Hello all, While preparing the report for the last Wikimedia Conference (which we will publish on Friday), Daniela Gentner, our logistics coordinator, has written a detailed learning pattern about how to support participants in getting a (German) Schengen visa for the Wikimedia Conference. While it is certainly focused on German processes, many steps and tips are applicable by any organizer in any country.
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Learning_patterns/Timing,_Communication,_Preparation:_How_to_support_your_event_participants_in_the_best_way_to_get_a_Schengen_Visa Maybe this is could be a good start to collect resources and material around this topic for future events. Happy reading & sharing, Cornelius On 27 June 2017 at 02:49, Pine W <[email protected]> wrote: > The creation of one or more learning patterns could be good here. Please > see https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Learning_patterns. > > Pine > > > On Sun, Jun 25, 2017 at 11:07 AM, Ellie Young <[email protected]> > wrote: > >> I think the centralized place on meta is a great idea so we could put >> tips, samples, and maybe even an 'advice line' for people who might be able >> to help someone in a particular region. If someone wants to start this >> I'd be happy to add, edit, etc. >> >> Ellie >> >> >> On Sat, Jun 24, 2017 at 5:47 AM, Amir Ladsgroup <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> >>> As a person who missed three events because of rejection of visa (one >>> Wikimania, one Wikimedia Hackathon, one WikiArabia) and missed two other >>> because couldn't event get an appointment with the embassy (DevSummits) I >>> want to share my experience here. There is three parties involved in this >>> case: >>> >>> - Participants: >>> -- If you are going to another country that has strict visa rules, you >>> should be prepared and know what can go wrong. Usually make a group of >>> people who are more experienced in Wikimedia events and ask them for help. >>> This helped me in some events to get visa without trouble. One case I >>> remember was when the invitation letter was from WMF and not the local >>> chapter. It caused rejection of visa before me and once I knew it, I fixed >>> it. >>> -- Be prepared for other options. For example, for Esino Lario one of >>> my friends missed the event because he couldn't get appointment with the >>> embassy, when I knew this is a problem, I tried the German embassy and got >>> the visa ready in time. (Per Schengen laws, you need to make requests to >>> the country you will stay the most, so I stayed in Germany for 11 days and >>> Italy for 8 days to make things legal) >>> -- If you have an interview to justify your visa, definitely mention >>> Wikipedia. People don't know what WMF is but all know Wikipedia and have >>> positive feelings. >>> -- I know it's hard but let go sometimes: I decided not to go at this >>> year's Wikimania just because the visa process is horrible and I need to >>> travel to Turkey at least twice. Even though I know I miss a great event >>> but let's hope to meet them soon. >>> >>> -WMF: >>> -- I know WMF is busy but I mentioned this several times to legal, >>> support and safety and some other teams. People like me have problem going >>> to events and there should be support for them. Two things were always said >>> and I don't know why it's not being done, 1- Prepare a centralized place >>> (probably in meta) so people share experience to help newbies to get visa >>> documents right. I have seen lots of problems in the documents my friends >>> need to prepare for the visa and helped them to get it right before it gets >>> rejected but I had to meet them in person and it's an exclusive club of >>> people I know. I want to open this knowledge to others. >>> -- The other option I always mentioning is support for getting one >>> multiple entries visa instead of getting one visa for each event, This is >>> very true for European events. This would make life of lots of people way >>> easier. >>> >>> Local chapters: >>> -- When there is a Wikimania, a local chapter will be handling process >>> of visa for lots of countries with different issues. Sometimes they handle >>> it perfectly and other problems might be the reason for rejection but >>> sometimes I need to come back to them and ask for more documents which >>> increases the chance of rejection or visa not being issued in time. They >>> usually consult with an immigration lawyer before the process, this needs >>> to be increased and WMF needs to make sure these consults happen. >>> >>> Sorry for the long email. I hope this would be helpful for you. >>> >>> Best >>> >>> >>> On Sat, Jun 24, 2017 at 1:51 PM Ilario valdelli < >>> [email protected]> wrote: >>> >>>> On 24/06/2017 02:00, Ellie Young wrote: >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On Fri, Jun 23, 2017 at 2:10 PM, Gabriel Thullen <[email protected]> >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>>> I have a few comments: >>>>> 1) >>>>> We do not know how the Montreal venue was selected for Wikimania. >>>>> Jean-Philippe said: >>>>> "A "Wikimania Montreal Committee", now defunct, was behind the request >>>>> to WMF to have Wikimania in Montreal and they did not coordinate with the >>>>> chapter in doing this." >>>>> The situation there is obviously more complicated than what is being >>>>> said so I will not dwell on that. What disturbs me is that the Montreal >>>>> bid >>>>> was accepted in absence of the local chapter support. That is not >>>>> acceptable. Looking back on the success of the Esino Lario event, I >>>>> believe >>>>> that strong local chapter and volunteer support is vital for a Wikimania >>>>> event. >>>>> >>>> >>>> Let us just say that there was confusion and communication issues >>>> with the original proposers to host. The Steering Committee (including >>>> yours truly) thought that Wikimedia Canada was involved. I think >>>> everyone can agree how important it is for having the local chapters >>>> involved--- most recently Esino Lario and Mexico City and of course South >>>> Africa coming up. >>>> >>>> >>>> Hi Ellie, >>>> This is an interesting point. I know that recently there has been a >>>> decision to have Wikimania's organization notified two years in advance, >>>> but this model can only work if there is a "local group" with a mature >>>> organization. Two years are too many for a local "extemporary" >>>> committee. >>>> >>>> A chapter (with at least a small staff) is something that can assure a >>>> commitment for two years and can support efficiently a local group (and >>>> perhaps to save the organization in case of withdrawal). >>>> >>>> Basically the two year model cannot be disconnected from a *mature* >>>> local organization as a chapter, otherwise the model will not work. >>>> >>>> But at this point is also interesting to know how big may be the impact >>>> on a chapter. The organization of an event like Wikimania is something >>>> fascinating, but at the same time it's more than a "stress test" for a >>>> chapter. >>>> >>>> Kind regards >>>> >>>> -- >>>> Ilario Valdelli >>>> Wikimedia CH >>>> Verein zur Förderung Freien Wissens >>>> Association pour l’avancement des connaissances libre >>>> Associazione per il sostegno alla conoscenza libera >>>> Switzerland - 8008 Zürich >>>> Tel: +41764821371 <+41%2076%20482%2013%2071>http://www.wikimedia.ch >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient> >>>> Mail >>>> priva di virus. www.avast.com >>>> <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient> >>>> <#m_1267552695921599484_m_6880580939877686418_m_-1851108117246999399_m_3850020966839007458_m_-2762511510589227394_DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Wikimania-l mailing list >>>> [email protected] >>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l >>>> >>> >> >> >> -- >> Ellie Young >> Events Manager >> Wikimedia Foundation >> [email protected] >> c. 510 701 8649 <(510)%20701-8649> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Wikimania-l mailing list >> [email protected] >> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l >> >> > > _______________________________________________ > Wikimania-l mailing list > [email protected] > https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l > > -- Cornelius Kibelka Program and Engagement Coordinator (PEC) for the Wikimedia Conference Wikimedia Deutschland e.V. | Tempelhofer Ufer 23-24 | 10963 Berlin Tel. (030) 219 158 26-0 http://wikimedia.de Stellen Sie sich eine Welt vor, in der jeder Mensch an der Menge allen Wissens frei teilhaben kann. Helfen Sie uns dabei! http://spenden.wikimedia.de/ Wikimedia Deutschland - Gesellschaft zur Förderung Freien Wissens e. V. Eingetragen im Vereinsregister des Amtsgerichts Berlin-Charlottenburg unter der Nummer 23855 B. Als gemeinnützig anerkannt durch das Finanzamt für Körperschaften I Berlin, Steuernummer 27/029/42207
_______________________________________________ Wikimania-l mailing list [email protected] https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l
