[Wikimedia-l] See you around...
Dear fellow Wikimedians, I came to Wikimedia 3.5 years ago to build our global advocacy profile, transform our legal team to further support the Foundation’s global ambitions, partner with the Board to reform its Governance practices, and ensure that the Foundation was ready to meet regulatory requirements arising across the world. I am very proud of how much of this has been accomplished, even in the midst of significant organizational change and transition. When Maryana joined in January, I began a long-term conversation with her about how I could set her up for success as our new CEO, while also identifying a capable successor for the General Counsel role. We have been working on this plan together for the past year so that I could oversee a robust succession plan while also planning ahead for more time to begin exploring my next adventure. As you know, we appointed Stephen LaPorte as Deputy General Counsel in July. He will succeed me as the Foundation’s next General Counsel on February 1, 2023. I am so excited about the chapter ahead for all of us, and for the role that Wikimedia has to play in advancing the mission of free knowledge and open access across the world. When I reflect back on my time at the Foundation, I am proud of so many things: - In late 2020, I was asked by the Board of Trustees to provide leadership at a critical time for the organization and to help us navigate our path forward. This period for the transition team was rewarding and challenging, but it certainly took its toll! - Growing our global advocacy team from a mention in the medium-term plan into a small and very mighty team. - We commissioned the first Human rights impact assessment, developed a Human Rights policy & responded to several situations with real-world implications. - Numerous Litigation fights and victories. - Supporting the board of trustees in their own journey to optimize their governance of the Foundation. It has been an honor to serve and lead our amazing Legal team. Though my role will shift, I will continue to be a Wikimedian, cheering the movement on toward future success because the world needs us now more than ever! In solidarity, Amanda (she/they) General Counsel, Wikimedia Foundation -- Amanda Keton (she/they) General Counsel Wikimedia Foundation <https://wikimediafoundation.org/> *NOTICE: This message may be confidential or legally privileged. If you have received it by accident, please delete it and let us know about the mistake. As an attorney for the Wikimedia Foundation, for legal and ethical reasons, I cannot give legal advice to, or serve as a lawyer for, community members, volunteers, or staff members in their personal capacity. For more on what this means, please see our legal disclaimer <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Legal_Disclaimer>.* ___ Wikimedia-l mailing list -- wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l Public archives at https://lists.wikimedia.org/hyperkitty/list/wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org/message/MGZ54OOEQWTURBGZ7PGR65BQYSQ7DHGL/ To unsubscribe send an email to wikimedia-l-le...@lists.wikimedia.org
[Wikimedia-l] Feedback requested on draft updated Wikimedia Foundation Conflict of Interest Policy
Hi all, The Wikimedia Foundation legal team has posted a draft of an updated conflict of interest policy on Meta-Wiki: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Conflict_of_interest_policy/2021_updates We are collecting feedback on the policy for the next three weeks: today until 22 November. The updated policy will replace the current Conflict of Interest Policy for Board Members, Officers, Executives, and Key Employees.[1] Note: This is not related to any policies or issues regarding paid/conflict of interest editing of the projects. It is about conflicts of interest that may arise in connection with an individual’s executive or Board role at the Foundation. In preparing the updated policy, we consulted model conflict of interest policies, guidance regarding best practices for conflict of interest policies, outside legal experts on non-profit governance, and the points raised in the community discussion on conflicts of interest earlier this year.[2] We invite you to review the draft policy and leave any feedback you have on the talk page. In particular, we are interested in identifying any aspects of the policy where the language or procedure is not clear. We also want to know if there are any gaps in the policy: are there any conflict of interest situations that cause you concern and that the policy does not seem to cover? The Governance Committee of the Board of Trustees has reviewed the draft policy, and will review it again following the feedback period. It will then go before the full Board to be approved and adopted. Thank you to anyone who takes the time to read the draft policy. Please leave your feedback on the talk page[3] so that we can best review and respond to it in an organized manner. In solidarity and with gratitude, Amanda Amanda Keton She/They General Counsel and Transition Team Member Wikimedia Foundation [1] https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Conflict_of_interest_policy [2] https://lists.wikimedia.org/hyperkitty/list/wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org/thread/PFOBFWCBFACRGY3OMXAQG54ALPXGT3K3/#4WUO2JZ2ZXOGQR2A6TRPW457NRCQNVZ5 [3] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Talk:Conflict_of_interest_policy/2021_updates -- Amanda Keton (she/they) General Counsel Wikimedia Foundation <https://wikimediafoundation.org/> *NOTICE: This message may be confidential or legally privileged. If you have received it by accident, please delete it and let us know about the mistake. As an attorney for the Wikimedia Foundation, for legal and ethical reasons, I cannot give legal advice to, or serve as a lawyer for, community members, volunteers, or staff members in their personal capacity. For more on what this means, please see our legal disclaimer <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Legal_Disclaimer>.* ___ Wikimedia-l mailing list -- wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l Public archives at https://lists.wikimedia.org/hyperkitty/list/wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org/message/74HZQXT6MKFDCCWOZWBIETPVXXQEAAN3/ To unsubscribe send an email to wikimedia-l-le...@lists.wikimedia.org
[Wikimedia-l] Re: Wikimedia-l Digest, Vol 213, Issue 5
Pavel, Thank you for this. I couldn’t agree more that María deserves our respect and support for all she’s given. Speaking personally, I have found working with her since coming to the Foundation a wonderful experience, and that includes the grace with which she handled this very challenging experience. I have apologized and do apologize, and I continue to stand in awe of her as a strong leader. I know I’m not alone in holding her in such high regard. Thank you for inviting me to be as clear as possible in my appreciation for, reverence for, and apology to María! Sincerely, Amanda On Thu, Jul 1, 2021 at 6:04 AM wrote: > Send Wikimedia-l mailing list submissions to > wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org > > To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit > > https://lists.wikimedia.org/postorius/lists/wikimedia-l.lists.wikimedia.org/ > > You can reach the person managing the list at > wikimedia-l-ow...@lists.wikimedia.org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Wikimedia-l digest..." > > Today's Topics: > >1. Wikimania 2021 - Language Approach Update (Winnie kabintie) >2. Re: Welcoming María Sefidari as a Foundation consultant. :) > (m...@pavelrichter.de) > > > -- > > Message: 1 > Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 08:49:12 +0300 > From: Winnie kabintie > Subject: [Wikimedia-l] Wikimania 2021 - Language Approach Update > To: Wikimedia Mailing List > Message-ID: > < > cak-npu3fsy0g4hdhh+am6tb2qz+d-32c-4oy9ozrzoq8any...@mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: multipart/alternative; > boundary="ada1f305c6096725" > > Dear Community Members, > > We are once again pleased to share a great update on Wikimania 2021 > regarding language support. With the new changes, speakers will not need to > provide an English transcription for their pre-recorded sessions if they > would not be in English as we had communicated in our previously announced > language approach > < > https://diff.wikimedia.org/2021/05/21/making-wikimania-2021-inclusive-and-accessible-our-language-and-timezone-approach/ > > > . > > Please Read More about our revised language Approach HERE > < > https://diff.wikimedia.org/2021/06/29/wikimania-2021-update-to-our-language-approach/ > > > . > > We are grateful to everyone that joined our COT office Hours and shared > ideas that informed this new language Approach. > > > https://diff.wikimedia.org/2021/06/29/wikimania-2021-update-to-our-language-approach/ > > Best Wishes, > > Winnie Kabintie (User:Ms_Kabintie > <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Ms_Kabintie>), on behalf of the > Wikimania 2021 Core Organizing Team. > -- next part -- > A message part incompatible with plain text digests has been removed ... > Name: not available > Type: text/html > Size: 5556 bytes > Desc: not available > > -- > > Message: 2 > Date: Thu, 01 Jul 2021 08:47:43 - > From: m...@pavelrichter.de > Subject: [Wikimedia-l] Re: Welcoming María Sefidari as a Foundation > consultant. :) > To: wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org > Message-ID: > <162512926305.9076.11232336040091535...@lists1001.wikimedia.org> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > Dear Amanda, > > Thank you for this quick and holistic response. I am sure that settles the > matter and helps the movement to avoid future misunderstandings like these. > > The real victim here is Maria, of course. She has invested a tremendous > amount of time, energy and knowledge into steering the WMF Board for many, > many years. She has contributed so much to our movement as a volunteer - > she does not deserve this stain on her reputation. And I sincerely hope > that people within the WMF have apologized to Maria for bringing her into > this impossible situation. > > Cheers, > > Pavel > > -- > > Subject: Digest Footer > > ___ > Wikimedia-l mailing list -- wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org, guidelines > at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and > https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l > Public archives at $hyperkitty_url > To unsubscribe send an email to wikimedia-l-le...@lists.wikimedia.org > > > -- > > End of Wikimedia-l Digest, Vol 213, Issue 5 > *** > -- Amanda Keton (she/her) General Counsel Wikimedia Foundation <https://wikimediafoundation.org/> *NOTICE: This mes
[Wikimedia-l] Re: Welcoming María Sefidari as a Foundation consultant. :)
Hello, all. Thank you to everyone who attended the office hour at 15:00 UTC 29 June 2021.[1] We’ll be posting the notes in the next few days, including answers to a few questions we couldn’t answer in the allotted time. As promised, I wanted to follow up with next steps. María’s contract. Following my discussion with María after the office hour, we have mutually agreed to end the contract as of 16 July 2021. María has graciously agreed to finish and document the assignments she has already started and cover for staff on holiday until this date. She will not start any new work. Conflict of Interest Policy. We will review, update and post an updated Conflict of Interest policy by 30 September 2021 for community review and discussion before ultimate approval by the Board. The updated policy will include a consideration of “cooling off periods.” Affiliate Grant Agreements. We had already planned to review and update our grant agreements, and we will ensure that those updates incorporate up-to-date affiliate governance guidance. We will share updated grant agreement templates for community review and comment by 31 January 2022. Prioritization reassessment and Additional Resources. We will reassess our plans and priorities in light of these changes in direction and commitments. Given the termination period mentioned above, we will conduct this reassessment in the second half of July, when we return from a Foundation-wide break (5-9 July 2021). It is likely we will reassign internal staff and/or seek additional staff capacity. We will post any job listings publicly as part of the hiring process. I appreciate all of you who raised important considerations in these conversations. I continue to hope that we can learn and grow from these moments together. I deeply believe that we must unite to push against the forces that are working against our mission and that we are stronger together. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share how this happened, seek your input, and change course. In solidarity and with gratitude, Amanda Amanda Keton She/her/hers General Counsel and Transition Team Member Wikimedia Foundation ___ Wikimedia-l mailing list -- wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l Public archives at https://lists.wikimedia.org/hyperkitty/list/wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org/message/4WUO2JZ2ZXOGQR2A6TRPW457NRCQNVZ5/ To unsubscribe send an email to wikimedia-l-le...@lists.wikimedia.org
[Wikimedia-l] Welcome back, Turkey
Hi everyone, My name is Amanda Keton, the new General Counsel at the Wikimedia Foundation. While Katherine is inflight traveling back from a busy week of community meetings in Chile, I wanted to share the exciting news that today, we have started to receive reports that the block of Wikipedia in Turkey is being lifted, data which is also indicated by our internal traffic reports. After more than two and a half years, access to Wikipedia has been restored in Turkey - and on a timely occasion, as we celebrate Wikipedia’s 19th birthday today! Please join me in welcoming back our friends and colleagues from Turkey. While many have remained active during the block, restoring access to Wikipedia will allow thousands more to return in the days and weeks ahead. It is our shared responsibility and honor to help make them feel welcome again and make sure they know how much we missed them. I am confident that our community will successfully welcome them back with open arms. I know we have community members around the world who have been eagerly looking forward to the block being lifted and brainstorming activities to celebrate, and I welcome them to share their ideas as we move forward. Our case in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) is also still pending, and remains important even in light of the unblock as a way to continue advocating for strong protections for free expression online. We will continue to post updates about the next steps in our case before the ECHR on the Wikimedia Foundation website. We have also published a statement to reflect that access has now been restored in Turkey. [1] Thank you all for your efforts, kind words, and encouraging thoughts as we worked to restore access to Wikipedia in Turkey. I want to thank our Turkish community, in particular, for their patience, resolution, and continued participation in the movement during the more than two and a half years Wikipedia was inaccessible. This was a prolonged global effort, on behalf of free knowledge everywhere. Of course, there are other blocks around the world still in place, and our efforts in addressing this type of censorship of knowledge is far from over. That said, I hope all of you will celebrate this momentous accomplishment for free knowledge today and join me in welcoming back the people of Turkey to our projects, movement, and community. With gratitude, Amanda [1] https://wikimediafoundation.org/news/2020/01/16/access-to-wikipedia-restored-in-turkey-after-more-than-two-and-a-half-years/ -- Amanda Keton (she/her) General Counsel Wikimedia Foundation <https://wikimediafoundation.org/> *NOTICE: This message may be confidential or legally privileged. If you have received it by accident, please delete it and let us know about the mistake. As an attorney for the Wikimedia Foundation, for legal and ethical reasons, I cannot give legal advice to, or serve as a lawyer for, community members, volunteers, or staff members in their personal capacity. For more on what this means, please see our legal disclaimer <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Legal_Disclaimer>.* ___ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, <mailto:wikimedia-l-requ...@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe>
