Joomla is calling for a new President of Open Source Matters and it’s not just about having a title. It’s about empowering the community, lifting others up, and helping Joomla move forward together.

In the Joomla community, leadership is not defined by authority or control, but by creating conditions for others to succeed. It is about sharing a vision clearly, empowering contributors, and coordinating efforts without doing everything yourself because the strength of Joomla lies in its community, not a single person.

Reading the manifestos of some of the previous presidents of Open Source Matters, it is clear that they viewed the role as one centred on leadership, management and setting direction. There is an emphasis on vision, strategy and guiding the organisation forward. That is a perfectly valid interpretation of the office, and one that reflects how many non‑profit boards traditionally operate.

However, I see the role rather differently, and perhaps I am not alone in that.

For me, the presidency of Open Source Matters has two distinct dimensions.

Externally, it is primarily a figurehead role. The wider world of sponsors, partners, legal entities and other open source organisations often expect a single, identifiable person to represent the organisation. They look for someone who can speak on behalf of the project, provide reassurance, and symbolise stability and accountability. In that context, having a recognised president makes sense. It simplifies communication and satisfies external expectations.

Internally, though, the role is something else entirely. It is not about directing traffic from above or setting grand strategy in isolation. It is about encouragement, support and coordination. It is about working with the volunteers and board members who are actually doing the work and helping them succeed. The president, in this view, is a cheerleader. Someone who removes obstacles, connects people, celebrates achievements and keeps morale high when the workload feels heavy.

As I wrote previously, leadership in Joomla is not about leading from the front, nor about following from behind. It is about walking together. Nor is leadership about doing all the work yourself. The strength of Joomla has always come from collaboration, from shared ownership and from collective effort. The president of Open Source Matters should embody that spirit. Not as a commander issuing instructions, but as a partner ensuring that everyone moves forward together, side by side.

So Why Is This Role Still Empty?

Despite the importance of the role, the position of president of Open Source Matters is currently open. And that raises a simple but important question: who is willing to stand up?

It is easy to assume that the role requires a larger‑than‑life personality, someone with a grand vision for the future of Joomla or a master plan for the organisation. That perception alone may discourage people from even considering the position.

But if the role is understood differently — as representation externally and encouragement internally — then the pool of potential candidates becomes much larger.

• You should not have all the answers.
• You do not need to run the project single‑handedly.
• You should not be the loudest voice in the room.

What you do need is a willingness to listen, to support others, and to help create an environment where volunteers can do their best work.

Joomla Has Always Been a Collective Effort

Joomla has never been the product of a single leader or a single team. It exists because thousands of people have contributed their time, energy and ideas over many years.

Developers write the code. Documentation teams explain it. Community members answer questions. Event organisers bring people together. Translators make the software accessible to the world. And countless volunteers do the invisible work that keeps the project running.

The president of Open Source Matters does not replace that collective effort. The role exists to support it.

In many ways, the best president will be someone who understands that the real power of Joomla lies in the community itself and whose main goal is to help that community thrive.

This Is a Call to Step Forward

Every open source project eventually reaches moments where someone needs to step forward. Not because they have been appointed by fate, but because they care enough to help when the project needs it.

This may be one of those moments.

If you have ever thought about helping Joomla at a deeper level, this is an opportunity to do exactly that. The role of president is not about prestige or authority. It is about service.

It is about representing the project to the outside world while supporting the people who make the project possible.

And sometimes, the most important step is simply the first one: putting your name forward.

Maybe That Someone Is You

It is easy to assume that someone else will do it. Someone more experienced. Someone more visible. Someone more confident.

But open source does not work because of “someone else”. It works because individuals decide to act.

Right now there is an open call for candidate manifestos for the upcoming Open Source Matters elections. That is the first step in the process. Anyone who wishes to run simply needs to submit a manifesto outlining their ideas and intentions for the role. Once submitted, the community has the opportunity to ask questions, offer recommendations and ultimately vote.

In other words, the barrier to standing is not as high as you might think. It begins with a document and a willingness to serve.

So if you care about Joomla, if you believe in collaboration, and if you are willing to help the community move forward together, perhaps you should consider submitting a manifesto and standing for president of Open Source Matters.

Joomla does not need a commander.

It needs someone willing to walk alongside everyone else.

If you have ever wondered whether you could make a difference, this might be the moment to find out.