Internal:Board election (February 2013)

The Board of Directors of Wikimedia District of Columbia consists of seven Directors, and manages the business affairs of the organiation in accordance with Article VI of the Wikimedia DC Bylaws. The Directors are elected by the members of Wikimedia DC on an annual basis.

The next election will begin on February 16, 2013, and will fill four seats on the Board of Directors. Three of the newly-elected members will serve two-year terms, ending in October 2014; the remaining member will serve a one-year term, ending in October 2013.

Instructions for candidates and voters are presented below. Please note that these instructions are summaries; for full details of the rules governing the election process, please consult the Election Policy. Any questions regarding the election should be directed to the Election Committee at [mailto:election@wikimediadc.org election@wikimediadc.org].

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Eligibility criteria
In order to run for election, you must be a current member of Wikimedia DC as of February 15, 2013; any questions regarding your membership status should be directed to the Secretary at [mailto:secretary@wikimediadc.org secretary@wikimediadc.org]. You will also need to confirm that you meet certain legal requirements to serve as a Director in the District of Columbia.

Mandatory disclosures
In addition to the eligibility requirements, you will be asked to make public disclosures about potential conflicts of interest, relationships with other Wikimedia movement organization, and certain other factors that could affect your ability to serve as a member of the Board, or could adversely impact Wikimedia DC if you are elected.

If you refuse to make the requested disclosures, you will still be permitted to stand for election; however, your refusal will be indicated in the official election materials, and may affect your chances of winning.

Submitting your candidacy
To submit your candidacy for election, please prepare a nomination package containing the following information:
 * (1) Your full legal name;
 * (2) A statement certifying that you meet the eligibility criteria listed above;
 * (3) A statement regarding each mandatory disclosure listed above; and
 * (4) A candidate statement up to five hundred (500) words in length.

The complete nomination package should be sent to the Election Committee at [mailto:election@wikimediadc.org election@wikimediadc.org]. All nominations must be submitted by Friday, February 15, 11:59 PM (EST). Once the Election Committee has verified that your nomination package is complete, you will be officially certified as a candidate, and the statements you submitted will be published for the voters to review.


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Eligibility criteria
In order to vote in election, you must be a current member of Wikimedia DC as of February 15, 2013; any questions regarding your membership status should be directed to the Secretary at [mailto:secretary@wikimediadc.org secretary@wikimediadc.org].

Candidate statements
Statements from all candidates running in the election will be published on the candidates page. All eligible voters are invited to review the statements and to ask questions of the candidates.

Election ballots
Everyone who is a member of Wikimedia DC on February 15 will receive a ballot for voting in the election. Paper ballots will be mailed to the address on file with Wikimedia DC. If your address has changed, please send your new address to the Secretary at [mailto:secretary@wikimediadc.org secretary@wikimediadc.org] by Friday, February 15, 11:59 PM (EST).

If receiving a paper ballot is not convenient for you, you may request an electronic ballot instead. Requests for electronic ballots must be submitted to the Secretary at [mailto:secretary@wikimediadc.org secretary@wikimediadc.org] by Friday, February 15, 11:59 PM (EST). The electronic ballot is identical to the paper ballot, and will be emailed to the email address on file with Wikimedia DC.

Returning ballots
Once you fill out your ballot, you will need to return it to Wikimedia DC. The paper ballot includes a pre-addressed, stamped envelope; please use this envelope to mail your ballot for processing.

Electronic ballots may either be printed and mailed, or emailed to the Election Committee at [mailto:election@wikimediadc.org election@wikimediadc.org]. Please be aware that, if you choose to email your ballot, the members of the Election Committee will be able to associate your individual ballot with your name. If having a secret ballot is important to you, you will need to print and mail your electronic ballot.

All ballots must be received by Friday, March 8, 11:59 PM (EST). Any ballot received after this time will not be counted.
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