[Foundation-l] A PC instead of a VC

[Milos Rancic]

I have to say that I agree with you. We really need a body which would
take care about projects. And community should be asked for important
issues not through its advocate (VC), but directly (at referendum).

On Mon, Apr 7, 2008 at 9:55 AM, Gerard Meijssen
<gerard.meijssen at gmail.com> wrote:
> Effeietsanders <http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Effeietsanders> has
>  proposed the setup of a council that is to complement the staff, the
>  advisory board and the board of trustees. The name proposed is the "Volunteer
>  Council <http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikicouncil/Resolution>" or VC. To
>  make this all happen a PVC or a provisional VC is to be created that is to
>  get a mandate to specify what the VC is going to be. A group of good people
>  are selected for this, people that I trust can do a good job.
>
>  I find myself opposing something that I think is sorely needed. The reason
>  for this is very much one of focus. This council will particularly deal with
>  the projects, the issues of the projects and thereby be complementary. The
>  staff and both boards are about the organisation that enables the projects
>  to function. This council will be about the projects and will deal what
>  makes the projects function better.
>
>  The council will deal mostly with issues of the projects, not about issues
>  of the volunteers. The fact that this council will consist of volunteers is
>  incidental what is relevant is that this council will be there for the
>  projects and consequently it will represent the projects and not so much the
>  volunteers. When you consider the English
>  Wikipedia<http://en.wikipedia.org/>for instance, it is well able to do
>  all the things needed; it has the
>  attention of the organisation, the world. There are many capable people
>  beavering away and does within reason its own thing. It does not really need
>  a council.
>
>  For most of the other projects things are starkly different.  A recurring
>  theme from Wikinews is that it does not get the necessary attention. You can
>  however exchange Wikinews for most other projects including most Wikipedias.
>  With the ever increasing number of wikis, it becomes ever more impossible
>  for projects to be heard.
>
>  It is for all these reasons that I propose to name the council the "Project
>  council" PC and for it to represent the interest and needs of the projects.
>  The first thing it should do is ensure that the policies that exist are
>  actually implemented and functioning. Then it should look into what make the
>  projects be better represented within the limits of what is possible. Limits
>  because the WMF functions very much as an ISP and this distinction prevents
>  liability. In this way the projects and by inference the volunteers get a
>  better representation and help the WMF fulfill as an enabler for the
>  projects.
>
>  Practically, I would have the same group of people prepare for a Project
>  Council. I would not give them a blank check, I would have them prepare a
>  draft proposal. While working on this paper, I would have them consult with
>  members of the staff particualrly Sue and Mike and consult with members of
>  the board of trustees as well. I am sure that it will be good because there
>  IS a need for a council in any way you slice it.
>  Thanks,
>      GerardM
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