Hi all,
Since my update last month, we have been collecting, processing, and including your most recent input into the lastest version of the movement strategic direction. This version is available on Meta-Wiki.[1]
We're so close! The direction will be finalized tomorrow, October 1. Starting tomorrow, we will begin to invite individuals and groups to endorse our movement's strategic direction. I want to share my greatest thanks and appreciation for the work and contributions so many of you have made throughout this first phase (Phase 1) of developing a shared strategic direction.
In the coming weeks we will be preparing for Phase 2, which will involve developing specific plans for how we achieve the direction we have built together. I do not have many more details to share right now, but will of course offer an update as they become available.
Strategic direction. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the draft introduced at Wikimania. The version on Meta-Wiki is based on the feedback you offered.
Endorsements. Once the strategic direction closes tomorrow, organizations, groups, and individuals within the movement will be invited to endorse the direction, in a show of support for the future we are building together. We'll be sending an update next week on the process and timeline.
Concluding Phase 1. Please join me in offering thanks to the volunteers, staff, and contractors who came together to make this possible! As we transition into Phase 2, some of these roles will be concluded and new ones created in their place. We'll keep you updated.
Wikimedia CEE Meeting 2017. I was fortunate to join Wikimedians from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) last weekend at the sixth annual Wikimedia CEE Meeting[2] in Warsaw, Poland. Nicole Ebber and Kaarel Vaidla led a series of discussions on the direction, including what it means for CEE.[3] Thank you our hosts, Wikimedia Polska, and to all of the attendees for such a wonderful event!
In other news. I've heard from many people how much you appreciate these updates as a means of keeping track about what is going on. I'm talking to the Communications department about keeping them going once the strategic planning process concludes, with a focus on more general updates. Keep the feedback coming.
Since my last update, our planet has reminded us of its incredible and often unforgiving strength. My thoughts, and those of many within the Wikimedia Foundation, are with our Wikimedia family which have been affected by the natural disasters of recent weeks. We have been in touch with our affiliates in the areas impacted, and will offer any support we can.
Finally, as our CFO Jaime mentioned last week,[3] the Foundation is in the process of moving into our new office, in One Montgomery Tower. We invite you to visit its new page on Meta-Wiki.[4]
We are at the halfway mark of this movement strategy process, and I am incredibly proud of the work we have done together on the strategy. Thank you, again, to everyone for your contributions to this process. We have more work ahead but should be proud of what we have achieved already.
Ten cuidado (Spanish translation: “Be safe”),
Katherine