• News Deb Bryant 2026 OSI Elections Update Pausing the 2026 Board Election Cycle to Improve How OSI Selects Directors and Hears the Community Over a decade ago, OSI introduced an experiment in non-profit governance: a public board election process. • We wanted the board composition to be more representative of the broad community we serve, and this process seemed like a real, practical way to accomplish this. • The intent was to create a structured feedback mechanism for the community to help inform board member selection and to broaden stakeholder participation around who leads this organization. • After observing fourteen years of experience and process iteration, and after closely reviewing community feedback and concerns about the most recent election cycle, I presented an unsolicited proposal to the OSI board on January 17 and asked them to consider two things: 1) to not hold the Spring 2026 elections when scheduled in order to 2) take time to revisit our current governance processes. • After much discussion and thoughtful consideration, the board voted in favor of both actions. • This decision is also about being honest regarding outcomes: the experiment has not produced the results we hoped for.
Article Summaries:
- 2026 OSI Elections Update
The OSI board has decided to cancel the scheduled spring 2026 board election cycle. The decision follows a decade‑long experiment with public elections that, according to board members, has caused confusion, operational strain, and eroded trust. In response, the board will establish a working group to review and improve the board‑selection process and stakeholder engagement. The group will assess the original goals of the public election experiment, evaluate alternative governance models, and present recommendations by September 2026. The pause aims to provide clarity and stability ahead of a forthcoming permanent Executive Director appointment.
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