There are some valid differences of opinion being expressed about the
cultural-linguistic appropriateness of the language used in the fundraising
email.
But these are tangential to the substantive issue I was attempting to raise.
Ideally, Wikimedians should feeling empowered and excited to share the
message that we need to fundraise to continue our movement's important work
with my friends and family.
Instead, I feel embarrassed (and consequently demotivated and unempowered)
by the fundraising campaign - and I believe a lot of others in the
community are too.
Let me reiterate the final, official WMF fundraising principle
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fundraising_principles>:
"Maximal participation: Consistent with the
principles of empowerment
underlying Wikimedia’s success, we should empower individuals and groups
world-wide to constructively contribute to direct messaging, public
outreach, and other activities that drive the success of Wikimedia’s
fundraising efforts."
Now, we can debate the minutiae of the fundraising banners/emails - and I
am certainly guilty of raising a series of very specific
linguistic/stylistic critiques - but the more strategic issue is that I
believe that this "maximal participation" principle has been completely
left behind. Furthermore, that the principle of "minimal disruption" has
become to be defined as "get the money as fast as possible".
To reiterate: efficiency != effectiveness.
The feeling being generated is that fundraising is a "necessary evil" that
we all have to suffer through. But the "maximal participation" principle
implies that fundraising should be an opportunity for us all as a community
to FEEL PROUD to tell our friends that what we do is important and that if
they can't provide time or expertise, then at least provide some money to
show their support. I USED to do that. I want to again.
So, How can we move from a position where I (and presumably many others) in
the community are merely "enduring" the fundraising season, to a position
where we can be proud ambassadors of our movement? We should get back to
using this time as an opportunity to share our movement's value - We should
celebrate collectively when we reach the fundraising goal because we know
that means we can achieve the awesome things planned to do with that money.
This requires seeking "buy in" from the community at all stages - from the
annual budget to the banner translation to email responders. Not simply
"tolerating" fundraising season....
Less "efficient" fundraising, more "effective" fundraising.
WMF Board of Trustees, I'm looking at you to set a direction
-Liam
wittylama.com
Peace, love & metadata