[Foundation-l] on (re)organizing wikimedia

[Kelly Martin]

On 6/9/06, oscar <oscar.wiki at gmail.com> wrote:
> hi all,
>
> i would like to share with you some thoughts on (re)organization.
> i read that there are plans to put a ceo in place to take care of executive
> responsibilities. executive responsibilities are very different from those
> of responsible wikians within the projects. so far these things have not
> been separated at all, that is understandable for a young and growing
> organization, but such cannot last or work well forever.
>
> in my opinion:
> 1. the only way this organization, its projects and mission, its vitality
> and appeal, will survive will be if a strict separation be implemented
> between volunteer-work, executive tasks and their respective supervision.
> 2. separation of executive and project-related responsibilities by
> installing an elected council of representatives from the projects is
> mandatory.
> 3. the task of an appointed board should be supervising the work of the
> executives, it should be a type of board consisting of very professional
> people (the kind which in a way of speaking should have "better things to
> do", if you get my meaning), and in general not deal with the projects at
> all.
> 4. the council of representatives should supervise the projects, advise the
> executive level, and in general not deal with the board at all.
>
> i could be more elaborate in explaining the rationale behind these thoughts,
> but i chose to keep things concise. note however, that i spoke of how
> specific tasks, responsibilities and work can be organized, avoiding the
> who-does-what, which is not of my concern now.
> also these things should definitely not be mixed up.
>
> for what it's worth these are my two euros ;-)
>
> oscar

I was asking today of certain people if there was any document that
formally set out the relationship between the Foundation and the
individual projects operating under it.  I have been told that there
is no such document.  I'm sorely tempted to work on that document,
which would set out what the Foundation does for the projects, what
the Foundation expects from each project, and how the projects will
insure that the Foundation is looking after their interests.

Some other issues came out of that discussion -- such as our
precarious copyright situation -- and those also need to be addressed.

It seems that Oscar's on a similar tack here.

Kelly