Volunteer Supporters Network/Online Meeting 2024/Report
6th and 7th of June 2024
Organized by: Wikimedia Chile
Participants
[edit]The following list was provided by the public registry that was made with the Event Registration Tool.
Members
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Liaisons
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Others
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Overview
[edit]The Volunteer Supporters online Meeting 2024 was the sixth of its kind after previous meetings in person and since the pandemic has been online. Hosted by Wikimedia Chile, the meeting took place online on the 6th and 7th of June.
The meeting was attended by 18 people from 14 different countries. We met for 4 hours each day. The two days were moderated by Josefina Maturana from CuartoEco.
The primary objectives of the meeting were:
- Develop and share strategies that harness the potential of new technologies to enhance volunteer support, ensuring adaptability to the evolving landscape.
- Spotlight innovative approaches and success stories in volunteer support, inspiring participants to adopt and adapt effective models within their respective communities.
- Strengthen the network of people dedicated to the Volunteer Support.
Outcomes
[edit]Day 1
[edit]What are the global challenges that we feel are affecting us as a network?
Technical and Technological
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Engagement
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External Socio-Political and Environmental
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Which of our strengths allow us to adapt to global challenges?
Community
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Collaboration
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What can we activate together to strengthen the network's role in this global context?
Organizational Development
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Communication and Collaboration
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Day 2
[edit]Network Governance
Questions
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Next Steps
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Help Needed
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Network Communication
Questions
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Next Steps
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Help Needed
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Future Activities
Questions
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Next Steps
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Help Needed
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Evaluation
[edit]After the meeting, we conducted a brief post-event survey to obtain the participants' perspectives on topics such as the organization, moderation, and the content discussed. Eleven participants, 67% of the overall participants, responded to the survey.
- 82% rate their overall experience of the meeting with the maximum score.
- 73% were satisfied with the organization and logistics of the meeting.
- 82% rate the content of the meeting with the maximum score.
- 91% found the format of the session effective.
The responses when asked for the rate in some statements were:
It was highlighted
[edit]- The consideration of having live interpretation
- The friendly atmosphere
- The opportunity of seeing eachother and connect
Learnings
[edit]Online Meetings: Pros and Cons
- Hosting the meeting online presented both benefits and challenges. On the positive side, virtual meetings are more environmentally friendly and do not require extensive travel time, making them more accessible. However, coordinating a time that accommodates participants from various time zones proved challenging, and the format necessitated long hours of screen time, which can be tiring. For future planning, organizers can consider holding in-person meetings every two to three years while continuing with online meetings in between. This could balance the benefits of both formats.
Importance of Network Communication
- The event highlighted the critical need for more frequent and structured communication within our network, especially given the ongoing changes within the Wikimedia movement and the challenges of retaining volunteers from newer generations. Participants expressed a strong desire to connect with peers who understand their specific obstacles and work environments. Establishing regular check-ins or smaller thematic meetings throughout the year could help maintain this vital communication.
Participant Engagement and Interaction
- Engaging participants in an online setting can be challenging due to the lack of physical presence and potential for distractions. We found that incorporating interactive elements, such as breakout rooms and collaborative tools like Etherpads, significantly enhanced participant involvement. For future meetings, increasing the use of interactive platforms and diversifying session formats (e.g., workshops, panel discussions, and Q&A sessions) can help maintain high levels of engagement.