On 26 January 2016 at 19:07, Arnnon Geshuri ageshuri@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.