The short answer is that we are reviewing the recognition and renewal process for user groups right now and ways to expedite the process further. Now a longer answer for those that are interested... :)
This is an almost constant activity for AffCom and several small changes continue to be made. The ultimate goal is for the user group recognition process to be shortened to a few weeks. We are not yet satisfied with the process, and the introduction of liaisons is just one of the steps we are taking to resolve feedback on how we can do better. For example, by maintaining contact with affiliates after their recognition, we are better able to discover how that process was perceived. There are several other complicated issues that have arisen with the initial dozen user groups (which was expected) which we are also working through to help with the overall process - such as logo design and usage, process for signing paperwork, input and conflict with existing affiliates, and the wonderful diversity of types of user groups and their different needs.
We have learned a lot since the new movement affiliation model was introduced, and we are applying what we have learned as quickly as busy volunteers can. As we formalize what changes are being made and what steps we are taking, many of AffCom's members (myself included) are personally committed to making sure folks know in as transparent a way as possible. As was the case with the user group logo RFC, we are also committed to getting large community input when possible, and always welcome and discuss direct feedback.
We are steadily moving through any backlog of user group requests. With a couple of complicated exceptions I do not want to go into on a public list - the remaining groups "in limbo" are mostly groups that AffCom is waiting to hear back from. If any group has not heard from us in the past month, I encourage them to reach out to us directly - AffCom@lists.wikimedia.org
We will also be working to cleanup the various list of affiliates in discussion as it does not accurately reflect groups actively in discussion. There will also be improved documentation on the exact process being used to help remove some confusion on who is responsible for which aspect of the recognition process.
On a more personal note. A lot of what we are introducing this year was initiated by my predecessor, Cynthia Ashley-Nelson. As many of you know, we tragically lost her a few hours after AffCom initially approved this year's plans. Thanks to WMF, I was able to attend Cindy's memorial service and speak with her family. I accepted the Vice-Chair role with a commitment to Cindy's family and AffCom to do my best to help us fulfill Cindy's vision. While it will take AffCom longer to address these issues than it would have with Cindy's wisdom and energy - please know that we have a very sincere desire to continue to improve and serve the movement in the ways we believe are best.
-greg aka varnent Vice-Chair Wikimedia Affiliations Committee
On Thu, May 29, 2014 at 9:06 AM, Leigh Thelmadatter osamadre@hotmail.com wrote:
I think this is a good idea, but Im interested in knowing if AffComm intends to have a more responsive way to address petitions for affiliation. There are a number of applications stuck in limbo with no indication of how and when they will be resolved.
Date: Thu, 29 May 2014 08:36:09 -0400 From: sydney.poore@gmail.com To: wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Subject: Re: [Wikimedia-l] Wikimedia movement affiliates liaisons
Thank you AffCom committee members for taking on this important new role.
I'll be very interested to see the type and amount of support that affiliates find useful.
It will make for extra work but I hope you can document the work you all
do
with affiliates and publish the information.
Sydney Poore User:FloNight On May 29, 2014 3:21 AM, "Gregory Varnum" gregory.varnum@gmail.com
wrote:
Greetings,
Based on continuing changes to Wikimedia's approach to movement
affiliates
(chapters, thematic organizations, and user groups), input from the community, and discussions with WMF board and staff - the Affiliations Committee has begun work on expanding our support of affiliates once
the
recognition process itself concludes.
An early step that we are taking is to provide each Wikimedia movement affiliate with at least one liaison from the Affiliations Committee to
help
with communications, finding resources, answering questions, and
supporting
successful contributions to the Wikimedia movement.
Each member of the Affiliations Committee is assigned as a liaison to multiple affiliates. Each affiliate will be assigned a primary
liaison, who
will be their main contact, and a secondary liaison, who is available
if
the primary is not and able to help with more complex situations.
While an
affiliate's liaisons may change over time, they will always have at
least
one liaison assigned to them. We will soon be adding more members to
the
committee, so there are a few liaison assignments not yet filled.
Liaisons will be making initial contact in the coming weeks - and will
then
be in contact periodically, or affiliates may contact them at any
time. We
welcome any feedback or ideas on how we can help support your chapters, thematic org, or user group moving forward.
More info - including specific liaison assignments: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Affiliations_Committee/Liaisons
-greg aka varnent Vice-Chair Wikimedia Affiliations Committee _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines Wikimedia-l@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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