Just catching up here before moving on to the new subject:
Ethel, I've been up for the previous round of admin-election, wasn't elected, but have left my name on the list. I don't expect to be elected next time or any time, really, but I want people to know that if they want me to help, I'd be willing to. So, I really don't understand where you see a problem - it's not a personal offense not be voted into an office!
I wouldn't like to do any campaigning, but giving a bit of info on what you can offer that makes you suitable for the job, isn't a bad idea, I think (although I can't think of anything to say about myself - LOL - will try to think of something later). Just like V just said with respect to the spokesperson-job: admining is the kind of job that, if you really want it, you are probably not really suited for.
I agree that, with the way the world goes, that sort of vote is always a sort of popularity contest, but I really hope people won't take offense at not being voted in, for whatever reason someone else was preferred by the majority.
Edit: Actually, I think with some fairly high chance
not to get elected, it's easier to put yourself up for the vote!
This system allows you to just tell yourself that the chances you'll be up for a lot of work that's not much fun to do at the expense of enjoying yourself on the boards are very slight, so you only have to get ready to get involved in it in the unlikely case you get elected.