Re: [Wikimedia-l] Affiliations Committee/Candidates/June 2020

[Abhinav srivastava]

I completely agree with Paulo here. The selection process needs to be
changed.



On Saturday, 23 May 2020, Paulo Santos Perneta 
wrote:

> Hello Rosie,
>
> Why after all this time, and after all the convulsions that have happened,
> AffCom candidates are still being selected by AffCom itself, instead of by
> the community, or other more legitimate process?
>
> You wrote: " As a reflection of our commitment to openness, transparency,
> and bilateral engagement with the Wikimedia community, the 2020 member
> selection process
> will include a public review and comment period." -> how is this different
> from what has been happening in the other selections? There is a public
> review, and then AffCom recklessly ignores it and does whatever it pleases.
>
> The way it is, it's a game of marked cards, and extremely demotivating for
> candidates.
> It is also a continuous source of lack of legitimacy and low reputation to
> AffCom itself, as a body.
> Why don't you change the process? The way it is, it clearly serves no one.
>
> Best,
> Paulo
>
>
> Rosie Stephenson-Goodknight  escreveu no dia
> sexta, 22/05/2020 à(s) 20:54:
>
> > Hi everyone,
> >
> > The Affiliations Committee (AffCom) – the committee responsible for
> guiding
> > volunteers in establishing and sustaining Wikimedia chapters, thematic
> > organizations, and user groups – is seeking new members!
> >
> > The main role of the AffCom is to guide groups of volunteers that are
> > interested in forming Wikimedia affiliates. We review applications from
> new
> > groups, answer questions and provide advice about the different Wikimedia
> > affiliation models and processes, review affiliate bylaws for compliance
> > with requirements and best practices, and update the Wikimedia Foundation
> > Board of Trustees as well as advise them on issues connected to chapters,
> > thematic organizations and Wikimedia user groups.
> >
> > The committee consists of five to fifteen members, selected at least once
> > every year, to serve two-year terms. As the committee must hold mid-year
> > elections to replenish its members at this time, those joining the
> > committee during the current process will serve a slightly extended term
> > from July 2020 through December 2022.
> >
> > AffCom continues to closely monitor the Wikimedia 2030 Strategy process
> > initiated in 2016. While the affiliation models continue to be discussed
> as
> > part of the broader strategy discussion, as no decisions have been made
> to
> > change the current affiliation models yet, AffCom continues to work in
> the
> > same manner with regard to affiliate recognitions and intervention
> support
> > for affiliates with issues of non-compliance in 2020. AffCom continues to
> > process applications for user group and chapter/thematic organization
> > creation, while we await the strategy next steps and begin to prepare
> for a
> > smooth transition of the committee and affiliates ecosystem to any
> changing
> > movement structures and systems in 2021.
> >
> >
> >
> > Being a part of the AffCom requires communication with volunteers all
> over
> > the world, negotiating skills, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to
> > understand legal texts. We look for a mix of different skill sets in our
> > members.
> >
> >
> >
> > ==Responsibilities==
> >
> >
> >
> >1.
> >
> >   Availability of up to 5-8 hours per month
> >   2.
> >
> >   Participate in monthly one and two-hour voice/video meetings
> >   3.
> >
> >   Commitment to carry out assigned tasks in a given time.
> >   4.
> >
> >   Facilitate and support communications
> >   5.
> >
> >   Affiliate Support and growth
> >
> >
> >
> > == Required and Recommended Abilities, Skills, Knowledge for Affiliations
> > Committee Members ==
> >
> > Strong interpersonal relationship among members of the committee and also
> > with the Wikimedia community members. Across all committee members, there
> > are additional relevant skills as well as requirements which help to
> > support the committee and its sustainability which include both required
> > and relevant general skills
> >
> >
> >
> > ===Required===
> >
> > * Fluency in English
> >
> > * Availability of up to 5 hours per week, and the time to participate in
> a
> > monthly one and two-hour voice/video meetings.
> >
> > * Willingness to use one's real name in committee activities (including
> > contacts with current and potential affiliates) when appropriate.
> >
> > * Strong track record of effective collaboration
> >
> > *  International orientation
> >
> >
> >
> > ===Relevant for all members===
> >
> > * Public Communications (English writing and speaking skills)
> >
> > * Skills in other languages are a major plus.
> >
> > * Understanding of the structure and work of affiliates and the Wikimedia
> > Foundation.
> >
> > * Documentation practices
> >
> > * Interviewing experience
> >
> > * Experience with, or in, an active affiliate is a major plus.
> >
> > * 

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Wikipedia is going to be available in turkey again

[Abhinav srivastava]

This is a wonderful news! Thanks for sharing.




On Thu, Dec 26, 2019, 6:22 PM Shlomi Fish  wrote:

> On Thu, 26 Dec 2019 16:10:09 +0330
> Mardetanha  wrote:
>
> > Dear friends and colleagues
> > before new year I would like to share the wonderful news that we received
> > today. Turkey's Constitutional Court finds that the Wikipedia ban
> > constitutes a violation of the right to freedom of expression. The high
> > court also requests Ankara 1st Criminal Judgeship of Peace to remove the
> > ban immediately. Wikipedia has been banned since Apr 2017.
> >
>
> Great news! Thanks for sharing.
>
> >
> > Mardetanha
> > ___
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> > 
>
>
> --
>
> Shlomi Fish   https://www.shlomifish.org/
> My Favourite FOSS - https://www.shlomifish.org/open-source/favourite/
>
> You can never truly appreciate The Gilmore Girls until you’ve watched it in
> the original Klingon.
> — http://www.shlomifish.org/humour.html
>
> Please reply to list if it's a mailing list post - http://shlom.in/reply .
>
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Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimediaindia-l] Fwd: Open Letter to Affiliations Committee : Wikimedia India's Demand For A Fair And Transparent Hearing

[Abhinav srivastava]

dings? What may be
>> secretive at all, in the quest of a group of Wikimedians to become an
>> affiliate? Why those processes do not occur in daylight from their start
>> till the end - with the obvious exception of sensitive information
>> involving privacy, such as real names? And then - who is AffCom
>> accountable
>> to? Who oversees AffCom? The BoT? Are they monitoring AffCom? Does the BoT
>> agrees with this way of acting?
>>
>> All this cult of secrecy by AffCom and other powers-that-be inside WMF
>> creates a very unhealthy and toxic environment for everyone. I personally
>> appreciate and hold in high esteem a number of members of AffCom, possibly
>> the majority of them. And it has been very much mind-boggling watching the
>> way AffCom choses to act as a whole. I've suggested to the Strategy WG of
>> Roles & Responsibilities that AffCom should be wholly redefined, to make
>> it
>> more transparent, community-connected and accountable. The way it is now,
>> I
>> don't believe it is properly filling and complying with its role.
>>
>> I really hope things improve, and our Wikimedian brothers at WMIN - who I
>> believe have made the right decision of bringing their case into the
>> clarity of daylight - will manage to revert the suspension and continue
>> working for a world of free knowledge accessible to everyone, despite the
>> difficulties they are passing through at this moment.
>>
>> And it would be much more motivating for everyone if we could get out of
>> this kind of Age of Darkness at AffCom (and WMF in general).
>>
>> [1] - https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Affiliations_Committee
>>
>> Best,
>> Paulo
>>
>>
>> Abhinav srivastava  escreveu no dia terça,
>> 9/07/2019
>> à(s) 08:10:
>>
>> > Hi Lodewijk,
>> >
>> > I will try and simplify
>> >
>> > (a) *What is the exact and complete set of reasons that Affcom put the
>> > chapter on suspension?*
>> > This has been listed under six bullet points in my initial mail. I
>> > encourage you and everyone reading here to have a look at them. I have
>> > further shared a synopsis for the same again in part (c) along with WMIN
>> > responses.
>> >
>> > (b)* what additional complaints are part of the big picture ?*
>> > The trouble of having a Staff-based organisation (CIS-A2K) at national
>> > level where there is lesser transparency such that there MoU is not in
>> > public domain [1] and the trouble caused to India Chapter like
>> attribution
>> > grabbing for WMIN's self-financed projects etc. [2]
>> >
>> > (c) w*hat is the response from WMIN.*
>> >  Our primary concern remains that Affcom on a good-faith could have
>> asked
>> > for a clarification and if found they could have proceeded with the
>> > suspension. They took an official position without even hearing us once.
>> > There basis has been further described again in brief
>> >
>> > * Legal Structure : Affcom asked WMIN to resolve their necessary
>> financial
>> > licenses. WMIN informed them that Government directives [3] have been
>> > restrictive in this regard, however, to keep the movement active,
>> > activities have been happening by members self-financing programs.
>> Affcom
>> > has further cited problems with WMIN's leadership. WMIN regrets such
>> > statements, it is a nation-wide problem.
>> >
>> > * Open Governance : WMIN has repeatedly informed Affcom that a member
>> need
>> > not be in physical presence to cast vote or raise voice during assembly.
>> > To do so as claimed by Affcom, WMIN would have to change it bylaws and
>> also
>> > inform WMF as per Chapter Agreement. No evidence have been brought to
>> > notice for any violation.
>> >
>> > * Active Contributor Involvement : Affcom claims we do not have members
>> and
>> > have made some allegations (check initial mail for details) but haven't
>> > provided any evidence. WMIN is always open to sharing its member's data
>> > base with them after discussing privacy.
>> >
>> > * Capacity : Affcom claims that WMIN has not been doing activities and
>> > Chapter has repeatedly informed that WMIN has been hosting zero-budget,
>> > self-financed activities. All reports are available [4]. Affcom has also
>> > cited concerns over delay in report submission and WMIN has informed
>> about
>> > problems with government regulations. Detailed response

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimediaindia-l] Fwd: Open Letter to Affiliations Committee : Wikimedia India's Demand For A Fair And Transparent Hearing

[Abhinav srivastava]

t least), if I
> read this correctly.
>
> You mention that AffCom has not heard your objections, but from the rest of
> your email, it sounds more like they heard your responses (you mention both
> written and oral communication), but they hold a different opinion on the
> value of those objections. That may be because of a different set of
> expectations. I know these discussions are always painful for everyone, and
> I'm confident that AffCom does not enjoy suspending chapters. While this is
> no legal procedure, it is their job to make the best decision both for the
> movement as a whole and the Wikimedia movement in India.
>
> Anyhow, I was unable to find the resolution that explains this decision, so
> it's hard to really understand it. I do hope that you and affcom will be
> able to work towards a solution together - probably by addressing the
> underlying concerns.
>
> Best,
> Lodewijk
>
> On Mon, Jul 8, 2019 at 4:19 PM ravinder jadeja  wrote:
>
> > It is such a long message and what I understand a very painful one for
> the
> > writer. Asking Affcom to come in public with data is a right demand
> > everyone can read then.
> >
> > I know FCRA is very tough thing today and I feel sorry reading that point
> >
> > What is this problem with CIS I am new and would like to know.
> >
> > On Tue, 9 Jul 2019 at 00:04, Subhashish Panigrahi  >
> > wrote:
> >
> >> Forwarding esp. for those Indian Wikimedians who are on the Wikimedia-l
> >> list
> >>
> >> Subha
> >>
> >> -- Forwarded message -
> >> From: Abhinav srivastava 
> >> Date: Sun, Jul 7, 2019 at 2:20 PM
> >> Subject: [Wikimedia-l] Open Letter to Affiliations Committee : Wikimedia
> >> India's Demand For A Fair And Transparent Hearing
> >> To: Wikimedia Mailing List 
> >>
> >>
> >> Dear Friends From Affcom,
> >>
> >> I am posting an open public request for your notice of Suspension moved
> at
> >> Wikimedia India (WMIN) which we continue to contest and to our ignored
> >> demand of having a public hearing as shared with you all over mail and
> >> shared again here under Annexure [A]. You have taken an official
> position
> >> on suspension without even hearing us even once, unexplained accusations
> >> have been provided and we continue to believe Affcom has been
> >> insufficiently investigating facts before making judgements. We
> repeatedly
> >> over and over again provided justifications over Mail but you never took
> >> them to your notice and only over calls you heard us, provided your
> >> rationale for expectation gaps but never took our oral commentary which
> >> refutes your claims,in any action, anywhere. Now you say WMIN won’t
> remain
> >> a Chapter after 14th September and be transformed into a User Group.
> >>
> >> Republic of India happens to be one of the only few countries where
> >> besides
> >> volunteer driven Chapter and User Groups has a full-time staff based
> WMF’s
> >> Allied Organisation CIS-A2K [1]. Wikimedia India activities [2] may be
> >> less
> >> due to no source of funds [3] however, Community Members from India put
> >> their efforts, strive hard to take the movement ahead.  Whether it be
> the
> >> previous financial year or the present, no Wikimedia Foundation Grants
> >> like
> >> Rapid Grant, Project Grant etc have been applied by Wikimedia India
> >> members
> >> to support any Chapter activity. They remain self-financed. We received
> >> your notice last year when Wikimedia India was contesting a dispute with
> >> CIS-A2K over attribution grabbing for our self-financed projects and
> >> ignoring Chapter at important National level initiaves [4]. While
> working
> >> with virtually no source of funds and struggles with WMF’s Allied
> >> Organisation, your notice of suspension was the least bad we could have
> >> had.
> >>
> >> We continue to contest your suspension notice. It was Suo Moto (on its
> >> own)
> >> decision making and as found and re-stated above and below in detail,
> >> there
> >> were gaps and misunderstanding in your basis. We also continue to
> contest
> >> there has been a Rush-to-decision making. No written responses via Mail
> to
> >> Chapter’s clarification are being provided and invitation for calls are
> >> initiated where brief responses are shared on a Cloud Document. It has
> >> been
> >> subsequently found by both pa

[Wikimedia-l] Open Letter to Affiliations Committee : Wikimedia India's Demand For A Fair And Transparent Hearing

[Abhinav srivastava]

Dear Friends From Affcom,

I am posting an open public request for your notice of Suspension moved at
Wikimedia India (WMIN) which we continue to contest and to our ignored
demand of having a public hearing as shared with you all over mail and
shared again here under Annexure [A]. You have taken an official position
on suspension without even hearing us even once, unexplained accusations
have been provided and we continue to believe Affcom has been
insufficiently investigating facts before making judgements. We repeatedly
over and over again provided justifications over Mail but you never took
them to your notice and only over calls you heard us, provided your
rationale for expectation gaps but never took our oral commentary which
refutes your claims,in any action, anywhere. Now you say WMIN won’t remain
a Chapter after 14th September and be transformed into a User Group.

Republic of India happens to be one of the only few countries where besides
volunteer driven Chapter and User Groups has a full-time staff based WMF’s
Allied Organisation CIS-A2K [1]. Wikimedia India activities [2] may be less
due to no source of funds [3] however, Community Members from India put
their efforts, strive hard to take the movement ahead.  Whether it be the
previous financial year or the present, no Wikimedia Foundation Grants like
Rapid Grant, Project Grant etc have been applied by Wikimedia India members
to support any Chapter activity. They remain self-financed. We received
your notice last year when Wikimedia India was contesting a dispute with
CIS-A2K over attribution grabbing for our self-financed projects and
ignoring Chapter at important National level initiaves [4]. While working
with virtually no source of funds and struggles with WMF’s Allied
Organisation, your notice of suspension was the least bad we could have
had.

We continue to contest your suspension notice. It was Suo Moto (on its own)
decision making and as found and re-stated above and below in detail, there
were gaps and misunderstanding in your basis. We also continue to contest
there has been a Rush-to-decision making. No written responses via Mail to
Chapter’s clarification are being provided and invitation for calls are
initiated where brief responses are shared on a Cloud Document. It has been
subsequently found by both parties on there being gaps in communication.
However, even after clarity during call, Affcom has not taken any action
over them.

The basis of your suspension notice has been shared here for the wider
audience.


   1.

   Legal Structure : Affcom asked Wikimedia India to resolve and obtain its
   necessary license in order to obtain funds. At present, as per Government
   of India restrictions it is difficult to obtain foreign funding. Wikimedia
   India informed the Affcom on roughly 13,000 Non-Government Organisations
   (NGO)s [5] are struggling with a similar crisis to which Affcom
   responded, “reconsider applying for a User Group.” and “no evidence that
   the current organization’s leadership will be able to drive this problem
   toward resolution”. Chapter efforts and commitment in resolving the said
   crisis cannot be dusted in few words. A Government restrictive policy which
   has an impact on 13,000 NGOs and Affcom finding flaws in WMIN Board Members
   capability. WMIN would leave it for public interpretation.


Why not a capability audit for hosting zero-budget activities? While most
of the time are being spent on resolving the said crisis, WMIN continues to
undertake activities as listed. Taking the Open Knowledge Movement forward
remains a commitment for the Chapter irrespective of whatsoever political
climate may remain. Affcom was asked two questions respectively in this
regard however no response has been attained. The questions are



   1.

   Would zero-budget activities, those self-financed not meet sufficiency ?
   Please elaborate for us to stand better and to improve upon.
   2.

   Would resolving Legal Structure and being able to receive WMF Grants be
   a necessary criteria for WMIN to meet sufficiency or continued activities
   not meet the fulfilment criteria?


(2) Open Governance : Affcom informed Chapter that a member needs to be in
physical presence at the Chapter Assembly to cast vote and raise voice and
asked The Chapter to change its bylaws. This information is anything but
false. This was communicated during the Call but Affcom did not bring
anything in action. Also, as per the Chapter Agreement between WMF and
WMIN, a copy of bylaws was provided in English Language to WMF. The bylaws
were approved by the then Chapter’s Council. No evidence has been brought
to notice on WMIN violating the Clause 7.2 of the Chapter’s Agreement,

“The Wikimedia Chapter shall be required to advise the Foundation of any
planned or actual change in the bylaws or status of the Chapter which might
affect the Foundation or the continued existence or effectiveness of this
Agreement.”



(3) Active Contributor 

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Introducing our newest chapter, Wikimedia Korea

[Abhinav srivastava]

Congratulations South Korea !

On Wed, 24 Apr 2019 at 12:57, Philip Kopetzky 
wrote:

> Congrats Korea! :-)
>
> On Wed, 24 Apr 2019 at 05:17, Roman Bustria Jr. 
> wrote:
>
> > In behalf of the East, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Regional
> Cooperation
> > (ESEAP) we would like to extend our congratulations to our member country
> > for being elevated as a fully recognized chapter!
> >
> > We are looking forward to our future regional meeting and collaboration!
> >
> >
> >
> > Kind regards,
> >
> >
> > Butch
> > Philippines
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Note: ESEAP is a regional collaborative composed of affiliates Wikimedia
> > Indonesia, Wikimedia Taiwan, Wikimedia Australia, Wikimedia Korea,
> > Wikimedians in Thailand, Philippine Wikimedia Community User Group,
> > Wikimedia Community User Group Malaysia, Wikimedia User Group China,
> > Wikimedia Community User Group Hong Kong, and Vietnam Wikimedians.
> > Membership also include Wikimedia communities and nationalities of
> Brunei,
> > Cambodia, Japan, Laos, Macau, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Papua New
> > Guinea, Singapore, and Timor Leste (East Timor).
> >
> > On Wed, Apr 24, 2019, 6:11 AM María Sefidari 
> > wrote:
> >
> > > Hi everyone,
> > >
> > > I am happy to share that earlier this year, the Wikimedia Foundation
> > Board
> > > of Trustees approved our newest Wikimedia chapter - Wikimedia Korea!
> > >
> > > For more information about our newest Wikimedia chapter, Wikimedia
> Korea,
> > > please see the announcement on the Wikimedia Foundation website:
> > >
> > >
> >
> https://wikimediafoundation.org/2019/04/23/wikimedia-korea-new-chapter-affiliate-launches-in-south-korea/
> > >
> > > I want to congratulate the new chapter and recognize their commitment,
> > > efforts, and time involved in moving through the chapter recognition
> > > process over the past year. From their work building partnerships with
> > > universities, to supporting and training new editors in South Korea, we
> > > look forward to seeing the impactful work from our community members in
> > > South Korea as they advance in their new affiliate role.
> > >
> > > As many of you know, this is our first chapter approval in several
> years
> > -
> > > since the newest Wikimedia affiliate approval processes were put in
> > place.
> > > This marks a new moment in the history of our Wikimedia movement
> > > affiliates. The Board appreciates the amazing work coming from these
> user
> > > groups around the world, and is inspired to see how far some of these
> > > groups have come in terms of their impact both on our movement and
> their
> > > local communities. Indeed, we should all be proud of the impact our
> > > affiliates continue to have on our projects, our vision, and the world
> > > around us.
> > >
> > > Any affiliate interested in becoming a chapter or thematic organization
> > > must have at least two years of activities and experience as a user
> group
> > > before applying. Please check out the user group creation guide to get
> a
> > > user group started - it is meant to be very easy:
> > > https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_user_groups/Creation_guide
> > >
> > >
> > > You can find a lot more information about our movement affiliates model
> > on
> > > Meta:
> > https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_movement_affiliates/Models
> > >
> > > You may also reach out to the Affiliations Committee with questions or
> to
> > > begin the approval process for your group:
> > > https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Affiliations_Committee
> > > Please join me in congratulating Wikimedia Korea for this important
> > > achievement and thanking the members of the Affiliations Committee and
> > > Wikimedia Foundation staff who supported and worked with them during
> this
> > > long process.
> > >
> > > Kind regards,
> > >
> > > María
> > >
> > > --
> > >
> > > María Sefidari Huici
> > >
> > > Chair of the Board
> > >
> > > Wikimedia Foundation 
> > > ___
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