I have been asked to announce this in my new formal officer role as Executive Secretary:
The Wikimedia Board met in Frankfurt, Germany on October 22, immediately following a planning retreat attended by the Board and more than 20 members of the Wikimedia community. The Board voted unanimously to elect Florence Devouard as the Chair of the Board, Tim Shell as Vice-Chair, Erik Möller as Executive Secretary, and Michael Davis as Treasurer. Jimmy Wales assumes the title of Chairman Emeritus of the Foundation.
Jimmy Wales said: "I nominated Florence to be the chair of the foundation in recognition of her outstanding service for the past few years and her unsurpassed passion for our goals. Having such a trusted community representative elected as our new chair demonstrates the growth and strength of our organization."
- - - -
For reference, the resolution:
The Board resolved that, from the 21 of October and for a term of one year at most, as defined in the bylaws:
Motion by Jimmy Wales, following discussion, the Board consensus resulted in the following officers:
1. Florence Devouard shall be the chair of the board of trustees 2. Tim Shell shall be the vice-chair 3. Michael Davis shall be the treasurer 4. Erik Moeller shall be the executive secretary
Jimmy Wales shall assume the title of Chairman Emeritus of the Foundation.
Approved unanimously at the board meeting - 21 october 2006
http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Resolution:Officers_election_2006
The current legal responsibilities of the different officers of the Board are defined in the bylaws:
http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_bylaws
Posting separately, a personal note:
I'm very glad that Anthere was unanimously elected to be the new Chair of the Wikimedia Foundation. Anyone who has seen and heard her speak at one of the Wikimania conferences (or at any other) knows that she can represent the Foundation with incredible passion, intelligence and charisma. This change of officer roles marks a significant step forward for Wikimedia as a non-profit governed primarily by members of its project communities. Nor was this in any way a move against Jimmy; in fact, it was him who had orchestrated the whole thing. ;-)
Posting... for the first time, a note on behalf of the Chair of James Hare (or more accurately, the man sitting on said chair):
So what exactly is the point of all this bureaucracy?
On 10/27/06, Erik Moeller erik@wikimedia.org wrote:
Posting separately, a personal note:
I'm very glad that Anthere was unanimously elected to be the new Chair of the Wikimedia Foundation. Anyone who has seen and heard her speak at one of the Wikimania conferences (or at any other) knows that she can represent the Foundation with incredible passion, intelligence and charisma. This change of officer roles marks a significant step forward for Wikimedia as a non-profit governed primarily by members of its project communities. Nor was this in any way a move against Jimmy; in fact, it was him who had orchestrated the whole thing. ;-) -- Peace & Love, Erik
Member, Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees
DISCLAIMER: Unless otherwise stated, all views or opinions expressed in this message are solely my own and do not represent an official position of the Wikimedia Foundation or its Board of Trustees. _______________________________________________ foundation-l mailing list foundation-l@wikimedia.org http://mail.wikipedia.org/mailman/listinfo/foundation-l
My congratulations for Florence! I am sure she will be an outstanding chair. I think it is a good thing that she, as community representative, is chosen in this role. Jimbo, thank you for your years as chairman in the WMF board, I hope that you, as member of the board and chairman emeritus, will stay actively involved in the Foundation, I am sure the projects will benefit from that.
Lodewijk
2006/10/27, Erik Moeller erik@wikimedia.org:
I have been asked to announce this in my new formal officer role as Executive Secretary:
The Wikimedia Board met in Frankfurt, Germany on October 22, immediately following a planning retreat attended by the Board and more than 20 members of the Wikimedia community. The Board voted unanimously to elect Florence Devouard as the Chair of the Board, Tim Shell as Vice-Chair, Erik Möller as Executive Secretary, and Michael Davis as Treasurer. Jimmy Wales assumes the title of Chairman Emeritus of the Foundation.
Jimmy Wales said: "I nominated Florence to be the chair of the foundation in recognition of her outstanding service for the past few years and her unsurpassed passion for our goals. Having such a trusted community representative elected as our new chair demonstrates the growth and strength of our organization."
For reference, the resolution:
The Board resolved that, from the 21 of October and for a term of one year at most, as defined in the bylaws:
Motion by Jimmy Wales, following discussion, the Board consensus resulted in the following officers:
- Florence Devouard shall be the chair of the board of trustees
- Tim Shell shall be the vice-chair
- Michael Davis shall be the treasurer
- Erik Moeller shall be the executive secretary
Jimmy Wales shall assume the title of Chairman Emeritus of the Foundation.
Approved unanimously at the board meeting - 21 october 2006
http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Resolution:Officers_election_2006
The current legal responsibilities of the different officers of the Board are defined in the bylaws:
http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_bylaws
Peace & Love, Erik
Member, Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees
DISCLAIMER: Unless otherwise stated, all views or opinions expressed in this message are solely my own and do not represent an official position of the Wikimedia Foundation or its Board of Trustees. _______________________________________________ foundation-l mailing list foundation-l@wikimedia.org http://mail.wikipedia.org/mailman/listinfo/foundation-l
effe iets anders wrote:
My congratulations for Florence! I am sure she will be an outstanding chair. I think it is a good thing that she, as community representative, is chosen in this role. Jimbo, thank you for your years as chairman in the WMF board, I hope that you, as member of the board and chairman emeritus, will stay actively involved in the Foundation, I am sure the projects will benefit from that.
Oh yeah, I'm not going anywhere. :) I am just trying to focus more on what I do best, and do my own part in helping to move the foundation toward my vision of us as "the Red Cross for information"... which means, not centered on one person, not dependent on one person, but a fully functioning *organization* with many leaders and a healthy culture for the growth of new leaders over time.
--Jimbo
On 28/10/06, Jimmy Wales jwales@wikia.com wrote:
...helping to move the foundation toward my vision of us as "the Red Cross for information"...
I now have visions of people wearing "Bibliothécaires Sans Frontières" t-shirts.
[note to self]
On 28/10/06, Jimmy Wales jwales@wikia.com wrote:
...which means, not centered on one person, not dependent on one person, but a fully functioning *organization* with many leaders and a healthy culture for the growth of new leaders over time.
A great move for the Foundation. Hopefully this will increase the validity and accountability of the board, allowing it to serve projects better.
Hurray for Jimbo: a very wise proposal! Jimbo, yesterday I saw the ARTE documentary again, the one that aired a year ago on your birthday in Frankfurt. Just splendid. I hope you will find even more time now to sell the Wikimedia concept to the world. Noone does that more convincingly. I have not always been on your side lately, but I have to say: you gave the movement so much already, and now you give it even more: your trust! Which is difficult for any father of a child that reaches adulthood, and to be applauded.
Hurray for Anthere: you deserve this so much!
Erik Zachte
Erik Zachte wrote:
Hurray for Jimbo: a very wise proposal! Jimbo, yesterday I saw the ARTE documentary again, the one that aired a year ago on your birthday in Frankfurt. Just splendid. I hope you will find even more time now to sell the Wikimedia concept to the world. Noone does that more convincingly. I have not always been on your side lately, but I have to say: you gave the movement so much already, and now you give it even more: your trust! Which is difficult for any father of a child that reaches adulthood, and to be applauded.
Thanks so much for these kind words, and yes. Selling the concept to the world is what I do best, and that's what I love to do. That, and visiting Wikipedians everywhere, getting to know so many wonderful people.
Hurray for Anthere: you deserve this so much!
Indeed she does. :)
--Jimbo
Jimmy Wales wrote:
Erik Zachte wrote:
Hurray for Jimbo: a very wise proposal! Jimbo, yesterday I saw the ARTE documentary again, the one that aired a year ago on your birthday in Frankfurt. Just splendid. I hope you will find even more time now to sell the Wikimedia concept to the world. Noone does that more convincingly. I have not always been on your side lately, but I have to say: you gave the movement so much already, and now you give it even more: your trust! Which is difficult for any father of a child that reaches adulthood, and to be applauded.
Thanks so much for these kind words, and yes. Selling the concept to the world is what I do best, and that's what I love to do. That, and visiting Wikipedians everywhere, getting to know so many wonderful people.
Hurray for Anthere: you deserve this so much!
Indeed she does. :)
--Jimbo _______________________________________________ foundation-l mailing list foundation-l@wikimedia.org http://mail.wikipedia.org/mailman/listinfo/foundation-l
Congratulations to all on this new step for the WMF!, I'm very excited about this new changes and I hope they are indeed for the best.
Speaking of world tours, I wonder if we will see anyone from the WMF touring South America some time soon? We are a continent too, and I bet there are tons of people from many South American Countries (Venezuela, Chile, Argentina, Brazil) that would love to have a regional meeting and meeting up with the WMF :P.
Regards, Damian Finol Maracaibo, Venezuela.
Damian Finol wrote:
Speaking of world tours, I wonder if we will see anyone from the WMF touring South America some time soon? We are a continent too, and I bet there are tons of people from many South American Countries (Venezuela, Chile, Argentina, Brazil) that would love to have a regional meeting and meeting up with the WMF :P.
I was in Brazil twice this year, and plan to visit South America again next year at least once or twice. I understand that a Venezuelan chapter may be in the process of forming, and I would love to visit for a launch event of that...
--Jimbo
2006/10/28, Jimmy Wales jwales@wikia.com:
I was in Brazil twice this year, and plan to visit South America again next year at least once or twice. I understand that a Venezuelan chapter may be in the process of forming, and I would love to visit for a launch event of that...
--Jimbo
Just to remember: two "Wikimedia IT general meet-up", no Foundation representative... :D
("Jimbo, come to us. No, to us!")
On 10/27/06, Erik Moeller erik@wikimedia.org wrote:
The Wikimedia Board met in Frankfurt, Germany on October 22, immediately following a planning retreat attended by the Board and more than 20 members of the Wikimedia community. The Board voted unanimously to elect Florence Devouard as the Chair of the Board, Tim Shell as Vice-Chair, Erik Möller as Executive Secretary, and Michael Davis as Treasurer. Jimmy Wales assumes the title of Chairman Emeritus of the Foundation.
Does this mean that jimbo will not be involved in the upcoming elections in a role other than as a voter?
Such a switch would reflect the chnageing position of arbcom and the increaseing role of things like community bans.
On 11/1/06, geni geniice@gmail.com wrote:
Does this mean that jimbo will not be involved in the upcoming elections in a role other than as a voter?
Such a switch would reflect the chnageing position of arbcom and the increaseing role of things like community bans.
Jimbo's position with regard to en.wp ArbCom is as Jimbo, not as Chairman of the WMF. I can't see how this would alter that situation in the slightest.
On 11/1/06, Sam Korn smoddy@gmail.com wrote:
Jimbo's position with regard to en.wp ArbCom is as Jimbo, not as Chairman of the WMF. I can't see how this would alter that situation in the slightest.
-- Sam
A shift in power. With the change in board positions the last justification for his past role is gone. Arbcom's power comes from the community not from jimbo. You know this. Thus the community should as much as posible be the final abitor of arbcoms membership.
On 11/1/06, geni geniice@gmail.com wrote:
A shift in power. With the change in board positions the last justification for his past role is gone. Arbcom's power comes from the community not from jimbo. You know this. Thus the community should as much as posible be the final abitor of arbcoms membership.
This is not a WMF issue - it's an en.wp issue. If you want to question Jimbo's role there, take it to wikien-l, please. Jimmy's community role is not an official Wikimedia Foundation role.
There has been some confusion about this in the past; we've discussed it at the Board retreat. In the future it will be much clearer when the Board makes any kind of official decision regarding the projects (which will probably be very rare). Otherwise, what Jimmy can and cannot do as a community member is up to each community to figure out.
It's like how you have some sort of de facto leadership over Wikinews, right Erik?
(Pardon me if this statement explodes into a huge debate about Erik's role, which BY THE WAY is indeed recognized.)
On 11/1/06, Erik Moeller erik@wikimedia.org wrote:
On 11/1/06, geni geniice@gmail.com wrote:
A shift in power. With the change in board positions the last justification for his past role is gone. Arbcom's power comes from the community not from jimbo. You know this. Thus the community should as much as posible be the final abitor of arbcoms membership.
This is not a WMF issue - it's an en.wp issue. If you want to question Jimbo's role there, take it to wikien-l, please. Jimmy's community role is not an official Wikimedia Foundation role.
There has been some confusion about this in the past; we've discussed it at the Board retreat. In the future it will be much clearer when the Board makes any kind of official decision regarding the projects (which will probably be very rare). Otherwise, what Jimmy can and cannot do as a community member is up to each community to figure out. -- Peace & Love, Erik
Member, Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees
DISCLAIMER: Unless otherwise stated, all views or opinions expressed in this message are solely my own and do not represent an official position of the Wikimedia Foundation or its Board of Trustees. _______________________________________________ foundation-l mailing list foundation-l@wikimedia.org http://mail.wikipedia.org/mailman/listinfo/foundation-l
On 11/1/06, James Hare messedrocker@gmail.com wrote:
It's like how you have some sort of de facto leadership over Wikinews, right Erik?
Not quite. I've never claimed or used any special authority on WN (or en.wn specifically, which is the only one where I could remotely get away with it), and I would have been whacked from above and below if I had. ;-)
I didn't mean Special Power, I meant being recognized as the guy who is a Bureaucrat and has all the cool ideas.
On 11/1/06, Erik Moeller erik@wikimedia.org wrote:
On 11/1/06, James Hare messedrocker@gmail.com wrote:
It's like how you have some sort of de facto leadership over Wikinews,
right
Erik?
Not quite. I've never claimed or used any special authority on WN (or en.wn specifically, which is the only one where I could remotely get away with it), and I would have been whacked from above and below if I had. ;-) -- Peace & Love, Erik
Member, Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees
DISCLAIMER: Unless otherwise stated, all views or opinions expressed in this message are solely my own and do not represent an official position of the Wikimedia Foundation or its Board of Trustees. _______________________________________________ foundation-l mailing list foundation-l@wikimedia.org http://mail.wikipedia.org/mailman/listinfo/foundation-l
On 01/11/06, Erik Moeller erik@wikimedia.org wrote:
On 11/1/06, James Hare messedrocker@gmail.com wrote:
It's like how you have some sort of de facto leadership over Wikinews, right Erik?
Not quite. I've never claimed or used any special authority on WN (or en.wn specifically, which is the only one where I could remotely get away with it), and I would have been whacked from above and below if I had. ;-)
The history as I understand it, please correct as needed:
en:wp was the first Wikipedia and is by far the largest and most problematic. (I find it a perenially fascinating problem to get press to realise Wikimedia does anything else, or even that there is a Wikipedia in their own language.) As founder, Jimbo had and has a role as the person ultimately empowered to say "um, no, you're being a dick; stop it." He really hates using this power and is very unsure of how to, so doesn't a whole lot.
In late 2003/early 2004, Jimbo and James Forrester set up the Arbitration Committee to solve the problem that Jimbo doesn't scale. So twelve or so foolish volunteers have the job of bouncer, and throw out really sorely problematic patrons of en:wp. (Though in the last year or so, the admins have gotten reasonably skilled at discerning the utterly impossible and kicking them out by popular acclaim - a "community ban", on the principle that if you can't get *one* of the 1000+ en:wp admins to unban you, you just might be hopelessly at odds with the way en:wp works.)
Jimbo's power is to be the Constitutional Monarch, but his power works as far as and as long as the community - the volunteers who do everything, after all - consider it does. So far the arrangement works pretty well. IMO it produces better results than a pure community approach does, because that results in utter jawdropping idiocy like RFCs against people for deleting copyright-violating userboxes without proper community consultation (whatever that is when they're breaking the law).
- d.
On 01/11/06, geni geniice@gmail.com wrote:
On 11/1/06, Sam Korn smoddy@gmail.com wrote:
Jimbo's position with regard to en.wp ArbCom is as Jimbo, not as Chairman of the WMF. I can't see how this would alter that situation in the slightest.
A shift in power. With the change in board positions the last justification for his past role is gone. Arbcom's power comes from the community not from jimbo.
This is, of course, precisely backwards. The ArbCom is an embodiment of Jimbo's power, that's where it comes from. Jimbo has power because that's how we do it, i.e. the community lets him. (Note that the community frequently tells Jimbo to get knotted.)
You know this. Thus the community should as much as posible be the final abitor of arbcoms membership.
I think Jimbo agrees, but doesn't try to rewrite history to argue the point.
- d.
On 11/1/06, David Gerard dgerard@gmail.com wrote:
This is, of course, precisely backwards. The ArbCom is an embodiment of Jimbo's power, that's where it comes from. Jimbo has power because that's how we do it, i.e. the community lets him. (Note that the community frequently tells Jimbo to get knotted.)
That was the case that isn't the case any more.
he appearance of "community blocks" shows that at least the admin community regards its self as holding powers that were once exclusively Jimbo's and without any obvious link back to Jimbo. Arbcom's power no longer comes from "Jimbo has said that we can do this" but from "the community said we can do this".
That isn't to say that there is no role for Jimbo (I can't at short notice come up with a replacement system for appointing backup arbcom members that doesn't have an unacceptably high bureaucratic overhead) but the election should be the preserve of the community unless the board formally decides to intervene (and if they felt the need to I think we would have a very very serious problem).
this has absolutely nothing to do anymore with the current thread, and i strongly support erik moellers kind request to please take this discussion off this list unto the discussionlist of the english wikipedia. thank you.
On 11/1/06, geni geniice@gmail.com wrote:
On 11/1/06, David Gerard dgerard@gmail.com wrote:
This is, of course, precisely backwards. The ArbCom is an embodiment of Jimbo's power, that's where it comes from. Jimbo has power because that's how we do it, i.e. the community lets him. (Note that the community frequently tells Jimbo to get knotted.)
That was the case that isn't the case any more.
he appearance of "community blocks" shows that at least the admin community regards its self as holding powers that were once exclusively Jimbo's and without any obvious link back to Jimbo. Arbcom's power no longer comes from "Jimbo has said that we can do this" but from "the community said we can do this".
That isn't to say that there is no role for Jimbo (I can't at short notice come up with a replacement system for appointing backup arbcom members that doesn't have an unacceptably high bureaucratic overhead) but the election should be the preserve of the community unless the board formally decides to intervene (and if they felt the need to I think we would have a very very serious problem).
-- geni _______________________________________________ foundation-l mailing list foundation-l@wikimedia.org http://mail.wikipedia.org/mailman/listinfo/foundation-l
On 01/11/06, geni geniice@gmail.com wrote:
Does this mean that jimbo will not be involved in the upcoming elections in a role other than as a voter? Such a switch would reflect the chnageing position of arbcom and the increaseing role of things like community bans.
Jimbo's position on en:wp is somewhat different to his position regarding any other wiki hosted by the Foundation.
i.e., he's still the local Jimbo.
- d.
wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org