Hi Leigh
In general there is always a transparent hierarchy and an untasparent one
self organized following the real leaderships.
Problems happen when the gap between both increases. In this case the real
decisions are made in front of a coffee machine and not in the right places.
The solution is a strong commitment from higher levels and a different
organization (for instance by matrix and not simply functional).
Anyway it is the C level having the power to introduce a revolution like
this.
Kind regards
Il 28/Feb/2016 08:09 PM, "Leigh Thelmadatter" <osamadre(a)hotmail.com> ha
scritto:
I have to agree here. The WMF and its employees have
forgotten that the
mission is to support the work done on the various wikis, not make work for
fireworks for themselves.
Nothing we are dealing with here is new. It is just the eruption of some
very long-standing problems with the WMF and the tone it sets for the rest
of the movement. While some might be celebrating now, Lila was not the
problem. IMHO, the problem is a lot of hidden hierarchies (denied of
course). Add to that, that the lack of transparency allows the growth of
hidden agendas.
Remember this blew when a community selected board member was tossed off
the board unceremoniously. We find out through this that the community (or
chapters) have no real voice on the board under the current set up.
From: dacuetu(a)gmail.com
Date: Sun, 28 Feb 2016 17:52:30 +0100
To: wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
Subject: [Wikimedia-l] What it means to be a *volunteer* organization
I am starting a new thread because I disagree with the idea that the WMF
should be a high-tech organization as the other thread by Brion seemed to
suggest. Yes, technology is a tool that we use in our mission to gather
and
process all forms of human knowledge, but in the
end the driving force is
volunteership.
Without volunteers there wouldn't be any movement and there wouldn't be
any
need for tools, or any donations whatsoever. It
is the concept of working
for free for the common good that allows us to exist and fulfill our
mission. The WMF is instrumental in providing the tools for it to happen,
but those tools are not only technological, they are also legal,
educational, and social, however when talking through computer screens we
seem to forget that.
A hi-tech tool can work for a given task or not, but there are more
important topics like trust, commitment, empowerment, motivation, and joy
that cannot be assessed so easily, and that are at least as crucial as
any
software. What is the point of having a perfect
tool Z if I don't enjoy
working with my fellows on a common mission?
The role of nurturing volunteers is not exclusive of affiliate
organizations, the WMF offer grants to volunteers and organizes several
gatherings. Is that enough to strengthen the volunteer community? Then I
look at organizations like WOOF or workaway that thrive with full-time
volunteers and I wonder if more opportunities could be opened for our
volunteers.
Is there anything holding us back to try new things besides old patterns
of
participation?
It is a challenge to do more for the volunteer community without
resorting
to grants or payment, but that is the key to
succeed as a volunteer
organization, to provide an ecosystem where personal growth is possible.
I am interested in hearing what others have to say about it. Maybe it is
possible to gather ideas or even a team of people who wants to research
more information about the topic.
Cheers,
Micru
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