[WikiEN-l] Wikipedia Leadership (was NY Times article on gender gap in Wikipedia contributors}

[Marc Riddell]

>> Truth is, I'm not even sure I want to get into this. And, for the record,
>> this inquiry concerns only the English Wikipedia Project. I spend 99% of
>> the
>> time I have to devote to the English Wikipedia Project at editing
>> articles;
>> the other 1% being spent on the Mailing Lists. So, consequently, I know
>> very
>> little about the authority structure that exists in the Project. But
>> something that has been bothering me for some time now; something that
>> has
>> been touched on very cautiously at various times on this List; and
>> something
>> that I firmly believe is at the root of many of the problems that have
>> been
>> discussed on this List (and elsewhere) for some time now. What is the
>> actual
>> chain of authority that now exists in the Project? This I am certain of:
>> Sue Gardner is the Executive Director of the Wikimedia Foundation. Just
>> like
>> any corporate structure, her line of authority is clear enough. The
>> Foundation oversees (my term) and provides the technical equipment and
>> funding to operate the Project. Is there a similar "structure", "line of
>> authority" or "buck stops here" entity within the English Wikipedia
>> Project.
>> Would, could, someone please help me to see and understand it? I need
>> some
>> basics here so that I can take part in any discussion.
>> 
>> Marc Riddell
> 
> Editing, content, and on-wiki policy is in the hands of the editing
> community, limited by their ability to agree.
> 
> The exception is actions which create potential liabilities.
> 
> Heavy responsibility I know...
> 
> Fred Bauder

And if changes were proposed to this present system, who (or what entity)
would approve and implement them?

Marc