[HOT] Board Elections: another Personal Opinion

[Schuyler Erle]

On Jan 14, 2013, at 12:00 AM, Severin MENARD wrote:

> Other kind of flexibility we have to state is the example of Heather potentially passing non HOT member to board member in one month: I actually totally agree with Kate about Heather and would vote for her without any problem and even pleasure; it just makes me smile after the din some did about the nominations of field volunteers last month, and only as members. 

Severin, while I agree with much of what you had to say, the situations with Heather and with the 20 or so EUROSHA volunteers are not at all comparable. Prior to their nomination, the EUROSHA volunteers were completely unknown to me, and probably to most of the people on this mailing list. In fact, I think none of them have ever posted a message to this list, or otherwise introduced themselves or their work to our community. While I'm sure we all appreciate their contributions, I don't see what could possibly entitle them to a voice in determining the organization's policy.

By contrast, Heather Leson is a long-time friend and collaborator of HOT. She has been involved in crisis mapping for years, and has a proven record of dealing wisely with the sensitive issues of mapping vulnerable parts of the world. More to the point, in volunteering for a role of responsibility on the Team, she took pains to introduce herself and her intentions for doing so. She is no stranger to our community, and I am proud to endorse her for a seat on the Board of Directors.

SDE