During the strategic meeting of the Affiliations Committee (AffCom) in
Paris on June 24-26, members discussed how AffCom may be able to support
the movement in relation to the upcoming Hubs pilot process. We reviewed
two issues – whether it was within AffCom’s remit to contribute to the
Hub pilot process and if so, what our involvement might look like.
AffCom has, since its inception in 2004, worked directly with all
Affiliates across the movement, i.e.: User Groups, Chapters, and
Thematic Organizations. Our role, as it has evolved, is to support these
different entities as they come into being and then as they grow, ensure
that they integrate best practices and with a view to long-term
sustainability. This has provided AffCom with both a broad overview, as
well as a deep understanding, of the various challenges faced by
affiliates across a range of circumstances that include socio-cultural
issues and affiliate-based conflicts. Hubs are intended to function as
formal movement bodies constituted by existing groups and/or affiliates,
able to use Wikimedia trademarks to present their association. They
will need to be independent, legally constituted Affiliates, recognised
by the Board of Trustees. This introduces a significant and exciting new
Affiliate model to our movement and AffCom would welcome the opportunity
to bring our institutional knowledge and experience to assist in their
development.
Recognising the principles of subsidiarity, the committee would like to
offer its support as an advisory body for the Hubs piloting process,
working with the community to develop a process that will lead,
ultimately, to their approval by the WMF Board of Trustees.
Wojciech Pędzich
on behalf of AffCom