On Wed, Aug 1, 2012 at 1:53 PM, Hari Prasad Nadig <mail@hpnadig.net> wrote:

discussion running up to these changes. My specific concern is how the Chapter would evolve going ahead from here, and given that CIS has helped the Chapter activities in the past, what role CIS plans to play in strengthening the Chapter - whether there would be efforts to strengthen the organization or such.

Please don't worry on that count. CIS will maintain status quo w.r.t. to Chapter relationships. Whatever facilities/services are currently being provided to Chapter and have been provided to the Chapter in the past - will continue to be provided from CIS's core-funding. These services will continue beyond the 22 month period of this grant and for as long as we are around.

For WikimediaIndia-l users, just a note that I had earlier posted a response to Barry's email here:
http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimedia-l/2012-July/121523.html

As mentioned in my first message to the list - CIS is very committed to increasing the accountability and transparency of this particular grant and also the organisation as a whole. For example - to control travel related costs - CIS could publicly disclose the list of hotels in each city that are affordable at our per diem rates - these hotels will be used by all staffers including the A2K team. For greater transparency around staff travel - we could provide demand-based access to the staff calendar including the A2K team. In other words, if you wanted to know what I or any member of the A2K team was doing or will be doing on a particular date - you could email our publication's manager and he would tell you. Hopefully measures such as these will increase the bang you are getting for your buck. I hope you will also point out other areas where we could make improvements as CIS.

Best wishes,

Sunil