Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

> > On 3/9/16 2:29 PM, MZMcBride wrote: > > The Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees oversees the foundation and > > appoints its Executive Director. It seems very worrying that this body > has > > now admitted that it's so out-of-touch with the workings of the > > organization that it

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

On 3/9/16 2:29 PM, MZMcBride wrote: > The Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees oversees the foundation and > appoints its Executive Director. It seems very worrying that this body has > now admitted that it's so out-of-touch with the workings of the > organization that it ostensibly manages that

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

And another is the reigning world champion in Nomic... On Mar 9, 2016 11:19 AM, "Gordon Joly" wrote: > On 09/03/16 15:00, WereSpielChequers wrote: > > With Computers coming down in price and Artificial Intelligence programs > > steadily improving > > Yes, indeed. A machine

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

Don't be so hasty to rule out Donald. With Computers coming down in price and Artificial Intelligence programs steadily improving it should be perfectly possible to train an AI program with the decision making power needed to make CEO style decisions; Remember Chess has long had better computer

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

Gergő Tisza wrote: >On Sat, Mar 5, 2016 at 7:54 AM, MZMcBride wrote: >> Removing a roof without also having a plan for an interim roof is a >>really amateur mistake. > >Not really if the roof was radioactive, and on fire. The roof didn't blow off in a storm; it was

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

Jimmy Wales wrote: >On 3/5/16 3:07 AM, MZMcBride wrote: >> I don't see it as a sign of strength to abdicate your responsibility in >> this way. > >There are at least two things I disagree with about this remark - one >that seeking the advice and participation and buy-in of those best >placed to

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

On 3/5/16 3:07 AM, MZMcBride wrote: > I don't see it as a sign of strength to abdicate your responsibility in > this way. There are at least two things I disagree with about this remark - one that seeking the advice and participation and buy-in of those best placed to give it is in some way

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

On 3/5/16 8:28 AM, Chris Sherlock wrote: >> In it's decision making capacity, the Board should: >> >> * Select, evaluate and (if necessary) remove the Executive Director; > > Whilst I'm sure that C-level managers are up to the task, that's rather > abrogating the responsibility of the Board.

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

On 05/03/16 19:45, Gordon Joly wrote: > On 05/03/16 16:49, Gerard Meijssen wrote: >> Arguably, the employees have a bigger stake in the Wikimedia Foundation, >> they are not even represented. > > > Then they should unionise? > > Gordo Following the arguments that unions would would not fit,

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

Hey Lodewijk, I'm definetly talking about the legal concept of a union yeah (which triggers a lot of legal protections which, at least in the US, are somewhat assumed when people talk about organizing internally). I do think there are other options (both formal and informal) which is what I was

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

On Sat, Mar 5, 2016 at 7:54 AM, MZMcBride wrote: > Removing a roof without also having a plan for an interim roof is a really amateur mistake. Not really if the roof was radioactive, and on fire. It is entirely a matter of priorities - is it more urgent to fix a situation

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

Hi James, just to understand correctly: are you talking only about the legal concept of a 'union' or also about all informal structures where the wmf staff could somehow influence how things go? I mean for example, I could imagine that in an organisation with more than 100 people, a

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

A traditional union is also difficult, honestly, because of the nature of the WMF as an incredibly global organization. We are a huge mix of staff in SF from the US, staff in SF on Visas (I don't know if this matters), Full Time Equivalent contractors outside the US (and numerous different ways to

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

Hoi, That would not be a bad idea in and of itself. However, the kind of troubles are not necessarily the kind where a Union has its experience. Thanks, GerardM On 5 March 2016 at 20:45, Gordon Joly wrote: > On 05/03/16 16:49, Gerard Meijssen wrote: > > Arguably, the

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

On 05/03/16 16:49, Gerard Meijssen wrote: > Arguably, the employees have a bigger stake in the Wikimedia Foundation, > they are not even represented. Then they should unionise? Gordo ___ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at:

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

We have three C levels who have been around for some time, Lisa, Katherine, and Geoff. I imagine that either one of them will step up and take on the role or a sharing agreement between a few of them will be suggested. I see either of those options as perfectly reasonable. We have had a recent

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

Hoi, There is one big hole in this comparison. We are a movement, the Foundation is the material part of it. It is responsible for all kinds of everything but we, as a community do not pay for a roof over our head. We are represented on the WMF board. That is it. Arguably, the employees have a

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

Brion Vibber wrote: >There's less weakness in admitting a failure honestly, retreating and >regrouping, than in powering through when knowing oneself unprepared. After months of complaints from tenants and from a few neighbors, the landlord of a large building decides to replace the roof of the

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

I second Delphines praise. I am also very glad to see that this being the fourth major decision taken by the Board this year (outing of James was done last year...) , and that they all have been very good and balanced. And even if valid wishes for quicker decisions is raised, I myself

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

Thank you Alice. I find this move pretty bold and welcome it, it renew with an old tradition ;) Also many thnaks for sharing with us these kind of developments. Cheers, Delphine On Sat, Mar 5, 2016 at 3:14 AM, Alice Wiegand wrote: > Hi all, > short update, as announced

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

On 5 March 2016 at 08:28, Chris Sherlock wrote: >> In it's decision making capacity, the Board should: >> >> * Select, evaluate and (if necessary) remove the Executive Director; > > Whilst I'm sure that C-level managers are up to the task, that's rather > abrogating

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

Sent from my iPhone > On 5 Mar 2016, at 1:14 PM, Alice Wiegand wrote: > > Hi all, > short update, as announced by Patricio: > > Our organization needs stability, it needs a chance to rest for a moment and > to move on with the things that matter at the same time.

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

On 5 March 2016 at 03:21, Brion Vibber wrote: > There's less weakness in admitting a failure honestly, retreating and > regrouping, than in powering through when knowing oneself unprepared. Fallacy of the excluded middle. In any case that doesn't change the fundamental

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

Thank you, Alice, for the update. As you say, the the C-level staff are in a good position to develop a transition plan based on their well informed knowledge of the organization. I'm looking forward to hearing their recommendation and the Boards announcement. Everyone have a great weekend.

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

Alice, thanks for the update. I'm broadly hopeful; delegating with your staff's C level team is an excellent step I very much like to see happening. I would very much like to make sure that communications lines open further between the board and their C levels and below, and that those continue

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

As much as I agree Geoff would probably do a wonderful job, I'm not sure that as a movement we want him away from the excellent job he's doing in the Legal team for too long. Call me cynical, but I expect that the term of the interim ED will turn out to be lengthy. Any number of people would

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

There's less weakness in admitting a failure honestly, retreating and regrouping, than in powering through when knowing oneself unprepared. -- brion On Mar 4, 2016 7:07 PM, "MZMcBride" wrote: > Alice Wiegand wrote: > >We know that our C-level team is doing a great job in

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

Alice Wiegand wrote: >We know that our C-level team is doing a great job in managing the >day-to-day-operations and they all have a deep understandning of our >culture, challenges and needs. Who, if not them, knows better what is best >for the organization in this moment. The Board is not best

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

Thank you Alice I support that as a reasonable way forwards. Agree we have some great C-levels. James On Fri, Mar 4, 2016 at 7:14 PM, Alice Wiegand wrote: > Hi all, > short update, as announced by Patricio: > > Our organization needs stability, it needs a chance to

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

Hi all, short update, as announced by Patricio: Our organization needs stability, it needs a chance to rest for a moment and to move on with the things that matter at the same time. That’s why the Board is aiming for a quick decision about the interim ED. If you want to make a difference you

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

In order to avoid misunderstandings, would you please clarify what you mean with "fully vetted"? This term can mean so many different things, and I want to make sure. On Feb 26, 2016 05:32, "Comet styles" wrote: > I was banned on this mailing list last month for pointing

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

I was banned on this mailing list last month for pointing out Lila's incompetency as a leader..I just hope the next ED we have is fully vetted before they are selected and I'm really hoping that we get someone with a "wikipedia" background for a change.. Why don't we hire someone who know the

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

There will be an AllHands staff discussion about recent events tomorrow, per Katherine Maher on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/wikipediaweekly/permalink/963758547005310/?comment_id=963762980338200_comment_id=963831903664641_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R3%22%7D Anthony Cole On Fri, Feb

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

2016-02-25 12:19 GMT-08:00 Gayle Karen Young : > I know this isn't easy - not on the Board, not on the senior staff, not on > the staff, and not on Lila. > I'm so sorry and sad for all of us where this has come to, and there is an > enormous amount of goodwill and skill in

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

I wanted to explicitly state that a number of us are reading intensively many of the ideas suggested in a diversity of channels, including this mailing list. We are hearing you. We cannot reply to all of them, as we simply lack the bandwidth. But we are listening. Thank you for your passion.

[Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

> > > I know this isn't easy - not on the Board, not on the senior staff, not on > the staff, and not on Lila. > I'm so sorry and sad for all of us where this has come to, and there is an > enormous amount of goodwill and skill in supporting the board in moving > forward and doing the thorough

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

I know this isn't easy - not on the Board, not on the senior staff, not on the staff, and not on Lila. I'm so sorry and sad for all of us where this has come to, and there is an enormous amount of goodwill and skill in supporting the board in moving forward and doing the thorough planning it needs

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

Patricio, thanks for the update. I appreciate you and Lila informing the wikimedia movement now, before all of the details of the transition plan are complete. As the BoT works on a transition strategy and plans for hiring a new ED, perhaps a member of the Board can take on the role of Chief

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

Patricio, thanks for the update and thanks for all of your thoughtful consideration and work on this issue. I know it's been a stressful time for everyone. I've left a note on the talk page, just want to make sure we capture the notion that existing staff leadership such as team leads and middle

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

W dniu 2016-02-25 o 20:01, Brad Patrick pisze: Best of luck to the Board moving forward with this process. You have a lot of work ahead. Brad I am keeping my fingers crossed for the Board, in the time to come their decisions will certainly have impact on the wiki-world. Also, I am keeping

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

+ 1 Brad. And I would like to say thank you Lila for your efforts and best of luck for the future. Flo Le 25/02/16 20:01, Brad Patrick a écrit : Best of luck to the Board moving forward with this process. You have a lot of work ahead. Brad On Feb 25, 2016, at 1:50 PM, Patricio Lorente

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

Best of luck to the Board moving forward with this process. You have a lot of work ahead. Brad On Thursday, February 25, 2016, Patricio Lorente wrote: > Dear friends, > > This week, the Board of Trustees accepted Lila’s resignation. Her last day > will be March 31,

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] Executive transition planning

Best of luck to the Board moving forward with this process. You have a lot of work ahead. Brad > On Feb 25, 2016, at 1:50 PM, Patricio Lorente > wrote: > > Dear friends, > > This week, the Board of Trustees accepted Lila’s resignation. Her last day > will be