[Foundation-l] Call for nominations: chapter-appointed seats on the WMF Board of Trustees

[Thomas Dalton]

On 1 February 2012 22:36, Risker <risker.wp at gmail.com> wrote:
> In what way do chapter-selected seats improve the running of the WMF,
> Thomas?  The Board has no say in who is being selected, and there is no
> basis in fact to say that those appointed by the chapters are any more
> effective or helpful in meeting the Board's goals or running the WMF than
> would community-elected Wikimedians.

Chapter board members, since they serve on boards themselves, are
obviously going to know more about what the board needs than the
general community. They also have long and detailed discussions about
who to select, rather than just having a simple vote. Additionally,
having chapter-selected seats helps the WMF and chapters work better
together.

> I would think that direct appointment of those with specific skill sets
> would be how the board ensure it is "capable of running the WMF as well as
> possible."

Of course, but that wouldn't be at all representative and would make
the existing board too powerful. It's all about balance.