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This page is outdated
, but if it were updated, it might still be useful. Please help by correcting, augmenting and revising the text into an up-to-date form.
The
Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees
manage the nonprofit and supervise the disposition and solicitation of nonprofit donations. The Board of Trustees are the ultimate corporate authority in the Wikimedia Foundation Inc. (article IV, sec. 1 of the
Wikimedia Foundation bylaws
).
The Board has the power to direct the activities of the Foundation. It also has the authority to amend the corporate bylaws (article VI). Full responsibilities and procedures of the Board are laid out in the
Board Handbook
The Board currently has six seats selected in some fashion by the Wikimedia community, plus one seat designated for
Jimmy Wales
. Together these trustees, with the help of community brainstorming and outside recruiters, choose four other people (not always from within the community) to fill out the expertise needed on the Board. At full membership, the Board thus includes eleven Trustees, although some seats may not be occupied at the moment.
This is primarily a historical page about the past composition of the Board. For current news and discussions, see the Board
portal
summarizing its recent work and committees, and a
noticeboard
for posting requests or sharing proposed
resolutions
with the Board.
Main article:
Former Board of Trustees members (on Wikimedia Foundation site)
Current board
edit
Main articles:
Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees
en:Wikimedia Foundation#Board of Trustees
, and
Board of Trustees - Current members (on Wikimedia Foundation site)
History
edit
This page is outdated
, but if it were updated, it might still be useful. Please help by correcting, augmenting and revising the text into an up-to-date form.
Note:
Missed context since January 2017 later.
Original Board: 2003
edit
Board of Trustees original members
Jimmy Wales
Tim Shell
Michael Davis
The original founding three members of the
Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees
were
Jimmy Wales
Tim Shell
, and
Michael Davis
The Foundation was created in 2003, with three trustees. It was planned that two members would be added to this list, to represent the community.
Jimmy Wales
, Co-Founder of Wikipedia and designated life member, Chair
Michael Davis
Tim Shell
Board #1: June 2004 – June 2005
edit
2004 Board elections results
Two of the elected seats were filled via a project-wide vote in June 2004. This
election
was open to all active users who had made their first edit on any Wikimedia project at least 90 days before they voted.
The initial trustees (article IV, sec. 2.2.) included the following individuals, three
Bomis
partners, and two (other) Wikipedians:
Jimmy Wales
, Co-Founder and designated life member, Chair
Michael Davis
, Treasurer
Tim Shell
Florence Nibart-Devouard
, Vice-Chair (
community-nominated
Angela Beesley
, Secretary (
community-nominated
Board #2: July 2005 – September 2006
edit
Board at Wikimania 2006 (August 2006), from left to right,
Tim Shell
Florence Nibart-Devouard
Jimmy Wales
Michael Davis
Angela Beesley
2005 Board election results
The first Board of Trustees changed the duration of the two elections position from one to two years. The notion of volunteer user representative and contributor user representative were dropped. This election was open to all active users who had made their first edit on any Wikimedia project at least 90 days before they voted. It took place directly on the website. See
Elections for the Board of Trustees of the Wikimedia Foundation, 2005
for more information.
The second elections took place in June–July 2005 and resulted in the two members' representatives being re-elected. Positions within the board were changed as followed:
Jimmy Wales
, Chair
Michael Davis
, Treasurer
Tim Shell
, Secretary
Florence Nibart-Devouard
, Vice-Chair (
community-nominated
Angela Beesley
, Vice-Chair (
community-nominated
In July 2006,
Angela Beesley
announced her resignation, effective September 2006. In August 2006,
Tim Shell
announced his plan to resign in the near future.
Board #3: September 2006 – November 2006
edit
2006 Board election results
The third Board had a very short duration, and was characterized by a strong reorganization. Erik Möller was
elected
as Angela Beesley's replacement and joined the Board on September 26 (
resolution
). His term was set up to expire on July 18, 2007, as he was simply completing Angela's term. The changed board was as follows:
Jimmy Wales
, Chair
Michael Davis
, Treasurer
Tim Shell
, Secretary
Florence Nibart-Devouard
, Vice-Chair (
community-nominated
Erik Möller
, Vice-Chair (
community-nominated
On 28 October 2006, the board was reorganized. A major change was the replacement of
Jimmy Wales
by
Florence Nibart-Devouard
as chair. Positions on the Board were changed as below:
Jimmy Wales
, Chairman Emeritus
Florence Nibart-Devouard
, Chair (
community-nominated
Tim Shell
, Vice-Chair
Michael Davis
, Treasurer
Erik Möller
, Executive Secretary (
community-nominated
This Board decided on the expansion of its membership, the replacement of
Tim Shell
, a change of term duration of elected members, and the removal of lifelong term for Jimmy Wales. To limit the risk of a huge trusteeship turnover in June 2007 (where
Florence
Erik
, and the future two additional trustees term is due), it was decided that
Florence
would be appointed from June 2007 till June 2008.
Board #4: December 2006 – July 2007
edit
The Board was expanded according to the
Resolution:Board expansion
. Consequently three new members were appointed on 8 December: one to replace
Tim Shell
, who stepped down effective 15 December 2006, and two as the result of expansion. After this expansion, four trustees were effectively elected, while three are "appointed". Terms of appointment were thenceforth one year, elected, two years. The two appointed trustees,
Kat Walsh
and
Oscar van Dillen
, made it numbers 2 and 3 at the September 2006 board elections.
Members were:
Jimmy Wales
, Chairman Emeritus
Florence Nibart-Devouard
, Chair (
community-nominated
Jan-Bart de Vreede
, Vice-Chair
Michael Davis
, Treasurer
Erik Möller
, Executive Secretary (
community-nominated
Kat Walsh
Oscar van Dillen
Terms of members ended:
in June 2007 for
Kat Walsh
and
Oscar van Dillen
in December 2007 for
Jimmy Wales
and
Jan-Bart de Vreede
in June 2008 for
Florence Nibart-Devouard
Board #5: July 2007 – February 2008
edit
2007 Board elections results
New elections occur in June 2007, at the term of which
Erik Möller
and
Kat Walsh
were re-elected and were on the Board until the 2009 elections.
Oscar van Dillen
's seat was taken by
Frieda Brioschi
. In October 2007,
Florence Nibart-Devouard
(chair),
Jan-Bart de Vreede
(vice chair),
Erik Möller
(secretary) were reconfirmed in their positions.
Members were:
Jimmy Wales
, Chairman Emeritus
Florence Nibart-Devouard
, Chair
Jan-Bart de Vreede
, Vice-Chair
Michael Davis
, Treasurer
Erik Möller
, Executive Secretary (
community-nominated
Kat Walsh
community-nominated
Frieda Brioschi
community-nominated
Board #6: February 2008 – June 2008
edit
Erik Möller
and
Michael Davis
resigned from their positions.
Michael Snow
and
Domas Mituzas
joined the Board (Mituzas became secretary).
Stuart West
was appointed as Treasurer on 21 April
Members were:
Jimmy Wales
, Chairman Emeritus
Florence Nibart-Devouard
, Chair
Jan-Bart de Vreede
, Vice-Chair
Stuart West
, Treasurer
Domas Mituzas
, Executive Secretary
Michael Snow
Kat Walsh
community-nominated
Frieda Brioschi
community-nominated
Board #7: July 2008 – September 2008
edit
2008 Board elections results
After the
2008 Board elections
, a new trustee,
Ting Chen
was elected to replace
Florence Nibart-Devouard
, whose term as the chair had expired;
Michael Snow
was appointed the new Board chairman during the 2008 Wikimania, to remain chair until the
Wikimedia Chapters
appointed their own trustees.
Arne Klempert
became an affiliate-nominated trustee.
Frieda Brioschi
resigned in
September
Members were:
Jimmy Wales
, (
Founder's seat
Michael Snow
, Chair
Jan-Bart de Vreede
, Vice-Chair
Stu West
, Treasurer
Domas Mituzas
, Executive Secretary
Frieda Brioschi
community-nominated
Kat Walsh
community-nominated
Ting Chen
community-nominated
Board #8: October 2008 – July 2009
edit
After the 2008 Board restructuring, in May 2009 WMF chapters selected and the board approved the appointment of
Michael Snow
and
Arne Klempert
Members were:
Jimmy Wales
, (
Founder's seat
Michael Snow
, Chair
Jan-Bart de Vreede
, Vice-Chair
Stu West
, Treasurer
Domas Mituzas
, Executive Secretary
Kat Walsh
community-nominated
Ting Chen
community-nominated
Board #9: August 2009 – March 2010
edit
2009 Board elections results
Kat Walsh
was re-elected to replace
Domas Mituzas
Ting Chen
was reelected.
Samuel Klein
was elected.
Matt Halprin
was appointed a Trustee, with a term to expire in December 2009.
Members were:
Jimmy Wales
, (
Founder's seat
Michael Snow
, Chair (
affiliate-nominated trustee
Jan-Bart de Vreede
, Vice-Chair
Kat Walsh
, Executive Secretary, (
community-nominated
Stu West
, Treasurer
Ting Chen
, (
community-nominated
Arne Klempert
, (
affiliate-nominated
Samuel Klein
, (
community-nominated
Matt Halprin
Board #10: March 2010 – July 2010
edit
Bishakha Datta
was appointed in March.
Members were:
Jimmy Wales
, (
Founder's seat
Michael Snow
, Chair (
affiliate-nominated
Jan-Bart de Vreede
, Vice-Chair
Kat Walsh
, Executive Secretary, (
community-nominated
Stu West
, Treasurer
Ting Chen
, (
community-nominated
Arne Klempert
, (
affiliate-nominated
Samuel Klein
, (
community-nominated
Matt Halprin
Bishakha Datta
Board #11: July 2010 – July 2012
edit
In 2010,
Michael Snow
left the Board and
Phoebe Ayers
was selected by the Chapters in his place. See
WMF blog announcement
and
press release
(with
Q&A
) for more. In 2011,
Ting Chen
Samuel Klein
, and
Kat Walsh
were reelected by the community.
2011 Board election results
Members were:
Jimmy Wales
, (
Founder's seat
Ting Chen
, Chair (
community-nominated
Stu West
, Treasurer, Vice Chair until July 2011
Jan-Bart de Vreede
, Vice Chair from July 2011
Samuel Klein
, Secretary until July 2011, (
community-nominated
Phoebe Ayers
, Secretary from July 2011, (
affiliate-nominated
Kat Walsh
, (
community-nominated
Arne Klempert
, (
affiliate-nominated
Matt Halprin
, specific expertise Trustee
Bishakha Datta
, specific expertise Trustee
Board #12: July 2012 – July 2013
edit
In 2012,
Patricio Lorente
and
Alice Wiegand
were appointed to the affiliate-nominated seats previously held by
Arne Klempert
and
Phoebe Ayers
Kat Walsh
was chosen to be the new chair,
Bishakha Datta
to be the new secretary.
Members were:
Jimmy Wales
talk
contribs
email
) (
Founder's seat
Kat Walsh
talk
contribs
email
) Chair (
community-nominated trustee
Jan-Bart de Vreede
talk
contribs
email
) Vice Chair
Stu West
talk
contribs
email
Bishakha Datta
talk
contribs
email
Ting Chen
talk
contribs
email
until April 2013
community-nominated
Matt Halprin
talk
contribs
email
until 1 January 2013, succeeded by Ana Toni on 1 July 2013
Samuel Klein
talk
contribs
email
) (
community-nominated
Patricio Lorente
talk
contribs
email
) (
affiliate-nominated trustee
Alice Wiegand
talk
contribs
email
) (
affiliate-nominated trustee
Later that year the Bylaws were amended so that Treasurer and Secretary officerships could be held by staff. Garfield Byrd was chosen as Treasurer, and Geoff Brigham as Secretary.
August 2013
edit
2013 Board election results
NB: Now that we are starting to regularly appoint new Trustees around January 1, and have staggered election and selection of Trustees, it may not make sense to define and number Boards from July to July. A continuous list of Trustees, updated as needed with a comment explaining the transition, makes more sense. And this better matches the highly informative chart below.
In April,
Ting Chen
resigned from the Board in order to apply for the post of WMF executive director. In June, Ana Toni was appointed to the Board starting July 1, filling the seat vacated by
Matt Halprin
, and the community-nominated
Phoebe Ayers
and
María Sefidari
and reelected
Samuel Klein
to the Board, starting August 7.
Starting in August, the Board's composition is:
Jimmy Wales
talk
contribs
email
) || (
Founder's seat
Jan-Bart de Vreede
talk
contribs
email
) || Chair
Phoebe Ayers
talk
contribs
email
) || Vice Chair (
community-nominated
Stu West
talk
contribs
email
) || (former Treasurer)
Bishakha Datta
talk
contribs
email
) ||
Samuel Klein
talk
contribs
email
) || (
community-nominated
Patricio Lorente
talk
contribs
email
) || (
affiliate-nominated
Alice Wiegand
talk
contribs
email
) || (
affiliate-nominated
Ana Toni
||
left August 2014
María Sefidari
talk
contribs
email
) || (
community-nominated
Garfield Byrd (staff member) is Treasurer, Geoff Brigham (staff member) is Secretary, see
foundation:Resolution:Appointment of Foundation Staff Officers
August 2014
edit
See also
Wikimedia Foundation board summary 2014
Board members:
Jimmy Wales
Founder's seat
Jan-Bart de Vreede
, Chair
Patricio Lorente
, Vice Chair (
affiliate-nominated
Stu West
Samuel Klein
community-nominated
Phoebe Ayers
community-nominated
María Sefidari
community-nominated
Alice Wiegand
Frieda Brioschi
affiliate-nominated
Bishakha Datta
January 2015
edit
See also
Wikimedia Foundation board summary 2015
Board members:
Jimmy Wales
Founder's seat
Jan-Bart de Vreede
, Chair
Patricio Lorente
, Vice Chair (
affiliate-nominated
Stu West
Samuel Klein
community-nominated
Phoebe Ayers
community-nominated
María Sefidari
community-nominated
Alice Wiegand
Frieda Brioschi
affiliate-nominated
vacant seat since 31 December 2014
April 2015
edit
Board members:
Jimmy Wales
Founder's seat
Jan-Bart de Vreede
, Chair
Patricio Lorente
, Vice Chair (
affiliate-nominated
Stu West
Samuel Klein
community-nominated
Phoebe Ayers
community-nominated
María Sefidari
community-nominated
Alice Wiegand
Frieda Brioschi
affiliate-nominated
Guy Kawasaki
July 2015
edit
2015 Board elections results
Board members:
Jimmy Wales
Founder's seat
Jan-Bart de Vreede
, Chair
Patricio Lorente
, Vice Chair (
affiliate-nominated
Stu West
Dariusz Jemielniak
community-nominated
Denny Vrandečić
community-nominated
James Heilman
community-nominated
Alice Wiegand
Frieda Brioschi
affiliate-nominated
Guy Kawasaki
January 2016
edit
Board members:
Jimmy Wales
Founder's seat
Patricio Lorente
, Chair (
affiliate-nominated
Alice Wiegand
, Vice Chair
Kelly Battles
Arnnon Geshuri
Dariusz Jemielniak
community-nominated
Denny Vrandečić
community-nominated
Frieda Brioschi
affiliate-nominated
Guy Kawasaki
1 vacant community-nominated seat since 28 December 2015
Doc James
was
removed
from the Board via
wmf:Resolution:James Heilman Removal
February 2016
edit
Board members:
Jimmy Wales
Founder's seat
Patricio Lorente
, Chair (
affiliate-nominated
Alice Wiegand
, Vice Chair
Kelly Battles
Dariusz Jemielniak
community-nominated
Denny Vrandečić
community-nominated
María Sefidari
(replacing
Doc James
community-nominated seat
without new community vote)
Frieda Brioschi
affiliate-nominated
Guy Kawasaki
1 vacant board-appointed seat since 27 January 2016
Arnnon Geshuri
stepped down following a
vote of no confidence
April 2016
edit
Board members:
Jimmy Wales
Founder's seat
Patricio Lorente
, Chair (
affiliate-nominated
Alice Wiegand
, Vice Chair
Kelly Battles
Dariusz Jemielniak
community-nominated
María Sefidari
(replaced
Doc James
' community-nominated seat without a new community vote)
Frieda Brioschi
affiliate-nominated
Guy Kawasaki
1 vacant board-appointed seat since 27 January 2016
(see above)
1 vacant community-nominated seat since 8 April 2016
Denny Vrandečić
resigned
July 2016
edit
Board members:
Jimmy Wales
Founder's seat
Christophe Henner
, Chair (
affiliate-nominated
María Sefidari
, Vice Chair (not community-nominated on a
community-nominated seat
Kelly Battles
Dariusz Jemielniak
community-nominated
Alice Wiegand
Nataliia Tymkiv
affiliate-nominated
Guy Kawasaki
1 vacant board-appointed seat since 27 January 2016
(see above)
1 vacant community-nominated seat since 8 April 2016
(see above)
January 2017
edit
Board members:
Jimmy Wales
Founder's seat
Christophe Henner
, Chair (
affiliate-nominated
María Sefidari
, Vice Chair (not community-nominated on a
community-nominated seat
Kelly Battles
Dariusz Jemielniak
community-nominated
Alice Wiegand
Nataliia Tymkiv
affiliate-nominated
1 vacant board-appointed seat since 27 January 2016
(see above)
1 vacant community-nominated seat since 8 April 2016
(see above)
1 vacant board-appointed seat since 1 January 2017
Guy Kawasaki
did
not seek reappointment
Chart
edit
From the
Board Chart template
See also
edit
Board elections
Board Reports
Board of Trustees on official site
Board member role and appointments on official site
Information and statistics
Organization chart
Retrieved from "
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