Hi all, It recently came to my attention by way of this blog by Odder (http://twkozlowski.net/how-40k-dollars-turned-to-petty-cash/) that the AffCom approved a $40,000 budget to send 9 of their members to HKG in August (the 10th member lives in HKG). The issue was raised at http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Talk:Affiliations_Committee#.2440.2C000_Hong_Kong_junket.3F (I see the words "transparent" being used there a lot).
The budget request resolution was then published a http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Affiliations_Committee/Resolutions/Budget_request_for_2013_annual_meeting_%E2%80%93_April_2013 - discussion has carried on at http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Talk:Affiliations_Committee/Resolutions/Budget_request_for_2013_annual_meeting_%E2%80%93_April_2013 What we are seeing is that there is a lot evasive answers, with questions not really being answered. After asking about accommodation, it's been advised that AffCom is basically budgeting approximately US$12,600 towards accommodation (based upon NINE single rooms for 7 nights at a cost of $200 per night). This, I feel, is an outrageous amount of money to be spending. There is no reason that twin rooms can not be used (i.e. 2 per room); or less "luxurious" accommodation can be booked. I understand that the guys on AffCom might feel like they are being singled out here, but given that they are members of the community, first and foremost, they should be open to such criticism on their spending. It's unfortunate that none of the 9 feel it necessary to comment there, given all the talk of transparency. Perhaps some gentle nudges from others in the community (especially those involved with Chapter wikipolitics) could get this particular committee to understand that although WMF is flush with cash, this is simply not on. I'll leave other issues which have been raised to others. Odder's latest blog at http://twkozlowski.net/saving-by-spending-according-to-affcom/ might be of interest. Cheers, Russavia _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list [email protected] Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l
