Dear colleagues,
The Board of Wikimedia Ukraine has decided to share the reasoning behind
this choice. First of all we are very thankful to everyone who decided to
nominate themselves, and to those, who supported them, translated their
statements and helped to spread the word.
Secondly, we decided to have 5 places rated. It was a very hard choice to
make, we have tried to talk to the candidates and to evaluate their
relevant experience and knowledge.
Our first choice remains Nataliia Tymkiv, our Deputy Chair and Treasurer.
We have shared our reasoning here: wmua:Рішення Правління №30/2016 від 4
березня 2016
<https://ua.wikimedia.org/wiki/%D0%A0%D1%96%D1%88%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BD%D1%8F_%D0%9F%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BB%D1%96%D0%BD%D0%BD%D1%8F_%E2%84%9630/2016_%D0%B2%D1%96%D0%B4_4_%D0%B1%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B7%D0%BD%D1%8F_2016>
.
Our second choice is Christophe Henner, Chair of Wikimédia France Board,
deputy CEO of a large organization. He has led WMFR through governance
crisis.
Our third choice is Osmar Valdebenito, first President of Wikimedia Chile,
former Executive Director of Wikimedia Argentina (and also in charge of
their reorganization), Iberocoop Network General Coordinator, current
member of Funds Dissemination Committee.
Our fourth choice is Jan Ainali. Unfortunately he was the only candidate we
did not get a chance to have a proper talk with, but he has relevant
experience (Board member of Wikimedia Sweden, chapter’s ED from 2013 to
2016).
Our fifth choice is Lodewijk Gelauff. While he lacks experience of working
with staff as a Board member, he has helped to organise Wiki Loves
Monuments, one of the biggest community-driven projects, so his insight can
be very useful to the Board of Trustees.
We had a pleasure to talk and listen to almost all candidates. We
identified some strong skills in every nominee, but after some long
discussions decided to support these 5 candidates, as the most balanced
ones. We think that all candidates proved that they are committed to our
Movement, and Siska Doviana, Susanna Mkrtchyan, Leigh Thelmadatter, Kunal
Mehta and Maarten Deneckere would also make sure that their unique voices
are well heard, that WMF and BoT and the Community itself can communicate
with each other better. And we think that no matter who is selected, the
Community will not stop helping the BoT to improve its work. And we are
open to discussions and cooperation, as we believe that this selection
process is only a prelude to some real changes. The two people selected
will have to keep up with the trust of a lot of people, but it does not
mean that 8 not selected yet can rest and just do nothing. We are all going
to work really hard if we care and believe in what we do.
On behalf of the Board of Wikimedia Ukraine,
Illia Korniiko, Chair