Hi,

[for full disclosure, I work with the WMF's communications department, but this response is in my personal capacity.]

On 4 October 2015 at 19:10, James Forrester <jdforrester@gmail.com> wrote:

At the Committee’s meeting in Mexico City in August, we agreed to alter the way that Wikimania locations are decided.

I don't mean to slight yourself, James, or the committee, but this seems an unnecessary delay. Why is this only now being communicated? Would it not have been wise to reveal this as it was agreed upon rather than now, after at least two bidding parties have put time and effort into their bids for 2017?

I agree with the process as described and put forward, but really, a lot of tears could have been avoided by announcing this sooner.

The large majority of our community members are based in either North America or Europe; organising Wikimanias in these areas allows the majority of our community members to attend cheaply, so that money spent on scholarships can go further, and be more focussed in supporting our community members wherever they are based.

This is true and cannot be ignored. But why, then, is "Europe" such a narrow definition? Why no provision for Eastern Europe and Russia? This seems quite disappointing given we have active affiliates in these areas.

Our next few locations will thus go like this:

* 2016: Western, Northern, and Southern Europe – Esino Lario in Italy
* 2017: Canada and United States – TBD
* 2018: TBD – TBD
* 2019: Western, Northern, and Southern Europe – TBD
* 2020: Canada and United States – TBD
* 2021: TBD – TBD

As you can see, as well as picking the 2017 venue in Canada or the United States, for which we have a candidate lined up, we need to select very quickly the area for 2018, and after that, 2019 and beyond. There are several areas we’ve outlined above that have never had a Wikimania, and others where we have not visited for some time. We would love your thoughts on the areas on which we should focus for 2018 and beyond. We’ll also be asking in future for your thoughts about how to structure the programme of each Wikimania to make it as good as it can be for you, for others, and for our community overall.

We should probably cut to the chase and just name the location, since by now it's common knowledge. Other than my previous comment about the lack of inclusion of Eastern Europe—are we seriously suggesting holding one in Russia and then one in (for instance) Warsaw? That seems to defeat the point of this exercise somewhat.

Other than that, I personally commend this change. I only wish it had been communicated more quickly.

best,

Joe

Thank you.

Yours,
--
James D. Forrester
Chair, Wikimania Committee

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