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
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 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