Hi everyone, The Affiliations Committee (AffCom) – the committee responsible for guiding volunteers in establishing and sustaining Wikimedia chapters, thematic organizations, and user groups – is seeking 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. As the committee must hold mid-year elections to replenish its members at this time, those joining the committee during the current process will serve a slightly extended term from July 2020 through December 2022. AffCom continues to closely monitor the Wikimedia 2030 Strategy process initiated in 2016. While the affiliation models continue to be discussed as part of the broader strategy discussion, as no decisions have been made to change the current affiliation models yet, AffCom continues to work in the same manner with regard to affiliate recognitions and intervention support for affiliates with issues of non-compliance in 2020. AffCom continues to process applications for user group and chapter/thematic organization creation, while we await the strategy next steps and begin to prepare for a smooth transition of the committee and affiliates ecosystem to any changing movement structures and systems in 2021. 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== 1. Availability of up to 5-8 hours per month 2. Participate in monthly one and two-hour voice/video meetings 3. Commitment to carry out assigned tasks in a given time. 4. Facilitate and support communications 5. 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 2020 and preparing for potential 2021 transitions, 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 an 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 selected 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 2020 member selection process will include a public review and comment period. Along with this, in order to facilitate the process of nomination peruse, we are introducing a self assessment survey for candidates to share about their skills and their experience. This self assessment information will help the committee to identify the skill sets relevant and supportive 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 be only be made available to the committee and the relevant staff support The nomination,candidate Q&A, and endorsementswill still take place posted on Meta for public review at https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Affiliations_Committee/Candidates/June_2020 . Here the global community is welcome to provide comments and feedback about each candidate. Once the nomination window closes June 30, 2020, 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 2020, with new members to be notified for onboarding in August. Respectfully, Rosie Stephenson-Goodknight (she/her) Chair, Affiliations Committee _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe>