Volunteer Response Team/Volunteering

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OTRS Volunteers are always welcome, but there is a fairly selective application process, given the nature of the work. Generally, OTRS administrators must be familiar with you and your work on Wikimedia projects before accepting you as a volunteer and issuing you an account. It may take some time before you receive a response in regards to your request, so please be patient.

If you are truly interested in helping out with OTRS and have not yet received a response as to that status of your application, please feel free to join the IRC channel and introduce yourself to some of our members. You still may be able to help out without an OTRS account (for more information, check out OTRS/IRC channel).

Before applying to volunteer, please read OTRS/info-en recruiting and make sure that the following statements accurately describe you:

• you're willing to work on difficult, sensitive, and at times hostile messages;
• you're courteous, skilled at resolving disputes, friendly even in the face of hostility, sensitive to the needs of those outside Wikipedia, and have exemplary discretion;
• you're willing to provide identification to the Wikimedia Foundation (please see Access to nonpublic data policy for why we ask for this).

====[[User:Example|]]====

*'''languages you can reply in:''' Zulu, English-3, Inuit-3, and Sinhala-2
*'''most active user talk pages:''' [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_talk:Example]
*'''Email sent''': Yes

I'd like to help out on OTRS because . ~~~~

Feel free to specify if you are entrusted with any special tools on wikis (sysop, bureaucrat, checkuser, etc.). You may also add to your application links to archives of help desk posts, or identification on active mailing lists if you think they are relevant.

Please also send an email to volunteers-otrs AT wikimedia D0T org linking to your application on this page and giving your age, each time you apply. Thanks.

Note: Additional language skills are a plus. Currently, additional help is needed in: German, Hebrew, Arabic, Finnish and Italian queues (in order of backlog). Please make sure you mention any language skills you have.

Anonymous Dissident

Required:

• languages you can reply in: En-N, possibly Deutsch
• rfxs (if any): (enwp, Meta, Commons, species)
• history of most active user talk pages: [1]
• Email sent: Yes

OTRS is fundamental to the smooth running of Wikimedia, for several reasons. First of all, it is intimately concerned with the satisfaction and full informing of the public, and their continued accessibility to our projects. It is also critical because, running along the same vein, it allows the public to directly communicate with the Foundation and it's projects' volunteers. Considering that what we are doing is directly intended for the full use of the public and everyone, these two things are of great priority and administrative importance. I believe I could well act as one of these OTRS volunteers, and help in the clearing of what I understand are rising backlogs, as well as in the detailed and explanatory answering of the numerous questions, queries, complaints and comments made by the mailers. I have experience in areas relating to both technical and non-technical administration; I think that the latter will come to particular use should I be approved. I also believe I carry the necessary traits of patience, sufficient knowledge of both what is required, and of Wikimedia itself and its corresponding policies, as well as an impartial eye. Lastly, I understand the stress that is often attached to this work, but I believe that this will not be an issue for me. Thank you for considering my request. Regards --Anonymous Dissident^Talk 10:27, 5 February 2008 (UTC)

Of course, I strongly endorse this user (I encouraged him to volunteer after seeing a backlog of nearly 100 emails in info-en - not including quality queue, of course). Majorly (talk) 13:41, 5 February 2008 (UTC)

I also endorse AnonDiss. Giggy\^Talk 10:06, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

I'm with both Alex on this one :) ..--Cometstyles 11:18, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

No doubt about it. Mature well beyond his years and has a knack for solving complex problems. Daniel 00:43, 8 February 2008 (UTC)

My interaction with this user across wikis suggests a calm thoughtful person who is aware of policy and equally prepared to listen and learn. I would imagine that they would be helpful --Herby ^{talk thyme} 12:46, 8 February 2008 (UTC)

Will definitely be of assistance on the team. I have interacted with him on several occasions and can see that he possesses the necessary qualities that a volunteer for OTRS would require. Spebi 21:23, 8 February 2008 (UTC)

Nakon / en:User:Nakon

Required:

• languages you can reply in: English (Native)
• rfxs (if any): rfa en.wiki, Meta RfA
• history of most active user talk pages:[2]
• Email sent: Yes

I'd like to help out on OTRS because I like to help out my local project wherever I can. I heard about a "*huge* backlog" in the en.wiki queue and want to help get it under control. I currently have sysop access on meta and en.wiki. I've been with the project for a few years (first edit on en.wiki was 13 December 2005) and I have a very thorough understanding of en.wiki's policies and inner workings. Nakon 02:04, 8 February 2008 (UTC)

Spebi / en:User:Spebi

Required:

• languages you can reply in: en (native)
• rfxs (if any): enwp,
• history of most active user talk pages: [3]
• Email sent: Yes
• archives of help desk posts: English Wikipedia help desk (most active responding months): May 2007, June 2007, July 2007

OTRS is an important process; one that is vital for the smooth operation of the Wikimedia projects. I believe that those who contact OTRS receive the assistance they require, in the way that they require it. The amount of complaints received will eventually tower over the amount of willing volunteers, and to prevent this from happening, I wish to volunteer to become a member of the OTRS team. This is, primarily, to preserve the system's reputation as a supportive complaints system by responding to messages appropriately, but also to prevent the increasing backlogs of messages to increase further beyond manageability. I believe that I possess all the necessary qualities that a potential volunteer should possess (gained through my experience as an editor and an administrator); thorough knowledge of foundation and my home project's policies and processes, experience dealing with complaints and requests for assistance (see links for my help desk responses) in a way that displays my patience, willingness to assist, ability to respond in an appropriate manner (e.g., keeping cool when in heated disputes) among other useful qualities. I believe I could become an asset to Wikimedia's OTRS system, and I thank you for considering my request. Regards, Spebi 07:44, 8 February 2008 (UTC)

Endorse, of course. ----Anonymous Dissident^Talk 13:07, 8 February 2008 (UTC)

Endorse, <exaggerate>backlogs are huge</exaggerate> :P ..--Cometstyles 13:42, 8 February 2008 (UTC)

Endorse. — E ^talk 20:19, 10 February 2008 (UTC)

Jayvdb

• languages you can reply in: English (native)
• administrator on (if any): en.wp, en.ws, Commons
• most active user talk pages: [4], [5]
• Email sent: Yes

I'd like to help out on OTRS because there are backlogs, which is especially of concern if BLP issues are not being addressed quickly. This situation is resulting in alternative methods of communication being proposed for banned users.[6]

Also, I am often directing people to send permissions in regards to Wikisource so it would be helpful if I am familiar with the way these are handled, and to provide assistance in dealing with Wikisource related matters. John Vandenberg 13:58, 8 February 2008 (UTC)

• Strongly endorse. Having experience in all types of situations that one may encounter when dealing with complaints, John is the type of user the team could really use. Spebi 21:19, 8 February 2008 (UTC)

• • Endorse. Generally calm and helpful, and knows what he's talking about - could be especially good with permissions. Majorly (talk) 19:17, 10 February 2008 (UTC)

• Strong endorse - calm, measured, clued in and a 'doer'. Very capable Wikipedian. Will be good for others to be able to seek advice from on problematic tickets, too, and also has wide interests, including multiple projects and areas. FT2 ^{(Talk | email)} 22:15, 10 February 2008 (UTC)

Spartaz

• languages you can reply in: En (Native); Ru-1 (I used to have intermediate Russian but struggle these days)
• most active user talk pages: En I guess
• Email sent: Yes (in 2 seconds)

I'd like to help out on OTRS because I'm told the backlogs are huge and I'm willing, and I think able to help out. Fixing BLP violations is important work that needs to be done quickly to keep the level of harm to the minimum. Spartaz 14:27, 9 February 2008 (UTC)

• Endorse user. Friendly and capable. — Nearly Headless Nick {C} 07:42, 10 February 2008 (UTC)

en:User:Cool Hand Luke

Required:

• languages you can reply in: English (Native)
• rfxs (if any): rfa en.wiki
• history of most active user talk pages:[7]
• Email sent: Yes

Well, Majorly says backlogs are huge!

Honestly, I'm concerned about a lot of what I see on en.Wikipedia, especially BLP and copyright violations. I think we should have rapid responses when these problems are pointed out; it helps our credibility and makes the encyclopedia much better. I've been an admin since 2004, and I'm adept at selective history deletions (for example, see w:Mike Godwin). I'm passionate about BLP, and I want to help. Cool Hand Luke 07:33, 10 February 2008 (UTC)

User:Keilana / en:User:Keilana

• languages you can reply in: English-N, fr-3/4, es-1
• most active user talk pages: [8]
• rfx(s): en:Wikipedia:Requests for adminship/Keilana
• Email sent: Yes (in just a moment, providing it's working)

I'd like to help out on OTRS because I have a calm, patient and cool demeanor. I have experience mediating disputes on the English Wikipedia, and subscribe to the unblock-en-l mailing list, often answering queries. I speak English as a native and advanced French, with a basic level of Spanish. I am also a sysop on the English Wikipedia. I believe that I can handle the stress and daily workload of OTRS, and am willing to help with any backlogs that come up. Thank you, Keilana|^{Parlez ici} 20:29, 10 February 2008 (UTC)

I endorse this user. Very positive interactions, never seen her uncalm, and has good experience that would make her be an effective agent. Majorly (talk) 20:33, 10 February 2008 (UTC)

Yes, very efficient. --Anonymous Dissident^Talk 07:06, 11 February 2008 (UTC)

I feel Keilana's French is not good enough to handle OTRS in French. I leave the rest to the English speakers to decide. (:Julien:) 09:59, 11 February 2008 (UTC)

She is always helpful and I really appreciate her. On the other, sorry to say, I've got some complaints and comments of need of rewriting from native French editors in accordance of Julien's concerns. She would be more than okay to handle info-en, on the other hand. --Aphaia 10:11, 11 February 2008 (UTC)

AGK

• Languages you can reply in: UK English
  • Other language capabilities,
  • Es-3, De-1, Fr-1
• Most active user talk pages: English Wikipedia
• Email sent: At 16:20, 11 February 2008 (UTC)

I spend a large amount of my time on enwiki handling issues that require carefully considered communication and handling—I have interacted with a number of banned users, sit on the Mediation Committee as an active member, offer third opinions in disputes to which a party has requested my intervention. My activities as an in-training Arbitration Clerk has often required that I "put my foot down" in matters where inter-editor communication is beginning to disrupt the project (e.g., [9], [10]) and I regularly offer a "helping hand" to bemuddled newbies ([11], [12]). I am active on the Administrators' Noticeboards on the English Wikipedia, and regularly participate in discussions related to sensitive issues—often, biographies of living persons issues. Throughout my Wikipedia activities, I remain calm and collected at all times, including when presented with a rather high-temperature communication. Being active on a daily basis on Wikipedia and Wikimedia projects, and a developer of several non-WMF MediaWiki sites, I strongly support the Wiki model and the Foundation ethos. I view the maintaining of stability in articles as a key requirement in the editorial habits of all project editors, and support this through the regular intervention in edit wars—additionally, I was recently appointed to an observing position on the Arbitration Committee's Work Group on Cultural and Ethnic Edit Warring. I have been an administrator on the English Wikipedia for a while now (see RfXs, above), and this has certainly refined my ability to "know when to say yes or no"—something I understand to be a must for OTRS volunteers. My activities on Wikipedia have resulted in a sizeable volume of daily emails, many of which involve private information—for this reason, I maintain a strict non-email-disclosure policy, and I would be comfortable maintaining that in OTRS activities, including non-disclosure of ticket contents on-Wiki, IRC, etc... Finally, I believe I have something to contribute to the OTRS system—I am highly experienced in handling a multitude of persons, of differing backgrounds, Wikipedia knowledge, and even language skills. It would not be a huge shock to my system, considering the similar work I already undertake in the course of my editing; in fact, I relish the opportunity to interact with members of the public on Wikipedia matters. I am willing to receive further enquiries, either publicly or privately.

Anthøny 16:20, 11 February 2008 (UTC)