----- Original Message -----
> From: Yaroslav M. Blanter <[email protected]>
> To: Wikimedia Foundation Mailing List <[email protected]>
> Cc:
> Sent: Tuesday, August 9, 2011 10:48 AM
> Subject: Re: [Foundation-l] Chapters
>
>> It is true however that many chapters do important work for the local
>> projects, and serve their local needs in the sense of activities, press
>> contacts and fundraising in a more effective way (less culturally
>> challanging, more sensitive to what works locally and better in touch
> with
>> other activities and situations). Not all chapters do this in the same
>> extent, and not all do it similarly good. But that is the idea of a
> chapter
>> - it is not a fanclub organizing beer events only to have fun.
>>
>> Best regards,
>> Lodewijk
>
> Right, I know that the Chapters are doing some very useful stuff (in fact,
> I even want to help the Dutch chapter with the project on taking pictures
> of State Monuments - it would be very helpful if someone mails me offlist
> or indicates on my Wiki page if there is any information on what is
> needed), but I believe that to say, as Brigitte does, that the Chapters
> should lead the movement is to stretch it way over the limits.
>
It is not so much that I believe chapters should lead the movement as that I am
certain WMF cannot successfully lead the movement.
It seems to me that these changes are about making chapters more into
franchises. Which I find to be exactly backwards. Chapters in my mind should
be diverse entities. Embracing whatever is most effective in their little slice
of the world. I think they should be ambitious in seeking out what inspires
local population to embrace our movement. The way to encourage innovation is to
push self-direction and refrain from being too judgmental so long as there is
trending improvement. I believe that franchises will not be well received and
will by and large fail. Maybe I am wrong about the direction people are
pushing, maybe I am right about the direction but wrong about the poor outcome.
I certainly can't have much of an effect on things.
I have really tried to share the underlying basis that leads me to think this
is a poor idea so people can consider the information and comes to their own
conclusions. Although I know some of it is hard for me to articulate clearly.
If you think my conclusion is stretches way over the limits I would like to
understand which underlying concept I have drawn on is the poorest foundation.
I sincerely would like to correct my understanding if I have the wrong idea or
placed a disproportionate amount of importance on something. Really I am open
to changing my opinion if someone has convincing information.
BirgitteSB
_______________________________________________
foundation-l mailing list
[email protected]
Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/foundation-l
