[Foundation-l] Chapters

Tue Aug 9 19:47:29 UTC 2011

----- Original Message -----
> From: Yaroslav M. Blanter <putevod at mccme.ru>
> To: Wikimedia Foundation Mailing List <foundation-l at lists.wikimedia.org>
> Cc: 
> Sent: Tuesday, August 9, 2011 10:48 AM
> Subject: Re: [Foundation-l] Chapters
> 
>>  It is true however that many chapters do important work for the local
>>  projects, and serve their local needs in the sense of activities, press
>>  contacts and fundraising in a more effective way (less culturally
>>  challanging, more sensitive to what works locally and better in touch
> with
>>  other activities and situations). Not all chapters do this in the same
>>  extent, and not all do it similarly good. But that is the idea of a
> chapter
>>  - it is not a fanclub organizing beer events only to have fun.
>> 
>>  Best regards,
>>  Lodewijk
> 
> Right, I know that the Chapters are doing some very useful stuff (in fact,
> I even want to help the Dutch chapter with the project on taking pictures
> of State Monuments - it would be very helpful if someone mails me offlist
> or indicates on my Wiki page if there is any information on what is
> needed), but I believe that to say, as Brigitte does, that the Chapters
> should lead the movement is to stretch it way over the limits.
> 
It is not so much that I believe chapters should lead the movement as that I am certain WMF cannot successfully lead the movement.

It seems to me that these changes are about making chapters more into franchises.  Which I find to be exactly backwards. Chapters in my mind should be diverse entities. Embracing whatever is most effective in their little slice of the world. I think they should be ambitious in seeking out what inspires local population to embrace our movement. The way to encourage innovation is to push self-direction and refrain from being too judgmental so long as there is trending improvement. I believe that franchises will not be well received and will by and large fail. Maybe I am wrong about the direction people are pushing, maybe I am right about the direction but wrong about the poor outcome. I certainly can't have much of an effect on things.

I have really tried to share the underlying basis that leads me to think this is a poor idea so people can consider the information and comes to their own conclusions. Although I know some of it is hard for me to articulate clearly. If you think my conclusion is stretches way over the limits I would like to understand which underlying concept I have drawn on is the poorest foundation.  I sincerely would like to correct my understanding if I have the wrong idea or placed a disproportionate amount of importance on something. Really I am open to changing my opinion if someone has convincing information.

BirgitteSB