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 Do note that your group has not been "demoted" from a chapter "to a user group" -- its recognition as an affiliate was revoked, and the group is now simply not recognized as affiliated at all.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 <raidar...@gmail.com> 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" <abar...@wikimedia.org> 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 <kimemiaa...@yahoo.com>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 <wanjaus...@gmail.com> 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 >>> >> WikimediaKE@lists.wikimedia.org >>> >> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediake >>> >> >>> >> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> WikimediaKE mailing list >>> WikimediaKE@lists.wikimedia.org >>> 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 >> WikimediaKE@lists.wikimedia.org >> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediake >> >> > _______________________________________________ > WikimediaKE mailing list > WikimediaKE@lists.wikimedia.org > 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 WikimediaKE@lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediake