Wikimedia-l December 2020

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Wikimedia Foundation FY20-21Annual Plan on Meta-wiki
by Katherine Maher 15 Dec '20

15 Dec '20

Hi everyone, The Wikimedia Foundation would like to announce that our final FY20-21 Annual Plan is now available on Meta[1]. The Annual Plan was approved by the Board of Trustees on September 28th, 2020. As you know, we finalized the plan several months further into the year than we normally would, and into a world full of uncertainty: the COVID-19 pandemic, a global economic downturn, and a changing political landscape marked both by inspiring civic protests for racial justice and by rising threats to freedom of information. In light of these circumstances, we built this plan with one thing at the forefront: our responsibility to the stability and continuity of our projects, and the commitment to secure the resources to steward free knowledge and to serve our global communities. Much of our work will focus on securing these fundamentals. At the same time, we want to continue our progress towards our strategic direction as an organization serving our movement and vision. Thus, this Annual Plan represents an important balance between both the current needs of our movement and the aspirational goals that we all share. The projects outlined in the Annual Plan align with the two goals, and five priorities, of our 2019 medium-term plan[2], which is the Foundation’s three-year roadmap of work to help move us toward the overall movement strategic direction. These projects include work as varied and adventurous as exploring new knowledge formats through our newest Wikimedia project, Abstract Wikipedia; introducing new improvements to our tech stack and new tools for editors, and investing to close knowledge gaps through a pilot fund for knowledge equity. As a movement, we are now in the exciting phase of the movement strategy process where we begin the implementation of the final recommendations. Over the past three years, the movement strategy process highlighted the long-term impact we can have when we come together as a movement. In that same spirit, implementing these recommendations will be a collaborative effort. The projects that we have prioritized in this year’s Annual Plan will allow us to improve our capacity to support the global communities as we enter this implementation phase, together, and lay the groundwork for greater investment in the coming years as the movement builds out the initiatives prioritized in the strategy. Thank you to all the work of everyone, especially the Annual Plan team, for making this possible. In this year’s Annual Plan, we increased community funding through the grants program, safeguarded APG funds through a fiscal set-aside, and developed new resources for community events. We are also investing in improving our staff capacity to support the communities more systematically, through improved consultation practices, multilingual communication, Trust & Safety support, and online events, among other areas. The Annual Plan also includes one of the most significant milestones for our movement, Wikipedia’s 20th birthday this January. We’re devastated that this birthday comes amidst a pandemic that is keeping us apart, but it’s all the more reason for us to celebrate the strength and breadth of our global movement. As in previous years, this marks the start of an open community discussion period, where we invite your reflections (comments and clarifying questions) on how the Annual Plan aligns with our movement strategy and Strategic Direction. In the past, we’ve called this process a consultation. This year, we want to be more precise: this is an invitation to provide comments and ask questions, but it is not a consultation in the traditional Wikimedia sense, as we will not be able to make changes to the entire plan, as it has already been approved by the Board of Trustees. Instead of asking for consultation on *what* we are planning to do, we are asking for your feedback on how to improve and strengthen the planned work itself. This means that we will look for your feedback on this document, as well as continue to engage with communities throughout the year on specific projects within the plan. We want to be more intentional about your time, in order to get deeper, more meaningful consultation on our work to support you and the projects, and create more chances for input and collaboration across the movement. Finally, a personal apology: the delay in sharing this plan is squarely on me. My colleagues in the Foundation finished planning and the Board approved the budget in September. However, every year we deliver the Annual Plan with a note from the ED to explain our goals, intentions, and why we made certain decisions. As we have been working to deliver the movement strategy implementation plan, recalibrate program work based on community and staff capacity in the pandemic, and as I have had to be available for my own family, I found it difficult to find the time until now to sit down to write this note. I hope you will accept my apologies for this delay. (On that note: although we didn’t plan it this way, I know that we are heading into a quiet period to allow people to step back from movement activities and take a break. This quiet period is meant to run from today through January 5th, 2021, so if you are posting this month, please know that we will be monitoring the talk page and share responses starting in January.) I’m looking forward to the year ahead and what we can achieve together. Thank you for all you do! Take care, stay safe, wear a mask, Katherine Maher Executive Director, Wikimedia Foundation [1] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_Medium-term_plan_2019/… [2] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_Medium-term_plan_2019 -- Katherine Maher (she/her) CEO Wikimedia Foundation <https://wikimediafoundation.org/>

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Fwd: Meeting 18.12 19:30
by Vladimir Medeyko 15 Dec '20

15 Dec '20

Здравствуйте, коллеги! Мы с Дмитрием Жуковым будем 18.12 пролётом из Якутска в Москве, и поэтому хотелось бы провести собрание, на котором мы формально утвердим новый юридический адрес. Соответственно, я прошу прийти к 19:30 в новый офис Викимедиа РУ Москва, Улица Воздвиженка, д. 10, 3-й этаж, офис 350. (Это Военторг, через дорогу от библиотеки им. Ленина) Всё, что нужно - это подписать протокол с решением о переезде в офис по вышеуказанному адресу. Спасибо! -- Медейко Владимир Владимирович тел. +7-921-940-39-79

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APG- TIdes Advocacy
by Kassia Echavarri-Queen 15 Dec '20

15 Dec '20

Hello Everyone, My name is Kassia Echavarri-Queen and I became the Director of the Community Resources team in June. I am so excited and inspired to be a part of this movement. Lisa covered the overall intention and background of the Equity Fund and Tides Advocacy. I want to address the specific questions about Tides Advocacy and its impact on the Annual Plan Grants. Tides Advocacy is disbursing funds for the Annual Plan Grants that were managed under the FDC. Simple Annual Plan Grants and all other existing grant programs remain under the direct administration of WMF. As mentioned the FDC was paused to focus on strategy. As the Community Resources team is currently reviewing its strategy to align with the movement strategic direction the FDC remains paused. During this time, the Community Resources team continues to renew eligible APG grants with a streamlined process. The process for applying and reviewing the APG remains the same as the last two years and under the management of the Community Resources team. Upon the recommendation of the Community Resources Team, Tides Advocacy will distribute the funds. We have hosted conversations with all of the affiliates directly impacted by the changes. Thank you for the questions. I wish everyone well and can't wait for the moment we have opportunities to meet in person. All the best, Kassia -- *Kassia Echavarri-Queen* (She/Her) Director Community Investment Wikimedia Foundation <https://wikimediafoundation.org/> kechavarriqueen(a)wikimedia.org

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WikiDonne User Group report Nov 2019 - Nov 2020
by Camelia Boban 14 Dec '20

14 Dec '20

Hi everybody. Sorry for the delayed time, I just filled WikiDonne <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/WikiDonne/Reports/Report_2019-2020> User Group report <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/WikiDonne/Reports/Report_2019-2020> for the period November 2019 - November 2020, sending it to the Affiliates Data Portal <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Affiliates_Data_Portal> too. It tried to be detailed and complete as I think is useful to understand all the affiliate's efforts inside the movement. Please feel free to reach out with any questions. Warm regards, Camelia Boban on behalf of WikiDonne UG -- *Camelia Boban* *| Java EE Developer |* WikiDonne chair & co-founder Wikimedia Diversity Ambassador *Affiliations Committee - **Wikimedia Foundation* *Interwiki Women <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Interwiki_Women_Collaboration> | **Wiki Loves Sport <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wiki_Loves_Sport> | Wiki Loves Fashion <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wiki_Loves_Fashion>* WMIT <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Italia> - WMSE <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Sverige> - WMAR <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Argentina> - WMCH <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_CH> - WMNY <https://nyc.wikimedia.org/wiki/Home> - WMDC <https://wikimediadc.org/wiki/Home> - WMBE <https://be.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Belgium> Member M. +39 3383385545 camelia.boban(a)gmail.com *Aissa Technologies* <http://aissatechnologies.eu/>* | *Twitter <https://twitter.com/cameliaboban> *|* *LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/in/camelia-boban-31319122>* *Wikipedia <https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utente:Camelia.boban> **| **WikiDonne UG <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/WikiDonne>* | *WikiDonne Project <https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progetto:WikiDonne> *

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Recognition of Wikimedistas de Uruguay
by Mehman Ibragimov 14 Dec '20

14 Dec '20

Hi everyone! I'm very happy to announce that the Affiliations Committee has recognized [1] *Wikimedistas de Uruguay *[2] as a Wikimedia User Group. This is a working group created at the initiative of former members of the official Wikimedia Uruguay <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Uruguay> chapter (which stopped working in mid-2020) to which new people also joined. They wish to promote access to content produced in Uruguay and its dissemination in digital environments, rescuing our public domain, and promoting the use of free licenses. Please join me in congratulating the members of this new user group! Regards, *Mehman Ibragimov* *Vice-Chair, **Affiliations Committee* [1] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Affiliations_Committee/Resolutions/Recognit… [2] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedistas_de_Uruguay

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Donations - show the editors you care?
by Pelagic 14 Dec '20

14 Dec '20

[ Cross-posted from https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Meta:Babel#Donations_-_show_the_editors_you… ] I had the misfortune of visiting Wikipedia logged-out the other day, and was struck by the large size of the donation banner, and the odd wording of the appeal. (Something about awkward and humble.) Re-checking now, the "awkward" bit is gone, but the following sentences are still there: "If Wikipedia has given you $2.75 worth of knowledge, take a minute to donate. Show the editors who bring you neutral and verified information that their work matters." As an occasional editor I want to know: how do the donations show me that the work matters? Is there some W?F "appreciation fund" that's going to start handing out disbursements to editors? Will the money hire more dev's to implement all the unfinished items from the Community Wishlists? Will funds be used to run better "community consultations" where the communities are actually listened to? Or is it just a big fat cynical marketing lie? [Add: okay, I get it that donation appeals have to phrased in a way that actually causes people to donate. But this skates very close to implying that Wikipedia's editors are paid from donors' money.] Cheers, Pelagic

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Recognition of Wikimedians of the Uzbek language User Group
by Mehman Ibragimov 14 Dec '20

14 Dec '20

Hi everyone! I'm very happy to announce that the Affiliations Committee has recognized [1] *Wikimedians of the Uzbek language User Group* [2] as a Wikimedia User Group. It is a regional user group representing all Wikimedians who speak the Uzbek language, a Turkic language spoken in Uzbekistan and elsewhere in Central Asia. The group aims to enrich Wikimedia projects in the Uzbek language, particularly the Uzbek Wikipedia and Uzbek Wiktionary. As a regional user group, it serves to encourage Wikimedians in Central Asia and elsewhere to get to know each other, as well as foster support for events in the region. Please join me in congratulating the members of this new user group! Regards, Mehman Ibragimov Vice-Chair, Affiliations Committee [1] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Affiliations_Committee/Resolutions/Wikimedi… [2] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedians_of_the_Uzbek_language_User_Group

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Re: [Wikimedia-l] Wikimedia-l Digest, Vol 201, Issue 38
by John Andersson 14 Dec '20

14 Dec '20

Hi, All of the Annual Planning Grants (APGs) to Wikimedia affiliates are next year paid through Tides Advocacy. Wikimedia Foundation has communicated this change to all of us affiliates that are affected many months ago, and there is nothing secretive going on. Please assume good faith. Best, John Andersson Executive Director Wikimedia Sverige Den sön 13 dec. 2020 13:02 <wikimedia-l-request(a)lists.wikimedia.org> skrev: > Send Wikimedia-l mailing list submissions to > wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > wikimedia-l-request(a)lists.wikimedia.org > > You can reach the person managing the list at > wikimedia-l-owner(a)lists.wikimedia.org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Wikimedia-l digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: WMF transfers $8.7 million to "Wikimedia Knowledge Equity > Fund" (Christophe Henner) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Sun, 13 Dec 2020 12:39:31 +0100 > From: Christophe Henner <christophe.henner(a)gmail.com> > To: Wikimedia Mailing List <wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org> > Subject: Re: [Wikimedia-l] WMF transfers $8.7 million to "Wikimedia > Knowledge Equity Fund" > Message-ID: > <CAFaJbjehxW5Rq5gaqzN=_wMS=_e_=AJPmoXMx2n9=rUQTB6= > Ww(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > It is the endowment. > > Le dim. 13 déc. 2020 à 10:37 AM, Yair Rand <yyairrand(a)gmail.com> a écrit : > > > No, the Wikimedia Endowment is a separate thing. > > > > -- Yair Rand > > > > ‫בתאריך יום א׳, 13 בדצמ׳ 2020 ב-4:18 מאת ‪Michael Peel‬‏ <‪ > > email@mikepeel.net‬‏>:‬ > > > >> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Endowment ? > >> > >> On 13 Dec 2020, at 08:33, Yair Rand <yyairrand(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> > >> According to the recent Independent Auditors' Report of the WMF [1], at > >> some point prior to the end of June 2020, an entity called the > "Wikimedia > >> Knowledge Equity Fund" was established, and $8.723 million was > transferred > >> to it by the WMF, in the form of an unconditional grant. The Fund is > >> "managed and controlled by Tides Advocacy" (a 501(c)(4) advocacy > nonprofit > >> previously led by the WMF's current General Counsel/Board Secretary, who > >> served as CEO, Board Secretary, and Treasurer there). Given that a > Google > >> search for "Wikimedia Knowledge Equity Fund" yields zero results prior > to > >> the release of the report, it is clear that the WMF kept this > significant > >> move completely secret for over five months, perhaps over a year. The > >> Report FAQ additionally emphasizes that the WMF "has no right of return > to > >> the grant funds provided, with the exception of unexpended funds." > >> > >> The WMF unilaterally and secretly transferred nearly $9 million of > >> movement funds to an outside organization not recognized by the > >> Affiliations Committee. No mention of the grant was made in any Board > >> resolutions or minutes from the relevant time period. The amount was not > >> mentioned in the public annual plan, which set out rather less than this > >> amount for the entire grantmaking budget for the year. No application > was > >> made through any of the various Wikimedia grants processes. No further > >> information has been provided on the administration of this new Fund, > or on > >> the text of the grant agreement. > >> > >> I am appalled. > >> > >> -- Yair Rand > >> > >> [1] > >> > https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/foundation/f/f7/Wikimedia_Foundation… > >> _______________________________________________ > >> Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: > >> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and > >> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l > >> New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org > >> Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, > < > >> mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe > >> <wikimedia-l-request(a)lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe>> > >> > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: > >> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and > >> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l > >> New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org > >> Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, > >> <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe> > >> > > _______________________________________________ > > Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: > > https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and > > https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l > > New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org > > Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, > > <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe> > > >

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Apology
by Pelagic 12 Dec '20

12 Dec '20

In a previous email I referred to a fundraising claim as "filthy marketing lies". That phrase was unduly harsh, and could give the impression that I was impugning the moral character of the people who wrote and approved the message. For that I am sorry and issue a formal retraction. I have not yet returned to the mailing list or the meta page, so I don't know what was said in response nor even if the email passed moderation. That is intentional. I wanted to be able to write this with a clear head, and not be tempted to dilute this apology with rebuttals and explanations. I hope you understand, Pelagic.

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Wikimedia Foundation External Audit and FAQ for the fiscal year ending 30 June 2020
by Jaime Villagomez 11 Dec '20

11 Dec '20

Dear all, In addition to our standard practice of documenting and publishing the Audit Committee meeting minutes regarding the review and approval of the *Wikimedia Foundation’s Independent Auditors’ Report* by the Audit Committee - a board subcommittee, we want to inform you that The Independent Auditors’ Report for the fiscal year ending 30 June 2020 is now published and available at: https://wikimediafoundation.org/about/financial-reports/ We have also posted on Meta-Wiki answers to frequently asked questions (“FAQ”) about the Independent Auditors’ Report: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_reports/Financial/Audi… The external audit is conducted annually by an independent third-party audit firm (KPMG) as a part of our financial oversight, and provides an overview of basic information about the organization's financial position and its financial activities. Please contact me or (Tony Le <tle(a)wikimedia.org>) via email if you have any questions. Best regards, Jaime Jaime Villagomez (jvillagomez(a)wikimedia.org) Chief Financial Officer Wikimedia Foundation <https://wikimediafoundation.org/> *Imagine a world in which every single human being can freely share in the sum of all knowledge. That's our commitment.Donate. <https://donate.wikimedia.org/>*

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Wikimedia-l December 2020