[diversity] How to not to continue electing only white men (ARIN Board of Trustees)

Dear all,

I find this example from another RIR community relevant for our efforts 
on increasing diversity and inclusion:
http://lists.arin.net/pipermail/arin-consult/2017-July/000891.html

This time, it's about choosing the board of trustees; but it could be 
any panel, group of presenters at a conference, C-level directors, 
working-group chairs, programme committee...

I am forwarding this message with a permission of the original author, 
Bill Woodcock. Thank you, Bill, for your brave stand & great example of 
being an ally!

Regards,
Vesna

> [ARIN-consult] 2017 Call for Nominations: ARIN Board of Trustees
>
> From: Bill Woodcock (woody at pch.net)
 > Date: Tue Jul 18 04:22:09 EDT 2017

> This year I conclude my fifth term as an ARIN board member, and I
> have just declined nomination to run again.
>
> I decline not because I have less to give to the community, but
> because my presence on the board is contributing to the most
> persistent problem the organization is facing.
>
> I have nominated six candidates for the board, all of whom are at
> least as qualified as anyone presently serving, myself included.
> NONE OF THEM ARE WHITE MEN.  And the only hard thinking I had to do
> was how to narrow it down to just six.  There is no shortage of
> qualified women, nor shortage of qualified people of other
> ethnicities.  As a community, we have NO EXCUSE to continue electing
> only white men.  We know that, we acknowledge it in meetings, yet
> when it comes time for the nomcom to build a slate and the electorate
> to vote, you keep picking me and people who look like me, rather than
> better-qualified women and men who could be representing your
> interests better than I do.
>
> I’m giving up my seat for one reason, and one reason only.  Do not
> waste this opportunity.  Do not screw this up.  Do not think that you
> can just wait one more year before addressing it.  I need you all to
> stop making excuses, stop rationalizing that only a white man really
> understands your problems, and REPLACE ME AND TIM WITH TWO OF THESE
> EXCELLENT CANDIDATES.  Their experience is more current, their
> perspective is more valuable, and they’ll be more fun at socials.
> Once you’ve taken this step, I promise you you’ll be wondering why
> you didn’t replace us sooner.
>
> -Bill

http://lists.arin.net/pipermail/arin-consult/2017-July/thread.html#887