Team,
I am receiving these updates while in Cambodia, Asia on some research visits to our East Asian partners and i am a relatively new member of WMKE. I apologise if my response here below seems too lengthy (against the KISS rule) but its my critical analysis of the survey findings.
I commend Abbas for the impressive results albeit form a 'minority' (theres need to know what percentage of membership participated? Should we assume that the 'majority' who dint participate was due to a dissenting opinion?). All in all, this was actually needed for the improvement of the chapter and am sure those who refrained will see no reason to do so in future.
From the results, the survey seems to have covered most of the expected areas:
- new membership - expectations and need for some orientation which needs to be emphasized as the group grows. I would particularly take note of the response on question 1- (1 respondent said that the experience was "exciting yet inexperienced"). I wish that could be expounded further...
- general administration - majorities feeling theres a 'down- top' approach to issues and 'not a one-mans show' is a good sign though a significant group were of a contrary opinion. This need to be discussed further to enable the group to reduce the voices even further. Its the only way to run a group of this nature.
- WKE projects - There appears to be show of success and this should be maintained. There appears to be a general satisfaction with the facilitation of the participating members i.e. financial wise. (Maybe there should have been a question whether the budget was too much as well!!!). I believe there are other things that the group dint have direct control of e.g. accommodation, meals etc but the members seem to have exercised their discretion on that guided by their budgets and theres no much complaint. There a general willingness to connect further to the WIKIMEDIA family by the indication of future invitations to the international community.
- Improvements - To me this is the most important part since it gives us a chance to be better. Each of the participants had a reason as to why they submitted their responses.
Conclusion:
A face-face meeting should be set to discuss the findings of the survey and make concrete resolutions on leadership and administration structures among other key issues raised (the structures may not be so elaborate for now, but theres need to define who does what, makes decisions on behalf of the family). Control of communications need to be discussed as well e.g. who makes an official WMKE position in case of anything? Who is the face of WMKE?. Some emails sent by members are a bit 'offensive' and maybe ones gets a feeling of the so called 'inexperience'. In addition to sensitizing especially the members on the goals and objectives of WMKE and how it relates to the larger WIKIMEDIA family.
Thanks and kind regards to you all,
--
John N. Kinyuru,
Department of Food Science and Technology,
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology,
P.O. Box 62000-00200
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254 723 667 432
+254 750 667 432
Email: jkinyuru@gmail.com
jkinyuru@agr.jkuat.ac.ke