leaders along with the approval support from all of the TOC Liaisons for the TAG.

Liaisons Following the TOC liaison for TAG model, we recommend that at least one TAG co-chair or/and TL serve as liaison for each TAG WG so the co-chair or/and TL can help resolve any concerns from the WG within the TAG’s own governance. This ensures TAG Leadership remains aware and conscious of the WG’s activities, deliverables, and overall health.

[leonardpahlke]

Thanks for the input. Will make updates to the PR this week.