Re: WMF Board of Trustees: Board Selection Process Update
"Owen Blacker, Wikimedia LGBT+ via Wikimedia-l" <[email protected]> Sun, 2 Aug 2026 18:01:51 +0100
| Newsgroups | gmane.org.wikimedia.foundation |
|---|---|
| Message-ID | <CAETPC3iinOBMHx0khJv1EP3E_MQongwuLXGu7_8_MMFp4w-vCw@mail.gmail.com> |
--===============8245632300029620809== Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="000000000000719f750658136116" --000000000000719f750658136116 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Thank you William, I do understand that argument, for certain, but I think it is such an exclusionary measure and the overhead of translation / interpretation is relatively small in order to accommodate the majority of the world who do not speak / read English well, that the requirement should be removed. In pride and solidarity, Owen --=20 Owen Blacker, Cardiff GB @owen.blacker.me.uk <https://bsky.app/profile/owen.blacker.me.uk>, he/him @[email protected] <https://dataare.cool/@owenblacker> User:OwenBlacker (meta <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User%3AOwenBlacker> , enwiki <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:OwenBlacker>, frwiki <https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utilisateur:OwenBlacker>) Chair, Wikimedia LGBT+ User Group (meta <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_LGBT%2B/Porta= l> ) Recognised on the Pinc List 2026 <https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/gallery/pinc-list-2026-wales= -most-33907108> On Wed, 29 Jul 2026 at 20:07, William Chan <william-/[email protected]> wrote: > I would want to add a bit discussion about the English requirements. > > English is needed not because it is a working language, but also as it > being needed to read and understand documents of legal consequences, e.g. > legal communications, contracts, reports, etc. The movement is very large > and it means that movement governance decisions now have serious legal (a= nd > sometimes political) consequences when communications are misinterpreted > (particularly not in English). > > Issues arising from within the community due to misunderstanding or > miscommunication has far fewer consequences than misinterpreting legal > duties, requirements, documents, which is very hard to solve even with a > translator as they're are always the issue of "lost in translation". > > Contributing or being a regional advocate to the movement is different > from being a trustee for a large US-based nonprofit that operates > throughout the world. > > In short, I do believe a minimum level of CEFR B1/2 level of English is > needed as being a trustee is different from being a member of the Wikimed= ia > movement to meaningfully participate in board discussions. > > Regards, > William > > On Thu, 30 Jul 2026, 02:48 Owen Blacker, Wikimedia LGBT+ via Wikimedia-l,= < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> Hi Victoria, >> >> I'm only going to comment on 1 aspect here, as others are handling other >> aspects already. >> >> I have to object to the idea that all candidates must be able to >> communicate in good English. >> >> As an international movement that values Knowledge Equity, it feels >> bizarre that we would exclude what I presume is the majority of the >> movement who might lack the confidence to contribute in high-detail >> conversations and understand high-detail documents in English. >> >> Given the size of the Movement, I find it mildly offensive that we would >> privilege English so highly, merely to avoid the expense of translation = and >> interpretation of Board documents and at Board meetings. >> >> I would urge the Board to reconsider on this specific point, as well as >> on the points that have been raised by other wikimedians. >> >> Thank you. >> >> In pride and solidarity, >> >> Owen >> -- >> Owen Blacker, Cardiff GB >> @owen.blacker.me.uk <https://bsky.app/profile/owen.blacker.me.uk>, he/hi= m >> @[email protected] <https://dataare.cool/@owenblacker> >> User:OwenBlacker (meta >> <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User%3AOwenBlacker>, enwiki >> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:OwenBlacker>, frwiki >> <https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utilisateur:OwenBlacker>) >> Chair, Wikimedia LGBT+ User Group (meta >> <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_LGBT%2B/Po= rtal> >> ) >> Recognised on the Pinc List 2026 >> <https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/gallery/pinc-list-2026-wa= les-most-33907108> >> >> >> On Sun, 19 Jul 2026 at 22:09, Victoria Doronina via Wikimedia-l < >> [email protected]> wrote: >> >>> Hello Sam, >>> >>> You say bureaucracy, I say governance. Please forgive me for stating th= e >>> obvious, but WMF is a very large international organisation. It's much >>> easier to scale up the experience from a smaller Wikimedia organisation >>> than to start from scratch. >>> >>> And people who have Wikimedia governance experience usually have >>> experience with outreach campaigns and education in some form. >>> >>> I also agree that knowing several languages is valuable, but I don't >>> think we should discriminate against "English as a native and only >>> language" speakers - it's our working language. >>> >>> Lastly, while I don't have time to gather the statistics about the >>> current and past candidates, I know that I would've qualified when I fi= rst >>> ran - as a former member of the Russian Wikipedia ArbCom and a former >>> member of the Funds Dissemination Committee - note that I've never been= on >>> a board of an affiliate. >>> >>> And lastly, I hope that the current criteria will encourage people to >>> serve on the global committees such as AffCom, U4C etc, and people who >>> serve on them to participate in the Board elections as candidates - we = need >>> all the talent we can get. >>> >>> >>> >>> On Sat, Jul 18, 2026 at 1:06=E2=80=AFPM Samuel Klein via Wikimedia-l < >>> [email protected]> wrote: >>> >>>> Thanks so much Margo. The base requirements seem good. >>>> >>>> The Categories of Governance or Community Experience seem to trend >>>> mostly towards bureacratic experience, not related to experience with >>>> knowledge work (like education or contribution), or outreach (like >>>> partnerships or campaigns), or multilingualism (including translation = and >>>> multinational initiatives). It also singles out incorporated affiliat= es >>>> with paid staff over all other forms of community organizing and proje= ct >>>> work, as demonstration of community experience; can you say more about >>>> that? >>>> >>>> Have you analyzed which current and past trustees / candidates would >>>> have fit these proposed criteria? That might be a useful appendix for= the >>>> discussion. >>>> >>>> Sam >>>> >>>> >>>> On Fri, Jul 17, 2026 at 10:40=E2=80=AFPM Margo Lee via Wikimedia-l < >>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Hello everyone, >>>>> >>>>> Following the 2025 elections, the Wikimedia Foundation Board of >>>>> Trustees committed >>>>> <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Talk:Wikimedia_Foundation_Board_noti= ceboard/October_2025_update#c-LLosa_(WMF)-20251015213400-Additional_perspec= tives_on_current_and_future_board_selection_processes> >>>>> to reviewing the selection process of new Trustees, soliciting and >>>>> receiving feedback and suggestions and proposing changes. The Board >>>>> received extensive comments posted on Meta >>>>> <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2025/= Debrief>, >>>>> which helped inform this approach. >>>>> >>>>> The Board has discussed the following goals for reforms: >>>>> >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Clarity and consistency of the electoral process >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Clarity of roles and responsibilities >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Transparent communications and timeline >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> A slate of candidates who strengthen the board through the >>>>> experience they bring >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Reduced need for shortlisting >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Strong voter participation >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> The Board is now ready to publish its draft eligibility requirements >>>>> for feedback from the community. The requirements are more specific a= nd >>>>> detailed than in years past, to both inform the community of what the= Board >>>>> needs and to create multiple pathways to the Board for Wikimedians. T= hey >>>>> are also presented as requirements for candidates, not desirable qual= ities. >>>>> >>>>> The Board is also emphasising the need for previous governance >>>>> experience, including these key elements of experience: >>>>> >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Understanding the role of oversight vs. governance vs. management >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Understanding Fiduciary Duties >>>>> <https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Legal_and_Fiduciary_Du= ties_for_Wikimedia_Foundation_Trustees_Public_Version.pdf> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Understanding the "Group Dynamics" of a board or committee (and >>>>> other collective decision-making bodies): working well with others= to ask >>>>> probing questions, voice different views and contribute to informe= d >>>>> decisions for the good of the whole, not an individual agenda >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> The Board is now looking for specific feedback on the proposed >>>>> eligibility criteria >>>>> <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundat= ion_elections/2027/Proposed_eligibility_criteria> >>>>> . >>>>> >>>>> Regards, >>>>> >>>>> The Board Governance Committee >>>>> >>>>> Margo Lee on behalf of the Governance Committee >>>>> >>>>> *Margo Lee* (she/her) >>>>> Deputy Chief of Staff >>>>> Wikimedia Foundation <https://wikimediafoundation.org/> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> Wikimedia-l mailing list -- [email protected], >>>>> guidelines at: >>>>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and >>>>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l >>>>> Public archives at >>>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/hyperkitty/list/[email protected]= ia.org/message/GS3S74YZFPGACVTOTR7DEL4OHTGCW2JP/ >>>>> To unsubscribe send an email to wikimedia-l-leave-RusutVdil2icGmH+5r0DM0B+6BGkLq7r@public.gmane.org >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> Samuel Klein @metasj w:user:sj +1 617 529 >>>> 4266 >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Wikimedia-l mailing list -- [email protected], >>>> guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guideline= s >>>> and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l >>>> Public archives at >>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/hyperkitty/list/[email protected]= a.org/message/WPGOIQJ7OKLX66KRXQHPQRYVLH6PIWNC/ >>>> To unsubscribe send an email to wikimedia-l-leave-RusutVdil2icGmH+5r0DM0B+6BGkLq7r@public.gmane.org >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> Kind regards, Victoria >>> Victoria Doronina >>> <https://wikimediafoundation.org/profile/dr-victoria-doronina/> (she/he= r), >>> UTC >>> Wikimedia Foundation Trustee >>> Community and Affiliates Liaison >>> Human Rights Liaison >>> >>> Wikimedia Foundation <https://wikimediafoundation.org/> >>> >>> "Imagine a world in which every single human being can freely share in >>> the sum of all knowledge. Please help us make it a reality." >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Wikimedia-l mailing list -- [email protected], guidelines >>> at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and >>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l >>> Public archives at >>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/hyperkitty/list/[email protected]= .org/message/RR523SXFWNAVSCOCENZE6WRIICBVUJ6L/ >>> To unsubscribe send an email to wikimedia-l-leave-RusutVdil2icGmH+5r0DM0B+6BGkLq7r@public.gmane.org >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Wikimedia-l mailing list -- [email protected], guidelines >> at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and >> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l >> Public archives at >> https://lists.wikimedia.org/hyperkitty/list/[email protected]= org/message/IATXN32EFRYC5EKHWAFIBODTRNXYKLLQ/ >> To unsubscribe send an email to wikimedia-l-leave-RusutVdil2icGmH+5r0DM0B+6BGkLq7r@public.gmane.org > > --000000000000719f750658136116 Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable <div dir=3D"ltr"><div>Thank you William,</div><div><br></div><div>I do unde= rstand that argument, for certain, but I think it is such an exclusionary m= easure and the overhead of translation / interpretation is relatively small= in order to accommodate the majority of the world who do not speak / read = English well, that the requirement should be removed.=C2=A0</div><div><br><= /div><div><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_signature" data-smartmail=3D"gmai= l_signature"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div style=3D"color:rgb(34,34,34)">In pride a= nd solidarity,</div><div style=3D"color:rgb(34,34,34)"><br></div><span styl= e=3D"color:rgb(34,34,34)">Owen</span><div><span style=3D"color:rgb(102,102,= 102)">--=C2=A0<br>Owen Blacker, Cardiff GB<br></span><div style=3D"color:rg= b(34,34,34)"><a href=3D"https://bsky.app/profile/owen.blacker.me.uk" style= =3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)" target=3D"_blank">@owen.blacker.me.uk</a><font co= lor=3D"#666666">, he/him</font><br><a href=3D"https://dataare.cool/@owenbla= cker" style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)" target=3D"_blank" class=3D"assigned-la= bel-t-friendly has-assigned-label">@[email protected]</a></div><div = style=3D"color:rgb(34,34,34)"><font color=3D"#666666">User:OwenBlacker (</f= ont><a href=3D"https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User%3AOwenBlacker" style=3D= "color:rgb(17,85,204)" target=3D"_blank">meta</a><font color=3D"#666666">,= =C2=A0</font><a href=3D"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:OwenBlacker" sty= le=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)" target=3D"_blank" class=3D"assigned-label-t-fri= endly has-assigned-label">enwiki</a><font color=3D"#666666">,=C2=A0</font><= a href=3D"https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utilisateur:OwenBlacker" style=3D"c= olor:rgb(17,85,204)" target=3D"_blank">frwiki</a><font color=3D"#666666">)<= /font><br><span style=3D"color:rgb(102,102,102)">Chair, Wikimedia LGBT+ Use= r Group (</span><a href=3D"https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLangua= ge/Wikimedia_LGBT%2B/Portal" style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)" target=3D"_blan= k">meta</a><span style=3D"color:rgb(102,102,102)">)<br></span><span style= =3D"color:rgb(102,102,102)">Recognised on the </span><a href=3D"https://www= .walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/gallery/pinc-list-2026-wales-most-339071= 08" target=3D"_blank">Pinc List 2026</a><span style=3D"color:rgb(102,102,10= 2)"></span></div></div></div></div></div><br></div><br><div class=3D"gmail_= quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr">On Wed, = 29 Jul 2026 at 20:07, William Chan <<a href=3D"mailto:william-/[email protected]">= william-/[email protected]</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" = style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);pa= dding-left:1ex"><div dir=3D"auto"><div><div>I would want to add a bit discu= ssion about the English requirements.</div><div dir=3D"auto"><br></div><div= dir=3D"auto">English is needed not because it is a working language, but a= lso as it being needed to read and understand documents of legal consequenc= es, e.g. legal communications, contracts, reports, etc. The movement is ver= y large and it means that movement governance decisions now have serious le= gal (and sometimes political) consequences when=C2=A0 communications are mi= sinterpreted (particularly not in English).</div><div dir=3D"auto"><br></di= v><div dir=3D"auto">Issues arising from within the community due to misunde= rstanding or miscommunication has far fewer consequences than misinterpreti= ng legal duties, requirements, documents, which is very hard to solve even = with a translator as they're are always the issue of "lost in tran= slation".</div><div dir=3D"auto"><br></div><div dir=3D"auto">Contribut= ing or being a regional advocate to the movement is different from being a = trustee for a large US-based nonprofit that operates throughout the world.<= /div><div dir=3D"auto"><br></div><div dir=3D"auto">In short, I do believe a= minimum level of CEFR B1/2 level of English is needed as being a trustee i= s different from being a member of the Wikimedia movement to meaningfully p= articipate in board discussions.</div><div><br></div><div><div dir=3D"ltr">= <font face=3D"Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span styl= e=3D"font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.2px;background-color:rgba(255,255,255,= 0.95)">Regards,</span></font><div><font face=3D"Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvet= ica, Arial, sans-serif"><span style=3D"font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.2px;= background-color:rgba(255,255,255,0.95)">William</span></font></div></div><= /div><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote"><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr">O= n Thu, 30 Jul 2026, 02:48 Owen Blacker, Wikimedia LGBT+ via Wikimedia-l, &l= t;<a href=3D"mailto:[email protected]" target=3D"_blank">wiki= [email protected]</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class=3D"gm= ail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,= 204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div>Hi Victoria,</div><div><br= ></div><div>I'm only going to comment on 1 aspect here, as others are h= andling other aspects already.</div><div><br></div><div>I have to object to= the idea that all candidates must be able to communicate in good English.<= /div><div><br></div><div>As an international movement that values Knowledge= Equity, it feels bizarre that we would exclude what I presume is the major= ity of the movement who might lack the confidence to contribute in high-det= ail conversations and understand high-detail documents in English.</div><di= v><br></div><div>Given the size of the Movement, I find it mildly offensive= that we would privilege English so highly, merely to avoid the expense of = translation and interpretation of Board documents and at Board meetings.</d= iv><div><br></div><div>I would urge the Board to reconsider on this specifi= c point, as well as on the points that have been raised by other wikimedian= s.</div><div><br></div><div>Thank you.</div><div><br></div><div><div dir=3D= "ltr" class=3D"gmail_signature"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div style=3D"color:rgb(34= ,34,34)">In pride and solidarity,</div><div style=3D"color:rgb(34,34,34)"><= br></div><span style=3D"color:rgb(34,34,34)">Owen</span><div><span style=3D= "color:rgb(102,102,102)">--=C2=A0<br>Owen Blacker, Cardiff GB<br></span><di= v style=3D"color:rgb(34,34,34)"><a href=3D"https://bsky.app/profile/owen.bl= acker.me.uk" style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_b= lank">@owen.blacker.me.uk</a><font color=3D"#666666">, he/him</font><br><a = href=3D"https://dataare.cool/@owenblacker" style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)" r= el=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">@[email protected]</a></div><div= style=3D"color:rgb(34,34,34)"><font color=3D"#666666">User:OwenBlacker (</= font><a href=3D"https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User%3AOwenBlacker" style= =3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">meta</a><fon= t color=3D"#666666">,=C2=A0</font><a href=3D"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/= User:OwenBlacker" style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)" rel=3D"noreferrer" target= =3D"_blank">enwiki</a><font color=3D"#666666">,=C2=A0</font><a href=3D"http= s://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utilisateur:OwenBlacker" style=3D"color:rgb(17,85= ,204)" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">frwiki</a><font color=3D"#66666= 6">)</font><br><span style=3D"color:rgb(102,102,102)">Chair, Wikimedia LGBT= + User Group (</span><a href=3D"https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyL= anguage/Wikimedia_LGBT%2B/Portal" style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)" rel=3D"nor= eferrer" target=3D"_blank">meta</a><span style=3D"color:rgb(102,102,102)">)= <br></span><span style=3D"color:rgb(102,102,102)">Recognised on the </span>= <a href=3D"https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/gallery/pinc-list-= 2026-wales-most-33907108" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">Pinc List 20= 26</a><span style=3D"color:rgb(102,102,102)"></span></div></div></div></div= ></div><br></div><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote"><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"g= mail_attr">On Sun, 19 Jul 2026 at 22:09, Victoria Doronina via Wikimedia-l = <<a href=3D"mailto:[email protected]" rel=3D"noreferrer" t= arget=3D"_blank">[email protected]</a>> wrote:<br></div><b= lockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-le= ft:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir=3D"ltr">Hello Sam,= <div><br></div><div>You say bureaucracy, I say governance. Please forgive m= e for stating the obvious, but WMF is a very large international organisati= on. It's much easier to scale up the experience from a smaller Wikimedi= a organisation than to start from scratch.=C2=A0</div><div><br></div><div>A= nd people who have Wikimedia governance=C2=A0experience usually have experi= ence with outreach campaigns and education in some form.</div><div><br></di= v><div>I also agree that knowing several languages is valuable, but I don&#= 39;t think we should discriminate against "English as a native and onl= y language" speakers=C2=A0 - it's our working language.</div><div>= <br></div><div>Lastly, while I don't have time to gather the statistics= about the current and past candidates, I know that I would've qualifie= d=C2=A0when I first ran - as a former member of the Russian Wikipedia ArbCo= m and a former member of the Funds Dissemination Committee - note that I= 9;ve never been on a board of an affiliate.</div><div><br></div><div>And la= stly, I hope that the current criteria will encourage people to serve on th= e global committees=C2=A0such as AffCom, U4C etc, and people who serve on t= hem to participate in the Board elections as candidates - we need all the t= alent we can get.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div><br><div class= =3D"gmail_quote"><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr">On Sat, Jul 18, 2026= at 1:06=E2=80=AFPM Samuel Klein via Wikimedia-l <<a href=3D"mailto:wiki= [email protected]" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">wikimedia= [email protected]</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class=3D"gmail_q= uote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,2= 04);padding-left:1ex"><div dir=3D"ltr">Thanks so much Margo. The base requi= rements seem good.=C2=A0=C2=A0<div><br></div><div>The=C2=A0Categories of Go= vernance or Community Experience seem to trend mostly towards bureacratic e= xperience, not related to experience with knowledge work (like education or= contribution), or outreach (like partnerships or campaigns), or multilingu= alism (including translation and multinational initiatives).=C2=A0 It also = singles out incorporated affiliates with paid staff over all other forms of= community organizing and project work, as demonstration of community exper= ience;=C2=A0can you say more about that?=C2=A0=C2=A0</div><div><br></div><d= iv>Have you analyzed which current and past trustees / candidates would hav= e fit these proposed criteria?=C2=A0 That might be a useful appendix for th= e discussion.</div><div><br></div><div><div>Sam</div><div><br></div></div><= /div><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote"><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr">O= n Fri, Jul 17, 2026 at 10:40=E2=80=AFPM Margo Lee via Wikimedia-l <<a hr= ef=3D"mailto:[email protected]" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"= _blank">[email protected]</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote= class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px so= lid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><span id=3D"m_= 4523036899977762009m_-6228331791262865558m_-7577334286037876876m_6755650587= 874283774m_-8153248039563220981gmail-docs-internal-guid-54b4c7fa-7fff-29c9-= 6c21-132282ddba3b"><p dir=3D"ltr" style=3D"line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;= margin-bottom:0pt"><span style=3D"font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,= 0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseli= ne;white-space:pre-wrap">Hello everyone,</span></p><br><p dir=3D"ltr" style= =3D"line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style=3D"font-= family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-= variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Following the = 2025 elections, the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees </span><a href= =3D"https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Talk:Wikimedia_Foundation_Board_noticeb= oard/October_2025_update#c-LLosa_(WMF)-20251015213400-Additional_perspectiv= es_on_current_and_future_board_selection_processes" style=3D"text-decoratio= n:none" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"font-family:Ari= al,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;text-decorat= ion:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">committed</span= ></a><span style=3D"font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);backgroun= d-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space= :pre-wrap"> to reviewing the selection process of new Trustees, soliciting = and receiving feedback and suggestions and proposing changes. The Board rec= eived extensive comments </span><a href=3D"https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/= Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2025/Debrief" style=3D"text-decoration:none"= rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"font-family:Arial,sans= -serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:und= erline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">posted on Meta</span><= /a><span style=3D"font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-= color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:p= re-wrap">, which helped inform this approach.</span></p><br><p dir=3D"ltr" = style=3D"line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style=3D"= font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;= font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The Board= has discussed the following goals for reforms:=C2=A0</span></p><ul style= =3D"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><li dir=3D"ltr" style=3D"list-style-t= ype:disc;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:tra= nsparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">= <p dir=3D"ltr" style=3D"line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" = role=3D"presentation"><span style=3D"background-color:transparent;font-vari= ant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Clarity and consis= tency of the electoral process</span></p></li><li dir=3D"ltr" style=3D"list= -style-type:disc;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-c= olor:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pr= e-wrap"><p dir=3D"ltr" style=3D"line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bott= om:0pt" role=3D"presentation"><span style=3D"background-color:transparent;f= ont-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Clarity of= roles and responsibilities</span></p></li><li dir=3D"ltr" style=3D"list-st= yle-type:disc;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-colo= r:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-w= rap"><p dir=3D"ltr" style=3D"line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:= 0pt" role=3D"presentation"><span style=3D"background-color:transparent;font= -variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Transparent c= ommunications and timeline</span></p></li><li dir=3D"ltr" style=3D"list-sty= le-type:disc;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color= :transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wr= ap"><p dir=3D"ltr" style=3D"line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0= pt" role=3D"presentation"><span style=3D"background-color:transparent;font-= variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">A slate of can= didates who strengthen the board through the experience they bring</span></= p></li><li dir=3D"ltr" style=3D"list-style-type:disc;font-family:Arial,sans= -serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;ve= rtical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir=3D"ltr" style=3D"line-he= ight:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role=3D"presentation"><span sty= le=3D"background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:basel= ine;white-space:pre-wrap">Reduced need for shortlisting</span></p></li><li = dir=3D"ltr" style=3D"list-style-type:disc;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;colo= r:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-alig= n:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir=3D"ltr" style=3D"line-height:1.38;m= argin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role=3D"presentation"><span style=3D"backg= round-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-s= pace:pre-wrap">Strong voter participation</span></p></li></ul><br><p dir=3D= "ltr" style=3D"line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span sty= le=3D"font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transp= arent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The= Board is now ready to publish its draft eligibility requirements for feedb= ack from the community. The requirements are more specific and detailed tha= n in years past, to both inform the community of what the Board needs and t= o create multiple pathways to the Board for Wikimedians. They are also pres= ented as requirements for candidates, not desirable qualities.</span></p><b= r><p dir=3D"ltr" style=3D"line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt= "><span style=3D"font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-c= olor:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pr= e-wrap">The Board is also emphasising the need for previous governance expe= rience, including these key elements of experience:</span></p><ul style=3D"= margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><li dir=3D"ltr" style=3D"list-style-type:= disc;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transpa= rent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p d= ir=3D"ltr" style=3D"line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role= =3D"presentation"><span style=3D"background-color:transparent;font-variant:= normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Understanding the role= of oversight vs. governance vs. management</span></p></li><li dir=3D"ltr" = style=3D"list-style-type:disc;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)= ;background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;w= hite-space:pre-wrap"><p dir=3D"ltr" style=3D"line-height:1.38;margin-top:0p= t;margin-bottom:0pt" role=3D"presentation"><span style=3D"background-color:= transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wra= p">Understanding </span><a href=3D"https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi= le:Legal_and_Fiduciary_Duties_for_Wikimedia_Foundation_Trustees_Public_Vers= ion.pdf" style=3D"text-decoration:none" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank= "><span style=3D"background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;text-deco= ration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Fiduciary Du= ties</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style=3D"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"= ><li dir=3D"ltr" style=3D"list-style-type:disc;font-family:Arial,sans-serif= ;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical= -align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir=3D"ltr" style=3D"line-height:1= .38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role=3D"presentation"><span style=3D"= background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;wh= ite-space:pre-wrap">Understanding the "Group Dynamics" of a board= or committee (and other collective decision-making bodies): working well w= ith others to ask probing questions, voice different views and contribute t= o informed decisions for the good of the whole, not an individual agenda</s= pan></p></li></ul><br><p dir=3D"ltr" style=3D"line-height:1.38;margin-top:0= pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style=3D"font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb= (0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:bas= eline;white-space:pre-wrap">The Board is now looking for specific feedback = on the </span><a href=3D"https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage= /Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2027/Proposed_eligibility_criteria" style= =3D"text-decoration:none" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank"><span style= =3D"font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant:= normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wr= ap">proposed eligibility criteria</span></a><span style=3D"font-family:Aria= l,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant:nor= mal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">.</span></p><br><p dir=3D= "ltr" style=3D"line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span sty= le=3D"font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transp= arent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Reg= ards,</span></p><p dir=3D"ltr" style=3D"line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;mar= gin-bottom:0pt"><span style=3D"font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0= );background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;= white-space:pre-wrap">The Board Governance Committee=C2=A0</span></p><br><p= dir=3D"ltr" style=3D"line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><s= pan style=3D"font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color= :transparent;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;= white-space:pre-wrap">Margo Lee on behalf of the Governance Committee</span= ></p><br></span></div><div><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_signature"><div = dir=3D"ltr"><table style=3D"font-size:14px;color:rgb(32,33,34);font-family:= sans-serif;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor"= ><tbody><tr><td style=3D"padding:5pt"></td><td style=3D"vertical-align:top;= padding:5pt;font-size:9pt;line-height:1.38;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><b= >Margo Lee</b>=C2=A0(she/her)<br><span style=3D"font-size:8pt">Deputy Chief= of Staff</span><br><a href=3D"https://wikimediafoundation.org/" title=3D"f= oundationsite:" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(102,51,102);backgro= und-image:none" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:r= gb(0,0,0);text-decoration:underline;font-size:8pt">Wikimedia Foundation</sp= an></a></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></div></div> _______________________________________________<br> Wikimedia-l mailing list -- <a href=3D"mailto:[email protected]= rg" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">[email protected]</a= >, guidelines at: <a href=3D"https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/= Guidelines" rel=3D"noreferrer noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">https://meta.wi= kimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines</a> and <a href=3D"https://meta.w= ikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l" rel=3D"noreferrer noreferrer" target=3D"_bla= nk">https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l</a><br> Public archives at <a href=3D"https://lists.wikimedia.org/hyperkitty/list/w= [email protected]/message/GS3S74YZFPGACVTOTR7DEL4OHTGCW2JP/" r= el=3D"noreferrer noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">https://lists.wikimedia.org/= hyperkitty/list/[email protected]/message/GS3S74YZFPGACVTOTR7= DEL4OHTGCW2JP/</a><br> To unsubscribe send an email to <a href=3D"mailto:[email protected]= ikimedia.org" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">wikimedia-l-leave@lists.= wikimedia.org</a></blockquote></div><div><br clear=3D"all"></div><div><br><= /div><span class=3D"gmail_signature_prefix">-- </span><br><div dir=3D"ltr" = class=3D"gmail_signature">Samuel Klein =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0@m= etasj =C2=A0=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0 w:user:sj =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2= =A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0+1 617 529 4266<br></div> _______________________________________________<br> Wikimedia-l mailing list -- <a href=3D"mailto:[email protected]= rg" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">[email protected]</a= >, guidelines at: <a href=3D"https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/= Guidelines" rel=3D"noreferrer noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">https://meta.wi= kimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines</a> and <a href=3D"https://meta.w= ikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l" rel=3D"noreferrer noreferrer" target=3D"_bla= nk">https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l</a><br> Public archives at <a href=3D"https://lists.wikimedia.org/hyperkitty/list/w= [email protected]/message/WPGOIQJ7OKLX66KRXQHPQRYVLH6PIWNC/" r= el=3D"noreferrer noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">https://lists.wikimedia.org/= hyperkitty/list/[email protected]/message/WPGOIQJ7OKLX66KRXQH= PQRYVLH6PIWNC/</a><br> To unsubscribe send an email to <a href=3D"mailto:[email protected]= ikimedia.org" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">wikimedia-l-leave@lists.= wikimedia.org</a></blockquote></div><div><br clear=3D"all"></div><div><br><= /div><span class=3D"gmail_signature_prefix">-- </span><br><div dir=3D"ltr" = class=3D"gmail_signature"><div dir=3D"ltr">Kind regards, Victoria=C2=A0 =C2= =A0<div><a href=3D"https://wikimediafoundation.org/profile/dr-victoria-doro= nina/" style=3D"font-size:x-small;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif" rel=3D"nor= eferrer" target=3D"_blank">Victoria Doronina</a><span style=3D"font-size:x-= small;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">=C2=A0(she/her), UTC</span><div><font = face=3D"tahoma, sans-serif" size=3D"1">Wikimedia Foundation Trustee<br></fo= nt><div><font size=3D"1">Community and Affiliates Liaison=C2=A0</font></div= ><div><font size=3D"1">Human Rights Liaison=C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0<br></font><d= iv><table style=3D"color:rgb(34,34,34);border-width:medium;border-style:non= e;border-color:currentcolor;border-collapse:collapse"><colgroup><col width= =3D"102"><col width=3D"239"></colgroup><tbody><tr style=3D"height:39pt"><td= style=3D"border-width:1pt;border-style:solid;border-color:rgb(255,255,255)= ;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt;overflow:hidden"><p dir=3D"ltr" style=3D"li= ne-height:1.8;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span sty= le=3D"font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:tr= ansparent;vertical-align:baseline"><span style=3D"border-width:medium;borde= r-style:none;border-color:currentcolor;display:inline-block;overflow:hidden= ;width:87px;height:69px"><img src=3D"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/V8GP= PjwSiEVlVNo18ycmG3fpsZnUJb0hIDqi6FY5-j3RbBUn1ri0K07cVofQj9DW-5Jx1aJp_-9Xznu= N98yUCM1wo3HU__Fe8FIkXjy6rHMn01RDMdupIjW7WjyWOZCvRCEXLsXj" width=3D"87" hei= ght=3D"69.44573406502876" style=3D"margin-left: 0px;"></span></span></p></t= d><td style=3D"border-width:1pt;border-style:solid;border-color:rgb(255,255= ,255);vertical-align:top;padding:5pt;overflow:hidden"><p dir=3D"ltr" style= =3D"line-height:1.8;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><a href=3D"https://wi= kimediafoundation.org/" style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)" rel=3D"noreferrer" t= arget=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);backgrou= nd-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline">Wikimedia Foundation</span></= a><span style=3D"background-color:transparent;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0= ,0,0);vertical-align:baseline">=C2=A0</span><br></p><p dir=3D"ltr" style=3D= "color:rgb(136,136,136);font-size:12.8px;line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;mar= gin-bottom:0pt"><span style=3D"font-size:12.6667px;font-family:"Times = New Roman";color:rgb(11,83,148);font-style:italic;vertical-align:basel= ine">"Imagine a world in which every single human being can freely sha= re in the sum of all knowledge. Please help us make it a reality."</sp= an></p><p dir=3D"ltr" style=3D"line-height:1.8;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom= :0pt"><span style=3D"background-color:transparent;font-size:8pt;font-family= :Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);vertical-align:baseline"><span style=3D"color:rgb(1= 53,153,153);font-size:12.6667px;font-style:italic"></span></span></p></td><= /tr></tbody></table></div></div></div></div></div></div> _______________________________________________<br> Wikimedia-l mailing list -- <a href=3D"mailto:[email protected]= rg" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">[email protected]</a= >, guidelines at: <a href=3D"https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/= Guidelines" rel=3D"noreferrer noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">https://meta.wi= kimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines</a> and <a href=3D"https://meta.w= ikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l" rel=3D"noreferrer noreferrer" target=3D"_bla= nk">https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l</a><br> Public archives at <a href=3D"https://lists.wikimedia.org/hyperkitty/list/w= [email protected]/message/RR523SXFWNAVSCOCENZE6WRIICBVUJ6L/" r= el=3D"noreferrer noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">https://lists.wikimedia.org/= hyperkitty/list/[email protected]/message/RR523SXFWNAVSCOCENZ= E6WRIICBVUJ6L/</a><br> To unsubscribe send an email to <a href=3D"mailto:[email protected]= ikimedia.org" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">wikimedia-l-leave@lists.= wikimedia.org</a></blockquote></div> _______________________________________________<br> Wikimedia-l mailing list -- <a href=3D"mailto:[email protected]= rg" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">[email protected]</a= >, guidelines at: <a href=3D"https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/= Guidelines" rel=3D"noreferrer noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">https://meta.wi= kimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines</a> and <a href=3D"https://meta.w= ikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l" rel=3D"noreferrer noreferrer" target=3D"_bla= nk">https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l</a><br> Public archives at <a href=3D"https://lists.wikimedia.org/hyperkitty/list/w= [email protected]/message/IATXN32EFRYC5EKHWAFIBODTRNXYKLLQ/" r= el=3D"noreferrer noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">https://lists.wikimedia.org/= hyperkitty/list/[email protected]/message/IATXN32EFRYC5EKHWAF= IBODTRNXYKLLQ/</a><br> To unsubscribe send an email to <a href=3D"mailto:[email protected]= ikimedia.org" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">wikimedia-l-leave@lists.= wikimedia.org</a></blockquote></div></div></div> </blockquote></div> --000000000000719f750658136116-- --===============8245632300029620809== Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list -- [email protected], guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l Public archives at https://lists.wikimedia.org/hyperkitty/list/[email protected]/message/EANDOJDIX3MDG3XGWEL4UNFT3STD6TLT/ To unsubscribe send an email to wikimedia-l-leave-RusutVdil2icGmH+5r0DM0B+6BGkLq7r@public.gmane.org --===============8245632300029620809==--