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.org
Year: 2007 Week: 25 Number: 75 Extra
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An independent internal news bulletin
for the members of the Wikimedia community
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=== Statement by candidate Yann Forget ===
I have been involved in Wikimedia projects since December 2002 (4.5
years), mainly on Wikipedia, Wiktionary, Commons and Wikisource. I am
one of the early contributors of Wikisource, from when it was still
called Project Sourceberg. I am admin on about a dozen Wikimedia
projects and steward since June 2005. I proposed the creation of
Wikimédia France in November 2003, of which I was secretary in 2004-2005.
I am a computer professional specialized in free software since 1998.
Before that I worked for 10 years with NGOs on humanitarian, social and
cultural projects. I would like to bring my experience of non-profit
organizations and free culture movement to the service of Wikimedia
Foundation. I would like the Foundation to be an influential
organization, to bring free knowledge far and wide. My main input would
be working on financial independence.
I was director of a technical school founded by the Anglican Church in
India. As an employee, I also worked for "Fédération des œuvres laïques"
(Non religious cultural organization), teaching computer basic to
children, and "Partenaires" (Partners) a French NGO working on
development and humanitarian assistance in India. I worked 6 months as a
full time volunteer for Peace Brigades International in civil war torn
Sri Lanka, and 2 years part time with "Friends of All", an Indian NGO
dedicated to improving education in rural India.
As being a board member needs time, I decided to work part-time if
elected to be able to cope with the amount of work needed for the
Foundation.
== Ads ==
I think that advertising cannot be neutral. Putting ads on Wikimedia web
sites would change the perception of the projects. They would not be
seen as free. There are many other financial possible resources, so
resorting to ads would be a failure of the financial management to bring
these resources to the Foundation.
== Banding ==
Branding of a non profit organization is fundamentally different of
branding of a business company. In addition, we should find a balance
between the independent development of the projects and the branding of
the Foundation as a whole.
== Foundation projects development ==
A business developer is useful to organize the management of Foundation
services (datafeeds, trademarks for the Foundation and third parties
products, etc.).
I think that Wikibooks, Commons, Wikinews, Wiktionary, Wikisource, etc.
should receive more help from the Foundation. Some budget should be
earmarked for their development, and promotion.
== Priorities ==
My priorities are:
# Creating an endowment fund to insure long term financial viability.
Developing other sources of funding (grants, business partnerships, etc.).
# Creating a technical roadmap for Mediawiki development. Implementing SUL.
# Developing detailed legal guidelines to contributors, particularly
about copyright.
== Others ==
The most efficient way to reduce greenhouse gases is to reduce energy
consumption. Investment in energy saving is wise, both on a long term
financial plan and greenhouse gas reduction. Buying carbon offset could
be done, but is only a short term remedy.
Thanks for your support.
Regards,
Yann
http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Board_elections/2007/Candidates/en#User:Yann
http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Board_elections/2007/Candidates/Yann/questio…
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