Thanks, Risker. I am including my replies through the email under each question.
On May 16, 2021, at 5:10 PM, Risker
<risker.wp(a)gmail.com> wrote:
Thanks, Jeffrey; it's a start. Perhaps asking specific questions will be more
helpful.
Which subcommittee is responsible for:
establishing standards for new affiliates (differentiated by type) and existing
affiliates? Are they the same group, or is this responsibility split?
This involves
the single Recognitions Subcommittee, though the creation of new categories of Affiliates
(beyond the 3 current types of User Groups, Chapters, and Thematic Organizations) would be
based on the WMF Board’s approval.
collecting and reviewing information to verify that
the affiliates are meeting their standards?
Recognitions Subcommittee.
supporting and encouraging existing affiliates to meet
those standards?
Recognitions Subcommittee, unless the lack of meeting those
standards involves conflicts within or between Affiliates, whereas that would then
involves the Conflicts Subcommittee.
assisting in the ongoing development of affiliates
Right now this is not actively done due to limitations to the AffCom Charter, though
needs across the Movement are increasingly demonstrating how much this is needed. AffCom
is currently developing some training and supportive materials, and there are
opportunities to continue focusing in this area.
determining whether an affiliate has fallen so far
below standard that it can no longer continue?
Recognitions Subcommittee.
revoking the approval of an affiliate (or recommending
revocation - in which case, to whom does it make the recommendation?)
Recognitions
Subcommittee.
advocating within the movement on the value of the
affiliate system
This is currently not within anybody’s scope.
Does the Affiliates Committee continue to be a
committee of the WMF Board of Trustees?
Not a committee of the WMF Board per se,
yet we have 2 Board liaisons with whom we regularly work and report our ongoing efforts.
Likewise, we have ongoing support and engagement with various elements of the WMF staff
itself (e.g., Legal, Trust and Safety, etc.)
Is it expected to have any role in recommendations about funding (or denying/withdrawing
funding) to new and existing affiliates, now that the FDC has essentially been eliminated,
either as a group or through one or the other of its subcommittees?
At this point,
we neither award nor revoke funding, as that is beyond our scope. We are working closely
with the Community Resources team to improve the affiliate support.
What range of conflict resolution tools will be available to the conflict subcommittee?
We have support from WMF staff related to conflicts (e.g., Legal, Trust and Safety,
Grants, etc.) as needed.
These were the first questions that came to me when I first saw your email. I would not
be surprised if others have more questions.
Risker/Anne
Thanks for your thoughtful questions, Risker. These are all helpful and
present opportunities to try to share more about the volunteer efforts AffCom Committee
members try to contribute across the Movement.
Jeffrey, on behalf of AffCom
On Sun, 16 May 2021 at 15:03, Jeffrey Keefer <FULBERT(a)fulbert.org
<mailto:FULBERT@fulbert.org>> wrote:
Risker-
Thank you for question on this.
The descriptions are being revised, but let me try to briefly summarize them so there is
something to work with for now.
The Recognitions Subcommittee is involved with helping new Affiliates (User Groups,
Chapters, and Thematic Organizations) to form and be recognized groups within the
Movement. This involves clarifying their scope and ensuring there is no confusion in
overlap of intentions.
The Conflicts Subcommittee helps Affiliates when conflicts arise within or between
Affiliates, including attempts to resolve these issues or ideally prevent them if
possible.
I hope this is helpful, even in this shortened form.
Thank you.
-----
Jeffrey
User:FULBERT
On May 16, 2021, at 12:09 AM, Risker
<risker.wp(a)gmail.com <mailto:risker.wp@gmail.com>> wrote:
Jeffrey, could you please link to a description of the roles and responsibilities of
members of the two subcommittees? You've mentioned the expected skillset for each,
but have not explained what they are actually expected to be responsible for.
Thanks,
Risker/Anne
On Sat, 15 May 2021 at 14:41, Jeffrey Keefer <FULBERT(a)fulbert.org
<mailto:FULBERT@fulbert.org>> wrote:
The Affiliations Committee
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Affiliations_Committee> – the
committee responsible for guiding volunteers in establishing Wikimedia chapters, thematic
organizations, and user groups – is looking for new members!
The main role of the AffCom is to guide groups of volunteers that are interested in
forming Wikimedia affiliates. We review applications from new groups, answer questions and
provide advice about the different Wikimedia affiliation models and processes, review
affiliate bylaws for compliance with requirements and best practices, and update the
Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees as well as advise them on issues connected to
chapters, thematic organizations and Wikimedia user groups.
The committee consists of five to fifteen members, selected at least once every year, to
serve two-year terms.
Being a part of the AffCom requires communication with volunteers all over the world,
negotiating skills, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to understand legal texts. We
look for a mix of different skill sets in our members.
Responsibilities
Availability of up to 5-8 hours per month
Participate in monthly one and two-hour voice/video meetings
Commitment to carry out assigned tasks in a given time.
Facilitate and support communications
Affiliate Support and growth
Required and Recommended Abilities, Skills, Knowledge for Affiliations Committee Members
Strong interpersonal relationship among members of the committee and also with the
Wikimedia community members. Across all committee members, there are additional relevant
skills as well as requirements which help to support the committee and its sustainability
which include both required and relevant general skills
Required
Fluency in English
Availability of up to 5 hours per week, and the time to participate in a monthly one and
two-hour voice/video meetings.
Willingness to use one's real name in committee activities (including contacts with
current and potential affiliates) when appropriate.
Strong track record of effective collaboration
International orientation
Relevant for all members
Public Communications (English writing and speaking skills)
Skills in other languages are a major plus.
Understanding of the structure and work of affiliates and the Wikimedia Foundation.
Documentation practices
Interviewing experience
Experience with, or in, an active affiliate is a major plus.
Teamwork: Project and people management skills to coordinate and collaborate with
different parties on a shared plan and see it through to completion.
Problem-Solving: Ability to evaluate various solutions, consider multiple interests and
points of view, revisit unresolved issues, seek compromise and work and communicate across
languages and cultures.
Given the expectations for maintaining the course in 2021 and preparing for potential
2021 transitions as part of the Movement Strategy implementation process, it is important
that we are also clear about two different skill sets critical to committee support at
this time. The first skillset is oriented to understanding affiliate dynamics and
organizational development patterns to successfully process affiliate applications for
recognition; the other is oriented to conflict prevention and intervention support for
affiliates in conflict.
Relevant to Affiliate Recognitions
Administration & Attention to detail
Readiness to participate in political discussions on the role and future of affiliates,
models of affiliation, and similar topics.
Awareness of the affiliates ecosystem and models and understanding of community building,
organizational development, and group dynamics
Relevant to Conflict Prevention & Intervention
Communication skills for active listening, clear instruction and turn-taking.
Stress Management skills for maintaining patience and positivity
Emotional intelligence to maintain awareness of emotions of oneself and others to
practice empathy, impartiality, and mutual respect.
Facilitation, negotiation, and mediation skills to guide diverse individuals and groups
toward cooperation.
Ability to work within a team
Do you have relevant skills and interest to support movement affiliates?
We are looking for people who are excited by the challenge of empowering volunteers to
get organized and form communities that further our mission around the world. In exchange,
committee members will gain the experience of supporting their world-wide colleagues to
develop their communities as well as personal development in guiding organizational
development, facilitating affiliate partnerships, and professional communications.
Selection process
As a reflection of our commitment to openness, transparency, and bilateral engagement
with the Wikimedia community, the 2021 member selection process will include a public
review and comment period and a self-assessment survey for candidates to share their
skills and experience. This self-assessment information will help the committee to
identify the skill sets relevant to our affiliate support processes. We invite you to
apply for membership to the committee and join us in supporting the affiliates. The data
shared in the self-assessment will only be made available to the committee and the
relevant staff support. The nomination, candidate Q&A, and endorsements will be posted
on Meta for public review at
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Affiliations_Committee/Candidates/June_2021
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Affiliations_Committee/Candidates/June_2021>. Here
the global community is welcome to provide comments and feedback about each candidate.
Once the nomination window closes June 30, 2021, the sitting members who are not
candidates for re-election in this cycle will deliberate and then vote, taking into
account all inputs from the meta page, self-assessment, advisors, Wikimedia Foundation
staff and board liaisons, and committee member discussion.
A final decision will be made in late-July 2021, with new members to be notified for
onboarding in August.
How to apply
If you are interested in joining the committee, please:
Step 1. Post your application on the nomination page
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Affiliations_Committee/Candidates/June_2021> by 30
June 2021. Your application must include the following information:
Your full name and Wikimedia username
A statement describing your relevant education, experience, abilities, skills, knowledge,
availability, and motivation for joining the committee.
Step 2. Complete the self-assessment survey
<https://wikimedia.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1Yt1kHndXGBZhqe> between June 01, 2021
and June 30, 2021.
The privacy statement that applies to the survey can be found here
<https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/AffCom_Elections_Self-Assessment_Survey_Privacy_Statement>.
NOTE: The survey will take 15 mins. Please do not close your browser. If you need a
break, you are advised to keep the browser open. In case of losing the link, please reach
out to mkaur-ctr(a)wikimedia.org <http://wikimedia.org/>
This survey must be completed before Steps 3 & 4, as it will provide more background
as to the type of work and expectations of members of AffCom.
Step 3. Answers the following questions:
NOTE: Questions 1-3 are required for all candidates.
Question 4 & 5 should be answered by those interested in joining the Recognitions
subcommittee.
Question 6 & 7 should be answered by those interested in joining the Conflicts
Intervention subcommittee.
If you are willing to nominate yourself for both subcommittees, answer all questions.
What roles have you served across any Wikimedia projects and affiliates that you think
have prepared you for this role?
AffCom members need to manage time, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and diverse
situations across the global movement. How do you envision managing these?
Members of AffCom serve on one of two subcommittees: Recognitions OR Conflicts
Intervention. Which one of these are you most interested in serving on?
If you are interested in serving on the Recognitions subcommittee, what do you think
makes a group of Wikimedians ready to function together as an affiliate?
If you are interested in serving on the Recognitions subcommittee, what do you think are
the benefits and responsibilities of functioning as formal affiliates?
If you are interested in serving on the Conflicts Intervention subcommittee, please
describe your experience working with conflicts resolution.
If you are interested in serving on the Conflicts Intervention subcommittee, please
describe how you have helped build consensus and support diversity.
Step 4. Once you have completed the above, send an email announcing your application to
affcom(a)wikimedia.org <http://wikimedia.org/> before the application deadline.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me and/or the committee
as a whole. We are happy to chat or have a phone call with anyone about our work if this
helps them decide to apply. Please distribute this call among your networks, and do apply
if you are interested!
On behalf of the committee,
Jeffrey
User:FULBERT
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