Bonjour,
I have this idea for some time : Define different levels of accountability for the different organizations of the Wikimedia movement, depending on the amount of money they manage.
We can define 5 or 6 levels and for each level, a range of accountability criteria. The more high the level is, the more stringent are the criteria. For each level, a maximum amount of money is also defined. We can also consider date of creation for new organizations for the first levels.
For example:
Level A1: organization existing for less than 2 years and wants to manage less than $ 20,000
Level A2 : organization has existed for more than 2 years and wants to manage less than $ 20,000
Level C: for organizations which wants to manage between 20,000 and $ 100,000
Level C: for organizations which wants to manage between 100,000 and $ 500,000
Level D: for organizations which wants to manage between 500,000 and $ 2 million
Level E: for organizations which wants to manage over $ 2 million
Number of level and figures here are just provided for information.
In addition to compliance with their national accounting and tax rules, WM organizations would
have also to meet the "accountability level" to be able to handle the level equivalent money amount.
These criteria must be defined in the movement by an ad hoc committee and easily verifiable. Each year the committee checks that organizations meet criteria for the level they ask for and announce publicly the level of each organization and the not complied points in case of refusal of a level for a given organization.
This "levels system" would allow a greater accountability transparency in the movement, it will make the various organizations know which level of accountability they must meet without discouraging new or small organizations with excessive criteria (in view of the risk with the amount of money). It will also provide a known pathway and an possibility of anticipation for demanded accountability for growing organizations which be able to establish the necessary organization or recruitment to take a step forward.
What do you think of the idea?
Thierry
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Thierry Coudray
Administrateur - Trésorier
Wikimédia France
Mob. 06.82.85.84.40
http://blog.wikimedia.fr/