It’s election season at OpenStreetMap US! We are seeking two mapping enthusiasts to fill the open seats. Nominations for the OpenStreetMap US Board of Directors will open on Monday, January 26, 2026. We hope you will consider running. As a member of the OpenStreetMap US board, you can help shape the strategy and future of OpenStreetMap US at an exciting time of growth for the organization. The benefits and responsibilities of the board include:
- Working with the other board members in support of the OSM US community
- Supporting our Executive Director & the staff team in strategic planning efforts
- Supporting the mapping community through mailing lists and chat rooms
- Making a difference at the local, national, and international levels
- Facilitating interactions with other organizations, academics, government, and private companies, and supporting fundraising efforts.
There are two open seats in this election. The board members whose terms are expiring are Levente Juhász and Harrison Devine, both of whom are eligible to run this cycle. Board members who will continue to serve through 2027 are Kiri Carini, Matthew Whilden, and Jazzy Smith. Thanks to Harrison and Levente for their 2 years of service!
What makes a great board member?
Exceptional board members are passionate about the growth of the OpenStreetMap community in the United States and support our organization’s mission. Legal, fundraising, or financial management experience (particularly in nonprofit and open source spaces) is optional but highly beneficial to supporting the growth of our organization. Overall, a great board member prioritizes guiding the achievement of our organizational goals and aligning them with the needs of our community. Any active, paid member of OpenStreetMap US is eligible to become a Board member.
The OpenStreetMap US board is a governance-style nonprofit board with volunteer board members focusing on the overall mission, strategy, oversight, and accountability. This free short course from Nonprofit Ready provides an overview of nonprofit board service and effective board leadership (which is not required for running).
Curious about board service? Reach out to our current Board Members to learn more and ask questions about board roles and activities. The board will also be presenting at the upcoming Mapping USA on January 30 - 31, a free event open to all, including non-members. Register here!
Requirements & Expectations
To be eligible for nomination:
- Be passionate about OpenStreetMap and its community and interested in shaping strategy and supporting governance.
- Be a current member of OpenStreetMap US by February 9, 2026. Join us today!
Elected Board members are expected to:
- Attend regular (usually monthly) one-hour virtual board meetings;
- Read materials provided by the Executive Director before board meetings.
- Communicate with the board and staff team regularly (usually via Slack);
- Represent community and organizational interests over personal interests;
- Contribute 1-5 hours per month to community engagement activities such as hosting a Mappy Hour, participating in a Working Group, actively supporting the community through mailing lists and communication channels, or writing a blog post.
Nomination Instructions
Nominations will open on Monday, January 26, 2026, and close on Saturday, February 8, 2026. To nominate yourself, please go to the election wiki page and add yourself to the list. You can also see more information about the schedule and process there.
Nominees are encouraged (but not required) to provide position statements upon nomination via links on the election wiki page or a statement embedded in the table. In addition to position statements on the wiki, nominees will also have the opportunity to state their positions, answer questions and meet other candidates during the virtual Nominee Town Hall.
Town Hall
We will host one virtual town hall with the candidates before voting begins (scheduled sometime between February 9th and 20th). During the virtual town hall, you will have a chance to ask questions and hear from the candidates. More information, including time and registration link, will be posted to the wiki closer to the date.
Election
To vote, you must be a paid, active member of OpenStreetMap US with Opt-In voting status by Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 11:59 pm EST. Only qualified members will receive a ballot.
If you have not set your voting status, please do so by the deadline above by logging into your OSM US member account on Neon. Not a member? Join today!
Voting will open at noon EST on Monday, February 23rd, and end on Sunday, March 1st, at 11:59 pm EST. New board members will be announced on March 2.
A Note on Systems & Processes
A member of the OpenStreetMap US Governance Committee will oversee the voting process. We will continue to use Ranked Choice Voting. Results will be confirmed by a member of the Governance Committee.
Best of luck to all the nominees! And thanks for voting!
