Hi,
I have some concerns regarding this whole process which, I think, need to
be addressed as soon as possible.
As far as I have understood, Samir is coming to India to get feedback from
the Indian affiliates and communities about the re-branding proposal and
report it back to WMF. Re-branding is a very debatable proposal which will
definitely affect, in a controversial and unclear way, the future of almost
all emerging communities, affiliates and sister projects.
So, my questions are,
1) Why was information about Samir's trip to India, not declared to the
communities well ahead of time so that the communities and affiliates could
express their voices and concerns directly with preparation?
2) Who decided that visiting only Punjabi, Hindi and Bangalore communities
is sufficient enough to provide the feedback of all Indian communities? Why
were not other communities and affiliates included in the process? What
criteria these three communities met so that they can represent the voices
from all over the country and why not other communities consulted about
this?
Why is Samir staying in Patiala, Delhi and Bangalore for extra days for
local sightseeing and not utilizing the days to communicate with other
communities and who planned for this kind of schedule?
How will it be ensured to provide ample opportunity for community members
to express their opinions? Online session is not a good option as many
don't have the necessary infrastructure to do so.
There is a feeling in the community that re-branding is already a made
decision by the WMF and this kind of non-transparency further endorses that
theory.
Hoping to get positive responses.
Regards,
Manoj Kulkarni
On Sat, Apr 13, 2019 at 8:29 AM Gopala Krishna A <bhat.gka666(a)gmail.com>
wrote:
> Hello Wikimedians,
>
> Greetings from A2K. In upcoming week, Wikimedia Foundation Community brand
> and marketing coordinator Samir Elsharbaty
> <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Selsharbaty_(WMF)> is visiting
> India to collect feedback from affiliates and communities in India.
> Schedule will be as follows:
>
> 1. 16 April 2019 - Session with Hindi Wikimedians User group members
> and other Wikimedians in New Delhi. This is going to takes place at CIS
> office, First floor, B 1/8, Hauz Khaas, near G Block market, New Delhi
> between 11 AM and 2 PM.
> 2. 18 April 2019: Session with Punjabi Wikimedians User group in
> Patiala between 11 AM and 2 PM.
> 3. 21 April 2019: Session with CIS-A2K and Wikimedians in Bangaluru.
> Event is going to take place at CIS office, No. 194, 2nd 'C' cross, Domlur,
> 2nd Stage, Bengaluru between 11 AM to 2PM.
>
> Main agenda will be:
>
> - Wikimedia brand project presentation for the 2030 strategic
> direction.
> - Discussion and open Q&A.
> - Introduction about the Wikimedia Foundation's communication's team
> and their work.
> - Open discussion on communications.
>
>
> Please read more about these sessions here and register your name for
> participation:
> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Brand_Project_-_Community_review_…
>
> Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
>
> --
> Regards,
> Gopala Krishna A
> Community Advocate, CIS-A2K
> Contact : +918884244408
>
>