The VNGOC nomiantions committee is inviting nominations for the Board positions of Deputy Chairperson, Treasurer, and Secretary.
Individuals may only be nominated for a maximum of two positions.Please see the Terms of Reference (https://vngoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ToR-for-Board-Postions.pdf) for information on specific Board positions. Board members are expected to travel to Vienna at least once a year to attend Board meetings, at the expense of their own organization.Please note that Board members will not receive financial compensation for their work and contributions to the VNGOC.
As directed by the membership, the VNGOC nominating committee has reviewed the current make-up of the board and the gaps already existing and created by the upcoming election process. In order to achieve balance, we are especially encouraging candidates who meet one or more of the following criteria to apply Candidates identifying as women, candidates from the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, candidates with current or previous lived experience of drug use, or someone otherwise directly impacted by drug policies.
Furthermore, the Nomination Committee will consider experience as an additional asset. After its evaluation, the Nomination Committee is committed to present all the candidates to facilitate transparency while sharing recommendations that would result in a balanced Board.
Members of the Board of the VNGOC are elected to serve for a period of two years. Only individuals from VNGOC member organisations in good standing (i.e. paid the 2025 & 2026 membership fees by 15th February 2026) may nominate candidates and be eligible to vote.
The electronic Nomination Form should be completed by no later than 15th February 2026, 11.45 p.m. CET.If the nominated candidate is not the Chairperson, President, Chief Executive Officer, Executive Director or equivalent of their organization, they should have the approval of the aforementioned individual. Nominations must be seconded by another member organization that is in good standing. According to the VNGOC Rules of Procedure, Nomination Forms will only be accepted in English and those that are partially or incorrectly completed will be rejected by the Nominations Committee.
We look forward to receiving nominations and thank you in advance for yourcooperation.
Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs Election Committee
Cressida De Witte, World Federation Against Drugs
Edward Carlson, Odyssey House Louisiana, Inc.
Hugo Faira, Ares Do Pinhal
George Ochieng, Slum Child Foundation
Mousa Daoud, TJADS
Paulo Thiessen, ACURA
Peter Moilanen, Drug Policy Centre Sweden
Stephanie Strutner, Prevention Alliance of Tennessee
Steve Rolles, Transform
