Sir, I'm a since editor of wikipedia (Kn) since 2005. I'm not at all impressed about your policiy. Let me tell you.
1. I have contributed one thousand and more kannada articles since then. A dozen articles in english. I'm such a senior person(75) look at the way I have been treated. Rather neglected ! My mistake was I have two IDs one is Radhatanaya (Kn) second is Rangakuvara(Eng). I have uploaded a few photos. which they say violating of some standards. Right. I agree. But can I not be pardoned., and say in simple terms not to do this that etc. ? Instead I have been banned to upload photos for ever. Even the jail inmates are given a chance to pardon. I do not know much about the laws etc. I feel that I am let down by the authorities. No help is coming from any corner. I feel I'm an orphan ! What else can I call myself. All big big slogans are told and printed. I have purchased a new Nikon camera D-3400 thinking my phots are fixed in my articles But what is the use ? Dejected and morst repenting and most unhappy wikipedia of kannada, -Radhatanaya, Mumbai On Wed, Jul 24, 2019 at 9:51 PM Yohann Thomas <yohan...@gmail.com> wrote: > Dear Anirudh, > > > > Before replying to your query, I must make it clear that eventhough > Abhinav is now handling the communications with the AffCom & the overall > community, regarding the suspension notice, your query on this issue, > predates when Abhinav was Co-opted as an Executive committee (EC) member. > Keeping this in mind, I will try my best to address this as the secretary > of the chapter. > > > > Wikimedia India (WMIN) had its last elections in April 2017 [1] and > subsequent to that in July 2017 [2] the new executive committee was > inducted. This executive committee had seven members representing different > regions of India as Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, > Kerala and Karnataka. The new executive committee started taking the > movement forward and also received appreciation for its activities [3]. > > > > In the meantime, efforts were also being put up to revive Chapter's > foreign funding option, however, nothing concrete could happen. > > > > Inspite of the best efforts of the EC to maintain stability in the > chapter, two executive committee members resigned citing personal reasons. > The Chapter was at this stage reduced to less people working, which > impacted the communication flow. > > > > While Chapter continued to undergo zero-budget programs, it did not share > them with the community until the completion of the Financial Year. All > four quarterly reports were collectively shared only in April 2019. We > sincerely offer our *APOLOGIES*. In the midst of Government compliance > notices and undertaking activities, there had been a mis-management which > drastically impacted the flow of information. The EC is always committed in > improving its protocols and procedures each and everyday, eventhough our > resources are limited. > > > > Similarly, many memberships were approved at a very later stage and we > wish to again *APOLOGISE* for the same. > > > > On the composition, a prime concern floating has been its bylaws, such > that they may require a change. While Suo-Moto (on its own) initiatives can > always take place, to make the process much more inclusive, it may be > beneficial to have a community conversation . The Chapter can definitely > take initiatives on Mailing List, Village Pump, Chapter's Wiki etc for the > community to drop their suggestions and then make way for changing any > composition as needed. The chapter always believes that it is flexible in > this regard. > > If Chapter attains success in challenging the suspension notice, with > community inputs it will obviously call for a fresh election, > *immediately*, since its mandated two year term is already over > > > > Regarding expectations by the chapter, we had dedicated a page for the > very purpose of suggestions by the community [4]. If there are any > suggestions, on what better or best practices to be followed, Chapter is > all ears in listening and implementing them. > > > > > > Regards, > > Yohann Thomas > > Secretary > > Wikimedia India > > > > [1] > https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediaindia-l/2017-April/012921.html > > [2] > https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediaindia-l/2017-July/013016.html > > [3] > https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediaindia-l/2017-October/013094.html > > [4] *http://wiki.wikimedia.in/Expectations_from_India_chapter/Membership > <http://wiki.wikimedia.in/Expectations_from_India_chapter/Membership>* > > > On Wed, Jul 24, 2019 at 3:55 PM Anirudh S. Bhati <anirudh...@gmail.com> > wrote: > >> Hello Abhinav, >> >> Can the EC directly address the question regarding the lack of trust >> among members of the community as far as the current composition of the EC >> is concerned, and how the EC intends to resolve this? If there are no >> changes in the composition of the EC, I do not see how the situation can be >> resolved, especially when several members of the community have raised >> concerns regarding the conduct of EC collectively as well as members of the >> EC individually on this thread as well as others. >> >> Looking forward to hearing from all of you at the earliest. >> >> Yours, >> Anirudh >> >> On Tue, Jul 23, 2019 at 8:34 AM Abhinav srivastava <abhinav...@gmail.com> >> wrote: >> >>> Dear All, >>> >>> Wikimedia India (WMIN) always appreciates the community members who step >>> forward to support the India Chapter and have provided the confidence for a >>> national mandate. WMIN is a volunteer-run organisation and it is a >>> privilege to receive the support from the volunteers on this problem. WMIN >>> also appreciates the community’s effort in putting the Chapter much more >>> accountable each and every day. WMIN always invites even dissent under a >>> friendly space and understands them to be a process to learn and improve >>> upon. >>> >>> Now, categorically listing the ACTION ITEM into two >>> >>> >>> 1. >>> >>> Legal Compliance : >>> >>> a.) Foreign Funding : Several community members at different >>> platform such as Mailing List, Village Pump, Meta Discussion page have >>> expressed their concerns and also provided advice for a probable solution. >>> Several members have also expressed their intent to communicate directly >>> with the Affiliations Committee and Wikimedia Foundation (WMF). WMIN has >>> been advocating for a public trail and would be happy to wait for Affcom >>> and WMF to reply on Meta and Mailing List. Subsequent to that any possible >>> idea of having a conference call can also be considered with participation >>> from community members. >>> >>> b.) White Paper on Chapter’s Compliance : As several >>> statements have been floated such as WMIN not being a registered >>> organisation, receiving funding from WMF as a necessary criteria etc. WMIN >>> with the assistance of the community members, those who have come forward >>> and those who may wish to do so now, would prepare a White paper to reflect >>> the Chapter’s present standing. The paper would also discuss Chapter’s >>> standing with its external partners and why User Group is not a valid >>> proposed proposition. >>> >>> >>> 1. >>> >>> Governance : >>> >>> a.) Improving Community Conversations : WMIN understands that with no >>> funding, it has limited opportunity in interacting with community members. >>> As a probable solution, inviting community members to record their >>> grievance on a diversified range of public platforms say Meta Discussion >>> page, Community Hall at Chapter’s Wiki, Mailing Lists and most importantly >>> on Village Pump in one’s native language. We are already familiar with such >>> medium, however suggestions for Chapter have remained relatively very less. >>> Right at this hour, we invite community members put their suggestions, >>> feedback and also grievance if any and how to better improve. >>> >>> Earlier this year, WMIN had used similar platforms to record suggestions >>> for Project Tiger [1] and Membership [2]. Even if WMIN does not address the >>> concerns such public statements can promote accountability and most >>> importantly promote transparency. >>> >>> b.) Bylaw Changes : Similar to Russia Chapter it may be relevant to have >>> User Group representation at the Chapter [3]. This may build a network grid >>> for the volunteer affiliates. There maybe many more suggestions, for >>> instance on record there has been a suggestion to have some editing history >>> as a necessary criteria for voting [4]. It is important to have healthy and >>> productive discussions on such issues at different public platforms as >>> mentioned above.Such discussions would strengthen the notion, ‘The will >>> of the executive committee is the will of the Indian community’. >>> >>> >>> >>> Looking forward to hearing from all of you. >>> >>> नमस्कार >>> >>> Abhinav >>> >>> >>> [1] http://wiki.wikimedia.in/Project_Tiger/Community_Inputs >>> >>> [2] http://wiki.wikimedia.in/Expectations_from_India_chapter/Membership >>> >>> [3] >>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimedia-l/2019-February/091818.html >>> [4] >>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediaindia-l/2019-April/013991.html >>> >>> >>> On Sun, 21 Jul 2019 at 21:40, Abhinav srivastava <abhinav...@gmail.com> >>> wrote: >>> >>>> Dear Anirudh And All, >>>> >>>> *Abhinav - I would also like to hear a collective response from the EC >>>> regarding this situation and how they aim to work with the Foundation and >>>> the community to correct it. * >>>> >>>> An action plan will be provided very shortly. >>>> >>>> Abhinav >>>> >>>> >>>> On Sun, 21 Jul 2019 at 13:28, Anirudh S. Bhati <anirudh...@gmail.com> >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Hello Ashwin, >>>>> >>>>> I believe there are valid concerns regarding the current composition >>>>> of the EC as well, but I do not think revocation of WMIN's license as a >>>>> Wikimedia chapter is a correct response, especially not based on the >>>>> rationale provided by Chris/WMF in their email above. If the Foundation >>>>> shares these concerns with you, then perhaps a better resolution would be >>>>> to seek re-organization of the Executive Committee, thereby inducting >>>>> members who have the trust of the Indian community, rather than >>>>> retaliating >>>>> in a manner that seems to negate years of work done by Wikimedia >>>>> volunteers >>>>> associated with the chapter (and employees such as Ravishankar) who have >>>>> spent countless hours building the chapter over the years. >>>>> >>>>> Abhinav - I would also like to hear a collective response from the EC >>>>> regarding this situation and how they aim to work with the Foundation and >>>>> the community to correct it. >>>>> >>>>> Yours, >>>>> Anirudh >>>>> >>>>> On Sat, Jul 20, 2019 at 9:13 PM Ashwin Baindur < >>>>> ashwin.bain...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> I made a mistake, in that I had forgotten this thread was started not >>>>>> by a Chapter member but by some one else, so I withdraw my remark about >>>>>> the >>>>>> title of the thread and apologize to Chris for the remark. >>>>>> >>>>>> On Sat, Jul 20, 2019, 7:11 PM Abhinav srivastava < >>>>>> abhinav...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> Dear Ashwin Sir, >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Our only point is if there are a set of complaints then put them in >>>>>>> Public domain. Let the community read and review it for themselves. We >>>>>>> never intend to say we have been subject of injustice. All we have been >>>>>>> saying abide to 'Transparency'. Community is good enough to read and >>>>>>> understand it for themselves. Similar to Chapter not been registered >>>>>>> there >>>>>>> are many more claims but we are never asking anyone to buy our opinion. >>>>>>> Again, we are only asking to come transparent. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> if you believe our Reports are not "zero-budget", then we are open >>>>>>> to any kind of audit and investigation. Community can decide and let us >>>>>>> know. You yourself would also be welcome to audit. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> This mail thread is not for CIS attribution grabbing or WMIN >>>>>>> President. I have asked CIS to release information on attribution >>>>>>> grabbing >>>>>>> in public domain on which CIS Director has responded they are >>>>>>> comfortable >>>>>>> with it and on Wikimania 2018, Chapter has its inability to answer on >>>>>>> Why >>>>>>> the next person in waiting was not awarded the scholarship. It was a CIS >>>>>>> grant and Chapter has already said that they would make sure to engage >>>>>>> with >>>>>>> the community from future, on their own and not be dependent on the >>>>>>> grantee. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I cannot reply to anything written in bad-faith. However, if you >>>>>>> believe we have been unethical I WISH TO OFFER AN APOLOGY >>>>>>> unconditionally. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I am afraid I can do anything else for you, but to say, you dissent >>>>>>> voice is also welcome under WMIN's free speech objectives. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Abhinav >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Sat, 20 Jul 2019 at 18:51, Ashwin Baindur < >>>>>>> ashwin.bain...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> The AffCom has a number of complaints against the Chapter. The >>>>>>>> implication is that the EC has been intentionally or unintentionally >>>>>>>> remiss >>>>>>>> in meeting some requirements specified by them. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> EC is trying to fixate the topic under public attention as an >>>>>>>> injustice on the Chapter solely due to its inability to fundraise and >>>>>>>> refusal to take I to account the "zero budget" activities. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> What EC is doing is attempting to get the India community to >>>>>>>> overlook its lack of communication, unethical behaviour, lack of >>>>>>>> openness >>>>>>>> of the EC as if that doesn't matter. There is absolutely no mention on >>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>> group as to how the EC should mend it's ways and what is the way out of >>>>>>>> this situation. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I for one, am quite unhappy over this situation. The EC member in >>>>>>>> charge of communication who was voluble about the CIS claiming credit >>>>>>>> for >>>>>>>> an event still hasn't spoken about why the Head of the EC hasn't given >>>>>>>> a >>>>>>>> reasonable and valid explanation to all the queries on the mailing list >>>>>>>> raised about the head of EC and his association with South African >>>>>>>> Wikimania. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> This thread has also been titled "Support for our communities >>>>>>>> across India" which is a falsehood. What is being shamelessly >>>>>>>> solicited is >>>>>>>> support for Chapter in it's present troubles, not support for our >>>>>>>> communities. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Are we expected to rally around the chapter just because it is >>>>>>>> "Indian"? I think not. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Morals, behaviour, right and wrong do not change and cannot be done >>>>>>>> away with just because the perpetrators are Indian. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> It is the demonstrated lack of ethics and Wikipedia culture that >>>>>>>> worries me, not the fact that Chapter can't raise funds, nor the fact >>>>>>>> that >>>>>>>> it will be derecognised by AffCom till it meets the various conditions. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Sat, Jul 20, 2019, 2:45 PM Abhinav srivastava < >>>>>>>> abhinav...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Dear Ashwin Sir, >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> With all due respect you are deviating from the topic. In my >>>>>>>>> different capacities with different affiliates, I have been bestowed >>>>>>>>> with >>>>>>>>> the responsibility for communications. Please understand EC is >>>>>>>>> *collectively* responsible to its members, your statement is >>>>>>>>> undermining >>>>>>>>> its office. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> If you are concerned about other EC members not active, I would >>>>>>>>> recommend you to check the reports < >>>>>>>>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_chapters/Reports/Wikimedia_India#Wikimedia_India>. >>>>>>>>> All have some contribution or the other. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Now, I recommend you not to deviate form the principal issue. >>>>>>>>> Funding is not the only issue, earlier Foundation was mentioning about >>>>>>>>> Chapter not being a registered organisation and subsequent to that >>>>>>>>> much >>>>>>>>> more which is not authentic < >>>>>>>>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Talk:Wikimedia_India#Affiliations_Committee_Communication >>>>>>>>> >. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Please don't punish me by putting such statements, I am involved >>>>>>>>> in several User Groups and could have easily put some hat on. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Abhinav >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Sat, 20 Jul 2019 at 14:17, Ashwin Baindur < >>>>>>>>> ashwin.bain...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Is the funding issue the only issue that is the problem? It >>>>>>>>>> appears that there are other issues as well. The EC members except >>>>>>>>>> for >>>>>>>>>> Abhinav, who is a recent inductee, are silent. They need to speak up >>>>>>>>>> to >>>>>>>>>> give their view on all the issues concerned, especially as they were >>>>>>>>>> in the >>>>>>>>>> EC during the period of non-compliance. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> On Sat, Jul 20, 2019, 7:51 AM Subhashish Panigrahi < >>>>>>>>>> psubhash...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> I feel that there is a lot of negativity which comes from some >>>>>>>>>>> genuine frustrations but also impulsive action. As the situation is >>>>>>>>>>> fairly >>>>>>>>>>> complex, it would be useful to stick to the facts only. A lot of new >>>>>>>>>>> subscribers to this list who might not have context will simply be >>>>>>>>>>> affected >>>>>>>>>>> adversely if this continues. My note below is not to undermine the >>>>>>>>>>> efforts >>>>>>>>>>> or genuine interests of anyone but to share some clarity around >>>>>>>>>>> compliance >>>>>>>>>>> based on some similar experiences. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> When Anirudh’s response gives a good sense of FCRA, I just >>>>>>>>>>> wanted to reiterate the fact that receiving FCRA approval has a >>>>>>>>>>> 50:50 >>>>>>>>>>> chance and it is a three-year long process. Clean records, >>>>>>>>>>> full-time staff >>>>>>>>>>> and a long list high-impact activities can still lead to a decline >>>>>>>>>>> if one >>>>>>>>>>> doesn’t have the right kind of connections. However, an NGO can >>>>>>>>>>> apply for a >>>>>>>>>>> prior permission for a one time foreign funding for a standalone >>>>>>>>>>> activity >>>>>>>>>>> and the chances of receiving that funding is higher as compared to a >>>>>>>>>>> regular FCRA approval. Coming from a donor’s perspective as I was >>>>>>>>>>> dealing >>>>>>>>>>> with the same issue of funding Indian affiliates for an >>>>>>>>>>> organization that I >>>>>>>>>>> worked for, I believe, FCRA should not be compliance criterion for >>>>>>>>>>> any >>>>>>>>>>> Indian NGO. Many NGOs that have a much longer history and have done >>>>>>>>>>> a lot >>>>>>>>>>> of paid work (and hence in large volumes) with bigger teams (and >>>>>>>>>>> especially >>>>>>>>>>> lawyers on the payroll) have failed to acquire FCRA just because of >>>>>>>>>>> their >>>>>>>>>>> activities and publications that might have openly criticized a >>>>>>>>>>> government. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Furthermore, a mission-aligned NGO with FCRA approval can always >>>>>>>>>>> help another smaller NGO as a fiscal sponsor till the time the >>>>>>>>>>> latter >>>>>>>>>>> builds a portfolio with some local grants. This has to be done very >>>>>>>>>>> carefully so that the funding doesn’t look like a circumvention of >>>>>>>>>>> FCRA >>>>>>>>>>> meaning that the entire activities will need to be >>>>>>>>>>> organized/co-organized >>>>>>>>>>> by the fiscal sponsor. In real terms, no matter who is involved in >>>>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>>>> activity, all the work, vendor payments, and even the branding must >>>>>>>>>>> include >>>>>>>>>>> the fiscal sponsor. It becomes the said fiscal sponsor’s activity >>>>>>>>>>> funded by >>>>>>>>>>> a foreign donor and supported by volunteers or paid contractors >>>>>>>>>>> from other >>>>>>>>>>> collectives/NGOs. Considering the hardship (or more of chances of a >>>>>>>>>>> ballgame) this is probably a model a donor organization like WMF can >>>>>>>>>>> explore so that individuals or collectives don’t have to pay taxes >>>>>>>>>>> while >>>>>>>>>>> receiving any funding. This arrangement might have a compliance >>>>>>>>>>> cost factor >>>>>>>>>>> and availability of staff as the fiscal sponsor has to pay its >>>>>>>>>>> staff and >>>>>>>>>>> should have the bandwidth to manage the additional work. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Another model that IEEE and many others have explored is >>>>>>>>>>> allowing nonprofit (and even for-profit companies) to become the >>>>>>>>>>> grantee. >>>>>>>>>>> I’m not very sure of the tax exemption part but I believe that a >>>>>>>>>>> for-profit >>>>>>>>>>> company can only receive investments (and not grants) and must pay >>>>>>>>>>> tax. >>>>>>>>>>> That could be an extra expense but it’s much safer. The actual work >>>>>>>>>>> must be >>>>>>>>>>> reported as a work by this company just like the previous >>>>>>>>>>> situation. IMHO >>>>>>>>>>> foreign nonprofit donors should definitely have the flexibility >>>>>>>>>>> (that the >>>>>>>>>>> grantee profile can range from a not-for-profit society or trust or >>>>>>>>>>> company >>>>>>>>>>> to a for-profit company) for their Indian grantees because it’s >>>>>>>>>>> risky to >>>>>>>>>>> operate as an NGO in India since the last few years and manage to >>>>>>>>>>> get FCRA >>>>>>>>>>> approval at the same time while doing good work. When Wikipedia is >>>>>>>>>>> all >>>>>>>>>>> about open knowledge sharing in multiple languages, issues related >>>>>>>>>>> map/border can work against a grantee and the law enforcement >>>>>>>>>>> agencies can >>>>>>>>>>> go behind them. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> My request to WMF and AffCom would be to reconsider WMIN’s >>>>>>>>>>> situation with the lens of FCRA-related compliance issues because >>>>>>>>>>> FCRA as a >>>>>>>>>>> compliance factor could jeopardize any smaller Indian NGO. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Subhashish >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> On Jul 20, 2019, at 2:36 AM, Sudhanwa Jogalekar < >>>>>>>>>>> sudhanwa....@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Hi, >>>>>>>>>>> I have replied on the thread on meta. Copying that content here >>>>>>>>>>> for reference: >>>>>>>>>>> Anirudh has already mentioned most of the points I also wanted >>>>>>>>>>> to say. (Check here: >>>>>>>>>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediaindia-l/2019-July/014215.html) >>>>>>>>>>> I will add a few more things here. WMF is very very keen on all >>>>>>>>>>> kinds of legal compliance. The recent example is the "Germany court >>>>>>>>>>> order". >>>>>>>>>>> Surprisingly, possibly for the first time in Wikipedia history, all >>>>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>>>> relevent content was WIPED out from Wikipedia within a day of the >>>>>>>>>>> court >>>>>>>>>>> order where only one person was affected by the content. Compared >>>>>>>>>>> to that, >>>>>>>>>>> here in India, FCRA issue is affecting thousands of organisations >>>>>>>>>>> in a >>>>>>>>>>> serious way and AFFCOM is still not able to understand the FCRA >>>>>>>>>>> compliance >>>>>>>>>>> issue. (Maybe, compared to Indian languages, German language is >>>>>>>>>>> better >>>>>>>>>>> understood by concerned people!!)By the way, What was the >>>>>>>>>>> support given by WMF/AFFCOM to WMIN in the FCRA matters? Have they >>>>>>>>>>> provided >>>>>>>>>>> any consultant or legal help to WMIN. Or even some high level >>>>>>>>>>> contacts in >>>>>>>>>>> the concerned Government office to put up our case further.It >>>>>>>>>>> will also be interesting to know if by any chance, CIS looses FCRA, >>>>>>>>>>> (I >>>>>>>>>>> sincerely wish that does not happen anytime) AFFCOM/WMF will remove >>>>>>>>>>> their >>>>>>>>>>> affiliation? Read the WMF news article here: >>>>>>>>>>> https://wikimediafoundation.org/news/2019/04/11/a-german-court-forced-us-to-remove-part-of-a-wikipedia-articles-history-heres-what-that-means/ >>>>>>>>>>> Indian >>>>>>>>>>> Wikipedian community is very very keen on expenditure, especially >>>>>>>>>>> wherever >>>>>>>>>>> they feel that some wrong expenditure is made (not just by Indian >>>>>>>>>>> organisation but even when WMF money is spent) They become very very >>>>>>>>>>> concerned about it and become very vocal. Mail thread goes on for >>>>>>>>>>> months >>>>>>>>>>> asking for justificaiton of such expenditure.(eg. check here: >>>>>>>>>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediaindia-l/2018-July/013400.html) >>>>>>>>>>> Hardly anyone from WMF/AFFCOM comment on it. Compared to that, when >>>>>>>>>>> India >>>>>>>>>>> chapter is not spending any money and doing all zero budget >>>>>>>>>>> activities, >>>>>>>>>>> what could be the problem with it for the community or AFFCOM or >>>>>>>>>>> WMF. >>>>>>>>>>> Actually they should appriciate and should be happy about saving >>>>>>>>>>> lots of >>>>>>>>>>> money and still doing activities. The closure of India chapter >>>>>>>>>>> topic comes up again and again and some lengthy discussions happen >>>>>>>>>>> on it. I >>>>>>>>>>> am referring to one such mail thread a few years back and >>>>>>>>>>> specificaly want >>>>>>>>>>> WMF people to read my comment that time in a reply to Gerard >>>>>>>>>>> Meijssen. >>>>>>>>>>> Please check it out here: >>>>>>>>>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimediaindia-l/2014-September/011563.html >>>>>>>>>>> Now >>>>>>>>>>> that AFFCOM is showing so much concern about the India activities, >>>>>>>>>>> it will >>>>>>>>>>> be better if they can tell us (the stake holders in this- Indian >>>>>>>>>>> Wikipedians, volunteers, current and past WMIN EC members and >>>>>>>>>>> general WMIN >>>>>>>>>>> members) the comparision of performance of affiliates in India >>>>>>>>>>> namely WMIN >>>>>>>>>>> and CIS-A2K. What is the expenditure on various activities, paid >>>>>>>>>>> staff etc >>>>>>>>>>> etc. And give us a clear understanding of where the real objection >>>>>>>>>>> is. I >>>>>>>>>>> suppose this should be with reference to the contract between WMF >>>>>>>>>>> and WMIN. >>>>>>>>>>> I read the contract document again some time back and could hardly >>>>>>>>>>> see any >>>>>>>>>>> possible serious violation of the contract that AFFCOM is referring >>>>>>>>>>> to. >>>>>>>>>>> Regards >>>>>>>>>>> -Sudhanwa >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> On Thu, Jul 18, 2019 at 5:13 PM Anirudh S. Bhati < >>>>>>>>>>> anirudh...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> For now I am not going to get into other issues, but would like >>>>>>>>>>>> to get clarification on the following: >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> On Thu, Jul 18, 2019 at 6:20 PM Chris Koerner < >>>>>>>>>>>> ckoer...@wikimedia.org> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> Wikimedia India was first recognized as a chapter in 2011. In >>>>>>>>>>>>> 2015, it >>>>>>>>>>>>> experienced difficulties meeting chapter agreement obligations. >>>>>>>>>>>>> Working with the Affiliations Committee and the Foundation, the >>>>>>>>>>>>> chapter developed a plan of action and returned to good >>>>>>>>>>>>> standing by >>>>>>>>>>>>> 2017. However, between 2017 and 2019 >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> *the chapter was unable to secure a license to act as a >>>>>>>>>>>>> fiduciary organization, and is not currently legally registered >>>>>>>>>>>>> as a >>>>>>>>>>>>> charity in India to accept funding from the Foundation*. The >>>>>>>>>>>>> Foundation and Affiliations Committee both hope that >>>>>>>>>>>>> this licensing and registration can be secured, and that the >>>>>>>>>>>>> chapter >>>>>>>>>>>>> will again be eligible for recognition. >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> AFAIK, the Wikimedia Chapter (Wikimedia India) *is* registered >>>>>>>>>>>> as a charitable society under the Karnataka Societies Registration >>>>>>>>>>>> Act. >>>>>>>>>>>> Therefore, it *is* a fiduciary organization acting in public >>>>>>>>>>>> interest. I >>>>>>>>>>>> would like to hear a clarification on your claims above. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Further, my understanding is that the Chapter has been unable >>>>>>>>>>>> to renew/secure its permissions under the Foreign Contribution >>>>>>>>>>>> (Regulation) >>>>>>>>>>>> Act, which prevents it from receiving funds from foreign sources, >>>>>>>>>>>> including >>>>>>>>>>>> the Foundation. This is not a situation unique to Wikimedia >>>>>>>>>>>> India, as more >>>>>>>>>>>> than 20,000 NGOs nationally faced cancellations of their licenses >>>>>>>>>>>> last year >>>>>>>>>>>> due to reasons that have largely to do with politics rather than >>>>>>>>>>>> compliance >>>>>>>>>>>> related issues. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> https://www.firstpost.com/india/fcra-licences-of-20000-ngos-cancelled-act-being-used-as-weapon-to-silence-organisations-3181560.html >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> If the inability of Wikimedia india to secure these permissions >>>>>>>>>>>> is one of the primary reasons for de-recognition, as a founding >>>>>>>>>>>> member of >>>>>>>>>>>> Wikimedia India and as someone who is largely an external >>>>>>>>>>>> observer, it >>>>>>>>>>>> appears to me that the Foundation is choosing to punish the >>>>>>>>>>>> chapter for not >>>>>>>>>>>> having the political clout to retain its license. For most of its >>>>>>>>>>>> existence, the Wikimedia Chapter has been a volunteer-run body >>>>>>>>>>>> with limited >>>>>>>>>>>> expertise in public policy. Can you please clarify whether the >>>>>>>>>>>> Foundation >>>>>>>>>>>> has extended support to the Chapter in form of, for example, >>>>>>>>>>>> contracting a >>>>>>>>>>>> government relations specialists to help renew/secure their FCRA >>>>>>>>>>>> license? >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Looking forward to hearing from you. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Yours, >>>>>>>>>>>> Anirudh >>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>>>>>>> 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 >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> ~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~! >>>>>>>>>>> web: www.sudhanwa.com blog: www.sudhanwa.in >>>>>>>>>>> Twitter: sudhanwa Check on FB, Linkedin for more. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>>>>>> 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 >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>>> 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 >>>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>> 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 >
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