Dear all,
in the past few months, the Wikimedia chapters have evolved a lot, introducing brand new chapters in the WIkimedia family, which bring new blood and perspectives in the evolution of Wikimedia as a worldwide organisation.
The Board of the Wikimedia Foundation has also renewed its confidence in the ability of the chapters to further the Wikimedia mission, by asking them to select two board members. The last announcement of the upcoming board meeting agenda shows that chapters are at the core of Wikimedia's strategy.
All of these changes have been accompanied by recurring questions about the role of chapters and the nature of the relationship Wikimedia chapters should entertain with the Wikimedia Foundation. And those questions are still, to some extent "in the air". Much has been done, much has been thought about and much remains to do and to brainstorm about.
In the course of these conversations, it has become evident that the "Chapters question" (or issue, or stuff, or thing) needs a reboot. Reboot in the sense that a new structure and process is needed to best capture the energy and perspectives of the growing number of chapters, along with the growing stability of the staff and board of the Wikimedia Foundation. One of the steps in this reboot is the wrap-up of the Chapters Coordinator position.
I have been committed to that position for the past 3 years, first as a volunteer, and since February 2007 as an external consultant and I am stopping my work as Chapters Coordinator today. I have been wrapping up my work with the chapters in the last few weeks. While the role of Chapters Coordinator as such will not be continued, the staff of the Wikimedia Foundation is here and ready to work with the chapters.
The Chapters Committee [1], which has recently renewed its members, is also here to help existing chapters as well as chapters "to be" to go forward in developping Wikimedia as a worldwide presence.
I am a bit sad to be leaving, to tell you the truth, but I am also confident that this "reboot" is much needed, and that many good things can spring out of it.
I will continue to be involved in Wikimedia as a volunteer. I hope to participate in this reboot from a different angle. Quickly reflecting on these last three years, and especially these last few months, which have been rich in ideas, emotions, questions, novelties and interesting bits altogether, I want to give my thanks to the (growing) staff of the Wikimedia Foundation for their support in my "remoteness", I also wish to thank here all the "chapters people", those who have been patient or impatient, clueless or full of ideas and most important, full of motivation and hope. I would not want to go into "Academy Awards' mode", but I still want to take this one opportunity to publicly thank Florence for her never faltering vision of what Wikimedia could accomplish, which was an inspiration all the way.
I am convinced that the Wikimedia organisations have great things to accomplish, and I am proud to be a part of their growth on so many different levels.
I shall see you on "the other side". Who knows, I might even get back to editing? (well, as soon as I master the syntax again ;-) )
Cheers,
Delphine [1] http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Chapters_committee