Talk:Wikimedia Community User Group Hong Kong/Archives/2018

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Proposed amendments to the user group's mission

The original mission proposed almost a year ago is modelled after the mission and goal of the former chapter - Wikimedia Hong Kong. These principles may not cope well with the operations of the user group and the social reality of Hong Kong. Furthermore, these principles have never been endorsed by members of the user group. Thus I would like to motion on amendments of the user group's mission.

Original
  • To promote the development of the Wikimedia movement.
  • To advocate free content and free culture and, based on this, the exchange of academic knowledge and cultural inheritance.
  • To strike a balance between local Wikimedian communities using different languages (English, Chinese, Cantonese.)
  • To co-operate with chapters, user groups, thematic organisations, Wikimedian communities and even civil society organisations with similar goals under principles of equality, amity and mutual assistance.
  • To stand neutral politically, but to advocate freedom of speech for Hong Kong people (if Wikimedia movement is an affected party on such an incident.)
Amendments
  • To raise awareness of the Wikimedia movement and free culture among Hong Kong citizens.
  • Support Hong Kong Wikimedian communities in English, Chinese, Cantonese and other Wikimedia projects.
  • To facilitate the exchange of academic knowledge and cultural inheritance through Wikimedia projects in Hong Kong.
  • To co-operate with Wikimedia Foundation and its affiliates, Wikimedian communities and other organisations to further goals of the Wikimedia movement and enrich the Wikimedia projects.
  • To protect rights that the Wikimedia movement needs to provide existing services in Hong Kong.

I would suggest to have a consultation on the amendments. During the consultation members of the user group can express their endorsement or voice their opinion on this matter. As we may include the mission stated above in the user group's statute (if we have to draft one), two-third majority of those who signed on the meta page is required for the motion's passage. I don't prefer to set a limit on when the discussion should end, but better if a consensus is reached as soon as possible. --Spring Roll Conan ( Teahouse | Contributions ) 11:12, 31 March 2018 (UTC)

Discussions

To shorten our discussions, I may set a deadline by Sunday, 20th May. As a reminder: two-third majority for those who signed up in the user group's page on Meta is required. If failed, I will not move the same motion again unless the AffCom differs. --Spring Roll Conan ( Teahouse | Contributions ) 14:42, 30 April 2018 (UTC)

The consultation has concluded. The participation rate is lower than two-thirds of all members. However, there are spaces for remedy. In every public message I sent in Wikimedia projects, I never specify whether the number of votes or the consensus should count - that's my fault. If we take the votes into account, the motion failed since it doesn't attain support from two-thirds of all members (some suggest alterations). But the consultation shows that no one opposed the amendments. So there's a difference. --Spring Roll Conan ( Teahouse | Contributions ) 10:48, 22 May 2018 (UTC)

Perhaps extend the discussion period and notify the remaining posters. I wonder if the new condition would be "it passes if there is no opposition stated by a certain date," and if opposition is presented ask the poster why and consider what to do next. WhisperToMe (talk) 00:23, 2 June 2018 (UTC)
It is possible for us to extend the consultation, but the move can be useless if the remaining members don't show up. The new condition is often applying in Chinese Wikipedia, but only when the outcome is clear (not suitable for this scenario). When we meet opposition, the notification period will end effectively, and we will have to talk to them.
I've asked every member of the user group who joined before the consultation ended to give opinions on this matter. (one joined after that.) Also, I looked at provisions to amend the statutes in different affiliates. In this scenario, our motion will pass in AGMs for chapters in India, Australia, Taiwan, the Netherlands, and Indonesia (in case they held a second AGM since we didn't attain attendance of 66% of all members - when the consultation ended), but fail in Germany and Israel. Re-introduction of the motion is not wise (some of us are unpleased of prolonged discussions which delayed the process to request for WMF's recognition); it may be better to find ways to get around (declare the motion's passage by counting the consensus or participation rate on basis of no. of members of the user group when the consultation started). --Spring Roll Conan ( Teahouse | Contributions ) 11:39, 3 June 2018 (UTC)

Realistically speaking, I think there exists a consensus for the majority.--1233 | Questions?| This message is left by him at 15:17, 4 June 2018 (UTC)

In our last meet-up, the decision to count the results by consensus is passed unanimously - some members of our group who never stated their opinion above included. Combined opinions stated in the meetup and here - the motion can pass when we count by consensus and participation rate. Even if it fails when we count by votes, the margin is very narrow. (0.111...) Thus I would like to propose the conclusion of the discussions by 11th July unless we meet objections. --Spring Roll Conan ( Teahouse | Contributions ) 17:04, 1 July 2018 (UTC)

Election of Liaisons to AffCom

The following discussions are intended for designation of two to four liaisons to the AffCom. They are essential for us to obtain status as a Wikimedia User Group.

Timeline:

  • 2-8 July: Notice period
  • 9-15 July: Nomination period
  • 16-17 July: Cooling-off period (1st time)
  • 18-24 July: Voting period (1st round)

Nominations are welcome from 9 to 15 July. The nomination period will extend if there are no nominations. No voting if there are less than five nominees. Otherwise single transferable voting is applied to elect liaisons. Explanations are optional.

You can voice your opinion here or through our chatroom on IRC (#wikimedia-hkconnect) / or Telegram (please contact me for access). --Spring Roll Conan ( Teahouse | Contributions ) 17:04, 1 July 2018 (UTC)

Nominations

  • I would like to nominate myself as one of the liaison of the Wikimedia User Group Hong Kong to the AffCom. I am a Wikipedian since 2006 starting from Chinese Wikipedia, and I am now a patroller and a rollblocker of Chinese Wikipedia.--Billytanghh (talk) 06:29, 9 July 2018 (UTC)
  • I am self-nominating as a probable liaison of the Wikimedia User Group Hong Kong. I currently helps organize some of the new user tutorials.--1233 | Questions?| This message is left by him at 05:32, 14 July 2018 (UTC)
  • I am self-nominating as a liaison for the Hong Kong User Group; I have been a Wikipedian since 2003 and am mostly active at the English Wikipedia, where I am a SysOp. WhisperToMe (talk) 09:56, 14 July 2018 (UTC)
Results

By 00:00 (UTC), 16th July there are three nominees. All of them are eligible as liaisons since they are also members of the user group. Thus no elections will be held and the three nominees above are elected. --Spring Roll Conan ( Teahouse | Contributions ) 08:41, 16 July 2018 (UTC)

Rename of the User Group to suit Affcom guidelines

Edit: The discussion will end on 1 September so as to speed up the process. Many thanks.--1233 | Questions?| This message is left by him at 07:07, 23 August 2018 (UTC)

As received from the email from staff of the affcom, they have stated that we would need to change the usergroup name to suit their naming guidelines.

The proposed names from them are:

  1. Wikipedians of Hong Kong User Group (香港維基百科人用戶組)
  2. Wikimedians of Hong Kong User Group (香港維基人用戶組)
  3. Wikimedia Community User Group Hong Kong (香港維基[媒體]社群用戶組)

As there is an urgent need to take out the final English name, we would assume that those who did not vote would have no preference about out English name.
There will be no change of the Chinese name of the User Group.--1233 | Questions?| This message is left by him at 15:45, 19 August 2018 (UTC)

The third one.--J.Wong 23:32, 19 August 2018 (UTC)
The first two are a little awkwardly phrased, I think. I would prefer the third one or "Wikimedia Community User Group of Hong Kong". Jc86035 (talk) 12:44, 22 August 2018 (UTC)
There are several options in front of us:
  1. Adopt any of them (probably the third one, which resembles what Richard proposed last November) by public consultation until a significant portion of responses are received.
  2. Adopt any of them and tell the public the decision is made and will pass unless there are concrete objections (looks impossible and quite autocratic, but the most efficient option).
  3. Reject all of them and ask the AffCom why user groups in China and Nigeria are allowed to use similar names when we aren't.
I don't have preference between these options, but it's likely that the first option will go ahead. Also Chinese translation is added and notifications are sent to members of the user group.--Spring Roll Conan ( Teahouse | Contributions ) 14:23, 22 August 2018 (UTC)
The first proposal.--筆和擦膠必有用 (talk) 01:58, 23 August 2018 (UTC)
The name will change to Option 3: Wikimedia Community User Group Hong Kong.--1233 | Questions?| This message is left by him at 03:57, 1 September 2018 (UTC)

Learning Quarterly: November 2018

L&E Newsletter / Volume 5 / Issue 17 / November 2018
 Learning Quarterly

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2018 Affiliations Committee call for candidates

This is an update from the Wikimedia Affiliations Committee.

The Affiliations Committee – the committee responsible for guiding volunteers in establishing Wikimedia chapters, thematic organizations, and user groups – is looking for new members!

The main role of the Affiliations Committee is to guide groups of volunteers that are interested in forming Wikimedia affiliates. We review applications from new groups, answer questions and provide advice about the different Wikimedia affiliation models and processes, review affiliate bylaws for compliance with requirements and best practices, and advise the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees on issues connected to chapters, thematic organizations and Wikimedia user groups.

The committee can include up to fifteen members, roughly half of whom are selected every twelve months for staggered two-year terms. Those joining the committee during the current process will serve a two-year term ending in December 2020.

Key skills

Being a part of the Affiliations Committee requires communication with volunteers all over the world, negotiating skills, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to understand legal texts. We look for a healthy mix of different skill sets in our members, including the following key skills and experience:

- Willingness to process applications through a set, perhaps bureaucratic process.
- Readiness to participate in political discussions on the role and future of affiliates, models of affiliation, and similar topics.
- Availability of up to 5 hours per week, and the time to participate in a monthly two-hour voice/video meeting.
- International orientation.
- Fluency in English.
- Ability to work and communicate with other languages and cultures.
- Strong understanding of the structure and work of affiliates and the Wikimedia Foundation.
- Knowledge of different legal systems and experience in community building and organizing are a plus.
- Skills in other languages are a major plus.
- Experience with or in an active affiliate is a major plus.
- Strong track record of effective collaboration (such as evidenced skills at facilitation, mediation, negotiation, and so forth) are a major plus.
- Willingness to use one's real name in committee activities (including contacts with current and potential affiliates) when appropriate.

We are looking for people who are excited by the challenge of empowering volunteers to get organized and form communities that further our mission around the world. In exchange, committee members selected will gain the experience of supporting their world-wide colleagues to develop their communities as well as personal development in guiding organizational development, facilitating affiliate partnerships, and professional communications.

Selection process

As a reflection of our commitment to openness, transparency, and bilateral engagement with the Wikimedia community, the 2018 member selection process will include a public review and comment period. All applications received by the committee will be posted on Meta at Affiliations Committee/Candidates/December 2018, and the community will be invited to provide comments and feedback about each candidate.

At the end of the public comment period, the applications will be voted on by the members of the committee who are not seeking re-election, taking into account comments put forward by the committee's members, advisors, Wikimedia Foundation staff and board liaisons, and the community. A final decision will be made by mid-January 2019, with new members expected to join later that month.

How to apply

If you are interested in joining the committee, please post your application on the nomination page and send an email announcing your application to affcom@lists.wikimedia.org by 31 December 2018. Your application must include the following information:

- Your full name and Wikimedia username
- A statement describing your relevant experience, skills, and motivation for joining the committee.
- Answers to the following three questions:

  1. How do you think affiliates work best together to partner on effective projects and initiatives?
  2. What do you see as the role of affiliates in the Wikimedia movement in the next three years?
  3. What do you feel you will bring to the committee that makes you a uniquely qualified candidate?


If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me and/or the committee as a whole. We are happy to chat or have a phone call with anyone about our work if this helps them decide to apply. Please distribute this call among your networks, and do apply if you are interested!

Best regards,
Kirill Lokshin
Chair, Affiliations Committee

Posted by MediaWiki message delivery on behalf of the Affiliations Committee, 06:25, 17 December 2018 (UTC)

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