[Foundation-l] Fwd: Wikimedia India Program Trust

[Achal Prabhala]

Hi Theo, I find your tone needlessly rude - do you really think this is the
best way to communicate?

It makes it very difficult to have a useful conversation.

Best wishes,
Achal

On 11 November 2011 18:07, Theo10011 <de10011 at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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
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