Hello all,
You are invited to our annual meeting and by law gathering.
Please the by law meeting is the highlight here. We have documents on how
we conduct business in the group. We tried to add more and modify others
last year but it's not going as fast since all the work is online.
As such I put together this meeting offline and in person so we can do it
in a day.
Please come and let's put it together nicely.
Please note that this meeting is for members only. Don't bring friends with
hopes they can learn to edit Wikipedia like we do. It's a strictly members
only event.
If you have still not registered (those on the mailing list especially) and
do not have a membership ID number, please do so ASAP. WIthout an ID
number, you won't enter the meeting room.
Please note. If the grant is approved, you will have to pre-finance your
trip, submit all that is required of you including receipts, before you
will be reimbursed.
The group is tired of chasing grantees for receipts. To cut that stress
from the process, we are doing pre-financed trips now. Unfortunate but
necessary.
Please go on this page for all info and also fill the table on there
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Project/Rapid/Wikimedia_Ghana_User_G…>
.
Thanks.
--
Regards,
Sandister Tei
New Media+Journalism | Wikipedia | Purple People
linkedin.com/in/sandister-tei
*If you registered the first time, please don't register again. Repeated
names will be removed from the register.*
If you were recently recruited or you missed the first registration, use
this opportunity to join the group.
We need to know the number of members we have. We also need some
information to identify our members, just in case a query comes from the
Wikimedia Foundation or other affiliates about a grant, project, conference
travel opportunity, etc which you are trying to access in the name of the
group.
Use this opportunity also to update your contact and social media details.
The usergroup cannot assume membership for anyone and we are not carrying
forward names. *You must put your name on the list yourself.*
*Eligibility for being a member remains the same*
– You should be a Wikimedian who contributes content or someone interested
in providing positive inputs into Wikimedia projects promotion in Ghana.
Some benefits of being part of Wikimedia Ghana UG in general is:
– Assistance in applying for grants for your ideas
– Admittance into events and meetings which are meant for group members
– Assistance from event and social media volunteers to promote the things
you do
– Representing user group at WMF events, where WMF has reserved spots for
affiliates (per global and user group criteria)
– Program leadership
As always, membership fees remain GHS0.00
*Register or renew your membership today, here
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1DTklAhIlH_RORnYK_jiEt70wJV8R4M2ko0M62rCwlN…>.*
Deadline is 3rd February 2018
--
Regards,
Sandister Tei
New Media+Journalism | Wikipedia | Purple People
linkedin.com/in/sandister-tei
Hello friends,
As we approach the month of march; which also happens to be the International Women’s Month, many activities will occur globally throughout the month to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women. One of such events is the Art+Feminism Wikipedia Edit-a-thon, which started as a response to the gender gap in content and participation on Wikipedia, and is now entering its 5th year.
What’s a Wikipedia Edit-a-thon?
Did you know that in 2011 the Wikimedia Foundation found that just 8.5% of editors on the platform were women? The annual Art+Feminism events around the world are addressing these gaps by inviting women and participants of all gender identities and expressions to gather for an all-day, communal updating of Wikipedia entries on art and feminism. Events have been held in a variety of educational and cultural institutions, and generally include workshops for new editors, resource materials, snacks, childcare and other programming. The focus of entries are expansive, participants contribute to articles on tech, comics, social advocacy, black contemporary art, and more.
The Wikimedia Ghana Usergroup have a variety of events outlined for the 2018 year and so many here already have their hands full. New users, or anybody who wants to take the lead and wishes to organize an Art+Feminism Wikipedia Edit-a-thon is welcome, and should fee free to get in touch.
If I’m interested, what happens next?
The Art+Feminism leadership collective supports Edit-a-thon organizers by: providing an organizer’s kit with suggested workflow, promotional photos, and training materials. Thanks to a grant by the Wikimedia Foundation, organizers are offered funding to defray the costs of refreshments and childcare along with online training for organizers, and a community of support. You are welcome to hold an event on any date in the month of March that makes sense for your community.
Thank you.
Have a good evening.
-Masssly
FYI
Thanks
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Woubzena Jifar" <wjifar(a)wikimedia.org>
Date: Jan 18, 2018 11:31 PM
Subject: Requesting Feedback from African Wikimedians
To: "Woubzena Jifar" <wjifar(a)wikimedia.org>
Cc: "Alex Wang" <awang(a)wikimedia.org>, "Marti Johnson" <
mjohnson(a)wikimedia.org>
Dear African Wikimedians,
>
> In the last couple of years, we have seen increased momentum in
> grantmaking in African Wikimedian communities. This is so exciting! As
> project and programmatic activity in Africa increases, WMF staff are
> reflecting on how we can better understand your communities’ needs and
> support your work. We are starting to brainstorm about this, and we would
> love for you to join us.
>
> Here are some of the initial questions we have:
>
> -
>
> What are the unique opportunities and constraints in your contexts?
> -
>
> WMF grantmaking staff are largely based in the United States. Some of
> you have commented on how this limits our capacity to understand the
> African context. Do you have ideas about how staff can continuously build
> better understanding of your communities?
> -
>
> Are there specific experiences or stories you are willing to share
> about what is or is not working for you in the WMF grantmaking programs?
> -
>
> If limited access to the internet restricts your opportunities to
> participate in Wikimedia grant programs, do you have ideas about how our
> processes might better serve you?
> -
>
> Are there specific components of our processes or forms with which you
> would like more support? (i.e. problem definition, metrics, budget,
> talkpage engagement, etc).
> -
>
> What other questions should we be asking?
> -
>
> What questions do you have for us?
>
>
> Please send us your feedback to these questions or in general by *January
> 23rd*. We will organize your initial responses and circle back with you
> in the next few weeks. We’re looking forward to building a stronger
> partnership with you in 2018!
>
> We’re sending this email initially to the African Wikimedians we’ve worked
> with closely and have included a list of people we’ve emailed it to below.
> If you could please forward it to others you think could add to our
> conversation feel free to include them.
>
> This is a first pass to think about this and we’ll be offering additional
> opportunities for you and more members of your communities to provide input.
>
>
> Best regards,
>
> Woubzena Jifar, Program Officer, Rapid Grants
>
> Marti Johnson, Program Officer, Individual Grants
>
> Alexandra Wang, Program Officer, Community Resources
>
>
> Bcc: Ahmed Hamdi Mohi; Ahmed Houmel; Alangi Derick; Anass Sedrati; Blossom
> Ozurumba; Bobby Shabangu; Bright Ayisi; Bukulu Steven; Douglas Scott; Emna
> Mizouni; Felix Nartey; Florence Devouard; Georges Fodouop; Habib M'henni;
> Isla Haddow; Justice Okai-Allotey; Kangah Donatien; Kayode Yusuf; May
> Hashem; Mohamed Mustafa Ouda; Mohammed Bachounda; Mompati Dikunwane;
> Nkansah Rexford; Olushola Olaniyan; Raphael Berchie; Reem Al'Kashif; Sam
> Oyeyele; Samuel Guebo; Sandister Tei; Walaa Manaem; and Yame Bousrih
>
>
*@Raphael* Add this to Justice's reply
WMCON does have requirements for how delegates are selected. Read
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Conference_2018/Program_Design_Pr…>
please.
And I posted these requirements as well.
And no, the previous years we have not had a democratic way of choosing. It
is only last year, that I initiated the conscious, group selection of
delegates.
*@Rexford*
I have had a conversation about Whatsapp groups and mailing lists with Asaf
a while back.
Let me just say that for all who said they wanted to be part of the
group/remain in the group following this mailing list
<https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimedia-gh/2017-November/003627.html>
call for membership are on our Whatsapp group.
*Every single one of them*.
*@Georgina*
Please refer to the answer I gave Rexford. For now it is not about
Whatsapp's effectiveness.
The *sole reason *we bother with Whatsapp is that, *all the 37 members who
answered to this mailing list
<https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimedia-gh/2017-November/003627.html>
call
for membership are on our Whatsapp group*.
*@Joy*
We have some recruits from Barcamp Accra. I have asked Justice to add them
to the mailing list. When that is done, I will post the link to the
membership registration again.
The reason why membership has had to be a bit more intimate than mass is
because we get many requests concerning the identification of our members.
And an organisation that doesn't have a record of members is a backward one.
Membership is processed these days. People even have membership IDs.
You missed the first because you had things to attend to. It's the same
with the group's volunteers. We don't register people every day. We also
have things to do.
We register in batches solely because of the movement-wide problem of
relying on volunteers to do things that normally paid staff should be doing.
*@Justice*
When you add your BC recruits, let me know.
Finally please *@Raphael @Rexford* pay attention to the group. Have a
thorough (non selective) interest in what we do and our welfare.
Don't wait till moments like this before you start asking questions.
Because more often than not, you'd be asking questions that have already
been answered.
--
Regards,
Sandister Tei
New Media+Journalism | Wikipedia | Purple People
linkedin.com/in/sandister-tei
On Thu, Jan 18, 2018 at 2:46 AM, Raphael Berchie <rberchie(a)gmail.com> wrote:
> Hello everyone happy new year and a belated Wiki birthday to us all.
> So I chanced on this https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Conference_
> 2018/Participants%27_List and realized Sadat is the one representing us
> at this year’s WMConn. Congrats to him I have no shred of doubt that he
> will fully represent us and I have no problem about his eligibility and
> competence.
> My problem however is mode of selection. Was it decided us a community or
> it was an individual’s decision because as far as I am concerned the
> mailing list is the official place for having such discussions and I have
> seen no such discussions here.
>
> Again in previous years we have had consultatative talks and we have all
> known who was representing us so what changed this year?
>
> Lastly as a Usergroup we were allocated two slots for participation. How
> come it is only one person.
>
> I need some answers.
>
> Regards
> --
> *Raphael Berchie*
> Co Founder Open Foundation, West Africa, Wikimedian
> <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Ghana>,Open Advocate, Climate
> Change Activist,Blogger <http://rberchie.blogspot.com/>
> P.O Box CT 10469
> Cantoments Accra
> Ghana
> +233243882047
> Twitter@berchie4gh <https://twitter.com/berchie4gh>
> Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/berchie>
> Linkedin
> <https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphael-berchie-32705822?trk=nav_responsive_tab…>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Wikimedia-GH mailing list
> Wikimedia-GH(a)lists.wikimedia.org
> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-gh
>
>
Good morning again.
It's quite unfortunate that these contentions are being dealt with thusly
because I believe there has been a major comedy of errors.
The main issue is that we have members who are on the mailing list who are
not on the WhatsApp group and vice versa.
However, we have come to notice with time that the WhatsApp group has
proven more effective in disseminating information to a larger group.
Indeed, there are people who have claimed to be part of both but only saw
discussions on pertinent topics when they were shared via WhatsApp.
This is not to say that we have decided to sideline those in the mailing
list.
Moving forward, I believe there is already a conscious effort being made to
use both mediums equally and substantively. I am sure Justice can and will
attest to this.
Many apologies for how all these situations have been handled and please,
may all members be rest assured that these matters will be addressed in due
time, albeit sooner than later.
Kindly bear with us as we take steps to rectify it all.
Thanks to you all for understanding.
Thank you, Joy.
Best regards,
Georgina.
On 18 Jan 2018 09:15, "Joy Agyepong" <joyagyepong(a)gmail.com> wrote:
Greetings Everyone and Happy New Year!
I find some statements here quite questionable. Please spare me sometime.
Mailing list being dormant is questionable! What made it so? And how do we
intend to improve that?
In previous times all communication channels such as (WhatsApp and Mailing
list) had all information disseminated accordingly whether it was active
"or with no response from users". So what changed?
I was on travel with our team member Stella Agbley to represent our country
in the just ended WikiDivCon during the renewal of membership for 2018.
Unfortunately, I saw the application form late and it had been closed. So
as a follow up I reached out to Justice a week or two after and he said "
The one working on it will re-open". After no feedback for some months, I
asked again lastweek and I'm now told it will be announced on the Mailing
List.
So my question is when? Since our focus is more on the "Active WhatsApp
Group" but not the mailing list.
Please can you enlighten me?
Finally, speaking of WikiData as I have just seen in Justice's post from
Sandister. Yes! we need to learn more and do more as it is of high interest
to me. What is our plan of action?
Congratulations Georgina!! Go spread the word,learn and impact( check on me
small wai..lol).
Sadat congratulations to you too.
Best Regards,
Joy
On 18 Jan 2018 07:16, "Justice Okai-Allotey" <owulakpakpo(a)gmail.com> wrote:
Hello Raphael,
Let me attempt to answer your questions with some of the facts I know
regarding this. So with the selection process Sandister sent this message
to the WhatsApp since most of our members are and active after we had
worked on our eligibility requirements.
*Happy New Year To Everyone*
*Before anything else, Wikipedia turns 17 on January 15, 2018. There are no
special activities planned, it's just for your information.This year the
key theme will be local relevance – activities that are relevant to our
Ghanaian context, and relevant to our user group and relevant to our
contributors – with the underlying principle of working within capacity –
the capacity we have.*
*It's going to be a fulfilling year.*
*Schedules*
*It is hard to give any schedules because our activities are planned around
when grants are approved and when they arrive.*
*Due to late report writing and and lateness in returning unspent grant
money back to the group on the part of the Wiki Loves Monuments 2017 team,
we will have to wait to start anything this year.When WMF gives the green
light, I'll let you know. Activity guide*
*I am putting together a guide for our work this year which will include
everything from pending events, WiR, upcoming travels, our annual and by
laws meeting meeting etc to help us all stay on the same page.Wikimedia
also nudged us towards Wikidata and Wikipedia New Readers – we need to do
more towards these.*
*Travels*
*Please take note of the
deadlines: Indaba: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/WikiIndaba_conference_2018
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/WikiIndaba_conference_2018>*
*WMCON 2018: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Conference_2018
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Conference_2018>Wikimania
2018: https://wikimania2018.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimania
<https://wikimania2018.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimania>*
After this message was sent Sadat and Georgina were the only once who
expressed interest in wanting to represent the group. The selection was
made based on their interest and the criteria that has been stipulated by
the WMCON.
So actually it should be Sadat and Georgina representing us so I don't know
why Georgina's name hasn't yet been put on there.
And with the mailing being our official communication, you can attest to
the fact that, it's been dormant for a lot of months now and that the
WhatsApp platform is much more active and reaches every member.
This are some of the things I know or privy to and not the official
position of the group. I expect you to get an official group position soon
on your concern.
Best,
Justice.
On Jan 18, 2018 2:46 AM, "Raphael Berchie" <rberchie(a)gmail.com> wrote:
Hello everyone happy new year and a belated Wiki birthday to us all.
So I chanced on this https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Conference_20
18/Participants%27_List and realized Sadat is the one representing us at
this year’s WMConn. Congrats to him I have no shred of doubt that he will
fully represent us and I have no problem about his eligibility and
competence.
My problem however is mode of selection. Was it decided us a community or
it was an individual’s decision because as far as I am concerned the
mailing list is the official place for having such discussions and I have
seen no such discussions here.
Again in previous years we have had consultatative talks and we have all
known who was representing us so what changed this year?
Lastly as a Usergroup we were allocated two slots for participation. How
come it is only one person.
I need some answers.
Regards
--
*Raphael Berchie*
Co Founder Open Foundation, West Africa, Wikimedian
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Ghana>,Open Advocate, Climate
Change Activist,Blogger <http://rberchie.blogspot.com/>
P.O Box CT 10469
Cantoments Accra
Ghana
+233243882047
Twitter@berchie4gh <https://twitter.com/berchie4gh>
Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/berchie>
Linkedin
<https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphael-berchie-32705822?trk=nav_responsive_tab…>
_______________________________________________
Wikimedia-GH mailing list
Wikimedia-GH(a)lists.wikimedia.org
https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-gh
_______________________________________________
Wikimedia-GH mailing list
Wikimedia-GH(a)lists.wikimedia.org
https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-gh
_______________________________________________
Wikimedia-GH mailing list
Wikimedia-GH(a)lists.wikimedia.org
https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-gh
Hello Raphael,
Let me attempt to answer your questions with some of the facts I know
regarding this. So with the selection process Sandister sent this message
to the WhatsApp since most of our members are and active after we had
worked on our eligibility requirements.
*Happy New Year To Everyone*
*Before anything else, Wikipedia turns 17 on January 15, 2018. There are no
special activities planned, it's just for your information.This year the
key theme will be local relevance – activities that are relevant to our
Ghanaian context, and relevant to our user group and relevant to our
contributors – with the underlying principle of working within capacity –
the capacity we have.*
*It's going to be a fulfilling year.*
*Schedules*
*It is hard to give any schedules because our activities are planned around
when grants are approved and when they arrive.*
*Due to late report writing and and lateness in returning unspent grant
money back to the group on the part of the Wiki Loves Monuments 2017 team,
we will have to wait to start anything this year.When WMF gives the green
light, I'll let you know. Activity guide*
*I am putting together a guide for our work this year which will include
everything from pending events, WiR, upcoming travels, our annual and by
laws meeting meeting etc to help us all stay on the same page.Wikimedia
also nudged us towards Wikidata and Wikipedia New Readers – we need to do
more towards these.*
*Travels*
*Please take note of the
deadlines: Indaba: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/WikiIndaba_conference_2018
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/WikiIndaba_conference_2018>*
*WMCON 2018: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Conference_2018
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Conference_2018>Wikimania
2018: https://wikimania2018.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimania
<https://wikimania2018.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimania>*
After this message was sent Sadat and Georgina were the only once who
expressed interest in wanting to represent the group. The selection was
made based on their interest and the criteria that has been stipulated by
the WMCON.
So actually it should be Sadat and Georgina representing us so I don't know
why Georgina's name hasn't yet been put on there.
And with the mailing being our official communication, you can attest to
the fact that, it's been dormant for a lot of months now and that the
WhatsApp platform is much more active and reaches every member.
This are some of the things I know or privy to and not the official
position of the group. I expect you to get an official group position soon
on your concern.
Best,
Justice.
On Jan 18, 2018 2:46 AM, "Raphael Berchie" <rberchie(a)gmail.com> wrote:
Hello everyone happy new year and a belated Wiki birthday to us all.
So I chanced on this https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Conference_
2018/Participants%27_List and realized Sadat is the one representing us at
this year’s WMConn. Congrats to him I have no shred of doubt that he will
fully represent us and I have no problem about his eligibility and
competence.
My problem however is mode of selection. Was it decided us a community or
it was an individual’s decision because as far as I am concerned the
mailing list is the official place for having such discussions and I have
seen no such discussions here.
Again in previous years we have had consultatative talks and we have all
known who was representing us so what changed this year?
Lastly as a Usergroup we were allocated two slots for participation. How
come it is only one person.
I need some answers.
Regards
--
*Raphael Berchie*
Co Founder Open Foundation, West Africa, Wikimedian
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Ghana>,Open Advocate, Climate
Change Activist,Blogger <http://rberchie.blogspot.com/>
P.O Box CT 10469
Cantoments Accra
Ghana
+233243882047
Twitter@berchie4gh <https://twitter.com/berchie4gh>
Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/berchie>
Linkedin
<https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphael-berchie-32705822?trk=nav_responsive_tab…>
_______________________________________________
Wikimedia-GH mailing list
Wikimedia-GH(a)lists.wikimedia.org
https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-gh
Good morning, all.
I did apply but I actually did not know that the names have as yet been
published. I'll reach out to the scholarship committee via email to find
out. Their answer will guide our further proceedings, I believe.
Many thanks.
On 18 Jan 2018 07:16, "Justice Okai-Allotey" <owulakpakpo(a)gmail.com> wrote:
Hello Raphael,
Let me attempt to answer your questions with some of the facts I know
regarding this. So with the selection process Sandister sent this message
to the WhatsApp since most of our members are and active after we had
worked on our eligibility requirements.
*Happy New Year To Everyone*
*Before anything else, Wikipedia turns 17 on January 15, 2018. There are no
special activities planned, it's just for your information.This year the
key theme will be local relevance – activities that are relevant to our
Ghanaian context, and relevant to our user group and relevant to our
contributors – with the underlying principle of working within capacity –
the capacity we have.*
*It's going to be a fulfilling year.*
*Schedules*
*It is hard to give any schedules because our activities are planned around
when grants are approved and when they arrive.*
*Due to late report writing and and lateness in returning unspent grant
money back to the group on the part of the Wiki Loves Monuments 2017 team,
we will have to wait to start anything this year.When WMF gives the green
light, I'll let you know. Activity guide*
*I am putting together a guide for our work this year which will include
everything from pending events, WiR, upcoming travels, our annual and by
laws meeting meeting etc to help us all stay on the same page.Wikimedia
also nudged us towards Wikidata and Wikipedia New Readers – we need to do
more towards these.*
*Travels*
*Please take note of the
deadlines: Indaba: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/WikiIndaba_conference_2018
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/WikiIndaba_conference_2018>*
*WMCON 2018: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Conference_2018
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Conference_2018>Wikimania
2018: https://wikimania2018.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimania
<https://wikimania2018.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimania>*
After this message was sent Sadat and Georgina were the only once who
expressed interest in wanting to represent the group. The selection was
made based on their interest and the criteria that has been stipulated by
the WMCON.
So actually it should be Sadat and Georgina representing us so I don't know
why Georgina's name hasn't yet been put on there.
And with the mailing being our official communication, you can attest to
the fact that, it's been dormant for a lot of months now and that the
WhatsApp platform is much more active and reaches every member.
This are some of the things I know or privy to and not the official
position of the group. I expect you to get an official group position soon
on your concern.
Best,
Justice.
On Jan 18, 2018 2:46 AM, "Raphael Berchie" <rberchie(a)gmail.com> wrote:
Hello everyone happy new year and a belated Wiki birthday to us all.
So I chanced on this https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Conference_20
18/Participants%27_List and realized Sadat is the one representing us at
this year’s WMConn. Congrats to him I have no shred of doubt that he will
fully represent us and I have no problem about his eligibility and
competence.
My problem however is mode of selection. Was it decided us a community or
it was an individual’s decision because as far as I am concerned the
mailing list is the official place for having such discussions and I have
seen no such discussions here.
Again in previous years we have had consultatative talks and we have all
known who was representing us so what changed this year?
Lastly as a Usergroup we were allocated two slots for participation. How
come it is only one person.
I need some answers.
Regards
--
*Raphael Berchie*
Co Founder Open Foundation, West Africa, Wikimedian
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Ghana>,Open Advocate, Climate
Change Activist,Blogger <http://rberchie.blogspot.com/>
P.O Box CT 10469
Cantoments Accra
Ghana
+233243882047
Twitter@berchie4gh <https://twitter.com/berchie4gh>
Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/berchie>
Linkedin
<https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphael-berchie-32705822?trk=nav_responsive_tab…>
_______________________________________________
Wikimedia-GH mailing list
Wikimedia-GH(a)lists.wikimedia.org
https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-gh
_______________________________________________
Wikimedia-GH mailing list
Wikimedia-GH(a)lists.wikimedia.org
https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-gh
Hello everyone happy new year and a belated Wiki birthday to us all.
So I chanced on this
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Conference_2018/Participants%27_L…
and
realized Sadat is the one representing us at this year’s WMConn. Congrats
to him I have no shred of doubt that he will fully represent us and I have
no problem about his eligibility and competence.
My problem however is mode of selection. Was it decided us a community or
it was an individual’s decision because as far as I am concerned the
mailing list is the official place for having such discussions and I have
seen no such discussions here.
Again in previous years we have had consultatative talks and we have all
known who was representing us so what changed this year?
Lastly as a Usergroup we were allocated two slots for participation. How
come it is only one person.
I need some answers.
Regards
--
*Raphael Berchie*
Co Founder Open Foundation, West Africa, Wikimedian
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Ghana>,Open Advocate, Climate
Change Activist,Blogger <http://rberchie.blogspot.com/>
P.O Box CT 10469
Cantoments Accra
Ghana
+233243882047
Twitter@berchie4gh <https://twitter.com/berchie4gh>
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<https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphael-berchie-32705822?trk=nav_responsive_tab…>
Hello,
FYI
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Asaf Bartov" <abartov(a)wikimedia.org>
Date: Jan 15, 2018 10:02 PM
Subject: [African Wikimedians] Fwd: Let's map capacities! (Announcing the
CCM)
To: "Mailing list for African Wikimedians" <
african-wikimedians(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
Cc:
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ---------
> From: Asaf Bartov <abartov(a)wikimedia.org>
> Date: Mon, Jan 15, 2018 at 1:59 PM
> Subject: Let's map capacities! (Announcing the CCM)
> To: Wikimedia Mailing List <wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
>
>
> Dear Wikimedians,
>
> *How many Wikimedia communities have embraced advanced Wikidata use? How
> many have active social media accounts, and are there geographic or
> cultural patterns to which groups have and have not? Which groups have a
> written, current strategy? What are the most common gaps in capacity in
> Latin America? or in Eastern Europe? What kind of investment in capacity
> building would be likely to bring the most value?*
>
> To answer these questions and more, we invite all of you to participate in
> the new *Community Capacity Map (CCM)*: a *self-assessment exercise* for
> communities, groups (whether formally recognized user groups or not),
> thematic organizations, and chapters, to *map capacities* across the
> movement, with a view to identifying *existing gaps* as well as *opportunities
> for capacity-building*.
>
> The CCM is here on Meta:
> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Community_Capacity_Map
>
> The context for this work, as well as "likely-asked questions, with
> answers" ("LAQ"?), are explained here, including an answer to "*why
> should I take the time to read all this?*" --
> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Community_Capacity_Map/About
> (and also pasted at the bottom of this e-mail, for your convenience.)
>
> The self-assessment is to be done based on the detailed *Guidelines* provided
> here:
> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Community_Capacity_Map/Guidelines
>
> I am looking forward to learning more about your groups' and orgs'
> capacities and gaps, and to do my best to play matchmaker between those
> needs and our available resources and opportunities. While I encourage you
> to begin contributing straightaway, *there is no deadline *-- this is
> envisioned to be a long-term, ongoing, and tracked-over-time tool -- so
> contribute if and when your group is able to make the time.
>
> (don't forget to scroll down to the LAQ!)
>
> Warmly,
>
> Asaf Bartov
> Senior Program Officer, Emerging Wikimedia Communities
>
> ==========================================
> Likely-asked questions, with answers
> this exists with working links and [modest] formatting here:
> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Community_Capacity_Map/About#Likely-asked_
> questions,_with_answers
> Why do this at all? The Community Resources team is doing this to
> attempt a more *comprehensive* view of capacities and gaps across the
> movement, to enhance our existing, anecdotal and ad-hoc, impressions of
> only some of the communities and affiliates. See the goal statement above. Why
> now? The CCM experiment is an implementation of one of the
> recommendations made at the conclusion of the Community Capacity
> Development pilot year
> <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Community_Capacity_Development/Overall_pilo…>
> . Why should I spend the time to read through it or go through the
> self-assessment? There are a couple of reasons you may want to put in
> the time: First, by self-assessing your group/organization's capacities and
> gaps, you are giving WMF and other potential investors in community
> capacity a chance to provide your group/org with resources and
> opportunities to *build up* those capacities. Secondly, self-assessing
> according to the Guidelines page
> <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Community_Capacity_Map/Guidelines> may
> be in itself a worthwhile exercise and discussion-starter for your
> group/org, pointing at potential areas for proactive work by *your
> org/group itself*, for example in your next annual plan. Finally,
> self-assessing (at least some) capacities today would enable you to review
> and re-assess in six months, or two years, and see how your group/org has
> developed (or not) in each of these aspects. So does WMF expect all
> groups and organizations to do this? No. This is an opportunity and a
> tool. Like all other tools, you are free to use it or not, and we certainly
> understand that it would take time and that you may have more pressing
> priorities in your group/org. We *hope* as many groups, organizations,
> and communities eventually take the time to self-assess, at least on some
> capacities, but it is not mandatory, and there would be no penalty for not
> participating. Would we have to provide self-assessments for *all* of the
> capacities? No. Feel free to self-assess on as many or as few capacities
> as you are able to, interested in, or find relevant. You can also add
> assessments gradually, as your group/org finds time to discuss and agree on
> assessments. Should I assess capacities in the context of my wiki
> community, my user-group/chapter, or what? It depends. It may make sense
> to do separate assessments, or just one. For example, while the English
> community has plenty of bot builders and technical experts, you may belong
> to a small community contributing in English in a country with little or no
> bot-building expertise, such as Wikimedians in Uganda. In this case, it
> would make sense to describe the capacities of the Ugandan group you're
> part of, and not of the whole English Wikipedia community. On the other
> hand, it is possible that there is a very high degree of overlap between
> the Estonian community's capacities and the Estonian chapter's capacities,
> and in that case, it may be most useful to assess just once, for the
> Estonian community *or* Wikimedia Estonia, or possibly once for the
> community for on-wiki capacities, and separately for Wikimedia Estonia only
> for the organizational and off-wiki capacities. See the Guidelines
> <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Community_Capacity_Map/Guidelines> page
> for more details. Okay, and suppose we did put in the time and provided
> some assessments. What can we expect next? You can expect, at the very
> least, one program officer at Community Resources paying attention to your
> contribution, and possibly, depending on each specific capacity and
> assessment, that officer may have resources or opportunities to suggest to
> your community/group/org. *The more groups provide assessments, the
> better-informed WMF would be*, and the more likely it would be that *WMF
> could allocate resources and create training opportunities* for your
> group. Shared needs in a region would increase the likelihood of WMF acting
> even further, as it would allow economizing on the investment by
> training/supporting several groups/communities at once. Are you saying if
> X number of communities demonstrate need Y, WMF is *guaranteed* to
> allocate resources to fill that need? I'm afraid not. But it does make
> it *more likely*, in that it demonstrates the need, making it easier to
> argue for it in internal budgeting and allocation discussions, and to
> marshal internal WMF resources (such as borrowing the time of subject
> experts at WMF to conduct training or mentor groups). Okay, so how would
> WMF decide which communities to offer resources to? There's no simple
> deterministic algorithm, but WMF would prioritize emerging communities
> <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Community_Engagement/Defining_Emerging_Comm…>
> over other communities, larger groups serving larger populations over
> smaller ones, and at least at first, would probably prioritize "low-hanging
> fruit" -- lower-cost/lower-risk investments, as we learn and improve this
> program's use of resources. Wouldn't the fact these are self-assessments
> mean we'd be comparing apples to oranges, given some groups would
> overestimate or underestimate their own capacities? No. We do
> understand there are some cultural tendencies (some cultures are more
> self-critical than others, or have rosier or more pessimistic views of
> future prospects and current capabilities). However, we think the fairly
> coarse granularity of the assessments (none/low/medium/high), coupled with *the
> Guidelines
> <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Community_Capacity_Map/Guidelines>* for
> self-assessing, would lead most groups to make reasonably comparable
> assessments. Ultimately, these would remain subjective and unscientific
> assessments; but they would certainly at least indicate a group/org's
> *own* perception of their capacity. And before WMF (or others interested
> in investing in capacity building) make a decision to tackle a particular
> capacity with a particular community/group/org/region, we would be sure to
> take into consideration *all the relevant context* we have, i.e. not just
> the aggregate of the self-assessments in the CCM, but also all the
> accumulated experience, context, and history we are aware of at WMF,
> regarding that community/group/org/region. Okay, this may not be *the
> worst* idea ever to come from WMF We're glad you think so. :) What if
> none of this turns out the way you hope? Then we'll archive these pages
> and look for other ways to do effective capacity building. The CCM is an
> experiment, based on observed needs and an expectation that it would be
> useful. But we are ready to learn that it may not, and to change course if
> necessary. Let's give it a shot, though! What if I have another question? Use
> the talk page! :)
>
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