Hello everyone,
Following the 2025 elections, the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees committed https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Talk:Wikimedia_Foundation_Board_noticeboard/October_2025_update#c-LLosa_(WMF)-20251015213400-Additional_perspectives_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:
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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 and 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. They are also presented as requirements for candidates, not desirable qualities.
The Board is also emphasising the need for previous governance experience, including these key elements of experience:
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Understanding the role of oversight vs. governance vs. management -
Understanding Fiduciary Duties https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Legal_and_Fiduciary_Duties_for_Wikimedia_Foundation_Trustees_Public_Version.pdf
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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 informed 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_Foundation_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/