Hello all, 


The Call for Candidates for the 2025 Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees 
selection is now closed. After verification by the Elections Committee and 
the Wikimedia Foundation, 12 (twelve) candidates are eligible. In order to 
be eligible, all candidates had to complete the required questions in the 
candidate application and meet the eligibility criteria 
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2025/Candidate_application#Candidate_criteria>
.

See the list of the all eligible candidates on this meta-wiki page 
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2025/Candidates>
 
and learn more about the experience, diversity, and expertise they hope to 
bring to the Board.


As we have more than 10 eligible candidates, a shortlisting process 
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2025/Shortlisting_process>
 
will take place. Representatives of Wikimedia movement affiliates that are 
currently compliant with their reporting obligations (list of all 
Affiliates currently compliant 
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_movement_affiliates/Affiliates_Status_Report/Archive/2025-07>)
 
will soon receive a communication detailing how they can participate in the 
shortlisting process. 


Key dates of the next steps: 

   - 
   
   July 15 – 28: Shortlisting process
   

   - 
   
   By July 29: Announcement of the final list of 6 (six) shortlisted 
   candidates
   - 
   
   July 29 – August 26: Campaigning period
   - 
   
   August 27 – September 10: Voting period
   

Learn more about the full timeline on this meta-wiki page 
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2025#Timeline>
.



On behalf of the Elections Committee,

Abhishek Suryawanshi

On Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 11:42:54 AM UTC-4 Elections Committee wrote:

Hello all,

The call for candidates for the 2025 Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees 
selection is now open from June 17, 2025 - July 2, 2025 at 11:59 UTC. The 
Board of Trustees oversees the Wikimedia Foundation's work, and each 
Trustee serves a three-year term 
<https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Legal:Bylaws#(B)_Term.>. This is a 
volunteer position.

This year, the Wikimedia community will vote starting in August and ending 
in September 2025 to fill two (2) seats on the Foundation Board. You can 
see the timeline of the full selection process here 
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2025#Timeline>
.

*Traits*

Wikimedia is a global movement and seeks candidates from the broader 
community. Ideal candidates are thoughtful, respectful, community-oriented 
and align with the Wikimedia Foundation mission. The Board is looking for 
candidates with experience guiding organizational strategy, navigating 
change, and driving long-term strategic objectives. Candidates should think 
about what experiences and perspectives they will bring to the Board.

The Board would like to find perspectives and voices that are essential but 
underrepresented in our movement. Accordingly, all candidates will be asked 
to include statements in their application that speak to their experiences 
in the world, the perspectives they bring to the movement and share how 
these help them to include those not already here.

*Time Commitment for Trustees*

Trustees serve a three year term and can serve up to three consecutive terms 
<https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Bylaws#(B)_Term.>. The expectation 
is that Trustees serve on at least one of the Board’s committees 
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_committees#Board_of_Trustees_committees>.
 
The time commitment is about 150 hours per year, excluding travel. This 
time is not evenly spread throughout the year. The time is concentrated 
around meetings.

*Requirements to be a Trustee*

English is the language of business for the Board. Candidates must be 
fluent in written and spoken English. Previous experience serving on a 
collective decision-making body, especially Boards or committees, and 
significant experience in Wikimedia (or equivalent) movement building and 
organizing are expected from candidates. You can review the candidate 
guidelines here. 
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2025/Candidate_application>

*How to Apply*

Candidates from all projects and communities who meet the criteria to 
become a Wikimedia Trustee are welcome to apply. Could you - or someone you 
know - be a good fit to join the Wikimedia Foundation's Board of Trustees? 
Encourage them to run for election. Candidates can find information and 
submit their nomination on the candidate application 
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2025/Candidate_application>
 page. 
If you want to learn more about the role of Trustees or have questions, 
refer to this candidate resources 
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2025/Resources_for_candidates>
 page.

*Community questions for candidates*

The questions for the Board of Trustees candidates to answer have been 
published as part of the candidate application. From the list of questions 
submitted by the community, the Election Committee selected 5 questions 
which the candidates are required to answer. Learn more about the community 
questions on this Meta-wiki page 
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2025/Questions_for_candidates>
.


Best regards,
Abhishek Suryawanshi
On behalf of the Elections Committee and the Governance Committee

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