Hisham,<br><br>There has been much discussion on this already, but this does sound like some *serious* development to someone like me who has been a long time volunteer from India. And perhaps to several other long time contributors from here too, who seem to be staying away from adding their opinion here for a reason.<br>
<br>Thinking back about the time years back when many of us were used to spending our personal earnings to organize small scale outreach programs here, things have surely changed now and much of the development in last couple of years has been, to say the least, *overwhelming*. <br>
<br>India is now getting to see well funded conferences, the funds are now flowing in for new programs that seem to be keen in quickly 'inducing' a community that otherwise would have taken its own time growing in an organic way. <br>
<br>While all this focus on India and the sudden inflow of funds is all quite amazing, this new development seems to indicate that the chapter, which has the potential to better represent the community doesn't get to be at the center stage anymore. <br>
<br>When the Chapter was formed, a major decision involved choosing between the open, more democratic legal model of a 'society' and slightly locked-in model of a 'trust'. The Chapter chose the 'society' model which presented more democratic setup despite the paperwork, hassles and the delay it presented. Although Bishaka did mention on an earlier email about the trust, there was nothing much to indicate why specifically the India programs office needs to be registered as a trust. <br>
<br>A serious concern in this context is that in a trust, the trustees needn't change. Although new trustees can be elected, the control remains with the initial set of trustees on board. The assets of the trust will be governed by this closed set of trustees who are not subject to elections or restricted to any fixed term unlike the model the chapter is built on. <br>
<br>It is rather disturbing and surprising to see none of the volunteers from the community actually voicing their concerns about this. There sure was a huge discussion when the legal model of chapter was in question. I should note here that Wikimedia India Chapter could have started operating earlier than it did had we gone for the 'trust' model, as this one presented lesser hassles with respect to paperwork. I should also admit that I was one of the people who objected strongly to the idea of going for a 'trust' and instead voted for the 'society' model when the chapter was being formed. <br>
<br>Although I'm no longer part of the chapter now, it is quite disturbing for me to see the efforts put into chapter being pulled to a certain possibility of being sidelined and undermined, if not fully forced to shut its office. <br>
<br>Like Ray expressed in an earlier email, it starts to give an impression that somewhere we have lost our way. These two organizations would compete, create more confusion than that exists now. It would surely make people alienated. And above all - the community faces the risk of being dried out with tons of chemical fertilizers that are being thrown in powered by huge funds to pacify the growth. The rapidly spewed 'community' can vanish or evaporate with just the same pace. The land could get barren. More than the numbers, it will be the quality (which in turn retains the interest of people contributing to it) that would sustain the projects. And if we continue like this, there might be a time when nothing would grow even with the best of the funds thrown in. <br>
<br>Cheers,<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Fri, Nov 11, 2011 at 9:55 AM, Hisham <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:hmundol@wikimedia.org">hmundol@wikimedia.org</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex;">
<div style="word-wrap:break-word"><span style="line-height:24px"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">Hi Folks,</span></span><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:4.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt">
<span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">I'm writing to share an update with you on certain
developments of relevance to the Wikimedia movement in India.<span> </span><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.05in;line-height:15.0pt"><b><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">Announcement of Wikimedia India Program Trust<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:4.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">For some time, efforts have gone into creating an
organization that would provide an appropriate structure to support Wikimedia
program activities in India. <span> </span>Aspects
such as the current regulatory framework (regarding funding, taxation, etc.) as
well as the legal protection for the India team have been considered to
determine this structure. In this context, a host of options (e.g. subsidiary,
branch, Section 25) were evaluated and a determination was made towards an
independent non-profit public trust. Legal advice has been taken at every stage
in this decision.<span> </span><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:4.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">A new entity, the “Wikimedia India Program Trust”, has now
been formed and registered (in Delhi.) This will be the organization that will
eventually drive India programs and house the team in India.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.05in;line-height:15.0pt"><b><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">Why an Independent Public Trust?<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:4.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">The Trust will provide an effective vehicle within India to
marshal resources to support programs and partner with local institutions. The
objective of the Trust is to promote the objectives of the Wikimedia movement
and work closely with the Wikimedia community on various projects with an India
focus. It is important to understand that the Trust will not have any editorial
control over content on any of the Wikimedia projects. The Trust is a not for
profit organization.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.05in;line-height:15.0pt"><b><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">Introduction
of Trustees<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:4.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">Trustees have been identified based upon their support for
Wikimedia movement's principles and plans in addition to having reputations for
good governance and management.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:4.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">Sunil Abraham and Rahul Matthan have been requested to be the
initial Trustees.<span> </span>Both are friends of
Wikipedia and have extensive experience.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:4.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">Sunil is Executive Director of the Centre for Internet &
Society (CIS), is a long term advocate of free software and IP reform and has
been supporting the Wikimedia community and movement for some time now.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:4.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">Rahul is a partner and heads the technology practice at
Trilegal. He brings deep expertise and relationships that will be valuable for
the Trust.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:4.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">These initial Trustees will serve for a term of three years
at the maximum.<span> </span>All additional or subsequent
Trustees will serve on rotation in accordance with a trustee selection plan
that will be prepared.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:4.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">Trustees will not be compensated for their services.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.05in;line-height:15.0pt"><b><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">Governance, Funding, Financial Standards & Communications
of the Trust<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:4.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">The Trust will be governed by Trustees who will provide
oversight and guidance regarding the operations and governance of the Trust.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:4.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">Since the Trust is an independent organization, it will
require funding for its operations which is in compliance with the legal and
regulatory framework in India. It will seek funding from private donors within
India as well as external sources.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:4.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">The Trust has the support of the Wikimedia Foundation which
is a United States based non-profit foundation. However, in India all
non-profit organizations need to be in existence for 3 years before they can
receive funding from sources outside India. In the interim, they can apply for
prior-permission under the FCRA regulations to help expedite the process. As a
result, the Trust will shortly be applying for approval to receive funds from
the Wikimedia Foundation in the future.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:4.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">As a Trust, we are required to have an independent external
auditor. We have appointed KPMG. KPMG is experienced in auditing non-profit
companies and are also auditors for the Wikimedia Foundation.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:4.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">Annually, the Trust will publicly disclose it's independently
audited financial statements. <u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:4.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">The Trust will publish a monthly newsletter outlining its
current activities and future plans. This will commence in December 2011.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.05in;line-height:15.0pt"><b><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">Operations
of the Trust<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:4.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">The trust deed under which the Trust must operate clearly
states that the purpose of the Trust is to independently promote the growth of
volunteer activities within India in support of effective and unrestricted
dissemination of free knowledge to the public.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:4.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">I will serve as the Executive Director of the Trust. Once it
is possible, additional employees will be brought on to the Trust<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:4.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">The Trust will eventually have an office in Delhi.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:4.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">In the interim, I have personally secured temporary office
space to facilitate establishing the Trust and its mission. It is located at
Top Floor, G-15, Hauz Khas, New Delhi - 110 016. It's a couple of minutes walk
away from IIT Flyover and Hauz Khas Metro. Do drop in! It's a small but cozy
place and we'd love to have you over!<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.05in;line-height:15.0pt"><b><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">Conclusion<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:4.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">We continue to make progress in setting up program activities
to support the growth of Wikimedia in India. We have a long way to go, but are
glad that we are starting to build a solid foundation.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:4.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black;background-color:white;background-repeat:initial initial">The following link is for FAQs on this (and related) topics: </span><span style="line-height:normal"><a href="http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/FAQ_India_Programs/FAQ_Wikimedia_India_Program_Trust" target="_blank">http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/FAQ_India_Programs/FAQ_Wikimedia_India_Program_Trust</a></span></p>
<div>As always, do reach out if you have any comments or questions.</div><div><br></div><div>Warm Regards,</div><span class="HOEnZb"><font color="#888888"><div>
<span style="font-style:italic"><br></span><span style="font-style:italic">hisham</span>
</div>
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