cross-post.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Maria Sefidari <msefidari(a)wikimedia.org>
Date: Sat, Nov 15, 2014 at 3:09 PM
Subject: [Wikimedia Announcements] Your support is wanted: The WMF
Board of Trustees is looking for a new Board member
To: wikimediaannounce-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
Dear all,
The Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees is currently looking for an
additional appointed trustee to fill the seat currently held by
Bishakha Datta, who has announced that she plans to step down at the
end of her term in December 2014. The Board Governance Committee is
leading the search to fill the position on behalf of the Board. Please
spread the word to those you would like to see on the Board!
The Board functions as a governance body that is ultimately
responsible for the Wikimedia Foundation and its activities,
supervises the disposition and solicitation of donations, and oversees
the management of the organization. To find out more about the
responsibilities and workings of the Board you can have a look at the
Board handbook.[1]
We are seeking a trustee who is a leader in their field and who is
committed to Wikimedia's values.[2] We are also particularly looking
for someone with technical experience, who can bring expertise with
strategic development and technical organizations to the Board. As
always, the Board values diversity in its members.
Appointments are for a two-year term and involve 3-4 in-person
meetings throughout the year, at least two in San Francisco, as well
as online work and participation in a Board committee.
If you would like to suggest a name or nominate someone, please
contact Ewen McAlpine at emcalpine(a)wikimedia.org, who is handling
initial contact for the committee.
Kind regards,
María
Chair, Board Governance Committee
[1] http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_Board_Handbook
[2] http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Values
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Hello, guys!
We received some alerts from our users that donations are now blocked when
user is from Russia:
http://habrastorage.org/files/31b/b1f/ec9/31bb1fec9b9e45abb6ac4babcc237184.…
The only WMF comment I received in #wikimedia-fundraising was that "we
don't run fundraising in Russia at the moment". Russia is now blacklisted
like Libya, like Congo, like Iraq.
I always though that WMF is free from politics and tends to be transparent,
but why such a decision was made? And why nobody informed us (at least,
Wikimedia RU) about it?
Now we are starting to receive negative feedbacks from users and readers
who treat WMF as a politically motivated organization, not a non-profit
organization promoting free knowledge.
And as we got no comments from Fundraising team and have no idea what
happened, we at Wikimedia RU are not able to cope with such negative
publicity.
It's now late evening in Russia, but the messages were already posted to
some top websites of Russia, and this will be promoted quickly via social
networks: so, tomorrow will be a bad day for wiki-movement in our country.
WMF, I want to thank you a lot for your transparency.
rubin16
Hello, everyone.
Weeks go by, and the previous conversation was throughly derailed, so out
of a profound interest in ensuring a high-value event, I am bringing this
up again: we[3] *need to make progress* with planning the
working-meeting-featuring-Wikimedia-affiliates-and-WMF-and-the-WMF-Board-and-AffCom[4],
whatever we may end up calling it[1].
In the interest of moving on to focus on more substantive issues, and in
light of there being only a single bid submitted so far[5], may I
boldly *suggest
that it be accepted* and that we devote the rest of the time until the
spring to ensuring the lessons[6] of the previous years be heeded in
*significant
preparatory work* by the program team and the affiliates?
Asaf
[1] or whatever we may choose to rename it. The previous thread was
successfully killed by the digression into the event's name. Let's try to
keep this one on track, and discuss the name ELSEWHERE[2], shall we?
[2] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Talk:Wikimedia_Conference_2015
[3] yes, not all the hundreds of people on this mailing list. But this is
still the channel that reaches the greatest number of Wikimedia affiliates.
[4] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Conference_2015
[5] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Conference_2015/Bids
[6] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Talk:Future_of_the_Wikimedia_Conference
--
Asaf Bartov
Wikimedia Foundation <http://www.wikimediafoundation.org>
Imagine a world in which every single human being can freely share in the
sum of all knowledge. Help us make it a reality!
https://donate.wikimedia.org
We have the honour of inviting you to the celebration of the official
constitution of Wikimedia Belgium asbl/vzw.
Wikimedia Belgium asbl/vzw has been recognised by the worldwide Wikimedia
Foundation as an official chapter, that supports the quest for and promotes
a universal and freely accessible source of free information.
The celebration will take place in the drawing rooms of the president of
the Belgian Chamber of Representatives, Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 12 on
Wednesday 19th of November 2014 at 15 p.m.
Please confirm your presence by e-mail via wmbe(a)wikimedia.org
We hope to meet you there.
On behalf of the board of Wikimedia Belgium,
Romaine
PS: The entrance to the drawing rooms of the president is for visitors at
the rear of the building at the Rue de Louvain/Leuvenseweg.
----
Foundation of Wikimedia Belgium:
https://be.wikimedia.org/wiki/Foundation_of_Wikimedia_Belgium
Become a member:
https://be.wikimedia.org/wiki/Be_a_member_of_Wikimedia_Belgium
Our website: http://www.wikimedia.be
Forwarding to Wikimedia-l - Wikimedia UK are looking for volunteers in the
UK to help with a prestigious - and rather fun - event at the Science
Museum in London. There are all sorts of things to get involved with, from
helping with video and audio, to talking to people about the Wikimedia
projects, helping folks photograph the brand new Information Age gallery
for Commons or helping people record their voice for Wikipedia.
More details, including sign-ups, can be seen here -
https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Science_Museum_Late
Richard Symonds
Wikimedia UK
0207 065 0992
Wikimedia UK is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and
Wales, Registered No. 6741827. Registered Charity No.1144513. Registered
Office 4th Floor, Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4LT.
United Kingdom. Wikimedia UK is the UK chapter of a global Wikimedia
movement. The Wikimedia projects are run by the Wikimedia Foundation (who
operate Wikipedia, amongst other projects).
*Wikimedia UK is an independent non-profit charity with no legal control
over Wikipedia nor responsibility for its contents.*
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Stevie Benton <stevie.benton(a)wikimedia.org.uk>
Date: 14 November 2014 11:24
Subject: [Wikimediauk-l] Wikimedia UK and the Science Museum Late
To: UK Wikimedia mailing list <wikimediauk-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
Hello everyone,
Just under two weeks to go until the Science Museum Lates event on
Wednesday 26 November. We are still looking for more volunteers to help out
at what will be a fun, lively and unusual event.
There are all sorts of things to get involved with, from helping with video
and audio, to talking to people about the Wikimedia projects, helping folks
photograph the brand new Information Age gallery for Commons or helping
people record their voice for Wikipedia.
More details, including sign-ups, can be seen here -
https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Science_Museum_Late
Thanks and regards,
Stevie
--
Stevie Benton
Head of External Relations
Wikimedia UK+44 (0) 20 7065 0993 / +44 (0) 7803 505 173
@StevieBenton
Wikimedia UK is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England
and Wales, Registered No. 6741827. Registered Charity No.1144513.
Registered Office 4th Floor, Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street,
London EC2A 4LT. United Kingdom. Wikimedia UK is the UK chapter of a
global Wikimedia movement. The Wikimedia projects are run by the
Wikimedia Foundation (who operate Wikipedia, amongst other projects).
*Wikimedia UK is an independent non-profit charity with no legal
control over Wikipedia nor responsibility for its contents.*
_______________________________________________
Wikimedia UK mailing list
wikimediauk-l(a)wikimedia.org
http://mail.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l
WMUK: https://wikimedia.org.uk
Dear all,
A workshop on Bangla Wikipedia was held yesterday (12 November 2014) at
State University of Bangladesh [1]. Students of the university and some
faculty members participated at the workshop. Wikimedia Bangladesh (WMBD)
executive members Ali Haider Khan and Tanweer, Bangla Wikipedia
administrator Nahid Sultan and Campus Ambassador Zahid Hossain spoke at the
workshop on Bangla Wikipedia, Bengali Wikimedia projects and Wikimedia
movement in Bangladesh. Later the participants were given hands-on training
about contributing to Wikipedia.
At the end of the event, prominent Bangladeshi writer Mujtoba Ahmed
Murshed, also a faculty member of the university, gave away all his
literary works under public domain to publish them at Bangla Wikisource.
Soon he will give WMBD relevant legal documents regarding copyright issues.
[1]
http://www.prothom-alo.com/technology/article/369241/%E0%A6%89%E0%A6%87%E0%…
Photos of the workshop:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Workshop_at_State_University
Regards,
Tanweer
Wikimedia Bangladesh
With some sadness I have to tell you that I will be leaving Wikimedia UK,
as an employee, if not as a volunteer, at the end of the year. I have
achieved what I set out to do and leave WMUK in a good state. I now need to
look for new challenges.
I was the first chief executive and it has been an amazing three years
watching the chapter grow and develop. It has not always been smooth
sailing but we have come through it together in good shape. Wikimania
proved how professional we had become and the positive feedback from the
participants makes all the work we put in worthwhile.
My heartfelt thanks to everyone in the community, particularly the
volunteers who are at the heart of all we do, my great colleagues at the
Foundation and the loyal and hardworking staff at WMUK who have supported
me so ably and with such good humour over the years.
My best wishes go to my successor in all they seek to achieve.
Cyhoeddiad gan Jon
Gyda pheth tristwch rwy'n eich hysbysu y byddaf yn gadael Wikimedia UK, fel
cyflogai, os nad
fel gwirfoddolwr, ar ddiwedd y flwyddyn. Dw i wedi cyflawni'r hyn roeddwn
wedi'i obeithio a dw
i'n gadael WMUK ar delerau da. Edrychaf ymlaen rwan am sialensau newydd. Fi
oedd y Prif Weithredwr cyntaf ac mae'r dair blynedd diwethaf wedi bod yn
hollol anhygoel,
wrth i mi weld y siaptr yn tyfu a datblygu. Doedd y daith bob amser ddim yn
llyfn, ond daethom drwyddi'n y diwedd yn ddianaf! Profodd Wikimania inni
aeddfedu mewn modd proffesiynol a chafwyd adborth adeiladol gan y cyfranwyr
oedd yn gwneud yr holl waith yn bleser.
Carwn ddiolch o waelod fy ngalon i bawb o fewn ein cymuned, yn enwedig y
gwirfoddolwyr sy'n sylfaen i'n gwaith, fy nghydweithwyr bendigedig yn
Sylfaen Wikimedia a'r staff sydd wedi bod mor driw i mi, wedi fy nghefnogi
mor effeithiol ac wedi gweithio mor arbennig o galed dros y blynyddoedd a
hynny gyda hiwmor iach. Dymunaf pob llwyddiant i f'olynydd ym mhopeth y
ceisiant ei gyflawni.
Jon.
--
*Jon Davies - Chief Executive Wikimedia UK*. Mobile (0044) 7803 505 169
tweet @jonatreesdavies
Wikimedia UK is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and
Wales, Registered No. 6741827. Registered Charity No.1144513. Registered
Office 4th Floor, Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4LT.
United Kingdom. Wikimedia UK is the UK chapter of a global Wikimedia
movement. The Wikimedia projects are run by the Wikimedia Foundation (who
operate Wikipedia, amongst other projects).
Telephone (0044) 207 065 0990.
Visit http://www.wikimedia.org.uk/ and @wikimediauk
Dear all,
It is our pleasure to announce of the recognition [1] of the Wikimedians of
Bulgaria User Group. Bulgarian User Group will be an important part of the
Wikimedia Central and Eastern Europe.
I would like to thank the fellow Bulgarian Wikimedians for their hard work
over the years. They have several projects running and a significant number
of talented contributors to those projects. We hope that they will continue
their hard work actively so we will get more contributors as well as
initiatives to make knowledge free and easily accessible in Bulgaria.
Please join us to give them a warm welcome!
Tanvir
[1]
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Affiliations_Committee/ResolutionsWikimedia…
--
Tanvir Rahman
Wikitanvir
I'm sure that you're correct here Joseph, but this is another example I
think where the Foundation should have notified the relevant chapter
*before* taking the action, so that they would be ready when the questions
started rolling in.
Unfortunately, I think we're getting back to the bad old days of chapter
and user group press contacts being the last people to find out about
potentially controversial issues like this.
Regards,
Craig Franklin
(personal view only)
On 13 November 2014 10:07, Joseph Seddon <josephseddon(a)gmail.com> wrote:
> I would hate to preclude any answer from the foundation. However the laws
> that govern the foundation are that of the US. Given the previous and
> renewed ongoing palaver with Ukraine and the presence of economic sanctions
> and the increasing likelihood of on top of what is already present, I
> imagine this related to that.
>
> Im not sure of what legal risks accepting such donations would expose the
> foundation to. However such precautions have been made in the past relating
> to unrest.
>
> Its no slight on the country or its individuals, just a precautionary
> measure.
>
> Seddon
> On 12 Nov 2014 19:48, "Federico Leva (Nemo)" <nemowiki(a)gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> rubin.happy, 12/11/2014 18:48:
>>
>>> We received some alerts from our users that donations are now blocked
>>> when user is from Russia:
>>> http://habrastorage.org/files/31b/b1f/ec9/31bb1fec9b9e45abb6ac4babcc2371
>>> 84.png
>>>
>>
>> Thanks for the information. Everyone can see the same warning by clicking
>> the "Russia" link in https://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Ways_to_Give
>> Through what channels are donations blocked? Did anyone try sending a
>> wire to the EU (SEPA) account (IBAN GB54CHAS60924241034640), or a PayPal
>> donation?
>>
>> Nemo
>>
>> P.s.: ROTFLOL "Please email donate(a)wikimedia.org for more information on
>> how to make a bank transfer to the Wikimedia Foundation." In case someone
>> forgets there is an ocean between Europe and USA.
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Fundraiser mailing list
>> Fundraiser(a)lists.wikimedia.org
>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/fundraiser
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Fundraiser mailing list
> Fundraiser(a)lists.wikimedia.org
> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/fundraiser
>
>
