[Foundation-l] Fwd: Wikimedia India Program Trust

Sat Nov 12 07:04:13 UTC 2011

the result of 10 minutes googling is ...

hisham mundol.
total edits 138, in 38 different pages. active since 4 months, active time
100% paid by wikimedia foundation. no free software development. created
even articles, an example:
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cafe_Qahwa

sunil abraham.
no edits. no free software development. but is mentioned in wikipedia
articles like:
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asia_Commons

rahul matthan.
no edits. no free software development. founded a law firm.

the trust employs KPMG as auditor, which got "sued over the madoff scheme"
[1]. additionally, the trust plans paying "consultants" and getting money
from the foundation. as well i was able to find some messages of wikimedia
india community members saying they are ignored by the trust and its
people. i was not able to find discussion pages where the india community
seems to be somehow included.

as they seem to be interested in organizational structures, not only in
program work, i was searching for signs how hisham, sunil and rahul
contributed in building up the chapter, e.g. beeing the chapters first
"program manager", beeing the chapters first "paid staff", beeing the
chapters "first advisors".  then i searched for reasons why they would not
do it or could not do it. but no luck in both cases.

i also looked up the critieria to create a chapter, stating
"participation", and "critical mass" ... and was wondering if this is
applied to a trust as well:
* http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Requirements_for_future_chapters

to get a feeling about the size, the number of readers, contributors, and a
trend in it, i tried to find the india country statistics on editing and
reading:
* http://stats.wikimedia.org/EN/TablesWikipediaML.htm
  (just took the second most prominent language after english)
  <100 people making more than 5 edits, not increasing
*
http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_-_India_Programs/Indic_Languages/Statistics/2011_September
  < 100 editors for every language, same as last year
*
http://stats.wikimedia.org/wikimedia/squids/SquidReportPageEditsPerCountryTrends.htm
  the share is 1.7%, stable. switzerland with 8 mio inhabitants (half of
dehli) has 0.8%

at the same time, another part of the world, a foto competition, no trust,
no consultants, no KPMG involved, but a lot of volunteers and chapters. it
gave 160'000 images for wikimedia commons, in one month. and, 30% new
contributors. [2]

i know, i am not good at googling ... so bare with me if above info is not
100% correct.  but it is what an outsider in this matter like me perceives.

rupert
[1] -
http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/3897984/kpmg-jpmorgan-sued-over-madoff-scheme/

[2] - http://wikilovesmonuments.eu

> On Fri, Nov 11, 2011 at 07:44, Liam Wyatt <liamwyatt at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Hi Hisham,
>> Interesting development :-)
>>
>> 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?
>>
>> -Liam
>>
>> On 11 November 2011 05:11, Hisham <hmundol at wikimedia.org> wrote:
>>
>> > cross-posting to foundation-l & internal-l from India Community list;
>> > apologies if you've read this already.
>> >
>> > hisham
>> >
>> > Begin forwarded message:
>> >
>> > > From: Hisham <hmundol at wikimedia.org>
>> > > Subject: Wikimedia India Program Trust
>> > > Date: November 11, 2011 9:55:00 AM GMT+05:30
>> > > To: Wikimedia India Community list <
>> wikimediaindia-l at lists.wikimedia.org
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Hi Folks,
>> > > I'm writing to share an update with you on certain developments of
>> > relevance to the Wikimedia movement in India.
>> > >
>> > > Announcement of Wikimedia India Program Trust
>> > > For some time, efforts have gone into creating an organization that
>> > would provide an appropriate structure to support Wikimedia program
>> > activities in India.  Aspects such as the current regulatory framework
>> > (regarding funding, taxation, etc.) as well as the legal protection for
>> the
>> > India team have been considered to determine this structure. In this
>> > context, a host of options (e.g. subsidiary, branch, Section 25) were
>> > evaluated and a determination was made towards an independent non-profit
>> > public trust. Legal advice has been taken at every stage in this
>> decision.
>> > >
>> > > A new entity, the “Wikimedia India Program Trust”, has now been formed
>> > and registered (in Delhi.) This will be the organization that will
>> > eventually drive India programs and house the team in India.
>> > >
>> > > Why an Independent Public Trust?
>> > > The Trust will provide an effective vehicle within India to marshal
>> > resources to support programs and partner with local institutions. 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. It is important to understand that the Trust will
>> not
>> > have any editorial control over content on any of the Wikimedia
>> projects.
>> > The Trust is a not for profit organization.
>> > >
>> > > Introduction of Trustees
>> > > Trustees have been identified based upon their support for Wikimedia
>> > movement's principles and plans in addition to having reputations for
>> good
>> > governance and management.
>> > >
>> > > Sunil Abraham and Rahul Matthan have been requested to be the initial
>> > Trustees.  Both are friends of Wikipedia and have extensive experience.
>> > >
>> > > Sunil is Executive Director of the Centre for Internet & Society
>> (CIS),
>> > is a long term advocate of free software and IP reform and has been
>> > supporting the Wikimedia community and movement for some time now.
>> > >
>> > > Rahul is a partner and heads the technology practice at Trilegal. He
>> > brings deep expertise and relationships that will be valuable for the
>> Trust.
>> > >
>> > > These initial Trustees will serve for a term of three years at the
>> > maximum.  All additional or subsequent Trustees will serve on rotation
>> in
>> > accordance with a trustee selection plan that will be prepared.
>> > >
>> > > Trustees will not be compensated for their services.
>> > >
>> > > Governance, Funding, Financial Standards & Communications of the Trust
>> > > The Trust will be governed by Trustees who will provide oversight and
>> > guidance regarding the operations and governance of the Trust.
>> > >
>> > > Since the Trust is an independent organization, it will require
>> funding
>> > for its operations which is in compliance with the legal and regulatory
>> > framework in India. It will seek funding from private donors within
>> India
>> > as well as external sources.
>> > >
>> > > The Trust has the support of the Wikimedia Foundation which is a
>> United
>> > States based non-profit foundation. However, in India all non-profit
>> > organizations need to be in existence for 3 years before they can
>> receive
>> > funding from sources outside India. In the interim, they can apply for
>> > prior-permission under the FCRA regulations to help expedite the
>> process.
>> > As a result, the Trust will shortly be applying for approval to receive
>> > funds from the Wikimedia Foundation in the future.
>> > >
>> > > As a Trust, we are required to have an independent external auditor.
>> We
>> > have appointed KPMG. KPMG is experienced in auditing non-profit
>> companies
>> > and are also auditors for the Wikimedia Foundation.
>> > >
>> > > Annually, the Trust will publicly disclose it's independently audited
>> > financial statements.
>> > >
>> > > The Trust will publish a monthly newsletter outlining its current
>> > activities and future plans. This will commence in December 2011.
>> > >
>> > > Operations of the Trust
>> > > The trust deed under which the Trust must operate clearly states that
>> > the purpose of the Trust is to independently promote the growth of
>> > volunteer activities within India in support of effective and
>> unrestricted
>> > dissemination of free knowledge to the public.
>> > >
>> > > I will serve as the Executive Director of the Trust. Once it is
>> > possible, additional employees will be brought on to the Trust
>> > >
>> > > The Trust will eventually have an office in Delhi.
>> > >
>> > > In the interim, I have personally secured temporary office space to
>> > facilitate establishing the Trust and its mission. It is located at Top
>> > Floor, G-15, Hauz Khas, New Delhi - 110 016. It's a couple of minutes
>> walk
>> > away from IIT Flyover and Hauz Khas Metro. Do drop in! It's a small but
>> > cozy place and we'd love to have you over!
>> > >
>> > > Conclusion
>> > > We continue to make progress in setting up program activities to
>> support
>> > the growth of Wikimedia in India. We have a long way to go, but are glad
>> > that we are starting to build a solid foundation.
>> > >
>> > > The following link is for FAQs on this (and related) topics:
>> >
>> http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/FAQ_India_Programs/FAQ_Wikimedia_India_Program_Trust
>> > >
>> > > As always, do reach out if you have any comments or questions.
>> > >
>> > > Warm Regards,
>> > >
>> > > hisham
>> > >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
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>> > foundation-l at lists.wikimedia.org
>> > Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/foundation-l
>> >
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