Re: [Wikimedia-l] Fwd: Wikimédia France - informations sur la situation actuelle

[Devouard (gmail)]

Hi Anders

I LOVE your email. I forward it to our public list.

Thanks

Florence

Le 13/07/2017 à 17:37, Anders Wennersten a écrit :
I LOVE the Wikipedia way of working - result-oriented, respectful 
dialogues around facts


I HATE power-games and misuse of given authority, both in general in 
life and especially in the Wikimedia movement


I ADMIRE the functionaries in France who have stood firm in their own 
integrity and their beliefs in our values, and rather resigned then 
"played along"


I am very HAPPY to see the decisive stand of FDC, The Board an WMF for 
our values in this case of misbehaviour


and I TRULY LOVE to see the constructiveness of the French community as 
they arise (as  the Phoenix bird from the ashes) in order to 
re-establish the chapter to be true to the values, vision and best 
practice within the movement


I already know the French community to be both creative, productive and 
well working, and am now looking forward to once again see the also 
creative, productive and well working as we have been used to see


Anders
wishing everyone involved the energy to get through this challenge in 
the best way possible



Den 2017-07-13 kl. 11:44, skrev Natacha Rault:

Der Lodewijk,

Thank you for the message, the threshold has indeed been reached, and 
the WMFR board has communicated that they will have the GA asap. The 
official number of people requesting the GA is of 73 as of now.


The emphasis on democratic chapters is indeed important. People are 
now discussing freely on the public list, and it’s  great because they 
are starting to reflect on what they want for the future, and also 
have spokesmen and women for the organisation of the GA. I think this 
was really needed and the discussion is really refreshing after months 
of moderation.


Kind regards,

Natacha / Nattes à chat








Le 13 juil. 2017 à 11:32, Lodewijk  a 
écrit :


Thanks Natacha.

I see that 70 members have requested a General Assembly to be held. I
remember from WMFR's bylaws that 25% of the membership can force the 
board
to call a General Assembly, or do it themselves. Is this request 
formulated

in such a manner? What is the required threshold?

This is a terribly sad situation WMFR finds itself in. There are no
winners, and trying to continue this struggle can only create bigger 
losses

on all sides.

I hope an assembly can be held soon, and that a democratic decision 
can be
prepared there, where the membership can give its trust to a board - 
either
providing the current board (with a majority of board-appointed 
members, if

I understand correctly) with the much needed moral authority, or by
electing a new board that can start afresh.

This is why we have always put so much emphasis on having democratic
chapters where the members can in the end intervene.

Lodewijk
(snipping the messages below, as the software complains it's too long)



2017-07-13 10:21 GMT+02:00 Natacha Rault :


Dear All,

As some anglophone wikimedians wanted an English version, we have
translated the time line in English concerning what is happening in 
the

French chapter, although surely we still have to clarify and correct
mistakes. You can find it here: https://www.mathisbenguigui.eu
/wikimedia-timeline/indexEN.html 

Kind regards,

Nattes à chat / Natacha


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Re: [Wikimedia-l] Fwd: Wikimédia France - informations sur la situation actuelle

[Anders Wennersten]

I LOVE the Wikipedia way of working - result-oriented, respectful 
dialogues around facts


I HATE power-games and misuse of given authority, both in general in 
life and especially in the Wikimedia movement


I ADMIRE the functionaries in France who have stood firm in their own 
integrity and their beliefs in our values, and rather resigned then 
"played along"


I am very HAPPY to see the decisive stand of FDC, The Board an WMF for 
our values in this case of misbehaviour


and I TRULY LOVE to see the constructiveness of the French community as 
they arise (as  the Phoenix bird from the ashes) in order to 
re-establish the chapter to be true to the values, vision and best 
practice within the movement


I already know the French community to be both creative, productive and 
well working, and am now looking forward to once again see the also 
creative, productive and well working as we have been used to see


Anders
wishing everyone involved the energy to get through this challenge in 
the best way possible



Den 2017-07-13 kl. 11:44, skrev Natacha Rault:

Der Lodewijk,

Thank you for the message, the threshold has indeed been reached, and the WMFR 
board has communicated that they will have the GA asap. The official number of 
people requesting the GA is of 73 as of now.

The emphasis on democratic chapters is indeed important. People are now 
discussing freely on the public list, and it’s  great because they are starting 
to reflect on what they want for the future, and also have spokesmen and women 
for the organisation of the GA. I think this was really needed and the 
discussion is really refreshing after months of moderation.

Kind regards,

Natacha / Nattes à chat









Le 13 juil. 2017 à 11:32, Lodewijk  a écrit :

Thanks Natacha.

I see that 70 members have requested a General Assembly to be held. I
remember from WMFR's bylaws that 25% of the membership can force the board
to call a General Assembly, or do it themselves. Is this request formulated
in such a manner? What is the required threshold?

This is a terribly sad situation WMFR finds itself in. There are no
winners, and trying to continue this struggle can only create bigger losses
on all sides.

I hope an assembly can be held soon, and that a democratic decision can be
prepared there, where the membership can give its trust to a board - either
providing the current board (with a majority of board-appointed members, if
I understand correctly) with the much needed moral authority, or by
electing a new board that can start afresh.

This is why we have always put so much emphasis on having democratic
chapters where the members can in the end intervene.

Lodewijk
(snipping the messages below, as the software complains it's too long)



2017-07-13 10:21 GMT+02:00 Natacha Rault :


Dear All,

As some anglophone wikimedians wanted an English version, we have
translated the time line in English concerning what is happening in the
French chapter, although surely we still have to clarify and correct
mistakes. You can find it here: https://www.mathisbenguigui.eu
/wikimedia-timeline/indexEN.html 

Kind regards,

Nattes à chat / Natacha


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Re: [Wikimedia-l] Fwd: Wikimédia France - informations sur la situation actuelle

[Lodewijk]

> Thanks for sharing - it is good to see WMF is on top of this. I agree it
> is not very helpful to descend into a discussion about details of who said
> what when, but rather focus on the big picture. My hope is that the members
> can work towards a healthy association as soon as possible - and that WMF's
> role will be constructive in that respect, aimed at the future.
>
> I'm also glad to read your implicit invitation to groups of volunteers
> that feel unable to work within the existing WMFR structures, that they can
> receive support of the WMF directly.
>
> Best,
> Lodewijk
>
> 2017-07-12 6:30 GMT+02:00 Katy Love :
>
>> Hi Chris, hi all,
>>
>> I am forwarding the email I sent to a French Wikimedia community mailing
>> list . I
>> include
>> the message first in English and then French.
>>
>>
>>
>> Dear all,
>>
>>
>> This is a message from the Wikimedia Foundation. We’re the non-profit
>> organization that exists to support Wikimedia volunteer communities and
>> free knowledge projects around the world.
>>
>>
>> That is why we are writing today. You may have read an email from the CA
>> of
>> Wikimédia France, making serious allegations against members of our
>> movement. Many of these allegations relate to members of the French
>> volunteer community, certain current and former staff members of Wikimédia
>> France, and former chapter board members who have been openly questioning
>> the activities and aspects of the governance of the current leadership of
>> Wikimédia France. In the email from the CA, the signatories characterize
>> these volunteers, or the manner in which they have engaged in criticizing
>> the chapter leadership, as being unacceptable and destructive. We find
>> many
>> aspects of this public email disturbing and contrary to the values of the
>> Wikimedia movement.
>>
>>
>> The email from the Wikimédia France CA has brought the issues at Wikimédia
>> France to the public attention of many in the French Wikimedia community,
>> as well as to the broader global Wikimedia movement. Although this may be
>> the first public message some members of our Wikimedia community have
>> seen,
>> it follows months of other discussions within various Wikimedia committees
>> and governance bodies about the current governance and operations of
>> Wikimédia France.
>>
>>
>> As many of you may know, in May 2017, the Funds Dissemination Committee
>> (FDC), an independent committee of Wikimedia community members charged
>> with
>> helping “make decisions about how to effectively allocate movement funds,”
>> assessed Wikimédia France’s application for a 2017-2018 Annual Plan Grant.
>> The FDC made a recommendation
>> > ons/2016-2017_round_2#Wikim.C3.A9dia_France>
>> to the Wikimedia Foundation’s Board that Wikimédia France receive 50% of
>> the grant amount requested by the organization. The FDC recommendation
>> noted, among other things, that “there are significant concerns about
>> WMFR's current governance and organisational structure being able to most
>> effectively support and achieve the results sought."
>>
>>
>> Wikimédia France appealed the FDC’s recommendation. The Wikimedia
>> Foundation Board of Trustees considered and denied this appeal
>> > Board_on_the_recommendations_of_the_FDC#Board_decision>,
>> and resolved to accept
>> > 2016-2017_round_2>
>> the FDC’s recommendation. Furthermore, the Wikimedia Foundation Board of
>> Trustees endorses the need for a governance review, consistent with FDC
>> recommendations. Funding to Wikimédia France is conditional on a Wikimedia
>> Foundation staff site visit
>> , a
>> governance review to be conducted by an independent, third party, to be
>> chosen in consultation with the Wikimedia Foundation, and progress against
>> recommendations resulting from the governance review.
>>
>>
>> The current situation with Wikimédia France is creating great strain on
>> the
>> French community,  former and current staff of Wikimédia France, and
>> concerned volunteers around the world. We recognize that the situation
>> must
>> be resolved soon, in the interests of the Wikimedia projects and vision.
>>
>>
>> Three staff members from the Wikimedia Foundation will soon be in France
>> to
>> conduct a site visit in connection with the Foundation’s grant, in order
>> to
>> realize the recommendations of the FDC. This includes working with
>> Wikimédia France to initiate an independent governance review, and holding
>> conversations with the chapter and with members of the French community
>> about their hopes for the future.
>>
>>
>> Finally, we are aware of a number of inaccurate statements in the email
>> from the Board of Wikimédia France, 

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Fwd: Wikimédia France - informations sur la situation actuelle

[Natacha Rault]

Der Lodewijk,

Thank you for the message, the threshold has indeed been reached, and the WMFR 
board has communicated that they will have the GA asap. The official number of 
people requesting the GA is of 73 as of now. 

The emphasis on democratic chapters is indeed important. People are now 
discussing freely on the public list, and it’s  great because they are starting 
to reflect on what they want for the future, and also have spokesmen and women 
for the organisation of the GA. I think this was really needed and the 
discussion is really refreshing after months of moderation.

Kind regards, 

Natacha / Nattes à chat








> Le 13 juil. 2017 à 11:32, Lodewijk  a écrit :
> 
> Thanks Natacha.
> 
> I see that 70 members have requested a General Assembly to be held. I
> remember from WMFR's bylaws that 25% of the membership can force the board
> to call a General Assembly, or do it themselves. Is this request formulated
> in such a manner? What is the required threshold?
> 
> This is a terribly sad situation WMFR finds itself in. There are no
> winners, and trying to continue this struggle can only create bigger losses
> on all sides.
> 
> I hope an assembly can be held soon, and that a democratic decision can be
> prepared there, where the membership can give its trust to a board - either
> providing the current board (with a majority of board-appointed members, if
> I understand correctly) with the much needed moral authority, or by
> electing a new board that can start afresh.
> 
> This is why we have always put so much emphasis on having democratic
> chapters where the members can in the end intervene.
> 
> Lodewijk
> (snipping the messages below, as the software complains it's too long)
> 
> 
>> 2017-07-13 10:21 GMT+02:00 Natacha Rault :
>> 
>>> Dear All,
>>> 
>>> As some anglophone wikimedians wanted an English version, we have
>>> translated the time line in English concerning what is happening in the
>>> French chapter, although surely we still have to clarify and correct
>>> mistakes. You can find it here: https://www.mathisbenguigui.eu
>>> /wikimedia-timeline/indexEN.html >> u/wikimedia-timeline/indexEN.html>
>>> 
>>> Kind regards,
>>> 
>>> Nattes à chat / Natacha
>>> 
>>> 
>>> ___
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>>> New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org
>>> Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l,
>>> 
>>> 
>> 
>> 
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Re: [Wikimedia-l] Fwd: Wikimédia France - informations sur la situation actuelle

[Lodewijk]

Thanks Natacha.

I see that 70 members have requested a General Assembly to be held. I
remember from WMFR's bylaws that 25% of the membership can force the board
to call a General Assembly, or do it themselves. Is this request formulated
in such a manner? What is the required threshold?

This is a terribly sad situation WMFR finds itself in. There are no
winners, and trying to continue this struggle can only create bigger losses
on all sides.

I hope an assembly can be held soon, and that a democratic decision can be
prepared there, where the membership can give its trust to a board - either
providing the current board (with a majority of board-appointed members, if
I understand correctly) with the much needed moral authority, or by
electing a new board that can start afresh.

This is why we have always put so much emphasis on having democratic
chapters where the members can in the end intervene.

Lodewijk
(snipping the messages below, as the software complains it's too long)


> 2017-07-13 10:21 GMT+02:00 Natacha Rault :
>
>> Dear All,
>>
>> As some anglophone wikimedians wanted an English version, we have
>> translated the time line in English concerning what is happening in the
>> French chapter, although surely we still have to clarify and correct
>> mistakes. You can find it here: https://www.mathisbenguigui.eu
>> /wikimedia-timeline/indexEN.html > u/wikimedia-timeline/indexEN.html>
>>
>> Kind regards,
>>
>> Nattes à chat / Natacha
>>
>>
>> ___
>> Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wik
>> i/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wik
>> i/Wikimedia-l
>> New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org
>> Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l,
>> 
>>
>
>
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Re: [Wikimedia-l] Fwd: Wikimédia France - informations sur la situation actuelle

[Natacha Rault]

Dear All, 

As some anglophone wikimedians wanted an English version, we have translated 
the time line in English concerning what is happening in the French chapter, 
although surely we still have to clarify and correct mistakes. You can find it 
here: https://www.mathisbenguigui.eu/wikimedia-timeline/indexEN.html 


Kind regards, 

Nattes à chat / Natacha




> Le 13 juil. 2017 à 08:47, Pierre-Selim  a écrit :
> 
> Thank you Samuel and Chris for this work of transparency you guys have done.
> I'm so sad to see how the board of Wikimedia France, my former fellows, can
> lie and libel amazing people such as Caroline, Christophe or Florence.
> 
> Sincerely,
> 
> 
> Le 13 juillet 2017 à 04:03, Samuel Klein  a écrit :
> 
>> Thank you kindly, Florence, for this note and update.  {{refnec}}s for
>> everyone.
>> Katy: !
>> 
>> I tried translating the letter (literary NLP?) into English, posted here
>> for commentary and annotation:
>> https://medium.com/@metasj/a-recent-letter-from-wmfrs-
>> board-annotated-d8e19c2bc0b
>> 
>> (As it is not freely licensed, I'm experimenting with a non-wiki.)  Help
>> with the translation and annotation are welcome -- perhaps adding links to
>> the appropriate section of the timeline?
>> 
>> Regards to all,
>> SJ
>> 
>> 2017-07-12 20:29 GMT-04:00 Devouard (gmail) :
>> 
>>> Yesterday, a few hours after the whole membership of Wikimedia France was
>>> served that litterature masterpiece from its board (ED), someone told me
>> :
>>> 
>>> "any wikipedian reading that letter will add a {{refnec}} at the end of
>>> all sentences"
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Since I was mentionned, I would like to renew my position.
>>> I think there is a serious suspicion that the resources of the
>> association
>>> (paid staff time, communication tools, perhaps even big donor database)
>> and
>>> the image/name of the association were used for personal benefit. I also
>>> think that if what I say is correct, there was also a questionnable use
>> of
>>> Wikimedia brand.
>>> 
>>> The relevant emails are
>>> * https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediafr/2017-
>> July/03.html
>>> * https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediafr/2017-
>> July/04.html
>>> * https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediafr/2017-
>> July/07.html
>>> 
>>> However, contrariwise to the letter statement ("Nous condamnons fermement
>>> ce qui là encore est une tentative de mettre le CA en difficulté par des
>>> allégations infondées.") I must clarify that I believe that most of the
>>> WMFR board knew nothing about that specific issue. In particular, it
>> seems
>>> the treasurer was not aware the Executive Director was actively seeking
>>> funds for this independant non-profit-to-be. The treasurer followed-up on
>>> my first request for clarifications, asked me information so that he
>> could
>>> figure out what was going on, promised to come back with information
>> within
>>> a day (and never did). Said treasurer resigned a few days later.
>>> 
>>> And yes... I do have some evidence (such as a copy of the email sent to
>>> the private donor, as well as the supporting document) and a rather
>>> convincing rationale (which I can provide if needed, but I would prefer
>> to
>>> know first what my membership and legal status are).
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On another note... I'd like to mention that amongst the people mentionned
>>> in that email, as well as those not explicitely mentionned but strongly
>>> hinted, some are tough skins and other are softer. If you know well some
>> of
>>> them, and feel friendly toward them, send them some wikilove because they
>>> might need it. We have been dipping in this for... months.
>>> 
>>> Also consider visiting this page where we listed our freedom fighter
>> staff
>>> : https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Merchandise_giveaways/Nomina
>>> tions#Jules78120
>>> 
>>> 
>>> And really... thank you Katy (and the team) for the WMF statement
>>> published yesterday.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Florence
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Le 12/07/2017 à 00:25, Chris Keating a écrit :
>>> 
 I thought this email from Wikimedia France was worth wider circulation
 within the movement.
 
 Topics covered include:
 * How WMFr feels community members are "destabilising and denigrating"
 the chapter, and how Wikimedia France is responding by expelling some
 of those people from the organisation, threatening them with legal
 action, and temporarily closing its email discussion list
 * Accusations that Christophe Henner has personally manipulated the
 FDC process to cut WMFR's funding
 * Also, a statement from WMFR that the WMF is also considering
 withdrawing WMFr's chapter agreement
 
 I recommend reading the whole email in conjunction with this timeline:
 https://www.mathisbenguigui.eu/wikimedia-timeline/
 
 It really is remarkable. I was 

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Fwd: Wikimédia France - informations sur la situation actuelle

[Pierre-Selim]

Thank you Samuel and Chris for this work of transparency you guys have done.
I'm so sad to see how the board of Wikimedia France, my former fellows, can
lie and libel amazing people such as Caroline, Christophe or Florence.

Sincerely,


Le 13 juillet 2017 à 04:03, Samuel Klein  a écrit :

> Thank you kindly, Florence, for this note and update.  {{refnec}}s for
> everyone.
> Katy: !
>
> I tried translating the letter (literary NLP?) into English, posted here
> for commentary and annotation:
> https://medium.com/@metasj/a-recent-letter-from-wmfrs-
> board-annotated-d8e19c2bc0b
>
> (As it is not freely licensed, I'm experimenting with a non-wiki.)  Help
> with the translation and annotation are welcome -- perhaps adding links to
> the appropriate section of the timeline?
>
> Regards to all,
> SJ
>
> 2017-07-12 20:29 GMT-04:00 Devouard (gmail) :
>
> > Yesterday, a few hours after the whole membership of Wikimedia France was
> > served that litterature masterpiece from its board (ED), someone told me
> :
> >
> > "any wikipedian reading that letter will add a {{refnec}} at the end of
> > all sentences"
> >
> >
> > Since I was mentionned, I would like to renew my position.
> > I think there is a serious suspicion that the resources of the
> association
> > (paid staff time, communication tools, perhaps even big donor database)
> and
> > the image/name of the association were used for personal benefit. I also
> > think that if what I say is correct, there was also a questionnable use
> of
> > Wikimedia brand.
> >
> > The relevant emails are
> > * https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediafr/2017-
> July/03.html
> > * https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediafr/2017-
> July/04.html
> > * https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediafr/2017-
> July/07.html
> >
> > However, contrariwise to the letter statement ("Nous condamnons fermement
> > ce qui là encore est une tentative de mettre le CA en difficulté par des
> > allégations infondées.") I must clarify that I believe that most of the
> > WMFR board knew nothing about that specific issue. In particular, it
> seems
> > the treasurer was not aware the Executive Director was actively seeking
> > funds for this independant non-profit-to-be. The treasurer followed-up on
> > my first request for clarifications, asked me information so that he
> could
> > figure out what was going on, promised to come back with information
> within
> > a day (and never did). Said treasurer resigned a few days later.
> >
> > And yes... I do have some evidence (such as a copy of the email sent to
> > the private donor, as well as the supporting document) and a rather
> > convincing rationale (which I can provide if needed, but I would prefer
> to
> > know first what my membership and legal status are).
> >
> >
> >
> > On another note... I'd like to mention that amongst the people mentionned
> > in that email, as well as those not explicitely mentionned but strongly
> > hinted, some are tough skins and other are softer. If you know well some
> of
> > them, and feel friendly toward them, send them some wikilove because they
> > might need it. We have been dipping in this for... months.
> >
> > Also consider visiting this page where we listed our freedom fighter
> staff
> > : https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Merchandise_giveaways/Nomina
> > tions#Jules78120
> >
> >
> > And really... thank you Katy (and the team) for the WMF statement
> > published yesterday.
> >
> >
> > Florence
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Le 12/07/2017 à 00:25, Chris Keating a écrit :
> >
> >> I thought this email from Wikimedia France was worth wider circulation
> >> within the movement.
> >>
> >> Topics covered include:
> >> * How WMFr feels community members are "destabilising and denigrating"
> >> the chapter, and how Wikimedia France is responding by expelling some
> >> of those people from the organisation, threatening them with legal
> >> action, and temporarily closing its email discussion list
> >> * Accusations that Christophe Henner has personally manipulated the
> >> FDC process to cut WMFR's funding
> >> * Also, a statement from WMFR that the WMF is also considering
> >> withdrawing WMFr's chapter agreement
> >>
> >> I recommend reading the whole email in conjunction with this timeline:
> >> https://www.mathisbenguigui.eu/wikimedia-timeline/
> >>
> >> It really is remarkable. I was lost for words on reading it, and I am
> >> sure that you will be as well.
> >>
> >> Frankly, unless there is prompt and wide-ranging change of the
> >> leadership of Wikimedia France, I think that withdrawing WMFR's
> >> chapter agreement is probably by far the best thing that the WMF can
> >> do. I hope a better solution can be reached in the meantime.
> >>
> >> Regards,
> >>
> >> Chris
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> -- Forwarded message --
> >> From: CA Wikimédia France 
> >> Date: 2017-07-11 21:25 GMT+01:00
> >> Subject: Wikimédia France - 

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Fwd: Wikimédia France - informations sur la situation actuelle

[Samuel Klein]

Thank you kindly, Florence, for this note and update.  {{refnec}}s for
everyone.
Katy: !

I tried translating the letter (literary NLP?) into English, posted here
for commentary and annotation:
https://medium.com/@metasj/a-recent-letter-from-wmfrs-
board-annotated-d8e19c2bc0b

(As it is not freely licensed, I'm experimenting with a non-wiki.)  Help
with the translation and annotation are welcome -- perhaps adding links to
the appropriate section of the timeline?

Regards to all,
SJ

2017-07-12 20:29 GMT-04:00 Devouard (gmail) :

> Yesterday, a few hours after the whole membership of Wikimedia France was
> served that litterature masterpiece from its board (ED), someone told me :
>
> "any wikipedian reading that letter will add a {{refnec}} at the end of
> all sentences"
>
>
> Since I was mentionned, I would like to renew my position.
> I think there is a serious suspicion that the resources of the association
> (paid staff time, communication tools, perhaps even big donor database) and
> the image/name of the association were used for personal benefit. I also
> think that if what I say is correct, there was also a questionnable use of
> Wikimedia brand.
>
> The relevant emails are
> * https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediafr/2017-July/03.html
> * https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediafr/2017-July/04.html
> * https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediafr/2017-July/07.html
>
> However, contrariwise to the letter statement ("Nous condamnons fermement
> ce qui là encore est une tentative de mettre le CA en difficulté par des
> allégations infondées.") I must clarify that I believe that most of the
> WMFR board knew nothing about that specific issue. In particular, it seems
> the treasurer was not aware the Executive Director was actively seeking
> funds for this independant non-profit-to-be. The treasurer followed-up on
> my first request for clarifications, asked me information so that he could
> figure out what was going on, promised to come back with information within
> a day (and never did). Said treasurer resigned a few days later.
>
> And yes... I do have some evidence (such as a copy of the email sent to
> the private donor, as well as the supporting document) and a rather
> convincing rationale (which I can provide if needed, but I would prefer to
> know first what my membership and legal status are).
>
>
>
> On another note... I'd like to mention that amongst the people mentionned
> in that email, as well as those not explicitely mentionned but strongly
> hinted, some are tough skins and other are softer. If you know well some of
> them, and feel friendly toward them, send them some wikilove because they
> might need it. We have been dipping in this for... months.
>
> Also consider visiting this page where we listed our freedom fighter staff
> : https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Merchandise_giveaways/Nomina
> tions#Jules78120
>
>
> And really... thank you Katy (and the team) for the WMF statement
> published yesterday.
>
>
> Florence
>
>
>
>
> Le 12/07/2017 à 00:25, Chris Keating a écrit :
>
>> I thought this email from Wikimedia France was worth wider circulation
>> within the movement.
>>
>> Topics covered include:
>> * How WMFr feels community members are "destabilising and denigrating"
>> the chapter, and how Wikimedia France is responding by expelling some
>> of those people from the organisation, threatening them with legal
>> action, and temporarily closing its email discussion list
>> * Accusations that Christophe Henner has personally manipulated the
>> FDC process to cut WMFR's funding
>> * Also, a statement from WMFR that the WMF is also considering
>> withdrawing WMFr's chapter agreement
>>
>> I recommend reading the whole email in conjunction with this timeline:
>> https://www.mathisbenguigui.eu/wikimedia-timeline/
>>
>> It really is remarkable. I was lost for words on reading it, and I am
>> sure that you will be as well.
>>
>> Frankly, unless there is prompt and wide-ranging change of the
>> leadership of Wikimedia France, I think that withdrawing WMFR's
>> chapter agreement is probably by far the best thing that the WMF can
>> do. I hope a better solution can be reached in the meantime.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Chris
>>
>>
>>
>> -- Forwarded message --
>> From: CA Wikimédia France 
>> Date: 2017-07-11 21:25 GMT+01:00
>> Subject: Wikimédia France - informations sur la situation actuelle
>> To: "M. Chris KEATING" 
>>
>>
>> Chers membres de Wikimédia France,
>>
>>
>>
>> Depuis plusieurs mois et particulièrement ces dernières semaines,
>> quelques membres de la communauté wikimédienne ont violemment pris à
>> partie des salariés de l’association et des membres du conseil
>> d’administration, et ceci d’une façon irrationnelle, irresponsable, et
>> à certains titres répréhensible par la loi.
>>
>>
>>
>> Cette action de déstabilisation et de dénigrement non seulement n’a
>> 

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Fwd: Wikimédia France - informations sur la situation actuelle

[Devouard (gmail)]

Yesterday, a few hours after the whole membership of Wikimedia France 
was served that litterature masterpiece from its board (ED), someone 
told me :


"any wikipedian reading that letter will add a {{refnec}} at the end of 
all sentences"



Since I was mentionned, I would like to renew my position.
I think there is a serious suspicion that the resources of the 
association (paid staff time, communication tools, perhaps even big 
donor database) and the image/name of the association were used for 
personal benefit. I also think that if what I say is correct, there was 
also a questionnable use of Wikimedia brand.


The relevant emails are
* https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediafr/2017-July/03.html
* https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediafr/2017-July/04.html
* https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediafr/2017-July/07.html

However, contrariwise to the letter statement ("Nous condamnons 
fermement ce qui là encore est une tentative de mettre le CA en 
difficulté par des allégations infondées.") I must clarify that I 
believe that most of the WMFR board knew nothing about that specific 
issue. In particular, it seems the treasurer was not aware the Executive 
Director was actively seeking funds for this independant 
non-profit-to-be. The treasurer followed-up on my first request for 
clarifications, asked me information so that he could figure out what 
was going on, promised to come back with information within a day (and 
never did). Said treasurer resigned a few days later.


And yes... I do have some evidence (such as a copy of the email sent to 
the private donor, as well as the supporting document) and a rather 
convincing rationale (which I can provide if needed, but I would prefer 
to know first what my membership and legal status are).




On another note... I'd like to mention that amongst the people 
mentionned in that email, as well as those not explicitely mentionned 
but strongly hinted, some are tough skins and other are softer. If you 
know well some of them, and feel friendly toward them, send them some 
wikilove because they might need it. We have been dipping in this for... 
months.


Also consider visiting this page where we listed our freedom fighter 
staff : 
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Merchandise_giveaways/Nominations#Jules78120



And really... thank you Katy (and the team) for the WMF statement 
published yesterday.



Florence



Le 12/07/2017 à 00:25, Chris Keating a écrit :

I thought this email from Wikimedia France was worth wider circulation
within the movement.

Topics covered include:
* How WMFr feels community members are "destabilising and denigrating"
the chapter, and how Wikimedia France is responding by expelling some
of those people from the organisation, threatening them with legal
action, and temporarily closing its email discussion list
* Accusations that Christophe Henner has personally manipulated the
FDC process to cut WMFR's funding
* Also, a statement from WMFR that the WMF is also considering
withdrawing WMFr's chapter agreement

I recommend reading the whole email in conjunction with this timeline:
https://www.mathisbenguigui.eu/wikimedia-timeline/

It really is remarkable. I was lost for words on reading it, and I am
sure that you will be as well.

Frankly, unless there is prompt and wide-ranging change of the
leadership of Wikimedia France, I think that withdrawing WMFR's
chapter agreement is probably by far the best thing that the WMF can
do. I hope a better solution can be reached in the meantime.

Regards,

Chris



-- Forwarded message --
From: CA Wikimédia France 
Date: 2017-07-11 21:25 GMT+01:00
Subject: Wikimédia France - informations sur la situation actuelle
To: "M. Chris KEATING" 


Chers membres de Wikimédia France,



Depuis plusieurs mois et particulièrement ces dernières semaines,
quelques membres de la communauté wikimédienne ont violemment pris à
partie des salariés de l’association et des membres du conseil
d’administration, et ceci d’une façon irrationnelle, irresponsable, et
à certains titres répréhensible par la loi.



Cette action de déstabilisation et de dénigrement non seulement n’a
aucun fondement sérieux ou légitime, mais elle contrevient aux règles
et valeurs du mouvement Wikimédia.



Face aux excès et aux mensonges de ces détracteurs, devant leur refus
du dialogue et leur mépris des règles qui régissent notre gouvernance,
nous avons pris plusieurs résolutions que nous tenions à porter à
votre connaissance.



En premier lieu, nous condamnons très fermement les propos diffamants
qui ont été publiquement diffusés et relayés, notamment sur les
réseaux sociaux, et qui portent atteinte au respect des personnes et à
la dignité humaine, en recourant parfois aux parallèles les plus
douteux. C’est indigne, c’est inexcusable, et cela doit être banni de
notre communauté, sauf à perdre le sens de toute valeur et de tout bon
sens.

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Fwd: Wikimédia France - informations sur la situation actuelle

[Samuel Klein]

How grotesque.

Don't sue your own members.
Don't publicly trash a former staff member: it is obscene.

Samuel, Émeric, Édouard, Marie-Alice, Florian:  Please recant and retract
this entire unfortunate statement.  It is beneath you all, particularly the
name-calling and conspiracy theory.  Talk to a neutral third party whom you
trust to have common sense, for perspective.

Some of the attachments read as though they were drafted by your ED, who
clearly feels cornered: but you signed your names to it all.

With love,
SJ


2017-07-11 18:25 GMT-04:00 Chris Keating :

> I thought this email from Wikimedia France was worth wider circulation
> within the movement.
>
> Topics covered include:
> * How WMFr feels community members are "destabilising and denigrating"
> the chapter, and how Wikimedia France is responding by expelling some
> of those people from the organisation, threatening them with legal
> action, and temporarily closing its email discussion list
> * Accusations that Christophe Henner has personally manipulated the
> FDC process to cut WMFR's funding
> * Also, a statement from WMFR that the WMF is also considering
> withdrawing WMFr's chapter agreement
>
> I recommend reading the whole email in conjunction with this timeline:
> https://www.mathisbenguigui.eu/wikimedia-timeline/
>
> It really is remarkable. I was lost for words on reading it, and I am
> sure that you will be as well.
>
> Frankly, unless there is prompt and wide-ranging change of the
> leadership of Wikimedia France, I think that withdrawing WMFR's
> chapter agreement is probably by far the best thing that the WMF can
> do. I hope a better solution can be reached in the meantime.
>
> Regards,
>
> Chris
>
>
>
> -- Forwarded message --
> From: CA Wikimédia France 
> Date: 2017-07-11 21:25 GMT+01:00
> Subject: Wikimédia France - informations sur la situation actuelle
> To: "M. Chris KEATING" 
>
>
> Chers membres de Wikimédia France,
>
>
>
> Depuis plusieurs mois et particulièrement ces dernières semaines,
> quelques membres de la communauté wikimédienne ont violemment pris à
> partie des salariés de l’association et des membres du conseil
> d’administration, et ceci d’une façon irrationnelle, irresponsable, et
> à certains titres répréhensible par la loi.
>
>
>
> Cette action de déstabilisation et de dénigrement non seulement n’a
> aucun fondement sérieux ou légitime, mais elle contrevient aux règles
> et valeurs du mouvement Wikimédia.
>
>
>
> Face aux excès et aux mensonges de ces détracteurs, devant leur refus
> du dialogue et leur mépris des règles qui régissent notre gouvernance,
> nous avons pris plusieurs résolutions que nous tenions à porter à
> votre connaissance.
>
>
>
> En premier lieu, nous condamnons très fermement les propos diffamants
> qui ont été publiquement diffusés et relayés, notamment sur les
> réseaux sociaux, et qui portent atteinte au respect des personnes et à
> la dignité humaine, en recourant parfois aux parallèles les plus
> douteux. C’est indigne, c’est inexcusable, et cela doit être banni de
> notre communauté, sauf à perdre le sens de toute valeur et de tout bon
> sens.
>
>
>
> La récente consultation menée auprès de l’ensemble de nos membres a
> d’ailleurs confirmé l’exaspération et l’incompréhension de beaucoup
> d’entre vous quant à ces pratiques de dénigrement qui portent atteinte
> à l’image de notre association et de nos projets.
>
>
>
> Les violences morales et les dérives de quelques-uns, alors même
> qu’ils ont toujours été considérés avec égard, ne sauraient mettre à
> mal une œuvre collective dont la bonne marche repose, une fois encore,
> sur le respect des personnes et des règles qui encadrent notre
> activité.
>
>
>
> A quel titre ces quelques personnes auraient-elles le pouvoir
> d’inventer une crise de confiance ou de remettre en cause ces règles ?
> Aucun. Sont-elles détentrices d’une autorité supérieure sur notre
> collectif, que nous veillons à accompagner le mieux possible ? Non !
>
>
>
> Notre mission première est d’assurer l’intégrité de notre association
> et de nos projets ainsi que la protection des salariés (ce qui est une
> obligation légale du conseil d’administration). Aussi, nous dénonçons
> avec la même fermeté des actes qui ne sont dictés que par des guerres
> d’ego et des aigreurs personnelles, mais se drapent dans des
> argumentations morales irrecevables.
>
>
>
> C’est pourquoi, dans le respect de nos statuts, nous avons aussi tenu
> à prendre des décisions qui s’imposent afin de mettre chacun face à
> ses responsabilités :
>
> Fermeture de la liste mail discussions (à laquelle les salariés ont
> été désabonnés mercredi 5 juillet par mesure conservatoire). Sa
> réouverture sera discutée par le CA dans 10 jours à compter de l’envoi
> de ce courrier.
>
> Engagement d’une procédure d’exclusion de l’association des personnes
> qui ont ouvertement, par leurs propos diffamants, 

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Fwd: Wikimédia France - informations sur la situation actuelle

[Natacha Rault]

Hi Chris, 

Great, thank you!  I’ve integrated some parts as another person was translating 
this morning. 

A first version of the TL in english should be made available today. 

Kind regards

Natacha 
> Le 12 juil. 2017 à 10:14, Chris Keating  a écrit :
> 
> 2017-07-12 1:34 GMT+01:00 Natacha Rault :
>> So this is the translated part stopping in may 2017 (recent developments not 
>> included)
> 
> I had a bit of spare time this morning so I've translated part of May (below).
> 
> 4 May 2017
> 
> Explanation of the number of resignations from the Board
> 
> Emeric Vallespi writes an email, in the name of the Board, explaining
> the resignations and denying any governance problems. He refers
> explicitly to the origin of the resignations as "an exceptional threat
> to the organisation due to non-respect of the obligations in civil and
> criminal law upon the leaders of the association" not as "political
> dissension within the Board".
> 
> 5 May 2017
> 
> Explanation from Caroline Becker of her resignation
> 
> In response to Emeric's email, @K_rho (Caroline), former member of the
> Board, posts her account of her resignation on Twitter, pointing out
> that a disagreement on the governance of the association was at the
> source. She adds to her tweet a copy of the resignation mail she sent
> to the board of directors on February 21.
> 
> 8 May 2017
> 
> Emeric is a candidate in the legislative elections
> 
> Emeric is officially announced as a "candidat suppléant" to the French
> National Assembly for the En Marche party. Information is not provided
> on the general discussion list by management. Mathis, an ordinary
> member, will inform the members of this situation on May 25th.
> 
> (Translation note: "candidat suppléant" is a kind of 'substitute
> candidate' that is not commonplace outside of France. My understanding
> is that each party nominates a candidate and a substitute candidate
> for each district. If the party wins the seat then the candidate
> enters the legislature. If the successful candidate can no longer
> serve, e.g. because of death or appointment as a government minister,
> the "suppleant" takes over as the legislator for that district.)
> 
> 11 May 2017
> 
> Wave of unsubscriptions from the list
> 
> In the afternoon, a large number of members and contractors of the
> association are unsubscribed from the discussion list by its
> administrator. At the same time, administrator access to the CiviCRM
> system is removed from the few "ordinary" members who had access to
> it.
> 
> 11 May 2017
> 
> Émeric sends an email on the mailing list accusing 3 of the resigning
> board members of putting the association in danger. The resignations,
> according to him, are part of a more general conspiracy. In this mail
> we learn that an investigation for harassment was opened by the
> Wikimedia Foundation on February 16, 2017, which was subsequently
> abandoned.
> 
> 12 May 2017
> 
> Views from Wikimedia Argentina
> 
> Anna Torres, executive director of Wikimedia Argentina, complains of
> the negative implications of the words used by Wikimedia France to
> describe the Argentine MOOC within the FDC discussion
> 
> "We are very surprised and unhappy by your negative reference to our
> work in the discussion of your staff assessment."
> 
> The phrases used do not emanate from the WikiMOOC team, but are
> potentially harmful to them, while the Argentine MOOC team has shown
> its support for the project.
> 
> 14 May 2017
> 
> The Funds Dissemination Committee (FDC) considers the grant
> application from Wikimedia France very negatively
> 
> Amount requested: 686 000 €
> Amount recommended by the FDC: 343 000 €
> Amount allocated the previous year: 570 000 €
> 
> The FDC considers Wikimedia France's grant application very
> negatively. It recommends allocating 50% of the funds requested
> because the results are not commensurate with the funds received, as
> explained in the two previous recommendations of the FDC. It also
> believes that the potential for significant, clear and measurable
> results from this year's bid is not sufficient to qualify for the
> requested funding. In addition, the FDC is concerned about the recent
> developments in the organization of the association and its governance
> (many resignations of employees and members of the Board, a two-headed
> system at the management level, etc.). The FDC recommends that
> Wikimedia France undertake a review of its governance.
> 
> In commenting on the FDC's recommendation, Nathalie (the association's
> director) says:
> 
> "This is not a problem of communication, or mediation ... it is an
> organizational dysfunction (of the FDC - Editor's note) but that is
> not attributable to Wikimedia France."
> 
> She goes on to say:
> 
> "When some people realized that the investigation (for harassment -
> editor's note) was not credible as initially announced, because it did
> not answer to any fair and 

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Fwd: Wikimédia France - informations sur la situation actuelle

[Chris Keating]

2017-07-12 1:34 GMT+01:00 Natacha Rault :
> So this is the translated part stopping in may 2017 (recent developments not 
> included)

I had a bit of spare time this morning so I've translated part of May (below).

4 May 2017

Explanation of the number of resignations from the Board

Emeric Vallespi writes an email, in the name of the Board, explaining
the resignations and denying any governance problems. He refers
explicitly to the origin of the resignations as "an exceptional threat
to the organisation due to non-respect of the obligations in civil and
criminal law upon the leaders of the association" not as "political
dissension within the Board".

5 May 2017

Explanation from Caroline Becker of her resignation

In response to Emeric's email, @K_rho (Caroline), former member of the
Board, posts her account of her resignation on Twitter, pointing out
that a disagreement on the governance of the association was at the
source. She adds to her tweet a copy of the resignation mail she sent
to the board of directors on February 21.

8 May 2017

Emeric is a candidate in the legislative elections

Emeric is officially announced as a "candidat suppléant" to the French
National Assembly for the En Marche party. Information is not provided
on the general discussion list by management. Mathis, an ordinary
member, will inform the members of this situation on May 25th.

(Translation note: "candidat suppléant" is a kind of 'substitute
candidate' that is not commonplace outside of France. My understanding
is that each party nominates a candidate and a substitute candidate
for each district. If the party wins the seat then the candidate
enters the legislature. If the successful candidate can no longer
serve, e.g. because of death or appointment as a government minister,
the "suppleant" takes over as the legislator for that district.)

11 May 2017

Wave of unsubscriptions from the list

In the afternoon, a large number of members and contractors of the
association are unsubscribed from the discussion list by its
administrator. At the same time, administrator access to the CiviCRM
system is removed from the few "ordinary" members who had access to
it.

11 May 2017

Émeric sends an email on the mailing list accusing 3 of the resigning
board members of putting the association in danger. The resignations,
according to him, are part of a more general conspiracy. In this mail
we learn that an investigation for harassment was opened by the
Wikimedia Foundation on February 16, 2017, which was subsequently
abandoned.

12 May 2017

Views from Wikimedia Argentina

Anna Torres, executive director of Wikimedia Argentina, complains of
the negative implications of the words used by Wikimedia France to
describe the Argentine MOOC within the FDC discussion

"We are very surprised and unhappy by your negative reference to our
work in the discussion of your staff assessment."

The phrases used do not emanate from the WikiMOOC team, but are
potentially harmful to them, while the Argentine MOOC team has shown
its support for the project.

14 May 2017

The Funds Dissemination Committee (FDC) considers the grant
application from Wikimedia France very negatively

Amount requested: 686 000 €
Amount recommended by the FDC: 343 000 €
Amount allocated the previous year: 570 000 €

The FDC considers Wikimedia France's grant application very
negatively. It recommends allocating 50% of the funds requested
because the results are not commensurate with the funds received, as
explained in the two previous recommendations of the FDC. It also
believes that the potential for significant, clear and measurable
results from this year's bid is not sufficient to qualify for the
requested funding. In addition, the FDC is concerned about the recent
developments in the organization of the association and its governance
(many resignations of employees and members of the Board, a two-headed
system at the management level, etc.). The FDC recommends that
Wikimedia France undertake a review of its governance.

In commenting on the FDC's recommendation, Nathalie (the association's
director) says:

"This is not a problem of communication, or mediation ... it is an
organizational dysfunction (of the FDC - Editor's note) but that is
not attributable to Wikimedia France."

She goes on to say:

"When some people realized that the investigation (for harassment -
editor's note) was not credible as initially announced, because it did
not answer to any fair and transparent process. It was abandoned and
replaced by an  an outrageously negative assessment that goes so far
as to worry about the sustainability of Wikimedia France! This
assessment has influenced the FDC's proposal to cut [the grant], since
the figure put forward by the volunteers is based on the study done by
employees of the Foundation."

Note: The FDC is a committee made up of volunteers who are part of the
Wikimedia movement.

Édouard, on behalf of Wikimedia France indicates on the discussion
page 

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Fwd: Wikimédia France - informations sur la situation actuelle

[Katy Love]

Hi Chris, hi all,

I am forwarding the email I sent to a French Wikimedia community mailing
list . I include
the message first in English and then French.



Dear all,


This is a message from the Wikimedia Foundation. We’re the non-profit
organization that exists to support Wikimedia volunteer communities and
free knowledge projects around the world.


That is why we are writing today. You may have read an email from the CA of
Wikimédia France, making serious allegations against members of our
movement. Many of these allegations relate to members of the French
volunteer community, certain current and former staff members of Wikimédia
France, and former chapter board members who have been openly questioning
the activities and aspects of the governance of the current leadership of
Wikimédia France. In the email from the CA, the signatories characterize
these volunteers, or the manner in which they have engaged in criticizing
the chapter leadership, as being unacceptable and destructive. We find many
aspects of this public email disturbing and contrary to the values of the
Wikimedia movement.


The email from the Wikimédia France CA has brought the issues at Wikimédia
France to the public attention of many in the French Wikimedia community,
as well as to the broader global Wikimedia movement. Although this may be
the first public message some members of our Wikimedia community have seen,
it follows months of other discussions within various Wikimedia committees
and governance bodies about the current governance and operations of
Wikimédia France.


As many of you may know, in May 2017, the Funds Dissemination Committee
(FDC), an independent committee of Wikimedia community members charged with
helping “make decisions about how to effectively allocate movement funds,”
assessed Wikimédia France’s application for a 2017-2018 Annual Plan Grant.
The FDC made a recommendation

to the Wikimedia Foundation’s Board that Wikimédia France receive 50% of
the grant amount requested by the organization. The FDC recommendation
noted, among other things, that “there are significant concerns about
WMFR's current governance and organisational structure being able to most
effectively support and achieve the results sought."


Wikimédia France appealed the FDC’s recommendation. The Wikimedia
Foundation Board of Trustees considered and denied this appeal
,
and resolved to accept

the FDC’s recommendation. Furthermore, the Wikimedia Foundation Board of
Trustees endorses the need for a governance review, consistent with FDC
recommendations. Funding to Wikimédia France is conditional on a Wikimedia
Foundation staff site visit
, a
governance review to be conducted by an independent, third party, to be
chosen in consultation with the Wikimedia Foundation, and progress against
recommendations resulting from the governance review.


The current situation with Wikimédia France is creating great strain on the
French community,  former and current staff of Wikimédia France, and
concerned volunteers around the world. We recognize that the situation must
be resolved soon, in the interests of the Wikimedia projects and vision.


Three staff members from the Wikimedia Foundation will soon be in France to
conduct a site visit in connection with the Foundation’s grant, in order to
realize the recommendations of the FDC. This includes working with
Wikimédia France to initiate an independent governance review, and holding
conversations with the chapter and with members of the French community
about their hopes for the future.


Finally, we are aware of a number of inaccurate statements in the email
from the Board of Wikimédia France, including but not limited to, the
Foundation’s response to certain communications from the Board of Wikimédia
France. While the planned governance review proceeds, we urge all parties
to avoid making inaccurate or inflammatory claims.


At the Wikimedia Foundation, we believe that the Wikimedia movement should
be safe and welcoming for all contributors, volunteers, and staff of
Wikimedia organizations. We believe that Wikimedia organizations and
affiliates should be well-managed and responsibly governed. We believe that
Wikimedia processes, policies, and actions should be transparent whenever
possible and avoid conflicts of interest. Finally, we believe that every
contributor should have recourse when subject to intimidation or
harassment. We aspire for Wikimedia to be a place where everyone is
welcome, included, and respected.


The Wikimedia Foundation is committed to supporting the health of the

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Fwd: Wikimédia France - informations sur la situation actuelle

[Nathan]

Everything else aside, the apparent fact that the ED of WMFr hired her
husband in any capacity is a clear sign of serious dysfunction and poor
governance controls. If the association has had half its board resign and
is accusing Anthere and Christophe Henner of misconduct, it suggests that
WMFr's dysfunction has become terminal.
___
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https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and 
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New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org
Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, 

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Fwd: Wikimédia France - informations sur la situation actuelle

[Natacha Rault]

So this is the translated part stopping in may 2017 (recent developments not 
included)

Sorry for the presentation, not really pretty, and surely a lot of mistakes 
left: it has not been reviewed. 

Natacha / Nattes à chat

Title
This website takes its inspiration from the one developped by Molly White 
(User:GorillaWarfare) during the WMF crisis between 2014 and 2016. 
In order to explain the situation Wikimedia France (WMFR) is going though 
during summer 2017, a group of dedicated members designed this time line of 
events.
Some of the links point to general discussion lists of the association that can 
only be accessed by members of WMFR.
 
 
October 1,  2013
 Nathalie Martin announced as executive director 
Christophe Henner announces the apointment of Nathalie Martin as ED, effective 
October 1. The WMFR board allows a high degree of autonomy to the director. She 
is handed over the management of HR issues and employees. All the future 
recruitments are handled directly by her without the board having any influence 
in the process.
 
Annoucement on discussion lists (restricted access) : 
https://lists.wikimedia.fr/arc/discussions/2013-08/msg0.html 

 


January 6, 2014
Departure of Carol Ann, in charge of education and research
Since then, she has been denied allowed membership.
 

April 14, 2014
Adrienne Alix, program Director, leaves following her recruitment as campaign 
coordinator at the Quadrature du Net
 
 
 may 24, 2014  
FDC recommendation
Requested amount : €600,000 ($826,062)  Allotted amount: €600,000 ($826,062) 
Allotted amount in 2013 : €400,155 ($525,000)
 
The FDC (Fund Dissemination Committe) is a committee constituted by wikimedian 
volunteers who evaluate and allot funding to local chapters. The 
recommandations of the FDC serve as a basis to the WMF board to vote the 
allocation of the funds to chapters. 
In 2014 the FDC recognizes the scope of the work done by the WMF and  allocates 
all requested funds. nevertheless, it underlines the fact that the most 
impactful projects are the ones costing less, and that Wikimedia France does 
not raise funds outside of the Wikimedia movement. It also expresses concern on 
the program extension in Africa like Afripedia, that could hinder development 
of local communities.
FDC (en) 
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:APG/Funds_Dissemination_Committee 

 

February 1., 2015
Sébastien Baijard, responsible of fundraising leaves. 
 
 
February 2, 2015
Recruitment of Cyrille Bertin as finance and particpation advisor
Nathalie Martin recruits Cyrille Bertin, her husband.
 

May 14, 2015
FDC recommendations
Requested amount : 600 000 €
Allotted amount : 540 000 €
 
The FDC appreciates innovative initiatives like Wikicheese, the increase in 
membership and local groups. However, it raises concern about the increase of 
20% of the budget dedicated to staff. The FDC points to the difficulty in 
expressing strategy in concrete terms, and the ambitious objectives which look 
as hard to achieve.  Finally, it suggests to tackle gender inequality between 
men and women.

 
 
May 11, 2016
Christophe Henner announces his election to the Wikimedia foundation Board of 
trustess, and his resignation as president of Wikimedia France.
(source : https://lists.wikimedia.fr/arc/discussions/2016-05/msg00014.html 
 and 
https://lists.wikimedia.fr/arc/discussions/2016-05/msg00021.html)9) 
 
restricted access
 
May, 15 2016 

FDC recommendation 
The FDC recommends that WMFR concentrates on a few high impactful projects 
rather than achieving limited impact on numerous projects. It underlines that 
the online impact as measured by the metrics does not correcpond to what one 
could expect. It also recommends to assess the sustainability of local 
communities once the project is over. The WMFR dependency on APG grants is 
stressed once more, and a diversification of sources of funding is recommended, 
as well as more use of in-kind contributions. The FDC advises the promotion of 
regional projects and the development of local communities, citing the Summer 
of regions (l'Eté des régions) as example. It upraises online survays, but 
expresses doubts that the result are being efficiently used.
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:APG/FDC_recommendations/2015-2016_round_2
 

https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:APG/Proposals/2015-2016_round_2/Wikim%C3%A9dia_France/Staff_proposal_assessment
 

 
May 24, 2016 
The WMFR Board elects Emeric Vallespi as new president (he was formally vice 

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Fwd: Wikimédia France - informations sur la situation actuelle

[Craig Franklin]

I am not closely familiar with the issuse at WMFR right now, and I would
suggest that those here that speak French probably already have a strong
view on this, and those who do not probably do not know enough to have an
educated view on what is happening.  With that being said, if WMFR staff
are being harassed, abused, or otherwise threatened by members of the
community, I am glad that the chapter is looking after it's staff and
taking steps to protect them.  Let us just hope that such measures are not
also used to stigmatise or silence those who have offered reasoned
criticisms of the chapter board's actions.

Cheers,
Craig

2017-07-12 9:24 GMT+10:00 Natacha Rault :

> Hi James,
>
> We are working on a translation, but are quite exhausted as recent events
> develop.
>
> Sorry for the delay…
>
> Nattes à chat / Natacha
>
>
> > Le 12 juil. 2017 à 00:47, James Heilman  a écrit :
> >
> > Chris do we have an EN copy of the timeline.
> >
> > 2017-07-11 16:25 GMT-06:00 Chris Keating :
> >
> >> I thought this email from Wikimedia France was worth wider circulation
> >> within the movement.
> >>
> >> Topics covered include:
> >> * How WMFr feels community members are "destabilising and denigrating"
> >> the chapter, and how Wikimedia France is responding by expelling some
> >> of those people from the organisation, threatening them with legal
> >> action, and temporarily closing its email discussion list
> >> * Accusations that Christophe Henner has personally manipulated the
> >> FDC process to cut WMFR's funding
> >> * Also, a statement from WMFR that the WMF is also considering
> >> withdrawing WMFr's chapter agreement
> >>
> >> I recommend reading the whole email in conjunction with this timeline:
> >> https://www.mathisbenguigui.eu/wikimedia-timeline/
> >>
> >> It really is remarkable. I was lost for words on reading it, and I am
> >> sure that you will be as well.
> >>
> >> Frankly, unless there is prompt and wide-ranging change of the
> >> leadership of Wikimedia France, I think that withdrawing WMFR's
> >> chapter agreement is probably by far the best thing that the WMF can
> >> do. I hope a better solution can be reached in the meantime.
> >>
> >> Regards,
> >>
> >> Chris
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> -- Forwarded message --
> >> From: CA Wikimédia France 
> >> Date: 2017-07-11 21:25 GMT+01:00
> >> Subject: Wikimédia France - informations sur la situation actuelle
> >> To: "M. Chris KEATING" 
> >>
> >>
> >> Chers membres de Wikimédia France,
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Depuis plusieurs mois et particulièrement ces dernières semaines,
> >> quelques membres de la communauté wikimédienne ont violemment pris à
> >> partie des salariés de l’association et des membres du conseil
> >> d’administration, et ceci d’une façon irrationnelle, irresponsable, et
> >> à certains titres répréhensible par la loi.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Cette action de déstabilisation et de dénigrement non seulement n’a
> >> aucun fondement sérieux ou légitime, mais elle contrevient aux règles
> >> et valeurs du mouvement Wikimédia.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Face aux excès et aux mensonges de ces détracteurs, devant leur refus
> >> du dialogue et leur mépris des règles qui régissent notre gouvernance,
> >> nous avons pris plusieurs résolutions que nous tenions à porter à
> >> votre connaissance.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> En premier lieu, nous condamnons très fermement les propos diffamants
> >> qui ont été publiquement diffusés et relayés, notamment sur les
> >> réseaux sociaux, et qui portent atteinte au respect des personnes et à
> >> la dignité humaine, en recourant parfois aux parallèles les plus
> >> douteux. C’est indigne, c’est inexcusable, et cela doit être banni de
> >> notre communauté, sauf à perdre le sens de toute valeur et de tout bon
> >> sens.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> La récente consultation menée auprès de l’ensemble de nos membres a
> >> d’ailleurs confirmé l’exaspération et l’incompréhension de beaucoup
> >> d’entre vous quant à ces pratiques de dénigrement qui portent atteinte
> >> à l’image de notre association et de nos projets.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Les violences morales et les dérives de quelques-uns, alors même
> >> qu’ils ont toujours été considérés avec égard, ne sauraient mettre à
> >> mal une œuvre collective dont la bonne marche repose, une fois encore,
> >> sur le respect des personnes et des règles qui encadrent notre
> >> activité.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> A quel titre ces quelques personnes auraient-elles le pouvoir
> >> d’inventer une crise de confiance ou de remettre en cause ces règles ?
> >> Aucun. Sont-elles détentrices d’une autorité supérieure sur notre
> >> collectif, que nous veillons à accompagner le mieux possible ? Non !
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Notre mission première est d’assurer l’intégrité de notre association
> >> et de nos projets ainsi que la protection des salariés (ce qui est une
> >> obligation légale du 

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Fwd: Wikimédia France - informations sur la situation actuelle

[Natacha Rault]

Hi James, 

We are working on a translation, but are quite exhausted as recent events 
develop. 

Sorry for the delay…

Nattes à chat / Natacha


> Le 12 juil. 2017 à 00:47, James Heilman  a écrit :
> 
> Chris do we have an EN copy of the timeline.
> 
> 2017-07-11 16:25 GMT-06:00 Chris Keating :
> 
>> I thought this email from Wikimedia France was worth wider circulation
>> within the movement.
>> 
>> Topics covered include:
>> * How WMFr feels community members are "destabilising and denigrating"
>> the chapter, and how Wikimedia France is responding by expelling some
>> of those people from the organisation, threatening them with legal
>> action, and temporarily closing its email discussion list
>> * Accusations that Christophe Henner has personally manipulated the
>> FDC process to cut WMFR's funding
>> * Also, a statement from WMFR that the WMF is also considering
>> withdrawing WMFr's chapter agreement
>> 
>> I recommend reading the whole email in conjunction with this timeline:
>> https://www.mathisbenguigui.eu/wikimedia-timeline/
>> 
>> It really is remarkable. I was lost for words on reading it, and I am
>> sure that you will be as well.
>> 
>> Frankly, unless there is prompt and wide-ranging change of the
>> leadership of Wikimedia France, I think that withdrawing WMFR's
>> chapter agreement is probably by far the best thing that the WMF can
>> do. I hope a better solution can be reached in the meantime.
>> 
>> Regards,
>> 
>> Chris
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -- Forwarded message --
>> From: CA Wikimédia France 
>> Date: 2017-07-11 21:25 GMT+01:00
>> Subject: Wikimédia France - informations sur la situation actuelle
>> To: "M. Chris KEATING" 
>> 
>> 
>> Chers membres de Wikimédia France,
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Depuis plusieurs mois et particulièrement ces dernières semaines,
>> quelques membres de la communauté wikimédienne ont violemment pris à
>> partie des salariés de l’association et des membres du conseil
>> d’administration, et ceci d’une façon irrationnelle, irresponsable, et
>> à certains titres répréhensible par la loi.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Cette action de déstabilisation et de dénigrement non seulement n’a
>> aucun fondement sérieux ou légitime, mais elle contrevient aux règles
>> et valeurs du mouvement Wikimédia.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Face aux excès et aux mensonges de ces détracteurs, devant leur refus
>> du dialogue et leur mépris des règles qui régissent notre gouvernance,
>> nous avons pris plusieurs résolutions que nous tenions à porter à
>> votre connaissance.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> En premier lieu, nous condamnons très fermement les propos diffamants
>> qui ont été publiquement diffusés et relayés, notamment sur les
>> réseaux sociaux, et qui portent atteinte au respect des personnes et à
>> la dignité humaine, en recourant parfois aux parallèles les plus
>> douteux. C’est indigne, c’est inexcusable, et cela doit être banni de
>> notre communauté, sauf à perdre le sens de toute valeur et de tout bon
>> sens.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> La récente consultation menée auprès de l’ensemble de nos membres a
>> d’ailleurs confirmé l’exaspération et l’incompréhension de beaucoup
>> d’entre vous quant à ces pratiques de dénigrement qui portent atteinte
>> à l’image de notre association et de nos projets.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Les violences morales et les dérives de quelques-uns, alors même
>> qu’ils ont toujours été considérés avec égard, ne sauraient mettre à
>> mal une œuvre collective dont la bonne marche repose, une fois encore,
>> sur le respect des personnes et des règles qui encadrent notre
>> activité.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> A quel titre ces quelques personnes auraient-elles le pouvoir
>> d’inventer une crise de confiance ou de remettre en cause ces règles ?
>> Aucun. Sont-elles détentrices d’une autorité supérieure sur notre
>> collectif, que nous veillons à accompagner le mieux possible ? Non !
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Notre mission première est d’assurer l’intégrité de notre association
>> et de nos projets ainsi que la protection des salariés (ce qui est une
>> obligation légale du conseil d’administration). Aussi, nous dénonçons
>> avec la même fermeté des actes qui ne sont dictés que par des guerres
>> d’ego et des aigreurs personnelles, mais se drapent dans des
>> argumentations morales irrecevables.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> C’est pourquoi, dans le respect de nos statuts, nous avons aussi tenu
>> à prendre des décisions qui s’imposent afin de mettre chacun face à
>> ses responsabilités :
>> 
>> Fermeture de la liste mail discussions (à laquelle les salariés ont
>> été désabonnés mercredi 5 juillet par mesure conservatoire). Sa
>> réouverture sera discutée par le CA dans 10 jours à compter de l’envoi
>> de ce courrier.
>> 
>> Engagement d’une procédure d’exclusion de l’association des personnes
>> qui ont ouvertement, par leurs propos diffamants, nui à l’association
>> et/ou ont été à l’origine d’actes de harcèlement.
>> 
>> Refus de quelques 

[Wikimedia-l] Fwd: Wikimédia France - informations sur la situation actuelle

[Chris Keating]

I thought this email from Wikimedia France was worth wider circulation
within the movement.

Topics covered include:
* How WMFr feels community members are "destabilising and denigrating"
the chapter, and how Wikimedia France is responding by expelling some
of those people from the organisation, threatening them with legal
action, and temporarily closing its email discussion list
* Accusations that Christophe Henner has personally manipulated the
FDC process to cut WMFR's funding
* Also, a statement from WMFR that the WMF is also considering
withdrawing WMFr's chapter agreement

I recommend reading the whole email in conjunction with this timeline:
https://www.mathisbenguigui.eu/wikimedia-timeline/

It really is remarkable. I was lost for words on reading it, and I am
sure that you will be as well.

Frankly, unless there is prompt and wide-ranging change of the
leadership of Wikimedia France, I think that withdrawing WMFR's
chapter agreement is probably by far the best thing that the WMF can
do. I hope a better solution can be reached in the meantime.

Regards,

Chris



-- Forwarded message --
From: CA Wikimédia France 
Date: 2017-07-11 21:25 GMT+01:00
Subject: Wikimédia France - informations sur la situation actuelle
To: "M. Chris KEATING" 


Chers membres de Wikimédia France,



Depuis plusieurs mois et particulièrement ces dernières semaines,
quelques membres de la communauté wikimédienne ont violemment pris à
partie des salariés de l’association et des membres du conseil
d’administration, et ceci d’une façon irrationnelle, irresponsable, et
à certains titres répréhensible par la loi.



Cette action de déstabilisation et de dénigrement non seulement n’a
aucun fondement sérieux ou légitime, mais elle contrevient aux règles
et valeurs du mouvement Wikimédia.



Face aux excès et aux mensonges de ces détracteurs, devant leur refus
du dialogue et leur mépris des règles qui régissent notre gouvernance,
nous avons pris plusieurs résolutions que nous tenions à porter à
votre connaissance.



En premier lieu, nous condamnons très fermement les propos diffamants
qui ont été publiquement diffusés et relayés, notamment sur les
réseaux sociaux, et qui portent atteinte au respect des personnes et à
la dignité humaine, en recourant parfois aux parallèles les plus
douteux. C’est indigne, c’est inexcusable, et cela doit être banni de
notre communauté, sauf à perdre le sens de toute valeur et de tout bon
sens.



La récente consultation menée auprès de l’ensemble de nos membres a
d’ailleurs confirmé l’exaspération et l’incompréhension de beaucoup
d’entre vous quant à ces pratiques de dénigrement qui portent atteinte
à l’image de notre association et de nos projets.



Les violences morales et les dérives de quelques-uns, alors même
qu’ils ont toujours été considérés avec égard, ne sauraient mettre à
mal une œuvre collective dont la bonne marche repose, une fois encore,
sur le respect des personnes et des règles qui encadrent notre
activité.



A quel titre ces quelques personnes auraient-elles le pouvoir
d’inventer une crise de confiance ou de remettre en cause ces règles ?
Aucun. Sont-elles détentrices d’une autorité supérieure sur notre
collectif, que nous veillons à accompagner le mieux possible ? Non !



Notre mission première est d’assurer l’intégrité de notre association
et de nos projets ainsi que la protection des salariés (ce qui est une
obligation légale du conseil d’administration). Aussi, nous dénonçons
avec la même fermeté des actes qui ne sont dictés que par des guerres
d’ego et des aigreurs personnelles, mais se drapent dans des
argumentations morales irrecevables.



C’est pourquoi, dans le respect de nos statuts, nous avons aussi tenu
à prendre des décisions qui s’imposent afin de mettre chacun face à
ses responsabilités :

Fermeture de la liste mail discussions (à laquelle les salariés ont
été désabonnés mercredi 5 juillet par mesure conservatoire). Sa
réouverture sera discutée par le CA dans 10 jours à compter de l’envoi
de ce courrier.

Engagement d’une procédure d’exclusion de l’association des personnes
qui ont ouvertement, par leurs propos diffamants, nui à l’association
et/ou ont été à l’origine d’actes de harcèlement.

Refus de quelques demandes d’adhésions pour les mêmes motifs.



Pendant les 10 jours de fermeture de la liste, les nouvelles demandes
d’adhésion ainsi que les nouvelles questions ne seront pas traitées :
elles le seront à l’issue de cette période.



Durant ce temps, les bénévoles peuvent bien sûr communiquer avec les
salariés dans le cadre normal de leurs missions, mais aucune tentative
d’intimidation contre des salariés ou des membres du CA ne sera plus
tolérée.



C’est pourquoi nous prendrons très rapidement les mesures juridiques
nécessaires contre les personnes qui se livrent à des actions
répréhensibles par la loi à l’encontre de salariés ou de membres du CA
afin qu’elles cessent leurs actions, qui