A board member's perspective of the RubyGems controversy

I think that most Rubyists want to forgive each other and move forward. The board, staff, and volunteers at Ruby Central are all people and people are fallible, that's fine. The way to receive forgiveness isn't to convince others (who weren't there and who don't have the full context) that what was done was reasonable or justified. It doesn't matter. It doesn't even matter who is at fault. What matters is who will take responsibility.

The actions taken by people in service of Ruby Central have had unintended consequences, including damaging the community's trust in Ruby Central's stewardship.

A new governance model will solve only the problem of there not being a governance model. There also has to be an acknowledgment that the lack of an existing appropriate governance model wasn't just a "fiduciary failure," but a failure which cased harm to the community and contributors. Contributors who—like the board—are volunteers, and would have probably liked to have their significant dedication shown more respect.

You show respect to someone by giving them important information from which they can use to make their own decisions. As opposed to withholding information because you are uncomfortable with the possibility that they may make a decision you don't want them to.