Re: [Wikimedia-l] Open letter: Issues needing addressing by the Wikimedia Foundation's Board of Trustees

Chris, It's good to read you here and on WW. I think you're raising legitimate points that others have also sought progress on. I would just suggest one thing. Right now the Wikimedia Foundation is going through an ED transition, impacting nearly 300 staff members most immediately. The Board's

Re: [Wikimedia-l] I am going to San Francisco

Cool. I think about [citation needed] all of the time when I am at work and we are expressing opinions. /a On Sat, Feb 27, 2016 at 7:37 PM, Chris Sherlock wrote: > > > On 28 Feb 2016, at 2:25 PM, Chris Sherlock > wrote: > > > > > >> On

Re: [Wikimedia-l] I am going to San Francisco

> On 28 Feb 2016, at 2:25 PM, Chris Sherlock wrote: > > >> On 28 Feb 2016, at 1:16 PM, Andreas Kolbe wrote: >> >> On Sat, Feb 27, 2016 at 8:44 PM, Anna Stillwell >> wrote: >> >>> Jimmy, >>> >>> I have a ridiculous

Re: [Wikimedia-l] I am going to San Francisco

J'habite au Canada et rien ni personne ne peux ou ne veux porter respect et compassion aucune Limite. Un monde assoiffé de vengeance, méchanceté aucune reconnaissance . Je suis véronique Michaud Only Bye Le 27 févr. 2016 2:37 PM, "phoebe ayers" a écrit : > On Sat, Feb 27,

[Wikimedia-l] Open letter: Issues needing addressing by the Wikimedia Foundation's Board of Trustees

Hello all, I have finally decided to subscribe to this mailing list, but I will endeavour to keep my monthly post limits down, as requested :-) == Who am I? == First, some background. My name is Chris Sherlock, and may be better known to some of you as Ta bu shi da yu (or Tbsdy lives) on

Re: [Wikimedia-l] I am going to San Francisco

Andreas, > It's important to understand that Jimmy Wales didn't accomplish the things you speak of alone. Yes, I'm aware of this. Perhaps I should have been more clear. I was pointing to the fact that Jimmy did not mess it up. I don't ever underestimate that. Jimmy could have not allowed that to

Re: [Wikimedia-l] The reinstatement of James Heilman

On 2/27/16 7:50 PM, James Heilman wrote: > Jimmy to clarify some of facts. It was I who reached out to Patricio to put > together a joint statement. > > We worked on it in a Google document that I started and as such I am the > own. We were unable to come to an agreement. Ok. I wasn't involved

[Wikimedia-l] The reinstatement of James Heilman

Jimmy to clarify some of facts. It was I who reached out to Patricio to put together a joint statement. We worked on it in a Google document that I started and as such I am the own. We were unable to come to an agreement. -- James Heilman MD, CCFP-EM, Wikipedian The Wikipedia Open Textbook of

Re: [Wikimedia-l] The reinstatement of James Heilman

On 2/27/16 5:28 PM, SarahSV wrote: > Doc James has asked Jimbo to release a 30 December 2015 email from Jimbo to > James, which explained the reasons for the removal. [1] It isn't primarily about reasons for the removal, and in fact only partly touches on that topic. It's primarily about why I

Re: [Wikimedia-l] I am going to San Francisco

On Sat, Feb 27, 2016 at 8:44 PM, Anna Stillwell wrote: > Jimmy, > > I have a ridiculous amount of respect for you and what you have > accomplished. I have watched from afar (I was living a lot in other > countries) as this radical experiment in trust *exploded* on to

Re: [Wikimedia-l] What it means to be a high-tech organization

Another thread thats digressed from its original question but right through the discussion not one person raised the concept that that the WMF is a charity (An organization, the objective of which is to carry out a charitable purpose) our purpose is to share the sum of all knowledge, think about

Re: [Wikimedia-l] The reinstatement of James Heilman

Doc James has asked Jimbo to release a 30 December 2015 email from Jimbo to James, which explained the reasons for the removal. [1] Apparently referring to James's removal, Jimbo has called for "full publication of the details." [2] Given that both parties have requested transparency, and that

Re: [Wikimedia-l] The reinstatement of James Heilman

Hello, Thanks for the contributions. I can imagine that it is reasonable * that the WMF Board deems it impossible to work together with a specific board member; * that the WMF Board deems it impossible to publish the reasons for the removal; * that the WMF Board calls the removed board member to

Re: [Wikimedia-l] I am going to San Francisco

On 2/26/16 9:17 PM, Fæ wrote: > I hope you will be able to address nagging concerns about your > personal support for keeping the search project a secret last year, Sure - I never supported keeping the proposed and approved work on Discovery and Search secret last year at all. I don't know of

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Transition plans for WMF leadership - Board Reform

On 2/25/16 2:14 AM, Craig Franklin wrote: > One could argue that any action that would injure the movement would also > injure the Foundation by definition. Denny is quite correct that trustees > have a legal obligation to put the Foundation before anything else, however > there's usually a fair

Re: [Wikimedia-l] I am going to San Francisco

On 2/27/16 12:15 AM, Brion Vibber wrote: > When it comes to your employees, setting the bozo bit is a *really* bad > antipattern. Doubly so when they're coming out of a bad situation and have > a lot to tell you. I completely agree with this - let me remind the context of my remark. For

Re: [Wikimedia-l] What should happen next? My 5 ideas

Keegan and Oliver (again), I've communicated a bit with Keegan off list, and I appreciate the feedback from both of you. I intended to say something conciliatory, I didn't put much thought into how I put it, and I achieved the opposite effect. I'm sorry. I should have known better. For whatever

Re: [Wikimedia-l] What it means to be a high-tech organization

On 27 February 2016 at 16:41, SarahSV wrote: > On Fri, Feb 26, 2016 at 6:49 PM, Florence Devouard > wrote: > > > I would love to see the WMF agree never again to discuss trapping editors > in feedback loops intended to keep them editing, > I've

Re: [Wikimedia-l] What it means to be a high-tech organization

On Fri, Feb 26, 2016 at 6:49 PM, Florence Devouard wrote: > Removing a COI is not the only issue at stake Sarah. > > Would WMF get involved into such a process, it would also possibly change > its legal reponsibility. Right now, WMF does not get involved in the > editorial

Re: [Wikimedia-l] I am going to San Francisco

Jimmy, I have a ridiculous amount of respect for you and what you have accomplished. I have watched from afar (I was living a lot in other countries) as this radical experiment in trust *exploded* on to the world. It blew my mind. And some of the early rules that were set were nothing short of

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Katy Love to direct WMF Resources team

On Sat, Feb 27, 2016 at 9:45 AM, Derek V.Giroulle < derekvgirou...@wikimedia.be> wrote: > I'm very sorry that Ruslan Takayev's message got through the moderation > IMHO his statement and remarks are not respectful > I strongly disagree, Derek. That would have been outright censorship. Ruslan

Re: [Wikimedia-l] I am going to San Francisco

"I don't think what Anna described requires "a build-out" of HR. What I am reading is a description of what HR should *already be*, and, crucially, *once used to be*." You're exactly right, Asaf. That's what I meant. Thank you for the clarification. /a On Sat, Feb 27, 2016 at 11:53 AM,

Re: [Wikimedia-l] I am going to San Francisco

I think that sounds like a good idea. Some extra, temporary support would be useful. But I worry about how reporting lines could lead to duplicative efforts and a lack of coherence. If we get the right humans in human resources and then we also have someone reporting to the ED... As an employee,

Re: [Wikimedia-l] I am going to San Francisco

On Sat, Feb 27, 2016 at 11:37 AM, phoebe ayers wrote: > On Sat, Feb 27, 2016 at 2:30 PM, Anna Stillwell > wrote: > > > Before adding another layer of process and reporting and complexity > > structurally, we should more likely try to renew the

Re: [Wikimedia-l] I am going to San Francisco

On Sat, Feb 27, 2016 at 2:30 PM, Anna Stillwell wrote: > Before adding another layer of process and reporting and complexity > structurally, we should more likely try to renew the heart of HR and allow > them to work with Legal in partnership as they had done so well

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Thoughts on WMF-Community dynamics

Chris and all, We need to define what communities we are talking about. I put together a page https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Volunteer_Management trying to define some of this. The references on the page are worth reading (I think the page and attached talk page are also Richard. On

Re: [Wikimedia-l] I am going to San Francisco

Phoebe, Thank you for your post and the shout out. And Oliver, I appreciate where you are coming from. Ideally, if HR functions properly (e.g., both legally protects the interests of the foundation AND caringly relates with employees as real human beings), then this role should already be

Re: [Wikimedia-l] I am going to San Francisco

On Sat, Feb 27, 2016 at 1:38 PM, phoebe ayers wrote: > On Sat, Feb 27, 2016 at 12:43 PM, Anna Stillwell > wrote: >> +1 to what Oliver and Vibber said. >> >> The situation is still delicate, Jimmy. >> >> Staff are being extremely kind to one

Re: [Wikimedia-l] The reinstatement of James Heilman

Hi all - Maria's appointment should be viewed as a replacement to that of Arnnon Geshuri. I like her, and I think she'd stand a fair chance in a community election, but she is not and cannot be described as a community selected trustee at present. It's perfectly possible for boards to have

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Crowdfunding campaign for User:Rehman

On Sat, Feb 27, 2016 at 9:05 AM, Azeez Abubakr wrote: > Hello everyone, > > Cross-posting User:Odder's message from Commons VP: > https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Village_pump#Crowdfunding_campaign_for_Rehman > >

Re: [Wikimedia-l] What kind of ED would you like to see?

The critical role of the head of an organization which nobody else can perform in the appointment , coordination, and retention of the senior staff who directly report to her. Everythign else listed can in principal at least be done by others. But in some organizations the Board also has a role

Re: [Wikimedia-l] I am going to San Francisco

On Sat, Feb 27, 2016 at 12:43 PM, Anna Stillwell wrote: > +1 to what Oliver and Vibber said. > > The situation is still delicate, Jimmy. > > Staff are being extremely kind to one another. I was blown away by the > respect and care that staff showed toward *the entire

Re: [Wikimedia-l] I am going to San Francisco

With all due respect to Lila's work, but IIRC before she started working for Foundation, it was said that the technology background was very important, but communication could be a problem. That may have been disregarded because the choice was already made or because volunteers complain about

[Wikimedia-l] Crowdfunding campaign for User:Rehman

Hello everyone, Cross-posting User:Odder's message from Commons VP: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Village_pump#Crowdfunding_campaign_for_Rehman Hi everyone, just as I did with the crowdfunding campaign for Jee, I think it important to let you know that a crowdfunding campaign is

Re: [Wikimedia-l] What it means to be a high-tech organization

I am appalled that anybody is seriously suggesting "paid editing" be institutionalized. The real issue to be addressed are the large number of trustees, staff, Arbcom members, and administrators who are undisclosed paid editors and who ensure that uninterested editors are driven away. What do

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Katy Love to direct WMF Resources team

Congratulations to Katy, welcome to your new assignment. I'm very sorry that Ruslan Takayev's message got through the moderation IMHO his statement and remarks are not respectful it was essential to have someone appointed to fill Siko's position quickly an obviously quickly often means

Re: [Wikimedia-l] What it means to be a high-tech organization

Florence, can you explain to me the actual risk the foundation would be exposed to if ir got involved in editorial decisions, please? Perhaps some hypothetical examples would help. Anthony Cole On Sat, Feb 27, 2016 at 9:49 AM, Florence Devouard wrote: > Le 27/02/16

[Wikimedia-l] NY Times on Google team dynamics/success research

Relevant to the discussion on Foundation issues... The NY Times reports on Google's research into what made some teams succeed and some fail. Short answer: Team norms to respect the individual members, for everyone to get a chance to talk and contribute and be heard.

Re: [Wikimedia-l] I am going to San Francisco

+1 to what Oliver and Vibber said. The situation is still delicate, Jimmy. Staff are being extremely kind to one another. I was blown away by the respect and care that staff showed toward *the entire situation yesterday *when we met as a group*.* We were mature, measured, civil, reasonable and

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Siko's message, and the importance of shared values

Hello, On 13 February 2016 at 13:50, Pete Forsyth wrote: > > I am sure Siko chose all her words carefully, and I encourage anyone who > hasn't to read and consider her message carefully.[1] But for now, I'll > limit my comments to the sentence quoted above -- and

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Katy Love to direct WMF Resources team

Congratulations Katy! -Hasive WMBD On Saturday, 27 February 2016, Nicole Ebber wrote: > Congratulations, Katy! That's an excellent choice, indeed. Thank you > for all the support, exchange, and fun throughout the last couple of > years. We are looking forward to

Re: [Wikimedia-l] The reinstatement of James Heilman

I am willing to return to my seat on the board and continue to push for greater transparency and improved WMF / community relations. Otherwise I plan to run in the next community (s)election. Lila's stepping down is an important first step towards putting the WMF back together again and I would

[Wikimedia-l] Thoughts on WMF-Community dynamics

I've put some of my thoughts about the dynamics of the WMF-Community relationship into an essay on Meta, entitled "Why do They always get It wrong?" I thought I'd share it here. Hope it's useful! https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:The_Land/Why_do_They_always_do_It_wrong (It's not specifically

Re: [Wikimedia-l] I am going to San Francisco

Well, Jimmy Wales has said here in this discussion that he is "continuing to push for more disclosure and more openness." Maybe he'll be so kind as to tell you now that you can publish that NDA here on this list without fear of repercussions. I think we all agree that kind of fear should have no

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Katy Love to direct WMF Resources team

Congratulations, Katy! That's an excellent choice, indeed. Thank you for all the support, exchange, and fun throughout the last couple of years. We are looking forward to working with you in the years ahead. Regards from Berlin, Nicole On 26 February 2016 at 00:02, Maggie Dennis

Re: [Wikimedia-l] The reinstatement of James Heilman (Olatunde Isaac)

Personally, i'm not sure if James would like to be reinstated but I think the involuntarily removal of a community elected member without community consultation is barbaric and unethical. However. In my perception, I believe Maria Sefidari's appointment is "interim", perhaps for a fresh

Re: [Wikimedia-l] I am going to San Francisco

Dear Brion, your comments in this thread were wonderfully clear. Thank you. On Feb 26, 2016 8:15 PM, "Brion Vibber" wrote: > Just a quick note: > > * some of the big staff conversations are indeed being very carefully > note-taken or recorded internally. We are being very

Re: [Wikimedia-l] What kind of ED would you like to see?

This is wonderful, I want a ED with following attributes: 1. Someone that is grounded in global politics ‎as it affects the operations of the movement.  2. Some that has grown within the rank and file of the Wikimedia foundation . 3. ‎Someone that is strategic in implementation of policies  4.

Re: [Wikimedia-l] I am going to San Francisco

Anthony has hit the nail on the head here with "could be used to punish or intimidate staff"; the reason I, at least, am uncomfortable talking about the internal details here (beyond the obvious PR elements for the Foundation) is that there's a lot of ongoing fear about repercussions. A couple of

Re: [Wikimedia-l] The reinstatement of James Heilman

Yes, we are in agreement. Maria is an 'Appointed Trustee', not a 'Community Selected Trustee'. So the number of 'Appointed Trustees' went up by one, the number of 'Community Selected Trustees' went down by one. For political convenience, the WMF board is spinning her seat on the board as if she

Re: [Wikimedia-l] The reinstatement of James Heilman

It may be that at this point, reinstating James would not be a terribly feasible idea, even if it is a nice thought. And, well, it's a volunteer position. I wouldn't blame him at all if he's no longer even willing to serve in that role. I think, however, that the suggestions that have been put

Re: [Wikimedia-l] The reinstatement of James Heilman

Patricio's email on the topic makes it quite clear that María was appointed to the seat vacated by James Heilman: https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimedia-l/2016-January/081540.html And, as we are all aware, James was himself appointed as the result of an election. Unless the relevant

Re: [Wikimedia-l] The reinstatement of James Heilman

On 27 February 2016 at 11:33, Craig Franklin wrote: > While it's nice to think that everyone might be able to kiss and make up, > the trustees (particularly Jimmy) and James have been mauling each other > politely in public for the best part of two months. I don't

Re: [Wikimedia-l] I am going to San Francisco

It's not just NDAs that constrain you, staff. The WMF code of conduct (that applies to staff and trustees) reads, "People acting on the Foundation’s behalf must respect and maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information they

Re: [Wikimedia-l] The reinstatement of James Heilman

While it's nice to think that everyone might be able to kiss and make up, the trustees (particularly Jimmy) and James have been mauling each other politely in public for the best part of two months. I don't think it's realistic to expect that everything can just go back to the way it was, and

Re: [Wikimedia-l] I am going to San Francisco

On Fri, Feb 26, 2016 at 11:17 PM, Pine W wrote: > Something that I would like to understand is why so much WMF information is > cloaked under NDAs. It seems to me that this is philosophically at odds > with the values of the community, makes for poor governance, and provides

Re: [Wikimedia-l] I am going to San Francisco

Can we see your NDA please, Oliver? Anthony Cole On Sat, Feb 27, 2016 at 3:17 PM, Pine W wrote: > Something that I would like to understand is why so much WMF information is > cloaked under NDAs. It seems to me that this is philosophically at odds > with the values of the

Re: [Wikimedia-l] The reinstatement of James Heilman

Reinstatement *now* would be an extra drama. The board must simply be ready to see him "selected" again by the community. Those events opened almost every door and every window of our ecosystem: focusing our attention on "names" is a waste of time now. Now it's time to focus on strategy,

Re: [Wikimedia-l] The reinstatement of James Heilman

If the board can not back up Jimmy's assertion he has removed for cause, I am pretty confident the community will 'select' James again, just as soon as they are given an opportunity. -- John Vandenberg ___ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at:

Re: [Wikimedia-l] What kind of ED would you like to see?

Balázs Viczián, regarding "First as interim (as a 'probation period') then if the staff feedback meets the pre-agreed satisfaction level on agreed key areas, as permanent." Well, staff feedback and after independent, critical assessment from each board member. Earlier in this thread, I think,

Re: [Wikimedia-l] What kind of ED would you like to see?

This is wonderful, I want a ED with following attributes: 1. Someone that is grounded in global politics ‎as it affects the operations of the movement.  2. Some that has grown within the rank and file of the Wikimedia foundation . 3. ‎Someone that is strategic in implementation of policies  4.

Re: [Wikimedia-l] What kind of ED would you like to see?

Hi all, reading all the above, my 2 cents would be: Internal promotion (in a broader sense: a current or ex-employee or someone 'close and experienced enough'). First as interim (as a 'probation period') then if the staff feedback meets the pre-agreed satisfaction level on agreed key areas, as