Dear friends, I wanted to share with you some changes in WMIL. This weekend, after more than 6 years of service, Michal Lester will conclude her position as WMIL's ED. Michal, WMIL’s first ED, joined us more than 6 years ago, and was our second employee. Michal’s joining marked the transition of WMIL from an organization operated and managed by volunteers only to professional hired staff supporting and leading the activity with the volunteers. Michal started to initiate and lead large-scale projects and raise the resources needed for the activity through collaborations, donations and fund grants. From a one-employee organization with a limited budget, she brought us to the current position as an established NGO, with varied activity, hired staff to support it, volunteers and a sufficient budget to support all of that. Under her leadership, we initiated the education project in Hebrew, and later in Arabic. We guided tens of thousands of teachers on how to work with (and for) Wikipedia. We created training tools and tutorials, formed years-long collaborations with dozens of organizations, and hosted the international hackathon and later the GLAM conference. We represented WMIL and our movement values in Parliament discussions and in discussion with archives; and when they failed to cooperate we did not hesitate to “force” them to give back to the public the photos that belong to them by law. The list of projects and achievements is too long to summarize in one email. We are proud to say that WMIL turned not only to a leading and recognized organization in Israel, but also to one of the important and active affiliates of the global movement. Michal’s activity in WMIL was beyond that of an employee, but true recruitment and belief in Wikimedia’s activity and values. Her round-the-clock investment and great love to the movement, organization, its employees and volunteers, serves proof. Many volunteers benefited from Michal’s attention, advice and support at all times. The Board, and I personally, would like to thank Michal for this significant contribution that brought us to our current dignified position, and we wish her the best of luck in the future. We will remember you as the first ED who saw the hardship and labor pains of WMIL, and as WMIL’s “mother” in its professional role. We extend to you our greatest thanks. While Michal is leaving, I would like to congratulate Revital Poleg, replacing Michal in her position. Revital is a former diplomat. She was one of the founders of the Peres Peace Center, she served as Chief of Staff for the Knesset Speaker; VP Business Development of a lobbying company; External Relations and Resource Development Director for the Ruppin Academic Center; and in her last position – Chief Executive and Head of the Jewish Agency Mission to Brazil. Revital brings extensive experience in large organizations, both local and international, and a vast network of contacts in the private and public sectors. She speaks Hebrew, English, Portuguese and Spanish. We wish her good luck in her position, in filling Michal’s big shoes, and we are positive she continues to advance WMIL forward. *Itzik Edri* Chairperson (volunteer) itzik@wikimedia.org.il<mailto:itzik@wikimedia.org.il> +972-54-5878078 _______________________________________________ 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@lists.wikimedia.org<mailto:Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org> Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org<mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org>?subject=unsubscribe>

On Wed, 18 Dec 2019 15:24:36 +0100 camelia boban &lt;camelia.boban(a)gmail.com&gt; wrote: I agree. Thanks and good luck! (What does "ED" mean, though?) Loves more WMIL's hired she budget to formed WMIL with “force” The email. recognized organization, from position, as the thanks. was one Staff for of the and and -- Shlomi Fish https://www.shlomifish.org/ http://is.gd/i5eMQd - Emma Watson’s Interview for a Software Dev Job If you wish to live wisely, ignore sayings — including this one. — Unknown Source (via fortune-mod). Please reply to list if it's a mailing list post - http://shlom.in/reply . _______________________________________________ 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>

Michal, many thanks for your service. I remember when we talked online several years ago. Best wishes for your next steps, and I hope that you will keep in touch. Itzik, thank you for sharing this news. שָׁלוֹם Pine ( https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Pine ) _______________________________________________ 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>