[Foundation-l] Wikimedia India Program Trust

[Hisham]

On Nov 11, 2011, at 12:14 PM, Liam Wyatt wrote:

> 
> My question is with regards to the relationship of the new trust to the
> existing India Chapter. The purpose of the trust (as defined as "The
> objective of the Trust is to promote the objectives of the Wikimedia
> movement and work closely with the Wikimedia community on various projects
> with an India focus.") seems synonymous with the purpose of a Chapter, and
> you now also have trustees which is synonymous with a Chapter's board. One
> difference I can see is that you don't have Members.
> 
> Can you elaborate on the legal and practical differences between the new
> India Trust and the India Chapter?

I notice Bishakha's email clarifying the legal differences between the Trust and a society (which is what the Chapter is) - so I'll address the practical differences.  The genesis of the Trust was the plan for a catalyst project that was planned for in India.  A "boots on the ground" team in India was proposed for this.  The Trust is the organisation that will eventually house the team of consultants who are currently working on India Programs, and other team members planned or as may be required.

The Trust will work closely with the community and the Chapter and, as I mentioned in the FAQs link, we will provide support in areas where there isn't either (currently) enough capacity.  

To illustrate, there is already a monthly call with the India Chapter Executive Committee where we share updates and plans.  There's a meeting that's scheduled on the sidelines of the upcoming WikiConference (next week) where we intend to identify specific initiative(s) where the Chapter and the Trust will work together.

The Trust is also not a membership-based entity - so there'll be no membership drive for it. 

I would also add that the larger picture to this is that the opportunity in India is so massive that there is enough and more for all to do.  We are and will continue communicating and co-ordinating to make sure that everyone's efforts deliver the maximum results.

hisham