This is such an exciting time in the evolution of ORCID! With well over 1,000 members and more than 6.5 million users, ORCID expects to reach financial break-even this year. We’re therefore at a pivotal moment, when the organisation needs to move out of its start-up phase and into a mode where it can run as a self-sustaining, mature operation while losing none of the creative spark and innovative DNA that have characterised its first seven years.
This is a point, then, where it’s more important than ever that the ORCID Board provides the guidance needed to ensure that ORCID continues to make strong progress towards achieving its mission. It’s also important that the Board is as representative as possible of the ORCID community, and this is why the Board elections process is so critical. The Nominations Committee needs to select a slate of candidates that is balanced and diverse, taking into account different sectors, regions and skills, as well as the non-profit status requirements as established in the ORCID bylaws.
This year we would be particularly interested to hear from candidates who have expertise in the areas of research policy and management, finance, or risk management (with legal, privacy, identity, and/or security focus). We would like to maintain the strong representation that we have in the Asia-Pacific region, to strengthen our representation from Africa and mainland Europe, and to secure excellent candidates from Latin America. Our aim is to maintain a diverse group of people and viewpoints.
The Board meets three times a year so you will need to ensure that you can be available to travel to in-person meetings. There is financial support available to those for whom this could prove a barrier via our new Board Meeting Attendance Fund. The deadline for applications is 1 August 2019, and you can find more information about the Nominating Committee, the timetable and process, and Board member responsibilities on our Elections web page.
The application process is straightforward and the experience of serving on the ORCID Board is both exciting and extremely rewarding. You will have a real opportunity to influence the future direction of this important organisation, to help realise our vision of a world in which everyone who participates in research, scholarship, and innovation is uniquely identified and connected with their works and affiliations across disciplines, borders, and time. So please do consider joining us!
We look forward to hearing from you, and please contact me if you have any questions.
