User:Steven Crossin/MedCom/Nominations

Appointments process

The Mediation Committee is self-perpetuating, so new mediators are appointed with the consent of a majority of the Committee's existing members. In order to be appointed, new mediators must file a nomination or consent to be nominated by a member of the Committee and must submit that nomination using the prescribed format. Members of the Committee will be alerted to the nomination by the Chairman and will then participate in the discussion to form a consensus. Nominations last no less than one week and no more than four, and can also be participated in by editors who are not members of MedCom.

After a reasonable time, the Chairman closes the nomination and evaluates whether there is an adequate level of support for the nomination. Whilst non-mediators are invited to comment on the suitability of a candidate, only the opinions of Committee members are counted when the Chairman determines the outcome of the nomination. Emeritus members of the Mediation Committee retain the right to vote in nominations. There is not a strict minimum amount of support necessary for a nomination to be promoted. But the Committee does enforce a "two oppose rule", whereby nominations that attract opposition from two or more mediators must fail. Jimmy Wales retains the right to veto nominations to the Committee, although he rarely comments on nominations.

There are no formal minimum requirements of candidates, but appointment to the Mediation Committee is an appointment to an official Wikipedia committee and so require that candidates be:

Trusted members of the English Wikipedia;
Experienced editors: As many of the disputes that reach formal mediation are complex, mediators must have a sound knowledge of article development, editorial collaboration, and dispute resolution.
Of suitable temperament: Candidates should be seen to always interact and collaborate positively with other editors. An editor with a corrosive personality would have great difficulty in fostering agreement between parties in a mediation case.
Experienced in Wikipedia dispute resolution. In addition to being generally experienced, nominees should be able to demonstrate a strong history of resolving disputes on Wikipedia. Real-life experience in resolving disputes is also a highly attractive feature in a candidate, but would not in itself be adequate because Wikipedia dispute resolution is in many aspects unique.

Self-nominations from prospective mediators are always welcome. Current Committee members are often on the lookout for strong candidates to nominate. Editors who have not been so approached should by no means presume that their nomination would fail, but should feel welcome to ask a mediator if they are unsure whether they are suitable. If you want to submit a nomination, go to Wikipedia:Mediation Committee/Nominations/Submit a nomination.