[apologies for x-post -- replies to wikimediauk-l please]
Hi all
Ahead of the volunteer strategy day, my Technology Committee colleagues and I have spent a little time thinking about the volunteer strategy consultation [1]. Charles is going to speak a little on the subject at the Volunteer Gathering [2] so I won't pre-empt the entirety of the discussion there, but rather I wanted to share a couple of personal points that might be helpful in prompting other thoughts that people can take with them on the day (sadly I can't myself attend).
The first is that under the model proposed, it will be vital for working groups to really take ownership of project proposals. Over the last two years, IMHO TechComm (I can't profess to speak for other committees) has been pretty good at saying 'Yes', but hasn't been so good at actively supporting those proposals which it likes. By which I mean, it's been good at providing (constructive) challenge, but a project based system has overheads, and working groups will be vital in helping meet those overheads (e.g. by actively filling out and developing project plans). This will require a genuine (if not extensive) time commitment of a form that I think will be quite unfamiliar to many wiki volunteers.
The second is that the model for project plans will also be an interesting question to get right. On the one hand, it will be important to be able to be able to compare projects in detail -- there has even been a suggestion that projects should essentially bid into multiple flexible resource pools, which will require quite precise assessment of needs. On the other, we do not wish to put casual volunteers off, or to simply collapse under the weight of paperwork. I have attempt to put up a quick sketch of a hypothetical project plan at [3] so there's a tangible proof of concept out there -- but equally people more knowledgeable than I will be familiar with what other chapters/IEG/FDC ask for. Incidentally, the plan is hosted on Launchpad, a microsite TechComm has been looking at developing to capture former and future projects -- this may be of more general interest.
Just food for thought :)
Many thanks