Movement Charter/Supplementary Document/Global Council

These supplementary documents are provided by the Movement Charter Drafting Committee for information purposes, and to provide further context on the Wikimedia Movement Charter’s content. They are not part of the Charter, and therefore are not included in the ratification vote, but they have been developed during the course of the MCDC’s research and consultation process. They include several types of documents:

Information on topics related to the Charter.
Suggestions for policy or process development or consideration by the Global Council after the Charter is ratified.
Processes related to the Charter ratification vote.

Procedure and Processes[edit]

The Global Council operates under the detailed Rules of Procedure^[1] for executing the assigned duties.

Meetings

The Global Council Assembly (GCA) convenes once a year during its annual meeting. The Global Council Board (GCB) meets more frequently.^[2] Participation in GCA and GCB meetings can be done in-person, hybrid, or remotely. The purpose of GC meetings extends beyond routine discussions to include crucial functions aimed at shaping the trajectory of the Wikimedia Movement. These meetings serve as a platform for deliberations on movement strategy and judgments on regulating Wikimedia Movement Organizations. Additionally, GC meetings set the rules of order as they apply to members.

Resolutions

The GCA documents their decisions in the form of resolutions. A resolution may be adopted at a meeting with the approval of a majority of the voting members present at the meeting. A resolution may also be adopted outside of a meeting with the written approval of a majority of voting members serving on the GCA at the time.

For GCB, a quorum^[3] must be present for the GCB to conduct business and make decisions during meetings.

Committees of the Global Council

The GC may delegate the work on specific projects or processes to committees composed of Global Council Assembly members and others. The committees are responsible for reporting their activities to the GCB.

Compensation/Stipend

To support participation,^[4] a basic stipend is allocated to members. This stipend aims to support members in fulfilling their duties effectively while ensuring fair access and equitable participation.

Membership Policy[edit]

This membership policy is designed to ensure global representation, community involvement, and inclusivity in the Global Council. It outlines criteria, expectations, and selection,^[5] election,^[6] and appointment^[7] methods, allowing for the inclusion of new affiliates and members while committing to regular updates every two years.

Setting up the Global Council[edit]

The first sitting of the GC shall be done through a selection, election, and appointment method. It will build up to the full size gradually through several stages, with rounds of members being added in batches by continually refined criteria.
In the first sitting, the committees shall be appointed by the Global Council Board.

Membership Criteria[edit]

Representation:
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), ensuring representation across diverse geographical regions, languages, cultural perspectives, project experiences, and genders within the Wikimedia movement.
- An emphasis on community involvement, especially on members actively participating in community discussions and collaborative initiatives.
Open to New Affiliates and Members:^[8]
- Provision for new affiliates to join, with a streamlined process for their representation.
- Opportunities for new individual members to be added periodically.

Membership Recommendations[edit]

Project-Specific Membership:
- Members representing specific Wikimedia projects, ensuring a variety of project perspectives.
- Regular reviews to accommodate changes in project dynamics and emerging communities.
Affiliate Membership:
- Representation from officially recognized affiliates, with mechanisms for new affiliates to join.
- Periodic assessments to incorporate emerging affiliates into the governance body.
General Global Membership:
- Open for individuals globally, providing an avenue for diverse voices.
- Inclusive processes for selecting global members, avoiding dominance of one region over others.
Overlapping Positions in the Wikimedia Movement:
- Within two weeks of their appointment to the GCB, all GCB members must resign from any other board, governance, or paid positions at the Wikimedia Foundation and/or Wikimedia affiliates for the duration of their terms as GCB members, but may serve Wikimedia affiliates in informal or advisory capacities.

Preferences for selecting members for the Global Council[edit]

Commitment to Wikimedia Values:
- Emphasize candidates' commitment to Wikimedia values, principles, strategy, and the mission of the movement.
- Prioritize individuals who have demonstrated a history of aligning their work with the core values of the Wikimedia Movement.
Community Engagement:
- Give preference to candidates who have a track record of active engagement with Wikimedia projects, communities, affiliates, and other movement entities.
- Consider individuals who have a deep understanding of the needs and aspirations of the Wikimedia communities.
Communication and Collaboration Skills:
- Evaluate candidates based on their communication and collaboration skills, as effective collaboration is crucial for the success of the GC.
- Prioritize individuals who can contribute to open and transparent communication within the GC and with the wider Wikimedia Movement.
- English fluency is not a requirement.

Membership Size[edit]

Flexible and viable membership size, aiming for a balance between stability and adaptability.
Regularly reassess the optimal size based on the evolving needs of the Wikimedia Movement.

Voting Means[edit]

Voting on all matters, including the election of GCB committee members, may be conducted by electronic mail, secured chat software, video conferencing, wiki software, or other similar verifiable means.
Proxy voting shall not be allowed.

Review and Amendment[edit]

Commitment to reviewing the Global Council membership policy every two years, ensuring it remains reflective of the movement's dynamics.
Amendments can be proposed and adopted per the Amendment guidelines.

Recommendations for Selection to the Global Council[edit]

Diversity and Inclusion:
- Prioritize diversity in representation, considering factors such as geographical regions, language, cultural perspective, project experiences, gender, and other dimensions of diversity.
- Implement inclusive practices^[9] in the selection process to ensure a broad representation that reflects the rich tapestry of the Wikimedia Movement.
Expertise and Experience:
- Seek individuals with diverse expertise and experience in areas relevant to the responsibilities of the GC.
- Consider a balance of skills in revenue generation, strategic planning, movement progress monitoring, and technology advancement.
Long-Term Vision:
- Seek individuals with a long-term vision for the Wikimedia movement, aligned with the principles of sustainable development and resilience.
- Prioritize candidates who can contribute to the development and implementation of longer-term movement strategies.
Understanding of Governance and Accountability:
- Prioritize candidates who have a strong understanding of governance principles and accountability structures.
- Seek individuals who can enhance accountability and transparency in movement-wide decision-making.

These recommendations aim to guide the selection process for the Global Council, ensuring a diverse, skilled, and committed group of individuals who can effectively contribute to the governance and advancement of the Wikimedia Movement.

Formula[edit]

Designing a formula for fair distribution of seats in the Global Council Assembly involves considerations of representation for various communities, affiliates, and diversities. While there is not a one-size-fits-all formula, one can start with a basic proportional representation approach. What follows is a simplified example:

Identify key categories such as project representatives, community representatives, affiliates, hubs, and other entities.
Allocate a base number of seats for each category to ensure representation.
Distribute additional seats proportionally based on the size or significance of each category.^[10]
Introduce adjustments to ensure the representation of various diversities.^[11]
Incorporate flexibility in the formula to adapt to changes^[12] in the Wikimedia ecosystem.

A hypothetical formula could be:

Seats Total = Seats Base + Seats Additional + Seats Adjustment + Seats Inclusivity

This formula can be adjusted based on the specific needs and priorities of the Wikimedia ecosystem. It is crucial to engage with stakeholders and gather feedback to refine and improve the formula over time. Additionally, legal and ethical considerations should be taken into account to ensure fairness and transparency in the seat allocation process.

Notes[edit]

↑ The Rules of Procedure is forthcoming and will be created by the Global Council.
↑ Meetings of the Global Council Board are scheduled as the Board deems appropriate and shall be conducted at least twice annually.
↑ The GC will define this quorum, which should at the very least be a majority.
↑ While the work on GC remains fundamentally voluntary, it is acknowledged that the workload is extensive and may have financial impacts on its members.
↑ “Selection” is defined as the action or fact of carefully choosing someone (e.g,. affiliate-selected seats on MCDC).
↑ “Election” is defined as a formal and organized choice by vote.
↑ “Appointment” is defined as an act of assigning a position to someone.
↑ In practice, this will mean that some members will have to step back to make room for new members. Serving on the GC is a right and responsibility, not a privilege.
↑ Inclusive practices include reaching out to diverse communities, providing accommodations for accessibility needs, transparently communicating selection criteria, involving the wider Wikimedia Movement in nominations, and conducting fair evaluations.
↑ Calculate the proportion of seats each category should have relative to the total.
↑ For instance, allocate additional seats to underrepresented communities or regions.
↑ Consider periodic reviews to adjust seat allocations based on evolving needs. Implement measures to ensure inclusivity, such as reserved seats for individual editors, specific communities, and/or affirmative action for underrepresented groups

[1] The Rules of Procedure is forthcoming and will be created by the Global Council.

[2] Meetings of the Global Council Board are scheduled as the Board deems appropriate and shall be conducted at least twice annually.

[3] The GC will define this quorum, which should at the very least be a majority.

[4] While the work on GC remains fundamentally voluntary, it is acknowledged that the workload is extensive and may have financial impacts on its members.

[5] “Selection” is defined as the action or fact of carefully choosing someone (e.g,. affiliate-selected seats on MCDC).

[6] “Election” is defined as a formal and organized choice by vote.

[7] “Appointment” is defined as an act of assigning a position to someone.

[8] In practice, this will mean that some members will have to step back to make room for new members. Serving on the GC is a right and responsibility, not a privilege.

[9] Inclusive practices include reaching out to diverse communities, providing accommodations for accessibility needs, transparently communicating selection criteria, involving the wider Wikimedia Movement in nominations, and conducting fair evaluations.

[10] Calculate the proportion of seats each category should have relative to the total.

[11] For instance, allocate additional seats to underrepresented communities or regions.

[12] Consider periodic reviews to adjust seat allocations based on evolving needs. Implement measures to ensure inclusivity, such as reserved seats for individual editors, specific communities, and/or affirmative action for underrepresented groups

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