[Note: Candidates were limited to 300 words for each answer.]
What are your thoughts on the OTW accepting volunteers who are under the age of 18, even if they might be over the age of legal majority in their country of origin?
The OTW accepts volunteers from ages 13 and up. For legal reasons, some of our committees have stricter age restrictions due to the nature of their work. This means that, for example, a 15 year-old could be a translator, but they would not be able to be a tag wrangler.
With these limitations in place, I believe it is a good thing for the organization to accept underage volunteers. Fandom is an infinitely diverse environment, and it can only make us better to acknowledge this fact. Our youngest teammates have proven over and over again that they are perfectly able to create meaningful fannish works, and this has carried over into their contribution to the OTW. I believe there is no reason to prevent them from participating in the community they care for by volunteering in the organization.
Assuming Legal okayed it, should non-paying volunteers who’ve been with the OTW for over X months be eligible either for voting in the elections and/or being elected for board?
If Legal approves, then yes, absolutely! Some of our volunteers dedicate a truly outstanding number of work hours to the organization, and it would only be fair to allow their voice to be heard even if they don’t hold a staff title or can’t afford our membership fees.