[Foundation-l] Update of Foundation organization

Mon Mar 5 20:24:36 UTC 2007

On 3/5/07, Oldak Quill <oldakquill at gmail.com> wrote:
> On 05/03/07, GerardM <gerard.meijssen at gmail.com> wrote:
> > Hoi,
> > An employee brings minimally as his/her commitment to work 40 hours a week.
> > An employee can be told to do what is deemed necessary by the organisation.
> > An employee is part of an hierarchy and he/she does not have the option to
> > say "Sorry, but like you I am a volunteer".
> >
> > These are all things that are really relevant differences. Strange that I
> > did not have to think hard nor long to come up with just this initial list.
> > When I think of it, a professional can be hired to do the things where we do
> > not have the volunteers to do these tasks.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >     GerardM
>
> Based on the fact that Wikimedia Foundation has such a large pool of
> volunteers, I think the 40 hour week difference makes little
> difference. Is there a reason why Wikimedia Foundation can't contract
> volunteers (as charity shops do)? Similarly, there is no reason why
> the Foundation can't give official positions to volunteers who can be
> trusted to work a minimum number of hours a week (with or without a
> contract). Such volunteers would be given a job description and be
> asked to do things by the Foundation in the way an employee would.

The efficiency difference between an internal, dedicated employee and
a sea of part time volunteers is immense.  The board is quite right
that having internal employees for coordination roles will help
overall capabilities immensely.

-- 
-george william herbert
george.herbert at gmail.com