Hi, David.
You are mistaken: We are not judging all of you, and we have not punished
anyone, not even Stephen. What we did was demand accountability, and that
is a non-negotiable part of our movement, founded as it is on open
collaboration and transparency. I realize it's been very demoralizing for
the rest of you; I can say I acted as soon as I knew something was wrong --
can all of you say that? The lack of trust I referred to was what was
evident from exchanges on this list in the past few months, not from the
side of the Foundation. I have met a lot of you in person and I do trust
you. I will support you in any mission-aligned attempt you make --
including with funding.
You are also mistaken in still perceiving the revocation of the
_provisional_ chapter recognition as a punishment. That was not the case
at all; the recognition was provisional to begin with, and depended on two
things -- formal incorporation within a year, and sustained activity. Both
of those requirements were not met, and so the provisional recognition,
which was only for one year _to begin with_, expired. The embezzlement had
nothing to do with it.
To your question, there is nothing to appeal -- that recognition is gone.
You can always apply for chapter status again, according to the
instructions here[1], but you would do well to begin by getting people
together and regenerating some enthusiasm to do Wikimedia work -- editing
sessions, photo walks, training sessions, etc. -- and by seeking
recognition as a Wikimedia User Group. Do note that your group has not
been "demoted" from a chapter "to a user group" -- its recognition as an
affiliate was revoked, and the group is now simply not recognized as
affiliated at all. To _be_ recognized as a User Group, you would need to
seek recognition according to the (much easier) process here[2].
Again, I would urge you to not worry about the status or label of the
group, but to instead focus on creating value for the mission. Once a core
of value exists and has some community energy behind it, the rest becomes
easy.
Cheers,
Asaf
[1] http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Step-by-step_chapter_creation_guide
[2] http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Step-by-step_user_group_creation_guide
On Fri, May 3, 2013 at 10:13 PM, David Mugo <[email protected]> wrote:
> Asaf,
>
> I believe that the Wikimedia Foundation did the Kenyan Wikimedians wrong
> by judging all of us based on one occurrence and purnishing everyone for
> the mistakes of a few. The zeal and energy that was there was totally
> drained and beginning lacks the power it requires.
>
> In fact, I believe it would have been best to let us do our own house
> cleaning then recommend action against any wrong doings.
>
> It is hard to begin anything with the knowledge that there is no trust
> between us and the foundation.
>
> Lastly, I would like to ask, what are the chances of appealing the
> decision by the foundation to demote us to a user group?
>
> David.
> On May 4, 2013 5:27 AM, "Asaf Bartov" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Hello, everyone.
>>
>> It is unfortunate the air is still not clear among this group. "Sunshine
>> is the best disinfectant", said judge Brandeis. I urge everyone to engage
>> in a frank discussion of what transpired, AND to stop dropping dark hints.
>> Those do not help at all.
>>
>> From WMF's perspective, I should note that we have received US$596 by
>> wire back from Stephen, but that the start-up grant[1] is still not
>> resolved, and a full accounting will need to be made of all the grant funds
>> (US$7001), spent and unspent. Such a report has still not been submitted.
>> I would urge those of you still interested in pursuing a new beginning to
>> make an effort (I know it's unappetizing) and resolve this ASAP, so we can
>> all turn the page.
>>
>> I am still convinced much can be done in Kenya, albeit with a different
>> approach.
>>
>> Asaf
>>
>> [1]
>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Stephen_Wanjau_-_Wikimedians_in_Kenya/Start-up
>>
>>
>> On Thu, May 2, 2013 at 9:58 PM, Andrew maina <[email protected]>wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> Wikimedians have GIRLFRIENDS! :-O No, but seriously do publish these
>>> records and out this truth.
>>> ------------------------------
>>> On Thu, May 2, 2013 7:43 AM MSKS Kosgei Isaac wrote:
>>>
>>> >What a big shame!
>>> >Steve we WANT the names of all those who used the money and we hold
>>> them
>>> >responsible.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >Isaac K. Kosgei.
>>> >Bachelor of Agribusiness Management
>>> >+254727553981
>>> >SkypeProfile: Kipsizoo
>>> >http://ke.linkedin.com/in/kipsizoo
>>> >Twitter: @kipsizoo
>>> >Blogs: www.kipsizoo.blogspot.com <http://www.kipsizoo.blogspot.com/%20
>>> >
>>> > Agribusiness Blog <http://www.kipsizoo.wordpress.com/>
>>> >*"My satisfaction comes from my commitment to advancing a better
>>> world" -
>>> >Faye Wattleton*
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >On 2 May 2013 04:32, stephen wanjau <[email protected]> wrote:
>>> >
>>> >> I have kissed ass for more than a year now...I am the most shaded
>>> African
>>> >> Wikipedian....Yes I ate the donors money as most allege and so what?
>>> .... I
>>> >> do not wish to take this with me to the grave...hate me or love me
>>> now as
>>> >> it makes no difference... I hate all of you. At my tender age my
>>> parents
>>> >> never knew about this white elephant.They hate me because of this
>>> >> humanitarian movement that I dropped both my feet into... I paid for
>>> some
>>> >> of your escapades with your girlfriends using the donors money. I
>>> was so
>>> >> naive and effed up. As far as Dubai since local was too mainstream I
>>> >> financed you and some of you and your girlfriends. That is for the
>>> inner
>>> >> cycle and for some I have decided to donate the money since you
>>> >> have never appraised the debts till now. I still have the statements
>>> till
>>> >> now from equity bank and KCB bank.
>>> >>
>>> >> I have all the records with me.....the statements, withdrawals and
>>> >> everything else as shocking as the next line.
>>> >>
>>> >> I hate myself and I still love sharing free knowledge. It is the key
>>> to
>>> >> love and live that keeps me going.
>>> >>
>>> >> EFF you and me.
>>> >>
>>> >> Yours faithfully,
>>> >> Stephen
>>> >>
>>> >> _______________________________________________
>>> >> WikimediaKE mailing list
>>> >> [email protected]
>>> >> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediake
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> WikimediaKE mailing list
>>> [email protected]
>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediake
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Asaf Bartov
>> Wikimedia Foundation <http://www.wikimediafoundation.org>
>>
>> Imagine a world in which every single human being can freely share in the
>> sum of all knowledge. Help us make it a reality!
>> https://donate.wikimedia.org
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> WikimediaKE mailing list
>> [email protected]
>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediake
>>
>>
> _______________________________________________
> WikimediaKE mailing list
> [email protected]
> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediake
>
>
--
Asaf Bartov
Wikimedia Foundation <http://www.wikimediafoundation.org>
Imagine a world in which every single human being can freely share in the
sum of all knowledge. Help us make it a reality!
https://donate.wikimedia.org
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