On 26 January 2016 at 19:07, Arnnon Geshuri <ageshuri(a)wikimedia.org> wrote:
Regarding the concerns that have been raised, I have
listened closely.
That said, in my opinion, there are some misconceptions and there are
mitigating considerations. As a general matter, I will say that,
throughout my career, I have been charged with enforcing company policies
as part of my role as a people manager. I have tried to do so thoughtfully
and consistently. I have done so realizing company policies and practices
evolve over time as circumstances change.
As part of the current narrative, members of the community generated a
running theme within the online conversations related to trust. Comments
were expressed questioning their trust in the Wikimedia Foundation Board
and asking if the community could accept me as a new Board Member. Wanting
to understand the challenges ahead, I have spent the last few weeks
speaking with current and former Board members and reaching out to folks in
the community. I have more conversations in the coming days and appreciate
those who have been generous with their time. Given the story line that
has been shaped over the last couple weeks and based on the feedback from
my conversations, I know I have a longer journey than most new Board
members to prove to the community and WMF alumni that they can put their
trust in me.
Nice polished PR spiel. A bit too polished in my view since it reduces the
chance of people empathizing with you but hey I understand that you have to
keep the lawyers happy. Of course that's part of the reason why its
unreasonable to expect wikipedians to deal with you let alone trust you.
I joined to make a positive difference and be a part
of the
important effort to grow the WMF for the next generation of editors,
contributors, and users.
Hmm? The WMF appears to have already hit its fundraising limit. At this
point further growth isn't really on the list of things we want.
As the community gets to know me, folks will see the
way I work is with
thoughtfulness, transparency, diversity, and a focus on doing what is
right.
You've already said that the way you work is doing what your bosses tell
you and we know that wasn't right:
"I have been charged with enforcing company policies
as part of my role as a people manager. I have tried to do so thoughtfully
and consistently."
I have key experiences in both my professional and
non-profit
careers which lend a distinctive perspective to the honorable work of a
Trustee – especially the learnings gained over the last decade.
Decade? You weren't caught until 2010. That isn't a decade ago.
And as we all become closer and transition to
debating the
issues and not the people, the community will see I consistently speak from
the heart,
People who speak from the heart doesn't speak in highly polished legally
cleared PR statements. They speak like RMS or Jason Scott which is one of
the things that make them annoying.
--
geni