2026 GM

Author: neural-loop

content/blog/announcing-2026-general-meeting-elections/index.md

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+---
+title: "Announcing the 2026 General Meeting & Call for Leadership"
+date: 2025-12-18
+description: "Join us on January 20th for our Annual General Meeting. We are calling for nominations for the next Chair and Secretary to lead ONM's evolution from a community hub to a research institution."
+image: "voting-box.jpg" 
+draft: false
+author:
+  - "The Executive Committee"
+tags: ["governance", "community", "election", "AGM"]
+---
+
+As 2025 draws to a close, Open Neuromorphic stands at a pivotal moment. Over the last year, we have formalized our governance, launched the **[Open Neuromorphic Research (ONR)](/neuromorphic-computing/research/)** program, and built a robust operational engine driven by dedicated volunteers.
+
+In accordance with our [Organisational Charter]({{< ref "/about/governance/organisational-charter" >}}), we are pleased to announce our **2026 Annual General Meeting (GM)**. This meeting will set the strategic direction for the coming year and host the elections for the next Executive Committee.
+
+## Event Details
+
+*   **Date:** Tuesday, January 20th, 2026 (Tentative)
+*   **Time:** 17:00 CET / 11:00 AM EST
+*   **Location:** Virtual (Link will be provided to registered members)
+*   **Agenda:**
+  *   2025 Community Report & Financial Overview
+  *   Ratification of the 2026 Strategic Roadmap
+  *   **Election of Officers (Chair & Secretary)**
+
+## The Vision for 2026: From Hub to Institution
+
+In 2025, we focused on building infrastructure. We established the website as a knowledge graph, launched the Mission Board, and created the policies that govern our open-source collaboration.
+
+In 2026, our goal is to evolve Open Neuromorphic from a community hub into a **Research Institution**. We aim to become a formal consortium that not only aggregates knowledge but actively shapes policy, standardizes infrastructure (like taxonomies and interoperability), and secures funding to support open-source maintainers.
+
+To achieve this, we are opening nominations for two key leadership roles.
+
+## Call for Nominations
+
+We are seeking leaders who can bridge the gap between academic rigor, open-source development, and strategic growth.
+
+**Important Note on Operational Continuity:**
+To ensure stability during this transition, **Justin Riddiough will retain the seat of Vice-Chair** for the 2026 term. He will continue to manage the digital infrastructure, website, and automation pipelines. This ensures that incoming officers can focus on **strategy and community**, rather than technical operations.
+
+### 1. The Chair
+*The Strategic Architect*
+
+We are looking for a Chair to guide ONM's transition into a formal consortium. This is a high-level strategic role, not an operational one. Day-to-day logistics (events, social media, discord moderation) are now handled by our capable [Volunteer Teams](/contributors/), allowing the Chair to focus on high-impact goals.
+
+**Ideal Qualifications:**
+*   **Academic & Scientific Credibility:** Ability to represent ONM to research labs, funding bodies (e.g., NSF, EU Grants), and industry partners.
+*   **Open Source Pedigree:** A deep understanding of the software ecosystem (snnTorch, Brian, Norse, etc.) and the needs of maintainers.
+*   **Strategic Vision:** An interest in defining standards, such as hardware/software taxonomies and policy frameworks.
+
+### 2. The Secretary
+*Director of Community*
+
+The Secretary is the heartbeat of our governance. While the Charter defines this role as the keeper of records, we view the 2026 Secretary as the **Director of Community**.
+
+**Ideal Qualifications:**
+*   **Communication Skills:** Passionate about connecting people and fostering an inclusive environment.
+*   **Organizational Insight:** Managing the membership roll, coordinating with volunteer leads, and ensuring our governance remains transparent and accessible.
+
+## How to Nominate
+
+Per our Charter, any active member of the Open Neuromorphic community may nominate themselves or another member for office.
+
+1.  **Check Eligibility:** You must be an active member of the community.
+2.  **Submit Nomination:** Please add your nomination to the **[2026 Candidates Spreadsheet](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KOqMB0fnD3AoEALp3CrUygVpTP7SuX2Ekhwa0O5aUpI/edit?gid=0#gid=0)**.
+3.  **Deadline:** Nominations close on **January 15th, 2026**.
+
+## Voting Process
+
+Voting will take place during the General Meeting. If you cannot attend, please contact the current Secretary to arrange a proxy vote or asynchronous ballot as permitted by the Charter.
+
+We look forward to seeing you there and building the future of Open Neuromorphic together.
+
+**— The Open Neuromorphic Executive Committee**