Thank you for the update, Alex.
I find it problematic that WMF would override a community grantmaking committee that WMF previously had agreed to work with, especially if the override is to approve a proposal. I understand that WMF might find a reason to decline a grant after committee approval because WMF finds something in its due diligence process that is unacceptable such as that the grantee has overdue reports on prior grants, but if a grantmaking committee develops consensus against a proposal and WMF approves it anyway, I think that is a problem, it shows a lack of trust, and it suggests that the WMF isn't serious about its own grantmaking process.
I appreciate the flexibility of GAC's process but apparently the current system is not working, as everyone seems to agree. I am curious, what alternatives are you exploring?
Thanks,
Pine
On Wed, Jul 9, 2014 at 3:51 PM, Alex Wang awang@wikimedia.org wrote:
Dear Pine,
Thank you for your concern about the Grant Advisory Committee (GAC). You are correct that there is a consistently low level of participation by GAC members and we are seeking to address this issue through a revamp of the process and available resources.
The Project and Event Grants (PEG) program accepts proposals on a rolling basis and we strive to provide timely responses to all requests. All GAC members are given notice and at least 2 weeks to comment on proposals. Often times, we work with requesters on improving their proposal to address GAC member concerns and accept it before the GAC goes back to change their initial assessments. Please note that the GAC is an advisory committee, not a decision-making body, and on rare occasions WMF staff's duty of care may lead them to disagree with their recommendations.
We also welcome all community members to comment on PEG requests. This is a good opportunity to remind everyone reading this to not hesitate to comment on any open proposal. Open proposals can always be seen here: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:PEG/Index/Requests#Open_submissions
Best,
Alex
On Tue, Jul 8, 2014 at 10:56 PM, Pine W wiki.pine@gmail.com wrote:
Hi Tilman,
- Would WMF please document in the FAQ that Global Education, excluding
the US/CAN program, is funded and managed through Grantmaking, and the US/CAN Education Program is run through the independent Wiki Education Foundation?
- Would someone please produce a redline version of the AP that compares
the final AP to the version that was sent to the FDC?
- I suggest that in the future that the Board be given at least one
month
between their meeting for reviewing the AP and the proposed effective
date
of the AP. Otherwise, if the Board's meeting date is within a few days of the AP effective date, the Board may feel pressure to move quickly to approve the AP, and if the Board doesn't pass the AP then unless I am mistaken the Foundation has no spending or fundraising authority as of
the
start of the next fiscal year.
- The FAQ says that P&E grants are "reviewed by the 28-member Grant
Advisory Committee https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/GAC or GAC)". However, as far as I can tell, GAC is functioning at a very low level. This grant [1] for about US$7000 received only one vote among all 28 GAC members,
and
it was an oppose vote, yet WMF approved the grant. This grant [2] for
about
US$9000 had no support or oppose votes from GAC members, yet WMF approved the grant. This grant [3] for about US$30,000 received one oppose, one abstention, and one "no comment" among all 28 grant members, yet WMF approved the grant. Something seems wrong here. I have heard that GAC is being revamped but in the meantime I am concerned about such large grants being approved with so little community review. My worst-case scenario is that WMF approves something with expensive and damaging consequences like IEP or AFT5 that might have been refused or might have been better
designed
if it had been subjected to meaningful community scrutiny. Because the Annual Plan seems to assume that GAC is working well, I feel that this is an issue that needs urgent attention.
Thanks,
Pine
[1]
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants_talk:PEG/Metro/Institutional_Growth_a...
[2] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants_talk:PEG/WM_ZA/WLM-ZA-2014 [3] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:PEG/WM_AM/Wiki_Camp
On Mon, Jul 7, 2014 at 8:32 PM, Tilman Bayer tbayer@wikimedia.org
wrote:
Hi all,
the Wikimedia Foundation's 2014-15 Annual Plan has just been published
at
https://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/File:2014-15_Wikimedia_Foundation_Plan....
accompanied by a Q&A:
https://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/2014-2015_Annual_Plan_Questions_and_Ans...
The plan was approved by the Board of Trustees on June 29, 2014.
-- Tilman Bayer Senior Operations Analyst (Movement Communications) Wikimedia Foundation IRC (Freenode): HaeB
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