Indeed - agreeing with Asaf here - I've learned over time (including time spent on a chapter board in Australia, as well as doing stuff completely outside the chapter framework) that good work and its results beat bureaucracy hands down every time. You don't need the bureaucracy to get results, as long as you have a group of dedicated people willing to work together and make it happen. If people see your good work they will want to be part of it.
Back in the heyday around 2009-10, some other countries rushed into the chapter idea because everyone else was doing it, exhausted themselves meeting all the requirements, and then wondered why they weren't achieving anything or building a community or holding events. This then led to internal strife, lack of cohesion, politics around which projects to choose, etc, and I think it was a large part of the reason why WMF invented the user group model - I was at some of the in-person meetings where that was being discussed.
It's not a "demotion" by any stretch, it's about "what works best in these particular circumstances?" The WMF isn't perfect - it's learning too, and changes it makes are sometimes a recognition that it may have got things wrong in the past and is now trying to do the best by its mission, its donors, etc.
The Kenyan group is one of the most enthusiastic and interesting ones I've ever seen in the WM universe and I genuinely wish you the best :)
kindest regards Andrew
On 4 May 2013 13:48, Asaf Bartov abartov@wikimedia.org wrote:
Hi, David.
You are mistaken: We are not judging all of you, and we have not punished anyone, not even Stephen. What we did was demand accountability, and that is a non-negotiable part of our movement, founded as it is on open collaboration and transparency. I realize it's been very demoralizing for the rest of you; I can say I acted as soon as I knew something was wrong -- can all of you say that? The lack of trust I referred to was what was evident from exchanges on this list in the past few months, not from the side of the Foundation. I have met a lot of you in person and I do trust you. I will support you in any mission-aligned attempt you make -- including with funding.
You are also mistaken in still perceiving the revocation of the _provisional_ chapter recognition as a punishment. That was not the case at all; the recognition was provisional to begin with, and depended on two things -- formal incorporation within a year, and sustained activity. Both of those requirements were not met, and so the provisional recognition, which was only for one year _to begin with_, expired. The embezzlement had nothing to do with it.
To your question, there is nothing to appeal -- that recognition is gone. You can always apply for chapter status again, according to the instructions here[1], but you would do well to begin by getting people together and regenerating some enthusiasm to do Wikimedia work -- editing sessions, photo walks, training sessions, etc. -- and by seeking recognition as a Wikimedia User Group. Do note that your group has not been "demoted" from a chapter "to a user group" -- its recognition as an affiliate was revoked, and the group is now simply not recognized as affiliated at all. To _be_ recognized as a User Group, you would need to seek recognition according to the (much easier) process here[2].
Again, I would urge you to not worry about the status or label of the group, but to instead focus on creating value for the mission. Once a core of value exists and has some community energy behind it, the rest becomes easy.
Cheers,
Asaf[1] http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Step-by-step_chapter_creation_guide [2] http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Step-by-step_user_group_creation_guide
On Fri, May 3, 2013 at 10:13 PM, David Mugo raidarmax@gmail.com wrote:
Asaf,
I believe that the Wikimedia Foundation did the Kenyan Wikimedians wrong by judging all of us based on one occurrence and purnishing everyone for the mistakes of a few. The zeal and energy that was there was totally drained and beginning lacks the power it requires.
In fact, I believe it would have been best to let us do our own house cleaning then recommend action against any wrong doings.
It is hard to begin anything with the knowledge that there is no trust between us and the foundation.
Lastly, I would like to ask, what are the chances of appealing the decision by the foundation to demote us to a user group?
David. On May 4, 2013 5:27 AM, "Asaf Bartov" abartov@wikimedia.org wrote:
Hello, everyone.
It is unfortunate the air is still not clear among this group. "Sunshine is the best disinfectant", said judge Brandeis. I urge everyone to engage in a frank discussion of what transpired, AND to stop dropping dark hints. Those do not help at all.
From WMF's perspective, I should note that we have received US$596 by wire back from Stephen, but that the start-up grant[1] is still not resolved, and a full accounting will need to be made of all the grant funds (US$7001), spent and unspent. Such a report has still not been submitted. I would urge those of you still interested in pursuing a new beginning to make an effort (I know it's unappetizing) and resolve this ASAP, so we can all turn the page.
I am still convinced much can be done in Kenya, albeit with a different approach.
Asaf
[1] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Stephen_Wanjau_-_Wikimedians_in_Kenya...
On Thu, May 2, 2013 at 9:58 PM, Andrew maina kimemiaandy@yahoo.comwrote:
Wikimedians have GIRLFRIENDS! :-O No, but seriously do publish these records and out this truth.
On Thu, May 2, 2013 7:43 AM MSKS Kosgei Isaac wrote:
What a big shame! Steve we WANT the names of all those who used the money and we hold
them
responsible.
Isaac K. Kosgei. Bachelor of Agribusiness Management +254727553981 SkypeProfile: Kipsizoo http://ke.linkedin.com/in/kipsizoo Twitter: @kipsizoo Blogs: www.kipsizoo.blogspot.com <
http://www.kipsizoo.blogspot.com/%20%3E
Agribusiness Blog http://www.kipsizoo.wordpress.com/ *"My satisfaction comes from my commitment to advancing a better
world" -
Faye Wattleton*
On 2 May 2013 04:32, stephen wanjau wanjaustev@gmail.com wrote:
I have kissed ass for more than a year now...I am the most shaded
African
Wikipedian....Yes I ate the donors money as most allege and so
what? .... I
do not wish to take this with me to the grave...hate me or love me
now as
it makes no difference... I hate all of you. At my tender age my
parents
never knew about this white elephant.They hate me because of this humanitarian movement that I dropped both my feet into... I paid
for some
of your escapades with your girlfriends using the donors money. I
was so
naive and effed up. As far as Dubai since local was too mainstream I financed you and some of you and your girlfriends. That is for the
inner
cycle and for some I have decided to donate the money since you have never appraised the debts till now. I still have the
statements till
now from equity bank and KCB bank.
I have all the records with me.....the statements, withdrawals and everything else as shocking as the next line.
I hate myself and I still love sharing free knowledge. It is the
key to
love and live that keeps me going.
EFF you and me.
Yours faithfully, Stephen
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-- Asaf Bartov Wikimedia Foundation http://www.wikimediafoundation.org
Imagine a world in which every single human being can freely share in the sum of all knowledge. Help us make it a reality! https://donate.wikimedia.org
WikimediaKE mailing list WikimediaKE@lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediake