website: kickoff: Quote Andy's 2011 message.

Suggested by Mark Wielaard.
With permission from Andy Wingo.

* website/posts/kickoff.md: Add Andy's 2011 message.

1 files changed, 64 insertions, 1 deletions

diff --git a/posts/kickoff.md b/posts/kickoff.md
index e1ce54c..9af7c3e 100644
--- a/posts/kickoff.md
+++ b/posts/kickoff.md
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 title: Launching the GNU Assembly web site
-date: 2021-04-16 14:00:0
+date: 2021-04-16 14:00:00
 author: The GNU Assembly
 ---
 
@@ -11,6 +11,69 @@ developers of GNU packages who are all “hacking for user freedom” and
 who [share a vision](/en/documents/social-contract) for the umbrella
 project.
 
+Truth be told, this is an old story finally becoming a reality.  Almost
+ten years ago, Andy Wingo (of GNU Guile) emailed GNU maintainers:
+
+```
+From: Andy Wingo
+Subject: [gnu-prog-discuss] An experimental GNU Assembly
+To: gnu-prog-discuss <gnu-prog-discuss@gnu.org>
+Date: Sat, 12 Nov 2011 19:32:09
+
+Greetings, GNU maintainers.
+
+At the last GNU Hacker's Meeting in Paris, we talked a lot about the
+social structure of the GNU project.  There was broad consensus that the
+GNU project would be healthier and more effective if GNU maintainers had
+the ability to act collectively, beyond our capacities in our individual
+projects.
+
+This mail is an attempt to take concrete steps in that direction.  I'm
+trying to reflect the consensus we reached in Paris, though the words
+are mine only.
+
+In brief, I would like to propose an experiment: the creation of a new
+forum for collective decision-making in the GNU project.  This "GNU
+Assembly" (or whatever we call it) will discuss topics relevant to the
+GNU project, with the goal of producing technical recommendations
+through a process of consensus-building.
+
+The major organ of the GNU Assembly will be a new mailing list, with
+public archives.  The details of the discussion and
+recommendation-producing structure should be worked out on that list.
+
+Ideally I would like for all core GNU contributors to participate in
+this experiment.  Following Debian's example, GNU Assembly members
+should first agree on a founding document of principles.  This document
+should be short and sweet: something about the four freedoms, preference
+for copyleft, and mutual respect among assembly members.
+
+Please give your reactions on this list.  Eventually this discussion
+should be archived publicly, so please start a new thread if you do not
+want your message archived on the new list, and mark it as such.
+
+If there is agreement, I would like to start work on a draft Social
+Contract within the week, and open a new assembly@gnu.org mailing list
+shortly.
+
+Let's give it a go!
+
+Yours in free software,
+
+Andy
+```
+
+Why this did not happen “within the week” belongs to the past;
+everything in this message describes our effort today.  We came up with
+a [founding document](/en/documents/social-contract) last year through a
+[transparent discussion
+process](https://wiki.gnu.tools/gnu:gsc-feedback), followed by a [formal
+endorsement
+period](https://wiki.gnu.tools/gnu:social-contract-endorsement).  The
+public [Assembly
+list](https://lists.gnu.tools/hyperkitty/list/assembly@lists.gnu.tools/)
+is where this group discusses.
+
 Currently, the GNU Assembly consists of maintainers and developers from
 about [30 packages](/en/software)—old and young, small and big.  You too
 can [join us](/en/contribute)!