Re: [Wikimediaindia-l] Advice & Help Sought: Potential Additions to the Community

[Hisham Mundol]

HI Vickram

Many thanks for your comments.  My responses below

Hisham Mundol
Wikimedia Foundation India Programs
skype: hisham.wikimedia
gtalk: hmun...@wikimedia.org
twitter: @mundol

On May 1, 2011, at 3:11 PM, Vickram Crishna wrote:

> 
> 
> On Fri, Apr 29, 2011 at 5:32 PM, Hisham Mundol  wrote:
> Hi All (cross-posting to make sure I reach as much of India as possible),
> 
> As you're aware, we had invited applications for Campus Ambassadors for the 
> upcoming Pune Pilot of the India Campus Program.
> 
> The response has been fantastic: we've received ~500 applications/enquiries 
> from across India, ~70 of which were from Pune.  This has been really 
> heartening - indicating the desire of many to support the Wikimedia movement. 
> It's also been overwhelming because we need to process all the applications, 
> respond to applicants, etc.! 
> 
> I think, most critically, it also presents an amazing opportunity for us to 
> introduce new people to Wikimedia projects (especially Wikipedia) - and 
> invite them to join the community.I've interviewed quite a few and there 
> is a recurring theme I hear from many of them.  It goes something like, "I've 
> been using Wikipedia for years and years, and I love it.  I want to 
> contribute back to it - but I wasn't sure how.  Then I saw the banner and 
> decided this was a great way to help."  The overwhelming common trait I have 
> noticed in the applicants is that they are bright, well-intentioned and eager 
> to contribute.
> 
> 
> I personally would like to see the nomenclature change: from 'campus 
> ambassadors' etc to 'Knowledge Facilitators', befitting by far two goals. One 
> is the democratisation of knowledge, core to this initiative, and the other 
> is the recognition of anyone of any age as a contributor (implicit in 
> Hisham's characterisation of 'no-one left behind'). 

I think both could work.  Personally, I think "campus ambassador" is a slightly 
less formal term than "Knowledge Facilitator"  but that's just my opinion.  
...As we've already announced the term Campus Ambassador for the campus 
program, I'd suggest we remain with it.  THere are multiple other roles that 
people can play (student clubs, etc.) and I'm sure we will have appropriate 
titles for these.
>  
> 
>   i) they could form student clubs in their respective educational 
> establishments
>   ii) they could form Wikipedia clubs in their workplaces/social groups 
> (as a number of applicants are working professionals, and no longer on campus)
>   iii) they could become individual editors
> 
> Each community, be it one based on educational establishments or any other, 
> could organise informal camps, which we could call wikiups, implying a 
> quickly put together 'camp', where a tiny group, 3 or 4 persons, could 
> collaborate on original contributions or editing. If such meetings could be 
> held on a weekly basis, then perhaps they could alternate between writing and 
> editing, to give each skill a good workout. I am emphasising the importance 
> of working in groups as a way forward from a concern expressed some months 
> back in our meeting in Mumbai, that many youngsters need a helping hand to 
> overcome the fear of failure - that translates into a reluctance to take part 
> - that is unfortunately instilled in much of our school system. 
> 
Agree with you and that's what I tried to bring out  for those towns where wiki 
academies aren't planned.  However, you've articulated it far better than me.

> Frequent regular meetings would also help build an impetus to attend some of 
> the additional work-focused suggestions, attending an 'Academy' session or 
> running 'incubation' programs. It would also lessen the disadvantage of not 
> being able to make it to some infrequently held local Wiki-meetups. It also 
> lends itself to the ease of adding a visiting 'trainer' who can create lively 
> sessions of tips and tricks. 
> 
> 
Could not agree more with you.  Needless to say, this is dependent on available 
community time but it's certainly a powerful idea.

Apologies for the delay; I thought I had replied earlier but just noticed this 
in my drafts folder.

> -- 
> Vickram
> Fool On The Hill
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Re: [Wikimediaindia-l] Advice & Help Sought: Potential Additions to the Community

[Theo10011]

Hi

On Sun, May 1, 2011 at 3:11 PM, Vickram Crishna wrote:

>
>
> On Fri, Apr 29, 2011 at 5:32 PM, Hisham Mundol wrote:
>
>> Hi All (cross-posting to make sure I reach as much of India as possible),
>>
>> As you're aware, we had invited applications for Campus Ambassadors for
>> the upcoming Pune Pilot of the India Campus Program.
>>
>> The response has been fantastic: we've received ~500
>> applications/enquiries from across India, ~70 of which were from Pune.  This
>> has been really heartening - indicating the desire of many to support the
>> Wikimedia movement. It's also been overwhelming because we need to process
>> all the applications, respond to applicants, etc.!
>>
>
>> I think, most critically, it also presents an amazing opportunity for us
>> to introduce new people to Wikimedia projects (especially Wikipedia) - and
>> invite them to join the community.I've interviewed quite a few and there
>> is a recurring theme I hear from many of them.  It goes something like,
>> "I've been using Wikipedia for years and years, and I love it.  I want to
>> contribute back to it - but I wasn't sure how.  Then I saw the banner and
>> decided this was a great way to help."  The overwhelming common trait I have
>> noticed in the applicants is that they are bright, well-intentioned and
>> eager to contribute.
>>
>>
> I personally would like to see the nomenclature change: from 'campus
> ambassadors' etc to 'Knowledge Facilitators', befitting by far two goals.
> One is the democratisation of knowledge, core to this initiative, and the
> other is the recognition of anyone of any age as a contributor (implicit in
> Hisham's characterisation of 'no-one left behind').
>

I just wanted to provide a little background that others might not be aware
of, Hisham is not responsible for that nomenclature, its part of the
Wikimedia Public policy initiative[1]. The Campus Ambassadors program has
been going on in the US, as part of the initiative since early last year
[2].

We can consider alternative designation within the Indian context once the
project is underway, however, I believe Wikipedia Campus Ambassador is an
aptly descriptive term that provides near universal recognition and
association with Wikipedia, other terms might be too abstract in this
context.


>
>>
>> i) they could form student clubs in their respective educational
>> establishments
>>  ii) they could form Wikipedia clubs in their workplaces/social groups
>> (as a number of applicants are working professionals, and no longer on
>> campus)
>> iii) they could become individual editors
>>
>
> Each community, be it one based on educational establishments or any other,
> could organise informal camps, which we could call wikiups, implying a
> quickly put together 'camp', where a tiny group, 3 or 4 persons, could
> collaborate on original contributions or editing. If such meetings could be
> held on a weekly basis, then perhaps they could alternate between writing
> and editing, to give each skill a good workout. I am emphasising the
> importance of working in groups as a way forward from a concern expressed
> some months back in our meeting in Mumbai, that many youngsters need a
> helping hand to overcome the fear of failure - that translates into a
> reluctance to take part - that is unfortunately instilled in much of our
> school system.
>

> Frequent regular meetings would also help build an impetus to attend some
> of the additional work-focused suggestions, attending an 'Academy' session
> or running 'incubation' programs. It would also lessen the disadvantage of
> not being able to make it to some infrequently held local Wiki-meetups. It
> also lends itself to the ease of adding a visiting 'trainer' who can create
> lively sessions of tips and tricks.
>

I believe this is exactly what the student clubs facilitate.[3]


Regards


Salmaan
User:Theo10011

[1]http://outreach.wikimedia.org/wiki/Public_Policy_Initiative
[2]http://outreach.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia_Ambassador_Program
[3]http://outreach.wikimedia.org/wiki/Student_Clubs
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Re: [Wikimediaindia-l] Advice & Help Sought: Potential Additions to the Community

[Vickram Crishna]

On Fri, Apr 29, 2011 at 5:32 PM, Hisham Mundol wrote:

> Hi All (cross-posting to make sure I reach as much of India as possible),
>
> As you're aware, we had invited applications for Campus Ambassadors for the
> upcoming Pune Pilot of the India Campus Program.
>
> The response has been fantastic: we've received ~500 applications/enquiries
> from across India, ~70 of which were from Pune.  This has been really
> heartening - indicating the desire of many to support the Wikimedia
> movement. It's also been overwhelming because we need to process all the
> applications, respond to applicants, etc.!
>

> I think, most critically, it also presents an amazing opportunity for us to
> introduce new people to Wikimedia projects (especially Wikipedia) - and
> invite them to join the community.I've interviewed quite a few and there
> is a recurring theme I hear from many of them.  It goes something like,
> "I've been using Wikipedia for years and years, and I love it.  I want to
> contribute back to it - but I wasn't sure how.  Then I saw the banner and
> decided this was a great way to help."  The overwhelming common trait I have
> noticed in the applicants is that they are bright, well-intentioned and
> eager to contribute.
>
>
I personally would like to see the nomenclature change: from 'campus
ambassadors' etc to 'Knowledge Facilitators', befitting by far two goals.
One is the democratisation of knowledge, core to this initiative, and the
other is the recognition of anyone of any age as a contributor (implicit in
Hisham's characterisation of 'no-one left behind').


>
> i) they could form student clubs in their respective educational
> establishments
> ii) they could form Wikipedia clubs in their workplaces/social groups (as a
> number of applicants are working professionals, and no longer on campus)
> iii) they could become individual editors
>

Each community, be it one based on educational establishments or any other,
could organise informal camps, which we could call wikiups, implying a
quickly put together 'camp', where a tiny group, 3 or 4 persons, could
collaborate on original contributions or editing. If such meetings could be
held on a weekly basis, then perhaps they could alternate between writing
and editing, to give each skill a good workout. I am emphasising the
importance of working in groups as a way forward from a concern expressed
some months back in our meeting in Mumbai, that many youngsters need a
helping hand to overcome the fear of failure - that translates into a
reluctance to take part - that is unfortunately instilled in much of our
school system.

Frequent regular meetings would also help build an impetus to attend some of
the additional work-focused suggestions, attending an 'Academy' session or
running 'incubation' programs. It would also lessen the disadvantage of not
being able to make it to some infrequently held local Wiki-meetups. It also
lends itself to the ease of adding a visiting 'trainer' who can create
lively sessions of tips and tricks.

>
>
>

-- 
Vickram
Fool On The Hill 
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[Wikimediaindia-l] Advice & Help Sought: Potential Additions to the Community

[Hisham Mundol]

Hi All (cross-posting to make sure I reach as much of India as possible),

As you're aware, we had invited applications for Campus Ambassadors for the 
upcoming Pune Pilot of the India Campus Program.

The response has been fantastic: we've received ~500 applications/enquiries 
from across India, ~70 of which were from Pune.  This has been really 
heartening - indicating the desire of many to support the Wikimedia movement. 
It's also been overwhelming because we need to process all the applications, 
respond to applicants, etc.!

I think, most critically, it also presents an amazing opportunity for us to 
introduce new people to Wikimedia projects (especially Wikipedia) - and invite 
them to join the community.I've interviewed quite a few and there is a 
recurring theme I hear from many of them.  It goes something like, "I've been 
using Wikipedia for years and years, and I love it.  I want to contribute back 
to it - but I wasn't sure how.  Then I saw the banner and decided this was a 
great way to help."  The overwhelming common trait I have noticed in the 
applicants is that they are bright, well-intentioned and eager to contribute.

Here are some thoughts I had, and I'd love to hear your suggestions/comments on 
these.

We should respond to every single applicant, and even to those who didn't 
actually apply but sent emails enquiries (such as "When is the program coming 
to my city?", etc.)  No one should be left behind.

We will prioritise (in terms of sequence of events) the Pune Campus 
Ambassadors.  We need to have a reasonable number available for a training 
session that we need to conduct before the start of the program.  Of the 70 who 
applied from Pune, we should hopefully get 20-30 Campus Ambassadors.
 
The important suggestion I had for everyone else (in Pune and beyond) is that 
we do not "reject" anyone.   While some might not become Campus Ambassadors 
because we don't plan to run the program in their towns/cities right now, or 
some in Pune might not currently have the desired experience (in teaching and 
people management), there is no reason that they can't participate in some 
other roles.  Therefore, I don't think we should send any "reject letters" to 
anyone.  No one should be left behind.   Instead, we should send them options 
on how they can participate/learn more about participating.  For example:-

i) they could form student clubs in their respective educational 
establishments
ii) they could form Wikipedia clubs in their workplaces/social groups 
(as a number of applicants are working professionals, and no longer on campus)
iii) they could become individual editors

For us to try and help realise their potential, here are some thoughts I had:-

i) Invite all the applicants/enquirers to attend the next community 
meet-ups.   This was a suggestion shared by the Pune community. This would give 
them a chance to interact with the community and understand more about the 
movement/projects.
ii) Additionally, those who have not been selected as Campus 
Ambassadors can be reassured by telling them that they can join an "incubation" 
program.  This was a suggestion shared by the Pune community.  This would 
involve them attending meet-ups, learning how to edit, starting to edit 
- and being supported and hand-held along the way by existing community 
members.  This would help them if they eventually wish to reapply as Campus 
Ambassadors.  Even if they choose not to, they could easily  become 
individual newbie editors.
iii) Invite all applicants/enquirers in a town/city to attend a 
full-fledged Wiki Academy.  This was a suggestion shared by the Mumbai 
community.  This is currently envisaged as a full day session where they are 
given insights into the movement & projects,taught how to edit, 
and actually edit articles.
iv) In towns/cities where a full-fledged Wiki Academy is not viable 
(e.g. if there aren't enough numbers of either participants or 
volunteers/volunteer time to run a Wiki Academy), then an alternative 
suggestion is to have a smaller group (3-5) of the applicants  /enquirers 
linked up with a community member who can conduct smaller, shorter groups to 
explain how to edit and hand-hold them as they edit.

I'd really like to hear your views/comments/suggestions on the ideas listed 
here.  

Also, do let me know which of you would like to volunteer either to help 
conduct Wiki Academies (point (iii) above) or to manage smaller groups of 
potential newbies (point (iv) above).  Also, it'd be great if we could invite 
them to your next meet-ups at your respective towns/cities (point (i) above).

Another aspect I'd like to get suggestions from you on is how to manage the 
process of inviting them to these events.  We could, for example, share the 
contacts of these applicants with the respective communities could reach out 
and invite them.  Alternatively, if you wish this to be