Election Frequently Asked Questions - Overview and Requirements

Which positions in the OTW are elected?

All members of the OTW Board of Directors are elected by the paying members of the OTW in annual elections. Since the term of service is three years, 1/3 of the board’s seats are up for election in any given year.

What does a member of the Board of Directors do?

Collectively, the Board:

  • Carries out strategic planning and decision-making.
  • Maintains long-term focus for the organization.
  • Monitors progress toward strategic goals.
  • Ensures organizational legal compliance.
  • Takes responsibility for organizational actions.
  • Has legal responsibility for the organization and its finances with the IRS.
  • Signs contracts, disburses funds, and transacts business of various kinds. Does strategic planning and decision-making in areas which include OTW’s mission, annual budget, projects, and priorities.

Individual Board members:

  • Attend weekly chat-based meetings.
  • Keep up to speed with relevant organizational communications and reports.
  • Act in good faith, in the best interests of OTW, as detailed in our Conflicts of Interest policy statement.

Most Board members also chair an OTW Committee, or are liaison to one or more Committees. Members of the Board often spend 20 or more hours per week on work for the organization, and a Board role can easily amount to the equivalent of a part-time job.

Who is eligible to become a candidate?

A candidate must:

  • Be a paid member of OTW by eight weeks before the election.
  • Be at least 18 years old at the time of the election.
  • Be a current member serving as staff on a standing committee and have served for a full term. A current staffer who has been on hiatus for some part of that year's term will still be considered eligible if they also served on a committee during a previous term.
  • Provide a brief candidacy statement.
  • Run under their legal name.

For more details, please see the elections policies.

Why do I have to serve on a committee before I can run?

Being an OTW Board member is a serious position of stewardship. The requirement of one term's service was written very early on into our bylaws, and it is intended to produce a pool of candidates with a demonstrated commitment to the organization and its values.

Why do I need to use my real name?

Board members must serve under their legal names due to IRS regulations for incorporated nonprofit organizations. Moreover, members of the board sign contracts, disburse funds, make binding commitments, correspond with outside individuals and agencies, and transact business of various kinds. We have to have legal identities in order to do the work of the OTW.

Will my real name and fannish identity be connected?

No. We will never connect your real name and fannish identity unless you specifically choose to do so yourself. Moreover, we can help candidates protect their fannish names by helping them to craft bios that explain the qualities they bring to the board without drawing a direct line to their fan names or their work on any particular committee.

Do specific seats have specific requirements?

No. The elected Board members will choose officers and assign responsibilities among their own numbers.