Tl;dr: We are launching a new Communications Committee (ComCom) and
replacing the existing ComCom list with a new Movement Communications mailing
list.
Hello!
After much discussion and brainstorming with the members of the current
Communications committee, the Wikimedia Communications department is
implementing changes to the Communications committee and how we
collectively support each other's communications efforts.
*Specifically, we are:*
Putting out a call for members of a new Communications committee (ComCom)
which will work on more focused and long-term projects together.
Replacing the current list with a new Movement Communications (MoveCom)
mailing list to continue to facilitate wider discussions.
*What does that mean exactly?*
This new Communications committee will be composed of 10-15 volunteers
serving 3-year terms, work closely with the Wikimedia Foundation
Communications department, and be empowered to support communications
efforts across the movement. Over the coming weeks, the Communications
department will seek out and select potential members who will work with us
to further establish the group's initial plans, scope, and activities. See
below for more information on this selection process.
The new Movement Communications mailing list will allow the 200+ people on
this current mailing list to engage in new and more transparent
discussions. Current members will be asked to rejoin using a new process
which allows us to publicly display who is involved with the mailing list
discussions. More information on how to join the new list will be shared in
coming weeks.
*What will these new groups do?*
The new Communications committee will work with the Communications
department on implementation of movement-wide communications projects and
support the development of communications capacities within movement groups
and affiliates. How the group does that and what specifically that includes
is something we are hoping to discuss with the inaugural committee.
The new Movement Communications mailing list, which will be facilitated by
the new Communications committee, will be able to discuss topics brought up
by members of the mailing list, Foundation's Communications department, or
Communications committee. These topics may range from brainstorming
solutions to a problem faced by a specific group on the list to
coordinating communications efforts across groups on major events.
*How do I join the new groups?*
We will be sharing information on joining the new Movement communications
group mailing list when it is fully setup and ready.
If you are interested in joining the new 10-15 person Communications
committee, please send an email to gvarnum[image: @]wikimedia.org by 17
April 2019 and include:
1. Acknowledgement that this is a three-year appointment and you are indeed
interested and able to serve.
2. Your community and staff (if you have any) usernames which you use on
Wikimedia projects. Also any information on other roles you may have within
the movement (please include both staff and volunteer roles). Please note
that you must be in good standing (ie. not blocked) on the wikis to
participate.
3. A brief statement on why you would like to serve on the Communications
committee, and in particular what you believe you can bring to the group
and what you hope to gain from the experience.
4. A brief statement on what ideas, if any, you have for what the new
Communications committee could do or how the Foundation could help support
its efforts.
The inaugural committee will be selected by the Communications department.
Additional and future members will be selected by the committee, with
support from the Communications department.
If you have any questions about these changes, the new groups, or the
selection process for the new Communications committee, please feel free to
reach out to me.
Thank you!
-greg
PS. Please help us with translating and sharing this update and call for
members:
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Communications_committee/Call_for_members_-…
--
Gregory Varnum (pronouns - he/his/him)
Communications Strategist
Wikimedia Foundation <https://wikimediafoundation.org/>