Hi
On 13 Feb 2014, at 04:46, Liam Wyatt liamwyatt@gmail.com wrote:
Good question Andy! Moreover, as this is an independent organisation, why does the fact of it getting a director deserve a WMF press-release? For comparison, has the hiring of senior staff for any of the Chapters received a WMF-written press release?
Because the director happens to be an extremely valued long time member of the senior staff of the Wikimedia Foundation.
<SNIP>
I note that on the Q&A that the organisation is "Based in San Francisco" - I hope this means that it is not getting free accommodation in the WMF offices as I'm sure there's lots of other independent groups that would like free office space too.
Assuming good faith would be a good start here. Funny thing is… Frank moved to San Francisco for his work at the Wikimedia Foundation (and built up a life there), so that could also be a logical reason for the office being based there (and in fact I think that is the reason, because the last I heard the Wiki Education Foundation will not be located in the Wikimedia Foundation office)
Rather than just answer your concerns I want to take the opportunity to congratulate Frank on this move. While he will be sorely missed at the Wikimedia Foundation this step makes sense for him personally. The fact that he will remain part of our movement helps make this a little less painful. I am sure that in his new capacity he will continue to move mountains to further our goals. I wish him the best of luck and hope that the Wiki Education Foundation becomes a great succes.
Jan-Bart de Vreede Chair Board of Trustees Wikimedia Foundation