Dearly offline,
The Wikimedia Summit was last weekend in Berlin, which I attended on behalf
of WOW. It focused entirely on the idea of a Charter for our movement and
setting up a representative Council that could make global decisions
independently of the WMF.
Notes from the WM Summit
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Summit_2024#Final_Outputs_of_the_…>
compiled
by the hosts.
Photos from the event
<https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Wikimedia_Summit_2024>
*Charter thoughts*
I found aspects of the current charter draft to be arbitrary and too
operational
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Talk:Movement_Charter#In_flux,_incomplete,_…>,
creating a large body without clarity about what it would do, with little
connection to the work of editors on the projects, and with hard-to-change
founding documents.
The main focus of the Berlin discussions was to identify changes that
attendees felt had to be made to the charter, for it to work. Answers to
questions posed ['what do you see as deal-breakers to approving a charter?
/ how would you improve the current text?"] were workshopped over two days
in groups. Then there was a final filtering into 46 condensed suggestions
that those in attendance voted on, and this filter removed some important
points of feedback. Given how the whole progressed, it would have
benefited from input from a broader group [at least sharing regular photos
back with our groups? I would try this next time] and from having already
responded to the most common feedback given on the charter talk page
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Talk:Movement_Charter>.
I don't feel the conclusion of the process worked. Some of the condensed
statements were underspecified, overcomplicated, or costly for little
benefit. Some common points -- for instance, that the charter had to be
simpler; or that a supermajority should be needed for ratification -- were
filtered out entirely. Only one proposal even mentioned unaffiliated
editors + groups, and translated that concept as '*unorganized volunteers*'
which, considering the wealth and depth of on-wiki organization, is not
accurate at all. The emotional build-up to the vote, and the presentation
of proposals in isolation, as though there were no tradeoffs involved,
contributed to every proposal getting majority support.
As an alternate example of how we could make progress in global governance,
I drafted a minimalist charter
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Sj/Design_chats/Charter/en> that
captures tasks I heard people expect such a body to do, and would stay
flexible while we try to actually address those tasks in the coming year.
This is a wiki document: if the idea appeals, please edit it.
The drafting committee's plan is unchanged: to revise the charter draft
once more, then hold a movement-wide vote to ratify it in June. The
ratification would include a vote of affiliates (one vote per affiliate?),
and a simultaneous vote of all editors (one vote per person).
*Other movement thoughts*
Many recurring topics at the Summit seemed healthy: WMDE was adamant about
helping others learn to manage movement-governance events like the Summit,
and about not hosting themselves in two years' time. The spirit of peer
support and mentorship was very strong.
And some recurring topics felt unhealthy: mainly a sense of dependency.
Some affiliates said they felt they could not do anything without WMF
approval and grants, but did not want to feel any obligation to learn how
to develop independent support and partnerships. Some committee members
felt they could only function with WMF-assigned staff and substantial
budgets, based on a bureaucratic model of governance that has not worked
well for us.
*WOW interest*
There was much interest in offline wikis among other attendees, and people
who said they would reach out in the coming weeks. We might think about
running an online workshop on getting started with offline wikis, before
Wikimania. Jan Ainali interviewed me and others about our groups, for a
podcast series; I will let you know when it comes out.
— SJ
Hey All
A few updates from Wiki Med.
1) We are transitioning the Internets-in-a-Box we ship to using 256 Gb SD
cards and rasp pi zero W 2s. Shipment of new parts just came in. Price per
unit is staying the same at 40 USD for LMIC and 50 USD for high income
countries. https://mdwiki.org/wiki/WikiProjectMed:Internet-in-a-Box
2) We are working on an agreement to distribute the devices via the
Wikipedia store. Prices there will likely be a fair bit more due to the
costs added by that service but will be much more professional looking than
what we offer now.
--
James Heilman
MD, CCFP-EM, Wikipedian
Promoting someone else initiatives here... which might be of interest to you
From Joris Darlington
We're thrilled to announce that all recorded sessions from the
Wikimedia Tech Safari Program are now uploaded to the program's schedule
and documentation pages!
Thank you for your patience as we processed the recordings. We also
want to express our sincere gratitude for your participation and
contributions to a fantastic program.
You can find the recordings listed alongside the speaker
information, community links, and source code details for each session.
Schedule :
https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Tech_Safari_Program/Schedule
Documentation :
https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Tech_Safari_Program/Documentation
Flo/Anthere
Hello everyone
I hope every one is ok !
Please allow me to share with you a recent message from Natalia related
to proposed modifications to requirements for affiliates to stay in good
standing.
Short version, look at this page on meta :
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_Affiliates_Strategy/Re…
Best
Florence
-------- Message transféré --------
Sujet : [Wikimedia-l] Feedback invited on proposed requirements for
affiliates & user groups recognition changes
Date : Wed, 7 Feb 2024 17:56:25 +0200
De : Nataliia Tymkiv <ntymkiv(a)wikimedia.org>
Répondre à : Wikimedia Mailing List <wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
Pour : Wikimedia Mailing List <wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
Dear all,
I would like to share with you the outputs of the Wikimedia Foundation
Affiliate Strategy process [1], and to invite you to give feedback on
the proposed changes to requirements for all affiliates & to user groups
recognition process (more below).
The 2017 Strategic Direction
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Strategy/Wikimedia_movement/2017>says
that we, the Wikimedia Movement, would build “the services and
structures that enable others to … advance our world by collecting
knowledge that fully represents human diversity” while carrying on “our
mission of developing content”. As Wikimedia affiliates are a key and
integral part of the Wikimedia movement and have knowledge and expertise
to share, the movement’s success depends greatly on affiliates as they
help people join us in doing mission-aligned work. The Wikimedia
Foundation Affiliates Strategy report [2] identified a need to
streamline the role of the Affiliations Committee (AffCom) on
recognition of Wikimedia Affiliates, and identified issues with the
current state of the process.
After conversations with AffCom, the Board liaisons to AffCom identified
two areas for improvement. These areas are about the relevant work and
mandate of the Board related to affiliate recognition:
1) requirements for affiliates; and
2) improving the workflows around the process for the creation and
recognition of a user group.
The proposal on Meta [3] is suggesting to change the requirements for
all existing Wikimedia affiliates, not just the legal entities. There
are ten proposed criteria for a healthy affiliate. Examples include
focusing on continuity by being an active group and welcoming new users,
having good governance, and actively delivering on mission goals.
Compliance with these requirements would be self-reported by the
affiliates. The Board liaisons will work with the Affiliations Committee
to publish a resolution outlining how affiliates would be expected to
fulfill these requirements to remain in good standing.
Throughout the Wikimedia Foundation Affiliate Strategy process, there
was also feedback about user groups. Initially, user groups were meant
as a first step toward creating chapters or thematic organizations. Over
the years, user groups have evolved and there are now legally
incorporated user groups, user groups with boards, etc. Getting started
does need to be easy, but also needs to make sense, and so there is a
proposal for changes to the current workflow. The recommendations [3]
include an outline of the sequential steps of a revised process.
The feedback can be given from today up till March 20, 2024 (Anywhere on
Earth). Hopefully a fairly long feedback period will allow affiliates to
consult with their membership, thinking it through practically.
To provide your feedback, please review the page here, on Meta, [3] and
leave comments on the talk page. Alternatively, you can join an open
call (February 14 and 28 at 14:00 to 14:30 UTC) or request a
conversation as a part of Talking:2024
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_Community_Affairs_Comm…>.
You can use the Wikimedia Foundation Community Affairs
Committee/Talking: 2024#Let’s Talk|Let’s Talk
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_Community_Affairs_Comm…'s_talk>feature
to sign up for a time to speak with me and other trustees about this
conversation or any other topic regarding the Wikimedia Foundation
Board, Movement Strategy, and more.
Note: New user group applications will be placed on hold for the
duration of this conversation – but the ones received before will be
reviewed according to the current process.
Best regards,
Nat & Mike & LorenzoWikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees Liaisons to
the Affiliations Committee
[1]
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_Affiliates_Strategy
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_Affiliates_Strategy>
[2]
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_Board_noticeboard/Wiki…
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_Board_noticeboard/Wiki…>
[3]
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_Affiliates_Strategy/Re…
Best regards,
antanana / Nataliia Tymkiv
Chair, Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees
/NOTICE: You may have received this message outside of your normal
working hours/days, as I usually can work more as a volunteer during
weekend. You should not feel obligated to answer it during your days
off. Thank you in advance!/
Dear Wikimedians,
We hope this message finds you well and that you are in good spirits. We
are the Let’s Connect working group
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Knowledge_Sharing/Connect/Team>- a
team of movement contributors/organizers who are liaison representatives of 7/8
regions <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_regions>. We are
connecting with you to see if you are interested in and/or know about the
peer-to-peer program, Let’s Connect
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Knowledge_Sharing/Connect>!
The program creates an open and safe learning space for any Wikimedian who is
part of an organized group to share and learn different skills
(organizational/interpersonal / grant related / learning & evaluation ...)
with other peers to add value and contribute collectively to the community.
The purpose is to further develop skills, share knowledge and promote human
connections and mutual support between different groups and communities, in
alignment with the Movement Strategy
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Movement_Strategy>.
Every month, we host 2-3 live 2-hour learning clinics
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Knowledge_Sharing/Connect#Live_learn…>
with
interesting topics selected by our team and our interested sharers. Our
live learning sessions have up to 4 interpreters translating the clinic for
our participants. Our main languages are Spanish | Arabic | French |
Portuguese. If there is a specific language you would like to see in the
calls, we are happy to see how we can accommodate it.
Let’s Connect is directed at Wikimedians in all regions that are part of
organized groups (this can range from a group of individuals that are not
formally organized user groups, chapters and mission-aligned
organizations). Please see our Meta page for more criteria
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Knowledge_Sharing/Connect#Who_is_Let…>.
To participate as a sharer, you can register in this initial registration
form
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdiea87tSYmB2-1XHn_u8RLe7efMJifJBz…>
where
you can register your learning and sharing interests and state if you want
to share your knowledge through Learning Clinics.
Below, you will find our team of 8 who are excited to meet with you if you
are interested. Please email our team at letsconnect(a)wikimedia.org if you
have any questions :)
We look forward to hearing from you.
Best,
The Let’s Connect Working Group
Hello everyone
Dumi is seeking feedback from us regarding this new Nigerian based UG
"Kiwix Wikimedians"
Any feedback from your side is welcome.
Florence
-------- Message transféré --------
Sujet : Affiliate notification about new user group - Kiwix Wikimedians
Date : Thu, 14 Dec 2023 11:25:28 +0200
De : Dumisani Ndubane <dndubane(a)wikimedia.org>
Pour : Florence Devouard <anthere(a)anthere.org>, Sj <meta.sj(a)gmail.com>
Copie à : Affiliations Committee list for Wikimedia user group
applications <usergroup-applications(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
Dear Wikimedians for Offline Wikis User Group,
I'm writing on behalf of the Affiliations Committee to request your
feedback on a proposed new user group.
As you probably know, Wikimedia user groups are intended to be simple
and flexible affiliates which offer an initial recognition for
qualifying groups to be able to operate with a brand name and logo use
for local projects and events.[1] User groups may come and go, or stay
to thrive and grow as user groups, or sometimes develop into chapters or
thematic organisations.
User groups do not have "ownership" or "exclusivity" of any territory,
and we encourage many user groups to coexist within the same region. We
aim to ensure peaceful coexistence by working with all new and existing
groups to identify their planned activities and goals, to connect on
shared movement goals, and to balance any potential overlaps with
agreements for operating in shared spaces.
At this time, we are reaching out to let you know that there is a new
group, Kiwix Wikimedians User Group [2], which has submitted an
application for recognition as a Wikimedia User Group. We are requesting
your feedback because this group seems to be working in some of the same
community or thematic spaces as you are. We want to hear any
observations, concerns, or other thoughts that you might be able to
offer regarding the group and its work so that the committee can
consider them as it reviews this application.
Links:
[1] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_movement_affiliates
[2] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Kiwix_Wikimedians_User_Group
Regards,
Dumisani Ndubane
Snr Governance Committee Strategist
Wikimedia Foundation <https://wikimediafoundation.org/>
Dumisani Ndubane
Snr Governance Committee Strategist
Wikimedia Foundation <https://wikimediafoundation.org/>
Hello all
Might interest you
Best
Flo
-------- Message transféré --------
Sujet : [All-affiliates] Wiki in Africa job announcement / ouverture poste
Date : Fri, 15 Dec 2023 16:06:49 +0100
De : Florence Devouard <fdevouard(a)gmail.com>
Répondre à : Wikimedia Affiliates <all-affiliates(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
Pour : Wikimedia Mailing List <Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org>,
Wikimedia Affiliates <all-affiliates(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
Hello everyone
I'd like to relay a job opening at Wiki in Africa.
We are hiring a Program Facilitator, with two main roles : Live
BroadCast Facilitator and Lead Ambassador for WikiAfrica Tools.
Paid position, 50% of time, 100% remote
Deadline to apply : 07th of January
Starting : earliest convenience Feb
All details and links to apply here :
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wiki_In_Africa/Job
Best
Florence
------------------------
Bonjour
Je voudrais relayer une offre d'emploi chez Wiki in Africa. Nous
recherchons un-e Facilitateur-trice pour nos programmes, avec deux rôles
principaux : Facilitateur-trice broadcasting et Ambassadeur-drice pour
les outils WikiAfrica. Poste rémunéré, 50% du temps, 100% à distance.
Date limite de candidature : 7 janvier Début : au plus tôt en février
Tous les détails et liens pour postuler ici :
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wiki_In_Africa/Job
Meilleures salutations,
Florence
-------- Message transféré --------
Sujet : [Wikimania-l] Road to Wikimania 2024: Scholarship Orientation –
you are invited!
Date : Tue, 28 Nov 2023 18:25:14 +0100
De : Wikipedysta Nadzik <pl.wikipedia.nadzik(a)gmail.com>
Répondre à : Wikimania general list (open subscription)
<wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
Pour : Wikimania general list (open subscription)
<wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
Hi everyone!
The Wikimania 2024 Core Organising Team have opened the application for
scholarships and we are receiving lots of enthusiasm and questions about
the process.
As previously announced, we will be facilitating orientation sessions to
discuss the scholarship applications and answer your questions. These
scholarship orientation sessions will be the first of our open call
series entitled *Road to Wikimania 2024*, where we will be providing
prospective scholars and attendees with the information you’ll need for
the event.
There will be 3 time options for the scholarship orientation to choose
from. Feel free to click one of them to add it to your Google Calendar
(meeting link included).
Option 1 – Thursday, November 30, 17:00 UTC
<https://calendar.google.com/calendar/event?action=TEMPLATE&tmeid=N2JtODdqMm…>–
THIS WEEK!
Option 2 – Thursday,December 07, 13:00 UTC
<https://calendar.google.com/calendar/event?action=TEMPLATE&tmeid=NHI3cjlmYX…>
Option 3 – Friday,December 15, 09:00 UTC
<https://calendar.google.com/calendar/event?action=TEMPLATE&tmeid=Nmo2YzlyMW…>
You may also find the meeting link and information on Wikimania Wiki
<https://wikimania.wikimedia.org/wiki/2024:Scholarships#Open_calls_%22A_road…>.The
sessions will be recorded and published on Wikimania Wiki for those who
cannot attend. You may find the meeting notes on thisEtherpad link
<https://etherpad.wikimedia.org/p/ARoadToWikimania2024Notes>.
*The agenda of each session will include:*
– General update about Wikimania 2024
– Information about the Wikimania scholarship application and selection
process
– Q&A with the COT and the support staff
Don’t miss out on the chance to get your question answered during the
session! You can still reach the Scholarships Committee directly at
wikimania-scholarships(a)wikimedia.org.
Cheers!
In the name of the Wikimania 2024 Core Organizing Team
--
Maciej Artur Nadzikiewicz (He/him)
Wikimania 2024 Poland – Team Lead
Wikimedia Europe Board Member
Wikipedia Administrator
User:Nadzik <https://wikimania.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Nadzik>
Hello
Please find our UserGroup annual report here :
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Offline_Projects/Reports/June_2023
If interested by this topic, please feel free to join our mailing list,
continue the conversation, and/or add your name in the membership page.
Best
Anthere
Hello friends
This is the time for the annual report about offline activities.
I'd like to invite you to add any info you might think relevant here :
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Offline_Projects/Reports/June_2023
(and do not hesitate to improve/update the portal pages as well)
Best
Anthere