Movement Charter/Supplementary Document/Hubs: definition and scope of work

Movement Charter

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Wikimedia Hubs are collaboration or coordination structures and networks across the movement that have a specific regional or thematic focus.

Scope

Wikimedia Hubs are made up of Wikimedia Movement Organisations who are pooling non-financial resources that enable the growth and strengthening of each member of the Hub. They are formed on the basis of shared interest and fair representation.

A hub’s purpose includes coordinating internal and external work, developing revenue streams, pooling and allocating resources, coordinating capacity building, mediating conflicts among members, supporting organizational growth, and developing strategic frameworks.

Hubs deliver cross-cutting services for the communities and individuals that they serve within the Hub's focus area, such as a geographic region or a thematic area. These might include, but are not limited to: skills, capacity and leadership development, partnership building, resource generation, and creation of region-wide or subject-wide adaptable tools, frameworks, policies, and others, which aim to strengthen and improve the overall health of the members and individuals it serves.

The concrete scope and functionality of the Hubs will be decided by the involved communities and organizations based on their contexts and needs. Hubs must have a clearly described purpose that does not duplicate the work of another organization in the Movement. Regional and Thematic Hub pilots are set up only after thorough research and scoping with the communities they will serve. A Hub fills a need in these communities that has previously been unaddressed. It is an instance of implementation of the subsidiarity principle. More criteria for pilot Hubs are outlined in the Hubs Guidelines.

Set Up

Hubs can be initiated by a minimum of two existing Wikimedia affiliates, who can then also be joined by non-Wikimedia entities. The Wikimedia affiliates must have met all standard requirements for an affiliate of its type over the previous two years. Wikimedia affiliates can be members of more than one Hub.

Furthermore:

• A Hub may legally incorporate if it wishes so, but it is not required for its operation.
• The Wikimedia Foundation, Global Council, or an already existing Hub cannot set up or become a member of a new Hub.
• Individuals and informal groups cannot become members of a Hub, but can receive support from a Hub.

Hubs receive their recognition and mandate from a committee appointed by the Global Council, with final approval being granted by the Global Council. In the absence of the Global Council, the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees, or its appointed committee, can recognize and derecognize Hubs. Hubs will execute a trademark agreement with the Wikimedia Foundation and make sure to use the trademarks in compliance with this agreement.

Governance structure

A Hub will determine and publish its decision-making and membership model. It should set up its decision-making in accordance with the Principles of Decision-Making and the Movement Charter values. The governance model and structure of a Hub should reflect these values as appropriate to the context in which the hub exists.

Responsibilities

1. Care responsibility: Hubs are focused on coordination and support within their region or focus, and have a Care Responsibility towards the members, communities, and individuals they support.
2. Revenue generation: Hubs can participate in revenue generation after signing the fundraising agreement with the Wikimedia Foundation, and redistribute or use these funds within their region or theme.
3. Empower communities: Hubs empower communities to have the capacity and resources to make and implement decisions to meet their own needs.
4. Connection in movement communication: Hubs are a communication channel between the Global Council, the Wikimedia Foundation, and all other Wikimedia Movement Organizations, and contribute to reach participants in the Wikimedia Movement. They support communities in translating high-level communications and decisions into their own contexts.
5. Level of expertise: Hubs develop and maintain a high level of knowledge about the needs of the Wikimedia Movement in their region and/or within the subject of focus. Hubs are responsible for working and collaborating with stakeholders who seek their advice or ask for their support.

Hubs have the right to have matters and disputes with other stakeholders brought before the Independent Dispute Resolution function in accord with its policies.