Hi Abhinav,
I think this discussion will have a better direction if it is first done on
the Wikimedia India community mailing list[1]. I say so because, many
Wikimedians in India (non-members) and active affiliates (such as
user-groups) haven't heard from the Chapter for a long time about its
status (WMF compliance, legal, financial, etc.) and issues faced. We only
heard about the state of the Chapter from this email. Otherwise, we are
unaware of the situation.
It will be better if there is a discussion first on the Indian mailing list
where WMIN's leadership can explain the current state in detail to the
community (what happened till data - including AffCom conversation, and the
future actions planned to take). Personally, as Wikimedian from India, I
was surprised to see this email on wikimedia-l without any prior
information or discussion on about the Chapter or this issue on
wikimediaindia-l.
Best,
Krishna
[1] https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaindia-l
On Tue, Jul 9, 2019 at 3:37 PM Paulo Santos Perneta <paulosperneta(a)gmail.com>
wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Reading about these developments in India has been absolutely painful, and
> a sad reminiscent of a number of past situations.
>
> Most of all, the case with Wikimedia Portugal, when AffCom started imposing
> restrictions and "mediation plans" without having any kind of official
> hearing with the chapter; the whole environment of secrecy and power/fear
> games; the prerogative of making all kinds of unsubstantiated affirmations,
> presented as if they were god's truth; the notice of suspension for the
> chapter, based on information which remains to be substantiated till today;
> the feeling of hopelessness.
>
> Then the old, cold case of Brazil, where back in 2010, like in India, the
> WMF decided to experiment with local WMF representations, with very tragic
> consequences, heavily disturbing the progress of the local Wikimedia
> community, and hindering its progress for about a decade; the reckless
> approval by AffCom, and subsequent WMF support of clone/conflicting local
> affiliates with the one (s) already existing in the region; and the way it
> was unilaterally "solved" by AffCom, dismantling a community which was
> hanging around Wikimedia since 2008.
>
> And then the recent case which happened to myself where an old and
> exclusively Wikipedia-related case was somehow morphed and cooked in secret
> inside WMF, deceitfully presenting it as affiliate related, and secretly
> judged, with false accusations and sanctions issued without even informing
> the target of what was happening.
>
> One thing common to all those situations is the environment of secrecy and
> obscurity cultivated by AffCom, completely at odds with the values of the
> Wikimedia Movement - starting with the way AffCom deceitfully defines and
> presents itself - "a Wikimedia community-run committee" [1], when it is all
> but run by the Wikimedia community. It's not even chosen by the community,
> to start with, but by the committee itself. But the main question probably
> is: Why is AffCom cultivating all this environment of secrecy and obscurity
> in what should be straightforward and clear proceedings? What may be
> secretive at all, in the quest of a group of Wikimedians to become an
> affiliate? Why those processes do not occur in daylight from their start
> till the end - with the obvious exception of sensitive information
> involving privacy, such as real names? And then - who is AffCom accountable
> to? Who oversees AffCom? The BoT? Are they monitoring AffCom? Does the BoT
> agrees with this way of acting?
>
> All this cult of secrecy by AffCom and other powers-that-be inside WMF
> creates a very unhealthy and toxic environment for everyone. I personally
> appreciate and hold in high esteem a number of members of AffCom, possibly
> the majority of them. And it has been very much mind-boggling watching the
> way AffCom choses to act as a whole. I've suggested to the Strategy WG of
> Roles & Responsibilities that AffCom should be wholly redefined, to make it
> more transparent, community-connected and accountable. The way it is now, I
> don't believe it is properly filling and complying with its role.
>
> I really hope things improve, and our Wikimedian brothers at WMIN - who I
> believe have made the right decision of bringing their case into the
> clarity of daylight - will manage to revert the suspension and continue
> working for a world of free knowledge accessible to everyone, despite the
> difficulties they are passing through at this moment.
>
> And it would be much more motivating for everyone if we could get out of
> this kind of Age of Darkness at AffCom (and WMF in general).
>
> [1] - https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Affiliations_Committee
>
> Best,
> Paulo
>
>
> Abhinav srivastava <abhinav619(a)gmail.com> escreveu no dia terça, 9/07/2019
> à(s) 08:10:
>
> > Hi Lodewijk,
> >
> > I will try and simplify
> >
> > (a) *What is the exact and complete set of reasons that Affcom put the
> > chapter on suspension?*
> > This has been listed under six bullet points in my initial mail. I
> > encourage you and everyone reading here to have a look at them. I have
> > further shared a synopsis for the same again in part (c) along with WMIN
> > responses.
> >
> > (b)* what additional complaints are part of the big picture ?*
> > The trouble of having a Staff-based organisation (CIS-A2K) at national
> > level where there is lesser transparency such that there MoU is not in
> > public domain [1] and the trouble caused to India Chapter like
> attribution
> > grabbing for WMIN's self-financed projects etc. [2]
> >
> > (c) w*hat is the response from WMIN.*
> > Our primary concern remains that Affcom on a good-faith could have asked
> > for a clarification and if found they could have proceeded with the
> > suspension. They took an official position without even hearing us once.
> > There basis has been further described again in brief
> >
> > * Legal Structure : Affcom asked WMIN to resolve their necessary
> financial
> > licenses. WMIN informed them that Government directives [3] have been
> > restrictive in this regard, however, to keep the movement active,
> > activities have been happening by members self-financing programs. Affcom
> > has further cited problems with WMIN's leadership. WMIN regrets such
> > statements, it is a nation-wide problem.
> >
> > * Open Governance : WMIN has repeatedly informed Affcom that a member
> need
> > not be in physical presence to cast vote or raise voice during assembly.
> > To do so as claimed by Affcom, WMIN would have to change it bylaws and
> also
> > inform WMF as per Chapter Agreement. No evidence have been brought to
> > notice for any violation.
> >
> > * Active Contributor Involvement : Affcom claims we do not have members
> and
> > have made some allegations (check initial mail for details) but haven't
> > provided any evidence. WMIN is always open to sharing its member's data
> > base with them after discussing privacy.
> >
> > * Capacity : Affcom claims that WMIN has not been doing activities and
> > Chapter has repeatedly informed that WMIN has been hosting zero-budget,
> > self-financed activities. All reports are available [4]. Affcom has also
> > cited concerns over delay in report submission and WMIN has informed
> about
> > problems with government regulations. Detailed response in initial mail.
> >
> > * Organizational Best Practices : Affcom claims that WMIN has not been
> > abiding to Best Practices, however they haven't informed the respective
> > areas. WMIN has shared the document with them, however they say late
> > submission hence proceeding with de-recognition.
> >
> > * Action Plan : Based on all five points, WMIN has been asked to prepare
> an
> > action plan. WMIN continues to contest all the five basis and asked
> Affcom
> > to review Organizational Best Practices to understand the action-items.
> > Affcom claims late hence proceeding with de-recognition.
> >
> > Also responding to few other statements categorically from your mail
> >
> > * *It sounds more like they heard your responses *
> > As stated in my initial mail, WMIN has been providing justifications in
> > writing over mail however Affcom does not address them and invites for a
> > Call and shares expectation gap response over Cloud Document. Hence,
> during
> > Call,clarifications are again provided for they being not justified (eg -
> > Affcom finding WMIN's leadership flaws when 13,000 institutes struggle
> > with foreign funding) however nothing is taken into consideration.
> >
> > * *it is their job to make the best decision both for the best decision
> > both for the movement as a whole and the Wikimedia movement in India.*
> > Absolutely, it is for the very reason I ask them to make this public. If
> > Affcom is more transparent about its investigation and decision making,
> > community can provide valuable inputs and no reason to question them.
> >
> > * *I was unable to find the resolution that explains this decision*
> > WMIN has been repeatedly asking Affcom to put everything in public domain
> > including the resolution. Please find Annexure [A] in my initial mail.
> >
> > [1]
> >
> >
> https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediaindia-l/2013-November/010627…
> > [2] Board of Directors at CIS, acknowledged in March, 2019 for a
> compliant
> > made in August, 2018 for CIS-A2K Staff not doing their duty to the order.
> > [3] Foreign Currency (Regulation) Act, 1960 compliance do not permit
> India
> > Chapter to receive money from its primary fiscal sponsor, Wikimedia
> > Foundation.
> > [4]
> >
> >
> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_chapters/Reports/Wikimedia_India#…
> >
> > On Tue, 9 Jul 2019 at 08:52, effe iets anders <effeietsanders(a)gmail.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > Thanks Abhinav for your email. I'm having a hard time splitting the
> email
> > > out in a) what is the exact and complete set of reasons that Affcom put
> > the
> > > chapter on suspension. b) what additional complaints are part of the
> big
> > > picture. c) what is the response from WMIN.
> > >
> > > I realize it is really hard for you to separate these components,
> because
> > > you have been living this discusion for the past 8 months (at least),
> if
> > I
> > > read this correctly.
> > >
> > > You mention that AffCom has not heard your objections, but from the
> rest
> > of
> > > your email, it sounds more like they heard your responses (you mention
> > both
> > > written and oral communication), but they hold a different opinion on
> the
> > > value of those objections. That may be because of a different set of
> > > expectations. I know these discussions are always painful for everyone,
> > and
> > > I'm confident that AffCom does not enjoy suspending chapters. While
> this
> > is
> > > no legal procedure, it is their job to make the best decision both for
> > the
> > > movement as a whole and the Wikimedia movement in India.
> > >
> > > Anyhow, I was unable to find the resolution that explains this
> decision,
> > so
> > > it's hard to really understand it. I do hope that you and affcom will
> be
> > > able to work towards a solution together - probably by addressing the
> > > underlying concerns.
> > >
> > > Best,
> > > Lodewijk
> > >
> > > On Mon, Jul 8, 2019 at 4:19 PM ravinder jadeja <tnkpndy(a)gmail.com>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > > It is such a long message and what I understand a very painful one
> for
> > > the
> > > > writer. Asking Affcom to come in public with data is a right demand
> > > > everyone can read then.
> > > >
> > > > I know FCRA is very tough thing today and I feel sorry reading that
> > point
> > > >
> > > > What is this problem with CIS I am new and would like to know.
> > > >
> > > > On Tue, 9 Jul 2019 at 00:04, Subhashish Panigrahi <
> > psubhashish(a)gmail.com
> > > >
> > > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > >> Forwarding esp. for those Indian Wikimedians who are on the
> > Wikimedia-l
> > > >> list
> > > >>
> > > >> Subha
> > > >>
> > > >> ---------- Forwarded message ---------
> > > >> From: Abhinav srivastava <abhinav619(a)gmail.com>
> > > >> Date: Sun, Jul 7, 2019 at 2:20 PM
> > > >> Subject: [Wikimedia-l] Open Letter to Affiliations Committee :
> > Wikimedia
> > > >> India's Demand For A Fair And Transparent Hearing
> > > >> To: Wikimedia Mailing List <wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >> Dear Friends From Affcom,
> > > >>
> > > >> I am posting an open public request for your notice of Suspension
> > moved
> > > at
> > > >> Wikimedia India (WMIN) which we continue to contest and to our
> ignored
> > > >> demand of having a public hearing as shared with you all over mail
> and
> > > >> shared again here under Annexure [A]. You have taken an official
> > > position
> > > >> on suspension without even hearing us even once, unexplained
> > accusations
> > > >> have been provided and we continue to believe Affcom has been
> > > >> insufficiently investigating facts before making judgements. We
> > > repeatedly
> > > >> over and over again provided justifications over Mail but you never
> > took
> > > >> them to your notice and only over calls you heard us, provided your
> > > >> rationale for expectation gaps but never took our oral commentary
> > which
> > > >> refutes your claims,in any action, anywhere. Now you say WMIN won’t
> > > remain
> > > >> a Chapter after 14th September and be transformed into a User Group.
> > > >>
> > > >> Republic of India happens to be one of the only few countries where
> > > >> besides
> > > >> volunteer driven Chapter and User Groups has a full-time staff based
> > > WMF’s
> > > >> Allied Organisation CIS-A2K [1]. Wikimedia India activities [2] may
> be
> > > >> less
> > > >> due to no source of funds [3] however, Community Members from India
> > put
> > > >> their efforts, strive hard to take the movement ahead. Whether it
> be
> > > the
> > > >> previous financial year or the present, no Wikimedia Foundation
> Grants
> > > >> like
> > > >> Rapid Grant, Project Grant etc have been applied by Wikimedia India
> > > >> members
> > > >> to support any Chapter activity. They remain self-financed. We
> > received
> > > >> your notice last year when Wikimedia India was contesting a dispute
> > with
> > > >> CIS-A2K over attribution grabbing for our self-financed projects and
> > > >> ignoring Chapter at important National level initiaves [4]. While
> > > working
> > > >> with virtually no source of funds and struggles with WMF’s Allied
> > > >> Organisation, your notice of suspension was the least bad we could
> > have
> > > >> had.
> > > >>
> > > >> We continue to contest your suspension notice. It was Suo Moto (on
> its
> > > >> own)
> > > >> decision making and as found and re-stated above and below in
> detail,
> > > >> there
> > > >> were gaps and misunderstanding in your basis. We also continue to
> > > contest
> > > >> there has been a Rush-to-decision making. No written responses via
> > Mail
> > > to
> > > >> Chapter’s clarification are being provided and invitation for calls
> > are
> > > >> initiated where brief responses are shared on a Cloud Document. It
> has
> > > >> been
> > > >> subsequently found by both parties on there being gaps in
> > communication.
> > > >> However, even after clarity during call, Affcom has not taken any
> > action
> > > >> over them.
> > > >>
> > > >> The basis of your suspension notice has been shared here for the
> wider
> > > >> audience.
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >> 1.
> > > >>
> > > >> Legal Structure : Affcom asked Wikimedia India to resolve and
> > obtain
> > > >> its
> > > >> necessary license in order to obtain funds. At present, as per
> > > >> Government
> > > >> of India restrictions it is difficult to obtain foreign funding.
> > > >> Wikimedia
> > > >> India informed the Affcom on roughly 13,000 Non-Government
> > > >> Organisations
> > > >> (NGO)s [5] are struggling with a similar crisis to which Affcom
> > > >> responded, “reconsider applying for a User Group.” and “no
> evidence
> > > >> that
> > > >> the current organization’s leadership will be able to drive this
> > > >> problem
> > > >> toward resolution”. Chapter efforts and commitment in resolving
> the
> > > >> said
> > > >> crisis cannot be dusted in few words. A Government restrictive
> > policy
> > > >> which
> > > >> has an impact on 13,000 NGOs and Affcom finding flaws in WMIN
> Board
> > > >> Members
> > > >> capability. WMIN would leave it for public interpretation.
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >> Why not a capability audit for hosting zero-budget activities? While
> > > most
> > > >> of the time are being spent on resolving the said crisis, WMIN
> > continues
> > > >> to
> > > >> undertake activities as listed. Taking the Open Knowledge Movement
> > > forward
> > > >> remains a commitment for the Chapter irrespective of whatsoever
> > > political
> > > >> climate may remain. Affcom was asked two questions respectively in
> > this
> > > >> regard however no response has been attained. The questions are
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >> 1.
> > > >>
> > > >> Would zero-budget activities, those self-financed not meet
> > > sufficiency
> > > >> ?
> > > >> Please elaborate for us to stand better and to improve upon.
> > > >> 2.
> > > >>
> > > >> Would resolving Legal Structure and being able to receive WMF
> > Grants
> > > be
> > > >> a necessary criteria for WMIN to meet sufficiency or continued
> > > >> activities
> > > >> not meet the fulfilment criteria?
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >> (2) Open Governance : Affcom informed Chapter that a member needs to
> > be
> > > in
> > > >> physical presence at the Chapter Assembly to cast vote and raise
> voice
> > > and
> > > >> asked The Chapter to change its bylaws. This information is anything
> > but
> > > >> false. This was communicated during the Call but Affcom did not
> bring
> > > >> anything in action. Also, as per the Chapter Agreement between WMF
> and
> > > >> WMIN, a copy of bylaws was provided in English Language to WMF. The
> > > bylaws
> > > >> were approved by the then Chapter’s Council. No evidence has been
> > > brought
> > > >> to notice on WMIN violating the Clause 7.2 of the Chapter’s
> Agreement,
> > > >>
> > > >> “The Wikimedia Chapter shall be required to advise the Foundation of
> > any
> > > >> planned or actual change in the bylaws or status of the Chapter
> which
> > > >> might
> > > >> affect the Foundation or the continued existence or effectiveness of
> > > this
> > > >> Agreement.”
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >> (3) Active Contributor Involvement :The November 10 email carried
> the
> > > >> statement, “The chapter lacks broad and diverse membership,
> community
> > > >> representation, as well as buy-in and involvement “ and “Membership
> > > seems
> > > >> to be sourced through university leadership rather than through open
> > > >> community participation and representation.” Chapter till date
> > received
> > > >> no
> > > >> evidence or logic construction on how the said argument was reached.
> > > Later
> > > >> during the call, Affcom did acknowledge that there has been a
> > > >> communication
> > > >> gap. Chapter further floated the idea of sharing the Member’s data
> > base
> > > >> after discussing privacy policy over them.
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >> (4) Capacity : WMIN was able to submit its annual reports on 21st
> > > >> December,
> > > >> 2018 (3.5 months late) due to a notice by Income-Tax department
> which
> > > >> caused delay in preparing our Financial reports. Although we do not
> > have
> > > >> any annual grants or use any money to support any activity, as per
> > > >> Chapter’s agreement, affiliate is required to submit Financial
> > Results.
> > > >> Meanwhile, WMIN reported its activities on every quarterly basis and
> > > >> shared
> > > >> it with the wider Indian community via India Mailing List and also
> > other
> > > >> channels [6], [7], [8],[9]. Annual activity report is a compilation
> > from
> > > >> the quarterly reports.
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >> Affcom claimed via Cloud document that no high level response
> > submitted
> > > >> and
> > > >> repeated delay is not accepted. WMIN informed Affcom that previous
> > delay
> > > >> needs to be looked at independently from earlier financial period
> and
> > > >> suspension notice (WMIN then had a grant), but we received no
> > response.
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >> (5) Organizational Best Practices : Affcom asked us to ‘Resolve’
> > issues
> > > >> relating to Organizational Best Practices, however, no information
> had
> > > >> been
> > > >> received on respective deliverables not been met. The November 10,
> > email
> > > >> carried the statement, “There are concerns about whether” referring
> > that
> > > >> Affcom was also not sure themselves. WMIN shared the best practices
> > > after
> > > >> placing it in front of the community on member’s mailing list for
> more
> > > >> than
> > > >> 15 days. To this Affcom responded that you are late with your
> > submission
> > > >> hence we are terminating your contract. They never shared an
> evidence
> > > and
> > > >> when WMIN took its time placed it in-front of the community and then
> > > >> submitted, they said delayed and instead of sending their response
> in
> > > >> writing over mail they again invited us for a call. We continue to
> > > insist
> > > >> on providing a written response via Mail but no action.
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >> (6) Action Plan : Affcom asked us to submit an Action Plan and we
> kept
> > > >> asking what deliverable are needed. We cannot commit on resolving
> > > >> Government restrictions within a said timeline as more than 13,000
> > NGOs
> > > >> struggle with the similar crisis. We emphasised again and again we
> > have
> > > >> been running zero-budget activities and working for the movement. We
> > > asked
> > > >> them to review Organizational Best Practices, based on gaps we could
> > > have
> > > >> taken things into consideration. They rather said, you have missed
> the
> > > >> deadline, so WMIN has to be closed now.
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >> To sum up, Affcom friends, you made up your own decision, you made
> up
> > > you
> > > >> own hearing and you made up your own decision. It was a monologue
> > masked
> > > >> in
> > > >> the name of a dialogue.
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >> I encourage you all to be in our boots someday, hosting activities
> on
> > > >> zero-budget, fighting with the Government bureaucracy to attain some
> > > >> funding as a help, the challenge of having a staff-based
> organisation
> > in
> > > >> parallel, struggle with self-financing activities and most
> importantly
> > > >> working with Affcom to save yourself from their de-recognition
> > threats.
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >> If you believe you are correct, please abide to the request made
> under
> > > >> Annexure [A] and put everything in public domain. Let community read
> > for
> > > >> themselves and decide. If Affcom is more transparent about its
> > > >> investigation and actions then community would be able to better
> > > >> understand
> > > >> the work and provide an opinion.
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >> Regards,
> > > >> Abhinav
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > >
> >
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > > >>
> > > >> [1] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/CIS-A2K
> > > >>
> > > >> [2]
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > >
> >
> https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediaindia-l/2019-April/013994.ht…
> > > >> \
> > > >>
> > > >> [3] Foreign Currency (Regulation) Act, 1960 compliance do not permit
> > > India
> > > >> Chapter to receive money from its primary fiscal sponsor, Wikimedia
> > > >> Foundation.
> > > >>
> > > >> [4] Board of Directors at CIS, acknowledged in March, 2019 for a
> > > compliant
> > > >> made in August, 2018 for CIS-A2K Staff not doing their duty to the
> > > order.
> > > >>
> > > >> [5]
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > >
> >
> https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/06/07/democracies-need-a-little-help-from-th…
> > > >>
> > > >> [6]
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > >
> >
> https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediaindia-l/2017-July/013030.html
> > > >>
> > > >> [7]
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > >
> >
> https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediaindia-l/2017-October/013089.…
> > > >>
> > > >> [8]
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > >
> >
> https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediaindia-l/2018-January/013188.…
> > > >>
> > > >> [9]
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > >
> >
> https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediaindia-l/2018-April/013295.ht…
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > >
> >
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > > >>
> > > >> Annexure
> > > >>
> > > >> [A] Reallocating the Affcom - WMIN Communication To Meta : No
> > > >> communications over email, video call, social media, instant
> > messaging,
> > > or
> > > >> anywhere but wiki! While this would not just be aligned with the
> > editing
> > > >> spirit, it would promote greater transparency and also helpful for
> us
> > to
> > > >> communicate the message to our community members. While, we
> understand
> > > >> Affcom had been advocating the same, however, taking care of privacy
> > > >> concerns, do let us. Once we hear from Affcom on having no privacy
> > > >> concerns, we may reallocate the discussions.
> > > >>
> > > >> If there a consent to this, would request a green light also for
> > > >>
> > > >> 1.
> > > >>
> > > >> Archiving the entire email conversation over a cloud document and
> > > >> linking it to the relevant Meta page.
> > > >> 2.
> > > >>
> > > >> Documenting Internet Calls in an attempt to resolve communication
> > > gaps
> > > >> and linking them to Meta page for greater transparency.
> > > >> 3.
> > > >>
> > > >> Based on Principal of Free Speech, allowing anybody to use the
> > > >> discussion page for expression of their views.
> > > >> 4.
> > > >>
> > > >> Any Volunteer is free to translate the text into the language of
> > > their
> > > >> choice.
> > > >> 5.
> > > >>
> > > >> Upload All PDF sent via Mails to Commons and link them to the
> Meta
> > > >> Page.
> > > >> 6.
> > > >>
> > > >> All relevant customs and procedures which exist for any Meta page
> > to
> > > be
> > > >> in action.
> > > >> _______________________________________________
> > > >> 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>
> > > >> _______________________________________________
> > > >> Wikimediaindia-l mailing list
> > > >> Wikimediaindia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
> > > >> To unsubscribe from the list / change mailing preferences visit
> > > >> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaindia-l
> > > >>
> > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > Wikimediaindia-l mailing list
> > > > Wikimediaindia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
> > > > To unsubscribe from the list / change mailing preferences visit
> > > > https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaindia-l
> > > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > 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>
> > _______________________________________________
> > 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>
> _______________________________________________
> 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>
Forwarding esp. for those Indian Wikimedians who are on the Wikimedia-l list
Subha
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Abhinav srivastava <abhinav619(a)gmail.com>
Date: Sun, Jul 7, 2019 at 2:20 PM
Subject: [Wikimedia-l] Open Letter to Affiliations Committee : Wikimedia
India's Demand For A Fair And Transparent Hearing
To: Wikimedia Mailing List <wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
Dear Friends From Affcom,
I am posting an open public request for your notice of Suspension moved at
Wikimedia India (WMIN) which we continue to contest and to our ignored
demand of having a public hearing as shared with you all over mail and
shared again here under Annexure [A]. You have taken an official position
on suspension without even hearing us even once, unexplained accusations
have been provided and we continue to believe Affcom has been
insufficiently investigating facts before making judgements. We repeatedly
over and over again provided justifications over Mail but you never took
them to your notice and only over calls you heard us, provided your
rationale for expectation gaps but never took our oral commentary which
refutes your claims,in any action, anywhere. Now you say WMIN won’t remain
a Chapter after 14th September and be transformed into a User Group.
Republic of India happens to be one of the only few countries where besides
volunteer driven Chapter and User Groups has a full-time staff based WMF’s
Allied Organisation CIS-A2K [1]. Wikimedia India activities [2] may be less
due to no source of funds [3] however, Community Members from India put
their efforts, strive hard to take the movement ahead. Whether it be the
previous financial year or the present, no Wikimedia Foundation Grants like
Rapid Grant, Project Grant etc have been applied by Wikimedia India members
to support any Chapter activity. They remain self-financed. We received
your notice last year when Wikimedia India was contesting a dispute with
CIS-A2K over attribution grabbing for our self-financed projects and
ignoring Chapter at important National level initiaves [4]. While working
with virtually no source of funds and struggles with WMF’s Allied
Organisation, your notice of suspension was the least bad we could have
had.
We continue to contest your suspension notice. It was Suo Moto (on its own)
decision making and as found and re-stated above and below in detail, there
were gaps and misunderstanding in your basis. We also continue to contest
there has been a Rush-to-decision making. No written responses via Mail to
Chapter’s clarification are being provided and invitation for calls are
initiated where brief responses are shared on a Cloud Document. It has been
subsequently found by both parties on there being gaps in communication.
However, even after clarity during call, Affcom has not taken any action
over them.
The basis of your suspension notice has been shared here for the wider
audience.
1.
Legal Structure : Affcom asked Wikimedia India to resolve and obtain its
necessary license in order to obtain funds. At present, as per Government
of India restrictions it is difficult to obtain foreign funding.
Wikimedia
India informed the Affcom on roughly 13,000 Non-Government Organisations
(NGO)s [5] are struggling with a similar crisis to which Affcom
responded, “reconsider applying for a User Group.” and “no evidence that
the current organization’s leadership will be able to drive this problem
toward resolution”. Chapter efforts and commitment in resolving the said
crisis cannot be dusted in few words. A Government restrictive policy
which
has an impact on 13,000 NGOs and Affcom finding flaws in WMIN Board
Members
capability. WMIN would leave it for public interpretation.
Why not a capability audit for hosting zero-budget activities? While most
of the time are being spent on resolving the said crisis, WMIN continues to
undertake activities as listed. Taking the Open Knowledge Movement forward
remains a commitment for the Chapter irrespective of whatsoever political
climate may remain. Affcom was asked two questions respectively in this
regard however no response has been attained. The questions are
1.
Would zero-budget activities, those self-financed not meet sufficiency ?
Please elaborate for us to stand better and to improve upon.
2.
Would resolving Legal Structure and being able to receive WMF Grants be
a necessary criteria for WMIN to meet sufficiency or continued activities
not meet the fulfilment criteria?
(2) Open Governance : Affcom informed Chapter that a member needs to be in
physical presence at the Chapter Assembly to cast vote and raise voice and
asked The Chapter to change its bylaws. This information is anything but
false. This was communicated during the Call but Affcom did not bring
anything in action. Also, as per the Chapter Agreement between WMF and
WMIN, a copy of bylaws was provided in English Language to WMF. The bylaws
were approved by the then Chapter’s Council. No evidence has been brought
to notice on WMIN violating the Clause 7.2 of the Chapter’s Agreement,
“The Wikimedia Chapter shall be required to advise the Foundation of any
planned or actual change in the bylaws or status of the Chapter which might
affect the Foundation or the continued existence or effectiveness of this
Agreement.”
(3) Active Contributor Involvement :The November 10 email carried the
statement, “The chapter lacks broad and diverse membership, community
representation, as well as buy-in and involvement “ and “Membership seems
to be sourced through university leadership rather than through open
community participation and representation.” Chapter till date received no
evidence or logic construction on how the said argument was reached. Later
during the call, Affcom did acknowledge that there has been a communication
gap. Chapter further floated the idea of sharing the Member’s data base
after discussing privacy policy over them.
(4) Capacity : WMIN was able to submit its annual reports on 21st December,
2018 (3.5 months late) due to a notice by Income-Tax department which
caused delay in preparing our Financial reports. Although we do not have
any annual grants or use any money to support any activity, as per
Chapter’s agreement, affiliate is required to submit Financial Results.
Meanwhile, WMIN reported its activities on every quarterly basis and shared
it with the wider Indian community via India Mailing List and also other
channels [6], [7], [8],[9]. Annual activity report is a compilation from
the quarterly reports.
Affcom claimed via Cloud document that no high level response submitted and
repeated delay is not accepted. WMIN informed Affcom that previous delay
needs to be looked at independently from earlier financial period and
suspension notice (WMIN then had a grant), but we received no response.
(5) Organizational Best Practices : Affcom asked us to ‘Resolve’ issues
relating to Organizational Best Practices, however, no information had been
received on respective deliverables not been met. The November 10, email
carried the statement, “There are concerns about whether” referring that
Affcom was also not sure themselves. WMIN shared the best practices after
placing it in front of the community on member’s mailing list for more than
15 days. To this Affcom responded that you are late with your submission
hence we are terminating your contract. They never shared an evidence and
when WMIN took its time placed it in-front of the community and then
submitted, they said delayed and instead of sending their response in
writing over mail they again invited us for a call. We continue to insist
on providing a written response via Mail but no action.
(6) Action Plan : Affcom asked us to submit an Action Plan and we kept
asking what deliverable are needed. We cannot commit on resolving
Government restrictions within a said timeline as more than 13,000 NGOs
struggle with the similar crisis. We emphasised again and again we have
been running zero-budget activities and working for the movement. We asked
them to review Organizational Best Practices, based on gaps we could have
taken things into consideration. They rather said, you have missed the
deadline, so WMIN has to be closed now.
To sum up, Affcom friends, you made up your own decision, you made up you
own hearing and you made up your own decision. It was a monologue masked in
the name of a dialogue.
I encourage you all to be in our boots someday, hosting activities on
zero-budget, fighting with the Government bureaucracy to attain some
funding as a help, the challenge of having a staff-based organisation in
parallel, struggle with self-financing activities and most importantly
working with Affcom to save yourself from their de-recognition threats.
If you believe you are correct, please abide to the request made under
Annexure [A] and put everything in public domain. Let community read for
themselves and decide. If Affcom is more transparent about its
investigation and actions then community would be able to better understand
the work and provide an opinion.
Regards,
Abhinav
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/CIS-A2K
[2]
https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediaindia-l/2019-April/013994.ht…
\
[3] Foreign Currency (Regulation) Act, 1960 compliance do not permit India
Chapter to receive money from its primary fiscal sponsor, Wikimedia
Foundation.
[4] Board of Directors at CIS, acknowledged in March, 2019 for a compliant
made in August, 2018 for CIS-A2K Staff not doing their duty to the order.
[5]
https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/06/07/democracies-need-a-little-help-from-th…
[6]
https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediaindia-l/2017-July/013030.html
[7]
https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediaindia-l/2017-October/013089.…
[8]
https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediaindia-l/2018-January/013188.…
[9]
https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediaindia-l/2018-April/013295.ht…
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annexure
[A] Reallocating the Affcom - WMIN Communication To Meta : No
communications over email, video call, social media, instant messaging, or
anywhere but wiki! While this would not just be aligned with the editing
spirit, it would promote greater transparency and also helpful for us to
communicate the message to our community members. While, we understand
Affcom had been advocating the same, however, taking care of privacy
concerns, do let us. Once we hear from Affcom on having no privacy
concerns, we may reallocate the discussions.
If there a consent to this, would request a green light also for
1.
Archiving the entire email conversation over a cloud document and
linking it to the relevant Meta page.
2.
Documenting Internet Calls in an attempt to resolve communication gaps
and linking them to Meta page for greater transparency.
3.
Based on Principal of Free Speech, allowing anybody to use the
discussion page for expression of their views.
4.
Any Volunteer is free to translate the text into the language of their
choice.
5.
Upload All PDF sent via Mails to Commons and link them to the Meta Page.
6.
All relevant customs and procedures which exist for any Meta page to be
in action.
_______________________________________________
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>
Hey Everyone!
My name is Seddon, I’ve been a Wikipedian since 2006, was heavily involved
in my local affiliate in the UK for a number of years and since 2016 I’ve
supported the Wikimedia Foundation Fundraising team in their community
outreach particularly around our online fundraising campaigns.
As many of you know our grant programmes, servers and websites are
supported mainly through online fundraising. This takes the form of web
banners on our projects on both mobile and desktop devices. We produce an
annual report of our fundraising activities that might be useful to read to
get a background of the history of this type of fundraising. [1] [2]
It’s been a number of years since we last fundraised in India and over the
next 12 months we’ve set ourselves a goal to return to India.
The first step in this process will be to test out our payment systems.
Fundraising in a new country comes with a significant amount of technical
work. Through the end of July we’ll running some pre-existing banners to
test out our infrastructure. These tests will generally run for a couple of
hours at a time.
Our main campaign will be run in 2020. Between now and then we will be
looking to work with community members, affiliates, CIS-A2K, research
partners and other local experts from across India to build our first
campaign and develop the messaging together.
Throughout this period we’ll be looking for suggestions about ideas, themes
and values that we should convey in our fundraising appeals. Input from
people across the Indian communities is going to be vital to make our
campaign successful.
Personally I’m really quite excited to get to know the communities in India
and I through this work, I’m really looking forward to getting to know all
of you and your work.
Thank you all in advance!
--
Seddon
*Community and Audience Engagement Associate*
Advancement, Wikimedia Foundation
[1] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fundraising/2017-18_Report
[2] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fundraising/2016-17_Report
Dear all,
Wikimedia India (WMIN) is happy to announce The Library at Nehru Memorial
Museum [1] and Library, New Delhi (NMML) is now available for Wikimedians.
The library which is exclusive for use by research scholars representing a
particular Institute can now also be availed by Wikimedians and WMIN is
happy to facilitate the same.
The Library has a collection of mainly Pre-Independent India documents such
as
· 267 Thousand printed books
· 200 Thousand Photographs Of Pandit Nehru and Other Freedom
Fighters
· 18,231 Microfilms of private paper, missionary records,
newspapers and old journals.
· 51,322 Microfiche plates of research material etc.
WMIN encourages the community to use the Library and work towards our
common goal of making content on Wikimedia Projects better every day.
Whosoever interested may drop a mail at chapter(a)wikimedia.in /
abhinav.srivastava(a)wikimedia.in.
We also encourage the community to drop suggestions on how to further
enhance this partnership. Sharing a few suggestions:
· NMML has expressed its interest in releasing a set of document on
a pilot basis to be transcribed on Wikisource. We may ask them to request
documents on a specific thematic area wherever the community is more
interested in working.
· NMML is interested in hosting Wikimedia Workshops to train the
common public and also their staff.
· NMML has shown interest in having #1lib1ref workshops.
· NMML plans to release their digitised documents in future on a
web-portal with a paywall and has shown their interest to be a part of The
Wikipedia Library (this is for long term).
Please feel free to drop suggestions so that we can take them up during our
next meeting and make the best for our movement.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nehru_Memorial_Museum_%26_Library
Regards,
Sanket Oswal,
Wikimedia India
Dear All,
Wikimedia India is happy to report The Featured Wikimedian of The Month For
July, 2019.
Piyush Maurya with User Name :हिंदुस्थान वासी
<https://hi.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF…>
is primarily a Hindi Wikimedian who contributes on Hindi Wikipedia where he
also holds the rights of an administrator. He is a native of Aligarh city
in Western Uttar Pradesh. Piyush has been editing on Wikimedia Projects
ever since 2013. He first began editing on English Wikipedia and once while
reading North India Floods 2013
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_North_India_floods> article he came to
know about Hindi Wikipedia from the left side bar. Hindi happens to be his
first language and since then he hasn't looked back. He has more than
47,000 global edits which also includes Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons etc.
Piyush has been instrumental in taking initiatives to set up different
policies on Hindi Wikipedia such as User Page Policy etc. Piyush enjoys
editing on film articles and also enjoys reviewing edits. As an
administrator, he admires to have many more quality articles. Piyush was
recently bestowed with the responsibility to be a User Group Representative
for Hindi Wikimedians by the community.
If you have any suggestions for a Featured Wikimedian, please nominate them
at [1] or send a mail at abhinav.srivastava(a)wikimedian.in
Thanks,
[1] http://wiki.wikimedia.in/Featured_Wikimedian/Nominations
Hello all,
Hope this email finds you well. We are sending this message to select
community mailing lists and all previous recipients of Wikimedia Foundation
Rapid Grants.
As you know the Rapid Grants Program
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Project/Rapid> [1] has played an
important role in helping our communities to grow. The number of grants we
have given out grew by 30% between FY16 -17 to this fiscal year, and they
grew by 55% when measured by the total amount disbursed. (See the spending
analysis
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Community_Resources/Grants_spending_analysis>
[2] for reference.*)
While communities have valued these flexible funding opportunities, on our
part, it hasn’t been easy to measure and track their impact. We therefore
will be implementing a number of changes in Fiscal Year 19/20, starting *August
1 2019*, to sharpen the focus and impact of rapid grants, whilst at the
same time maintaining the quick and flexible funding options for community:
1) In the months specified below, we will prioritize support to *contests
and campaigns* which have been an exciting source of growth in editorship,
innovative participation and content generation by communities. These
months will be solely dedicated to different contests and campaigns
throughout the year:
- *August*: only receiving proposals for *Wiki Loves Monuments*
- *September*: only receiving proposals for *Awareness Grants*
(campaign)
- *December*: only receiving proposals for *Wiki Loves Africa *
- *January*: only receiving proposals for *Art + Feminism* (campaign)
- *March*: only receiving proposals for *Wiki Loves Earth*
2) Outside the months specified above, proposals are welcomed in all other
categories: edit-a-thons, contests, photowalks, general promotion
campaigns, and video campaigns. For added flexibility, we will also
consider proposals outside of these categories, such as software
development. However, we will no longer be providing rapid grants for
travel support, equipment purchase or meetups.
3) We will evaluate each batch of grants once a month and accept the best
proposals in alignment with the Wikimedia Foundation’s medium-term goals.
We will share the evaluation for the Rapid Grants Program that led us to
sharpen the focus for the program once the evaluation is completed by
September 30, 2019. In addition to these changes, we’ve also considered
comments around Wikimedia Foundation Rapid Grants eligibility criteria and
have clarified these criteria. Please take the time to re-familiarize
yourselves with the Wikimedia Foundation Rapid Grants Guidelines and
Criteria <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Project/Rapid/Learn> [4]
page.
The Wikimedia Foundation’s Medium-term
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_Medium-term_plan_2019>
[3] plan goals are set out here for information.
If you have any questions, please email us at <rapidgrants(a)wikimedia.org>.
Best regards,
Woubzena
*Please note that we have not yet put out the final FY 2018-19 numbers and
we’re basing this calculation based on up to date internal numbers of 184
grants and $270,194.
[1] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Project/Rapid
[2]
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Community_Resources/Grants_spending_analysis
[3]
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_Medium-term_plan_2019
[4] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Project/Rapid/Learn
Woubzena Jifar (pronouns - she/her/hers)
Program Officer, Rapid Grants
User: WJifar (WMF)
Wikimedia Foundation <https://wikimediafoundation.org/>