abhinav,
i read that the membership fee is 100 INR, which is the price of a beer. that sounds fair. how many members do you currently have? do you use the annual fundraising page to let people know that they can become members like e.g. wikimedia deutschland (WMDE) does? WMDE, by using this simple strategy, were able to get 70'000 members with a population of 80 mio, which makes them one of the biggest clubs in germany.
rupert
On Tue, Jul 16, 2019 at 2:14 AM Samuel Klein meta.sj@gmail.com wrote:
+1 Lodewijk -- I was thinking the same thing. Abhinav and Kirill: thanks each for sharing these public updates.
On Mon., Jul. 15, 2019, 4:29 p.m. effe iets anders, < effeietsanders@gmail.com> wrote:
I think it would be at the very least helpful to the wider community to better understand that component. Could you spell out in a bit more
detail
what those capacity concerns were, and what other findings may have existed? This may especially be helpful to the India community, as it
would
be especially hard to address the issues without a full understanding.
Thank you!
Warmly, Lodewijk
On Mon, Jul 15, 2019 at 3:03 AM Kirill Lokshin <kirill.lokshin@gmail.com
wrote:
Dear Wikimedia-l readers,
AffCom understands the complexity and sensitivity of the circumstances surrounding the decision to de-recognize Wikimedia India as a chapter,
and
we would like to share more information around it. This decision was
not
taken lightly, and only came after consistent warnings, including suspensions of the chapter, and continued attempts by AffCom to bring
the
chapter’s activities in line with the requirements for chapter status.
We
understand that volunteers would like more information about this
decision
and past actions that influenced its outcome. We will attempt to
provide
an
overview of the factors and history that led to this decision.
Wikimedia India has been given ample time to address their lack of compliance with minimum chapter expectations since their initial signs
of
non-compliance in 2015 and concerns presented to them during their 2015 site visits, initial 2016 suspension, and most recent 2018 suspension
last
November. The Wikimedia India Executive Committee (EC) has repeatedly failed to respond in a timely and complete manner to call requests,
annual
reporting timelines, and remediation deadlines for demonstrating compliance.
It is worth noting that there may be issues related to incomplete information regarding the current relationship between WMIN and AffCom. Abhinav is a current WMIN representative, but he was recently appointed
to
the EC on June 14, 2019 [1] following the EC’s receipt of the final revocation notice sent on June 13, 2019. He was not informed of, nor
did
he
participate in, our communications regarding the current suspension
process
before that time, so he has had to rely on second-hand knowledge of the situation. The remaining four members of the EC appear to have fully abdicated their responsibility for communications leadership and as
such
further confirm the chapter’s lack of capacity at this time.
Suspension notices give explicit requirements for what and how to communicate with respect to a chapter’s capacity and provide a timeline
for
addressing gaps to meet requirements. We’re providing a table
reflecting
the most recent suspension notice, the requirements included, and the
date
they were to be delivered below for the community’s context:
According to the suspension notice, Wikimedia India was to:
Status
Submit an Action Plan. By January 15, 2019, the chapter was to submit
an
updated Action Plan including a timeline with dates for completing the tasks outlined.
Submitted past deadline.
Received on March 4, 2019.
Insufficient response; awaiting new action plan for potential reorganization as outlined in April call.
Complete and submit the required overdue chapter activities and
financial
reporting. The chapter was to submit the reporting by December 1, 2018.
Submitted past deadline.
Received Activities Report on December 3, 2018 and Financial Report on December 22, 2018.
Develop a strategy and timeline for addressing the following potential
gaps
in meeting the basic criteria for chapter status in terms of Legal Structure, Open Governance, Active Contributor Involvement, and
Capacity.
By January 15, 2019, the chapter was to submit a plan, via email or posted online, demonstrating how the chapter meets the specific chapter requirements outlined. If the chapter does not currently meet the requirements, they were to provide a plan and timeline for how to
address
these issues before June.
Submitted past deadline.
Received on March 4, 2019.
Insufficient response as detailed in April call.
Resolve concerns related to organizational best practices. By May 1,
2019,
the chapter should be able to demonstrate that it is following the Wikimedia Foundation Board’s recommendations for organizational best practices <
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/WMF_Resolutions/Organizational_best_practice...
.
Submitted past deadline.
Received on June 4, 2019.
More information on chapter requirements is also available on Meta: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_chapters/Requirements
Although the Affiliations Committee has decided not to renew this
chapter
agreement, this does not reduce the importance of the Republic of India
to
the Wikimedia movement. We regret that this action has become necessary
due
to the chapter’s failure to meet the requirements of continued
recognition,
as outlined in the table above. We would also like to reaffirm the committee’s deep and continued commitment to support affiliates in
India
across geographies and languages.
As we have previously indicated, all rights and permissions granted by
the
Wikimedia Foundation to Wikimedia India in the Chapter Agreement will
be
revoked as of the termination of the agreement on September 14, 2019.
In
the meantime, we will continue to engage with Abhinav and the executive committee of Wikimedia India privately until we can align on a public communication plan and process to transition the chapter from its
current
recognition status. We will continue to discuss whether and how we can share the outcomes of these discussions on Meta once we have agreement between the executive committee and the AffCom on the best way to do
this.
Regards,
Kirill Lokshin
Chair, Affiliations Committee
[1]
https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediaindia-l/2019-June/014128.html
On Sun, Jul 7, 2019 at 4:50 AM Abhinav srivastava <
abhinav619@gmail.com>
wrote:
Dear Friends From Affcom,
I am posting an open public request for your notice of Suspension
moved
at
Wikimedia India (WMIN) which we continue to contest and to our
ignored
demand of having a public hearing as shared with you all over mail
and
shared again here under Annexure [A]. You have taken an official
position
on suspension without even hearing us even once, unexplained
accusations
have been provided and we continue to believe Affcom has been insufficiently investigating facts before making judgements. We
repeatedly
over and over again provided justifications over Mail but you never
took
them to your notice and only over calls you heard us, provided your rationale for expectation gaps but never took our oral commentary
which
refutes your claims,in any action, anywhere. Now you say WMIN won’t
remain
a Chapter after 14th September and be transformed into a User Group.
Republic of India happens to be one of the only few countries where
besides
volunteer driven Chapter and User Groups has a full-time staff based
WMF’s
Allied Organisation CIS-A2K [1]. Wikimedia India activities [2] may
be
less
due to no source of funds [3] however, Community Members from India
put
their efforts, strive hard to take the movement ahead. Whether it be
the
previous financial year or the present, no Wikimedia Foundation
Grants
like
Rapid Grant, Project Grant etc have been applied by Wikimedia India
members
to support any Chapter activity. They remain self-financed. We
received
your notice last year when Wikimedia India was contesting a dispute
with
CIS-A2K over attribution grabbing for our self-financed projects and ignoring Chapter at important National level initiaves [4]. While
working
with virtually no source of funds and struggles with WMF’s Allied Organisation, your notice of suspension was the least bad we could
have
had.
We continue to contest your suspension notice. It was Suo Moto (on
its
own)
decision making and as found and re-stated above and below in detail,
there
were gaps and misunderstanding in your basis. We also continue to
contest
there has been a Rush-to-decision making. No written responses via
to
Chapter’s clarification are being provided and invitation for calls
are
initiated where brief responses are shared on a Cloud Document. It
has
been
subsequently found by both parties on there being gaps in
communication.
However, even after clarity during call, Affcom has not taken any
action
over them.
The basis of your suspension notice has been shared here for the
wider
audience.
Legal Structure : Affcom asked Wikimedia India to resolve and
obtain
its
necessary license in order to obtain funds. At present, as per Government of India restrictions it is difficult to obtain foreign funding. Wikimedia India informed the Affcom on roughly 13,000 Non-Government
Organisations
(NGO)s [5] are struggling with a similar crisis to which Affcom responded, “reconsider applying for a User Group.” and “no
evidence
that
the current organization’s leadership will be able to drive this
problem
toward resolution”. Chapter efforts and commitment in resolving
the
said
crisis cannot be dusted in few words. A Government restrictive
policy
which has an impact on 13,000 NGOs and Affcom finding flaws in WMIN
Board
Members capability. WMIN would leave it for public interpretation.
Why not a capability audit for hosting zero-budget activities? While
most
of the time are being spent on resolving the said crisis, WMIN
continues
to
undertake activities as listed. Taking the Open Knowledge Movement
forward
remains a commitment for the Chapter irrespective of whatsoever
political
climate may remain. Affcom was asked two questions respectively in
this
regard however no response has been attained. The questions are
Would zero-budget activities, those self-financed not meet
sufficiency ?
Please elaborate for us to stand better and to improve upon. 2.
Would resolving Legal Structure and being able to receive WMF
Grants
be
a necessary criteria for WMIN to meet sufficiency or continued activities not meet the fulfilment criteria?
(2) Open Governance : Affcom informed Chapter that a member needs to
be
in
physical presence at the Chapter Assembly to cast vote and raise
voice
and
asked The Chapter to change its bylaws. This information is anything
but
false. This was communicated during the Call but Affcom did not bring anything in action. Also, as per the Chapter Agreement between WMF
and
WMIN, a copy of bylaws was provided in English Language to WMF. The
bylaws
were approved by the then Chapter’s Council. No evidence has been
brought
to notice on WMIN violating the Clause 7.2 of the Chapter’s
Agreement,
“The Wikimedia Chapter shall be required to advise the Foundation of
any
planned or actual change in the bylaws or status of the Chapter which
might
affect the Foundation or the continued existence or effectiveness of
this
Agreement.”
(3) Active Contributor Involvement :The November 10 email carried the statement, “The chapter lacks broad and diverse membership, community representation, as well as buy-in and involvement “ and “Membership
seems
to be sourced through university leadership rather than through open community participation and representation.” Chapter till date
received
no
evidence or logic construction on how the said argument was reached.
Later
during the call, Affcom did acknowledge that there has been a
communication
gap. Chapter further floated the idea of sharing the Member’s data
base
after discussing privacy policy over them.
(4) Capacity : WMIN was able to submit its annual reports on 21st
December,
2018 (3.5 months late) due to a notice by Income-Tax department which caused delay in preparing our Financial reports. Although we do not
have
any annual grants or use any money to support any activity, as per Chapter’s agreement, affiliate is required to submit Financial
Results.
Meanwhile, WMIN reported its activities on every quarterly basis and
shared
it with the wider Indian community via India Mailing List and also
other
channels [6], [7], [8],[9]. Annual activity report is a compilation
from
the quarterly reports.
Affcom claimed via Cloud document that no high level response
submitted
and
repeated delay is not accepted. WMIN informed Affcom that previous
delay
needs to be looked at independently from earlier financial period and suspension notice (WMIN then had a grant), but we received no
response.
(5) Organizational Best Practices : Affcom asked us to ‘Resolve’
issues
relating to Organizational Best Practices, however, no information
had
been
received on respective deliverables not been met. The November 10,
carried the statement, “There are concerns about whether” referring
that
Affcom was also not sure themselves. WMIN shared the best practices
after
placing it in front of the community on member’s mailing list for
more
than
15 days. To this Affcom responded that you are late with your
submission
hence we are terminating your contract. They never shared an evidence
and
when WMIN took its time placed it in-front of the community and then submitted, they said delayed and instead of sending their response in writing over mail they again invited us for a call. We continue to
insist
on providing a written response via Mail but no action.
(6) Action Plan : Affcom asked us to submit an Action Plan and we
kept
asking what deliverable are needed. We cannot commit on resolving Government restrictions within a said timeline as more than 13,000
NGOs
struggle with the similar crisis. We emphasised again and again we
have
been running zero-budget activities and working for the movement. We
asked
them to review Organizational Best Practices, based on gaps we could
have
taken things into consideration. They rather said, you have missed
the
deadline, so WMIN has to be closed now.
To sum up, Affcom friends, you made up your own decision, you made up
you
own hearing and you made up your own decision. It was a monologue
masked
in
the name of a dialogue.
I encourage you all to be in our boots someday, hosting activities on zero-budget, fighting with the Government bureaucracy to attain some funding as a help, the challenge of having a staff-based organisation
in
parallel, struggle with self-financing activities and most
importantly
working with Affcom to save yourself from their de-recognition
threats.
If you believe you are correct, please abide to the request made
under
Annexure [A] and put everything in public domain. Let community read
for
themselves and decide. If Affcom is more transparent about its investigation and actions then community would be able to better
understand
the work and provide an opinion.
Regards, Abhinav
[1] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/CIS-A2K
[2]
https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediaindia-l/2019-April/013994.htm...
\
[3] Foreign Currency (Regulation) Act, 1960 compliance do not permit
India
Chapter to receive money from its primary fiscal sponsor, Wikimedia Foundation.
[4] Board of Directors at CIS, acknowledged in March, 2019 for a
compliant
made in August, 2018 for CIS-A2K Staff not doing their duty to the
order.
[5]
https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/06/07/democracies-need-a-little-help-from-the...
[6]
https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediaindia-l/2017-July/013030.html
[7]
https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediaindia-l/2017-October/013089.h...
[8]
https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediaindia-l/2018-January/013188.h...
[9]
https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediaindia-l/2018-April/013295.htm...
Annexure
[A] Reallocating the Affcom - WMIN Communication To Meta : No communications over email, video call, social media, instant
messaging,
or
anywhere but wiki! While this would not just be aligned with the
editing
spirit, it would promote greater transparency and also helpful for us
to
communicate the message to our community members. While, we
understand
Affcom had been advocating the same, however, taking care of privacy concerns, do let us. Once we hear from Affcom on having no privacy concerns, we may reallocate the discussions.
If there a consent to this, would request a green light also for
Archiving the entire email conversation over a cloud document and linking it to the relevant Meta page. 2.
Documenting Internet Calls in an attempt to resolve communication
gaps
and linking them to Meta page for greater transparency. 3.
Based on Principal of Free Speech, allowing anybody to use the discussion page for expression of their views. 4.
Any Volunteer is free to translate the text into the language of
their
choice. 5.
Upload All PDF sent via Mails to Commons and link them to the Meta
Page.
All relevant customs and procedures which exist for any Meta page
to
be
in action. _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe:
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