Chapter-selected Board seats/2012/Candidates/Lodewijk Gelauff
| Lodewijk Gelauff (Effeietsanders) |
 General info[edit]
Statement of support[edit]The Board of the Wikimedia Polska Association would like to nominate Lodewijk Gelauff for chapters seat of Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees. We believe that his long and fruitful involvement in Wikimedia movement as an editor of the Wikimedia projects, organizer of Wikimedia Nederland, active Chapters Committee member, co-organizer of several international meetings and the Wiki Loves Monuments initiative, makes him a good candidate for this position. We think that the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees needs a person who has such a widespread experience, by playing almost all possible roles in the Wikimedia movement. We believe, that this long commitment to the movement and cooperation with external bodies (e.g. during WLM) gives him a deep understanding of the underlying mechanisms and possible directions for the future. Statement[edit]I have been active with Wikimedia for a long time now, and I feel deeply involved with the movement decisions that have to be made. I feel that I have a lot of experience with how the Wikimedia movement works and doesn't work - specifically when it comes to chapters and (primarily) volunteer run real life projects. The movement stands for many important choices, and many of those require a position by the Board of Trustees of the Wikimedia Foundation. Therefore, I am happy and honored to accept the nomination of Wikimedia Polska. I am not someone with an extensive background in governing major organizations, and my financial, legal and technical background are not exceeding those of the average Wikipedian. I am also not a typical barricade protesting person - but I try to build bridges between people and organizations. Create an understanding on both sides of a conflict (such as now with the funds discussions) and trying to find the best solution for all involved. I have been quite involved both practically and emotionally with the Wikimedia Movement for a while now. In 2005 I joined the projects, and in 2006 I helped found the Dutch chapter and saw it grow as a board member in the five years after from nothing to a recognized charity hiring its first employee and office space. I have been involved in several international collaborations within Wikimedia over the years such as the Green Paper initiative (EU lobby), the Chapters Meeting, the Chapters Committee and Wiki Loves Monuments. I like to believe I have developed a broad view of how the Wikimedia Movement organizations function and don't function. If you are looking for the person with all the great Solutions That Will Solve Everything, then I would probably not be the right person either - however, I am someone who will always try to keep an open mind, listen to arguments and actually change my opinion when needed and persuaded. If I would get selected in the board of the Wikimedia Foundation, I intend to remain active both in the content projects and in chapter run activities (first of all Wiki Loves Monuments 2012!), although possibly at a lower level. That way I hope to 'keep my hands dirty'. Some things that I find very important (and I won't bother you with long explanations why and all buts, ifs and howevers):
How you may know me (a.k.a. resume)[edit]As Lodewijk or under my nickname 'effeietsanders':
Further background:
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