[Foundation-l] Fwd: Wikimedia India Program Trust

[Theo10011]

Yes, we disagreed on a couple of things during the filter discussion on
this very list, I'm sure you can look it up.

Along with the local discussions, your thoughts on the strategy plan, and
movement roles, I wasn't there at the time to disagree so I suppose you
have no idea. You are more than welcome to bring any of this up on
Internal-l however, I would be happy to go into much more detail for your
elucidation.

On Sat, Nov 12, 2011 at 3:26 AM, Achal Prabhala <aprabhala at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi Theo
>
> On 11 November 2011 14:10, Theo10011 <de10011 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Ohai Achal
> >
> > As usual, I disagree.
>
>
> ??
>
> I didn't realise we disagree frequently...you must fill me in off list :)
>
>
> > I am a bit more informed of the current situation
> > than most people, maybe not as much as the current WMF advisory board
> > member but who knows.
> >
>
> Theo, this isn't a competition. I value your perspective, as do several
> other people.
>

Never said it is.


>
> >
> > My opinion on this is from a regular community member before much of the
> > community in other cities was active. I am not affiliated with the
> chapter
> > or the India operations.
> >
> > Honestly, from my proximity, and I have been in close proximity for a
> while
> > to both entities, there is some tension and a sense of antagonism on a
> lot
> > of issues. The fact they can't and usually don't co-ordinate before, only
> > heightens the issue.
> >
>
> While I value your perspective on this issue, I think it would be also
> helpful to hear from people who have a direct relationship with the
> chapter, and from people who are in a formal/semi-formal community grouping
> who've interacted with the chapter and Foundation in India. I don't
> disagree with you or dispute what you say; I just think that there are many
> others who are in a better position to speak to this.
>

So by implication, you mean I have no direct relationship with the chapter
and India operations. I don't think I ever stopped being active on the
local mailing lists or the conference organizing committee to be considered
not-direct, however, I can't say the same for you or others. I can go into
the specifics of my involvement with the foundation in India, with things
like the office, all the India-operation pages on Meta, the regular IRC
meetings I moderated as well as my work for the chapter like customizing
the chapter wiki, Wikiconference pages, general outreach etc.. Again, I'm
not sure if my work qualifies me to comment or be considered direct, which
you seem to be entitled to judge.

I find it odd since you are dismissing Anirudh for being in the chapter and
not in the country, and then me for being in the country and not on the
chapter or in proximity. You suggested asking the organizers in your last
mail, last I checked I was one of them. Pranav also responded but he also
happens to be on a "fellowship"/grant, I'm not.


>
> > As for solicitation and being open for the famed India education
> program, I
> > recall mentioning this to Hisham when he first brought it up, weeks after
> > he was hired. My opinion at the time, and now is, he did it in the wrong
> > city, the wrong colleges and with the wrong people. I still stand by my
> > opinion.
> >
> > You brought up Anirudh's physical presence as affecting his judgement
> about
> > the chapter.
>
>
> Actually no.
>
> Anirudh is not speaking for the chapter, and clearly said he is speaking
> for himself. I respect that. I'm simply reiterating that as he has been in
> Cambodia the last year or so, he hasn't attended chapter meetings, the AGM,
> or participated in any of the chapter events (physically) - which I, and
> several other people based here, have. Anirudh is a long standing and
> dedicated Wikipedian who has every right to an opinion; I'm merely pointing
> out that living in the country whose Wikimedia chapter you are a board
> member of is likely to provide more opportunities to do things for the
> chapter and not make it "redundant".
>
>
First you say he's not speaking for the chapter, only himself, which you
respect then you proceed to make an argument how he is unfit to speak for
the chapter? I'm not sure how someone's physical presence or attending
certain meetings relates to their effectiveness on the board, certainly
their personal opinion. I pointed out there are several chapters with
little or no restrictions to its board members being resident or present in
the country, again, you are more than free to check. I also don't
understand the point of quoting redundant, are those quotes intended to be
ironic?

I'm not sure how his physical presence is related to this, I would go so
far as to say, it's his personal business. One that you don't exactly have
a position to question, just as much as someone else does to question
yours, helping chapters and communities in two continents. Can someone ask
you to stop representing India as the advisory board member when you
represent South Africa or vice-versa, after missing a couple of meetings?
Last I checked the board of a chapter was a non-paid volunteer position.


>
> > I would like to point out that the India offices are located
> > in Delhi, the foundation offices in San Francisco, neither of those put
> you
> > in a better position to comment than Anirudh. Many chapters and you can
> > check if you like, have board members who are not resident or are
> > temporarily resident outside a country. It is usually a chapter's
> decision,
> > if they have objections or not.
> >
> > As for the Media getting it wrong, well, it's sad you can't correct
> > everyone on what the "Movement" is or where it should be headed.
> >
>
> I'm not entirely sure if you're being sarcastic here, Theo, but assuming
> good faith, I'll assume that you mean (like Sue pointed out) that the media
> does tend to confuse terms that sound and look similar.
>

I was indeed being sarcastic. (Someone call [[WP:OMGcom]] )


Theo