Dear all, My response to Abhinav's question, just to clarify about my attendance at WMCON 18 :
2.) I am not sure if all those selected by WMF to participate in the Wikimedia Conference 2018 were invited. Are you sure every one of them was invited? I wish to hear. I am an Indian Wikimedian and I was selected by the WMF to participate in Wikimedia Conference 2018. I attended in my capacity as a volunteer and delivered the Diversity statement and led the diversity discussion <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Conference_2018/Documentation/Movement_Strategy_track/Day_2> there. I was not informed about this Bangalore conference conducted by the CIS, and I do not expect to be invited because I live in a different country, and flying me to India would have been very expensive. Additionally, my role in WMCON 2018 was to talk specifically about Diversity, which is not exclusively an India-related topic. I did not represent any affiliate from India, either. The complete list of participants who attended WMCON 18 can be found here <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Conference_2018/Participants%27_List> . Regards Netha On Fri, 10 Aug 2018 at 13:28, Abhinav srivastava <abhinav...@gmail.com> wrote: > Hello Tanveer and Subhashish, > > > > Thank You, Tanveer for acknowledging, responding, apologizing and most > importantly assuring on transparency. > > > > I still have a few concerns and I wish to write back. I would appreciate > if I can hear back. > > > > 1.) Your proposal also mentions on inviting Experienced Indian > Wikimedians. While, as per your response I do not find any Wikimedian > attending in this category. I would like to record a suggestion. Bengaluru > is one of the highly populated cities and also comprising a high number of > migrant populations. In the upcoming events, you can invite Experience > Wikimedians from other languages groups which still do not have a User > Group and are based in Bengaluru. They may not be attending the Wikimedia > Conference in Berlin, they may not be even from your focused languages. The > idea is very similar to the statement put forward by your organization and > Wikimedia India during the Wiki Conference India, “While some communities > have dynamic leaders and enough community level activity…….this cannot be > said for all communities.” > > > 2.) I am not sure if all those selected by WMF to participate in the > Wikimedia Conference 2018 were invited. Are you sure every one of them was > invited? I wish to hear. > > > 3.) Once you complete the Meta page, I would request you to please > share on this thread. I would encourage you and your team to document as > much as you can about your activities on Meta. > > > 4.) It is already to my understanding that the absence of your > communication manager has led to defaults in your newsletter. I would like > to re-iterate as documented on the other mail thread, Wikimedia Communities > are voluntary driven, some staff should devote time and keep sharing. This > is just a suggestion. > > > > @ Subhashish: Sorry to cross-post a bit from the other thread, I happened > to miss your last message since another message popped in within 10 minutes > and I couldn’t distinguish. I believe putting comments about your personal > experiences at Wikimedia Movements wasn’t the best sportive thing one could > do. Since those were put on a public thread, so, on a public thread, I > would like to *apologize*. I still may remain unconvinced on not having > bandwidth, reports and other issues, but, Yes, I shouldn’t have brought > your personal story. > > Also, I advise Odia User Group to be more active in documenting about such > works on their Meta page and Village Pump. Our communities are too big in > nature, they often get sorted into two haves – one who dedicate more time > to the movement and remain known faces amongst each other, two- who edit > but devote less time to activities but they also put their contributions. > There are numerous such silent editors in every community. Please take this > only to be a suggestion, no negative remarks here. > > > > @Satdeep : I was expecting to hear from you. As Tanveer, points out on > having spent roughly Rs 2 lakhs, this is amount is much more than that > spent on to endorse a scholarship to Wikimania. But that’s not my > question, I think we should refrain from that on this thread. You were a > part of the conference were no heeds to transparency and reporting was made > (even the CIS-A2K staff accepts this). Secondly, you hold a chair in AffCom > and also a WMF staff (yes part-time). I am of the opinion that neutrality > has somewhere been disturbed at your end. A personal freindly suggestion. > > > > Abhinav > > On Fri, Aug 10, 2018 at 3:11 PM Subhashish Panigrahi < > psubhash...@gmail.com> wrote: > >> Thanks Tanveer for this frank clarification. >> >> @Abhinav srivastava <abhinav...@gmail.com>, I didn't check earlier that >> there is a point concerning me. So just a small clarification - my point >> was not to show how A2K organized the event in a non-transparent way but to >> share the fact that I was a participant and did not know very well what >> went behind organizing the event. Also, I participated in my capacity of a >> rep of Odia Wikimedians User Group who happened to live in Bangalore (so it >> was logistically cheaper even though we didn't go to WMCON this year). For >> the record, Tanveer did share with me about this factor and the second >> factor — that our UG will be eligible next year to send a rep — for >> inviting me. My participation was not in the capacity of a former employee >> of CIS. :) >> >> Subhashish >> >> >> On Fri, Aug 10, 2018 at 2:59 PM Tanveer Hasan <hasanrememb...@gmail.com> >> wrote: >> >>> Dear Abhinav, >>> >>> Please find our responses below: >>> >>> ==Conference== >>> >>> Hello, >>> >>> (a) Did CIS-A2K organize a conference/meetup in Bengaluru this >>> summer?: >>> >>> Yes, we organised a WMCON India 2018 as per our proposal [1] that was >>> submitted to the FDC in March 2017. >>> >>> >>> >>> (b) How were the delegates selected and which communities were >>> invited? >>> >>> The delegates were not selected by CIS. Participants invited/selected by >>> WMF to participate in WMCON 2018 [2] in Berlin were invited to this >>> meeting. User Group representatives who will be participating in WMCON 2019 >>> (residing in Bangalore) were invited to participate as well. >>> >>> >>> >>> (c) For all those communities who were invited (based on your >>> response to part b) was an official notification sent via village pump, >>> mailing list, reaching out to User Group representatives? >>> >>> As the participants were already selected by another affiliate of WMF, >>> we did not want to reinvent the process and hence sent them personal emails >>> as invite to this conference. We apologise for not sending out the event >>> agenda and details about the event on mailing list and village pump of all >>> the Indic communities. >>> >>> >>> >>> (d) Is there a legitimate reason to be non-transparent in the process? >>> >>> >>> >>> Our intention was not to be ‘non transparent’, the participant list was >>> put up by WMDE Conference organising team and we invited only those people >>> whose name featured in the official participant list. Sunil Abraham, >>> Executive Director, CIS and Ananth Subray, Program Associate, A2K, >>> Subhashish Panigrahi, representing Odia User group and Dr. U.B. Pavanaja, >>> representing Karavali Wikimedians User Group were the only participants who >>> were present whose name was not on the Participants list. >>> >>> >>> >>> (e) When a former CIS-A2K staff informed you about not maintaining >>> transparency why was still no heed paid to it (if part d of the question is >>> NO)? >>> >>> I would like to reiterate that our intention was not to be >>> ‘non-transparent’. A2K team apologises for not sending out adequate >>> information to communities and requisite channels of communication. We will >>> strive to improve our communication with the community for all of our >>> events. >>> >>> >>> >>> (f) Can reports, learning patterns etc be shared with the >>> community? >>> >>> There is a meta page that had been created but has not been completed. >>> We will priorotise the reporting of this event and revert with relevant >>> updates. >>> >>> >>> >>> (g) How much funds were involved? >>> >>> We used an approximate amount of INR.2 lakh for this event. Major >>> expenses were incurred in arranging transport and hospitality. >>> >>> >>> >>> (h) What were the responsibilities of different CIS-A2K staff during >>> the workshop? >>> >>> Four members of the CIS-A2K team participated in the meeting. >>> >>> Mr. Sunil Abraham, Executive Director was the chief facilitator on Day >>> 1. >>> >>> Tanveer Hasan and Tito Dutta were organisers and co-facilitators for the >>> conversations for both days. >>> >>> Ananth Subray attended the event to coordinate logistics and >>> reimbursements. >>> >>> ==Reports== >>> >>> (a) What has been stopping CIS-A2K to share their monthly reports on >>> the mailing list and their Report Section of Wikimedia Meta? >>> >>> We have defaulted on our newsletter because of the exit of our >>> communications officer. All the reports are updated here [3]. We will also >>> update reports here [4] at the earliest. >>> >>> >>> >>> (b) Can we hear about the reports, shortly? >>> >>> We will do our best to update reports by the end of this month. >>> >>> [1]. >>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/CIS-A2K/Work_plan_July_2017_-_June_2018/Skill_Building_Initiatives#Wikimedia_India_conference_2018 >>> >>> [2]. >>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Conference_2018/Participants%27_List >>> >>> [3]. https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Reports >>> >>> [4]. https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/CIS-A2K/Reports >>> >>> >>> Regards, >>> >>> ಭಾನು, ಆಗ 5, 2018 ರಂದು 07:22 ಪೂರ್ವಾಹ್ನ ಸಮಯಕ್ಕೆ ರಂದು Abhinav srivastava < >>> abhinav...@gmail.com> ಅವರು ಬರೆದಿದ್ದಾರೆ: >>> >>>> Thank You Tito for your mail. >>>> >>>> I would request you to address the issues within 10 days from now. This >>>> is just a request. >>>> >>>> Also, one of your colleagues and also my friend informed me that he >>>> wanted to reply but his e-mail is being moderated or blacklisted. I have >>>> taken this issue with the mailing list admins and the admins have looked >>>> into the issue clarifying the said collegeue wasn’t moderated or >>>> blacklisted. In case, any issue still arises, please ping me and I will do >>>> my best to settle this. >>>> >>>> Thank You for writing back. >>>> >>>> Abhinav >>>> >>>> On Sunday, August 5, 2018, Tito Dutta <trulyt...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Hello Abhinav, >>>>> On behalf of the team, I confirm that we have received your questions. >>>>> Thanks for these questions. >>>>> We have a hectic schedule right now because of few things such as CIS >>>>> (the main institution's) strategy meet, staff transition, grant report, >>>>> and >>>>> some other works. >>>>> >>>>> Transparency and accountability are very important topics. If things >>>>> are not clear for a couple of events, we must work on it. >>>>> >>>>> Some other member or I'll get back with answers in a few days. >>>>> >>>>> (I am cc-ing Sunil Abraham, ED, of the institution, in this email) >>>>> >>>>> Thanks >>>>> Tito Dutta >>>>> Note: If I don't reply to your email in 2 days, please feel free to >>>>> remind me over email or phone call. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Fri, 3 Aug 2018 at 13:47, Abhinav srivastava <abhinav...@gmail.com> >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Dear Friends From CIS-A2K, >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> I am bringing up a discussion based on few of the concerns expressed >>>>>> on the other mail thread. I would like to acknowledge on record, the past >>>>>> few years CIS-A2K has reached out to communities (besides Focussed >>>>>> Language >>>>>> Area) much more effectively. I may be the first person to say this >>>>>> publicly >>>>>> but I am sure many more would echo my views here. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Now what concerns me and something CIS-A2K already knows, when the >>>>>> community has started acknowledging your work much more, CIS-A2K has been >>>>>> acting as the necessary intervention in times of crisis why transparency >>>>>> is >>>>>> being not paid its due. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> I list some of my questions which everyone is already aware of and >>>>>> would request a reply. I would request you to not break the bullet and >>>>>> reply each of them separately. Of course! If you are comfortable. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> ==Conference== >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> (a) Did CIS-A2K organize a conference/meetup in Bengaluru this >>>>>> summer? >>>>>> >>>>>> (b) How were the delegates selected and which communities were >>>>>> invited? >>>>>> >>>>>> (c) For all those communities who were invited (based on your >>>>>> response to part b) was an official notification sent via village pump, >>>>>> mailing list, reaching out to User Group representatives? >>>>>> >>>>>> (d) Is there a legitimate reason to be non-transparent in the >>>>>> process? >>>>>> >>>>>> (e) When a former CIS-A2K staff informed you about not >>>>>> maintaining transparency why was still no heed paid to it (if part d of >>>>>> the >>>>>> question is NO)? >>>>>> >>>>>> (f) Can reports, learning patterns etc be shared with the >>>>>> community? >>>>>> >>>>>> (g) How much funds were involved? >>>>>> >>>>>> (h) What were the responsibilities of different CIS-A2K staff >>>>>> during the workshop? >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> ==Reports== >>>>>> >>>>>> (a) What has been stopping CIS-A2K to share their monthly reports >>>>>> on the mailing list and their Report Section of Wikimedia Meta? >>>>>> >>>>>> (b) Can we hear about the reports, shortly? >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> @Satdeep: I could not find any Meta page but I do find a page which >>>>>> is put under-construction and this mentions you. Were you a part of this? >>>>>> If Yes, I am not able to understand, the entire argument you had posted >>>>>> yesterday about reporting guidelines and transparency. >>>>>> >>>>>> Only If, You Were A Party to This. >>>>>> >>>>>> To Everyone, I understand I may be playing the devil’s role here. >>>>>> Some of my close aides have already advised me to stay back since I am >>>>>> damaging my personal reputation. >>>>>> >>>>>> My argument is simple if my personal image promotes inclusiveness and >>>>>> transparency. I will be happy to remain a soldier fighting. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Abhinav >>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>> Wikimediaindia-l mailing list >>>>>> Wikimediaindia-l@lists.wikimedia.org >>>>>> To unsubscribe from the list / change mailing preferences visit >>>>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaindia-l >>>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Wikimediaindia-l mailing list >>>> Wikimediaindia-l@lists.wikimedia.org >>>> To unsubscribe from the list / change mailing preferences visit >>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaindia-l >>>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Wikimediaindia-l mailing list >>> Wikimediaindia-l@lists.wikimedia.org >>> To unsubscribe from the list / change mailing preferences visit >>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaindia-l >>> >> _______________________________________________ > Wikimediaindia-l mailing list > Wikimediaindia-l@lists.wikimedia.org > To unsubscribe from the list / change mailing preferences visit > https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaindia-l > -- Netha Hussain Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology University of Gothenburg, Sweden
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