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Opportunities open for the Affiliations Committee, Ombuds commission, and the Case Review Committee[edit]

Hi everyone! The Affiliations Committee (AffCom), Ombuds commission (OC), and the Case Review Committee (CRC) are looking for new members. These volunteer groups provide important structural and oversight support for the community and movement. People are encouraged to nominate themselves or encourage others they feel would contribute to these groups to apply. There is more information below about the opportunity and the skills that are needed.

About the Affiliations Committee[edit]

The Affiliations Committee (AffCom) makes recommendations to the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees on the recognition, approval, and existence of Wikimedia movement affiliates. AffCom helps Wikimedians from around the world self-organize into chapters, thematic organizations, and user groups, and to gain official recognition from the Wikimedia Foundation. AffCom’s work involves the recognition of new affiliates, helping them retain their affiliate status through yearly reportings, and conflict mitigation when challenges happen within affiliates.

Volunteers in this role should be experienced Wikimedians from any project, have experience working with affiliates to practice good governance. International perspectives, collaboration, teamwork and experience handling sensitive situations are among traits needed. Given the scope of work, proficiency in English is required. AffCom seeks members committing 7-10 hours monthly for a 3-year term. The members will have the option to run again after completion of their terms.

About the Ombuds commission[edit]

The Ombuds commission (OC) works on all Wikimedia projects to investigate complaints about infringements of the Privacy Policy, the Access to Nonpublic Personal Data Policy, and the use of CheckUser and Oversight (also known as Suppression) tools on any Wikimedia project. The commission mediates between the parties of the investigation and, when violations of the policies are identified, advises the Wikimedia Foundation on best handling. They may also assist the General Counsel, the Chief Executive Officer, or the Board of Trustees of the Foundation in these investigations when legally necessary.

Volunteers in this role should be experienced Wikimedians, active on any project, who have previously used the CheckUser/Oversight tools OR who have the technical ability to understand these tools and the willingness to learn them. They must be able to communicate in English, the common language of the commission. They are expected to be able to engage neutrally in investigating these concerns and to know when to recuse if other roles and relationships may cause conflict. Commissioners will fulfill two-year terms.

About the Case Review Committee[edit]

The Case Review Committee (CRC) reviews appeals of eligible Wikimedia Foundation office actions. The CRC is a critical layer of oversight to ensure that office actions are fair and unbiased. They also make sure the Wikimedia Foundation doesn’t overstep established practices or boundaries.

The CRC is looking for current or former functionaries and experienced volunteers with an interest in joining this group. Applicants must be fluent in English (additional languages are a strong plus) and willing to abide by the terms of the Committee charter. If the work resonates and you qualify, please apply. Committee members will fulfill two-year terms.

Submitting your application[edit]

If you are interested in applying to any of these groups – Affiliations Committee, Ombuds commission, or the Case Review Committee – please read the privacy statement for this process. There are two ways to submit an application:

Members are required to sign the Confidentiality agreement for nonpublic information and must be willing to comply with the appropriate Wikimedia Foundation board policies (such as the access to non-public information policy and the Foundation privacy policy). These positions require a high degree of discretion and trust. Members must also be over 18 years of age.

The application is open now. Applications for AffCom will be posted on Meta-wiki for comments on October 17 and will close on November 17, 2023 in any timezone. The applications for the Ombuds commission and the Case Review Committee, which will not be posted on Meta-wiki, will close on December 31, 2023 in any timezone.

If the form does not work for you, please email the following information to the respective email (subject line should be "2024 committee appointments"):

Affiliations Committee - cst(_AT_)wikimedia.org
Ombuds commission - ca(_AT_)wikimedia.org
Case Review committee - legal(_AT_)wikimedia.org.
  • Your username and the link to your user page
  • Your primary projects
  • Languages you speak/write and fluency level (please make sure to include English)
  • Any experience you have participating on committees, whether movement or non-movement
  • Your thoughts on what skills, experience, or perspective you could bring to the committee, if appointed
  • Any other information you think is relevant
  • Your acknowledgement and commitment to the time and effort required for the respective committee’s work
  • Ombuds Commission only: any experience you have with the Checkuser or Oversight tools
  • AffCom only: which sub-committee are you interested in working with (you cannot be in both): recognitions or conflict interventions?
  • AffCom only: what do you think are the benefits and responsibilities of functioning as formal affiliates, and when is a group of Wikimedians ready to form an affiliate?
  • AffCom only: please describe your experience working with conflict resolution, and how you have helped build consensus and support diversity.

There will be four conversation hours to answer any questions that potential applicants may have:

Please remember, AffCom applications are due 17 November 2023 in any timezone, and OC and CRC applications are due 31 December 2023 in any timezone.

Pass this invitation along to any users who you think may be qualified and interested. Thank you!

On behalf of the Committee Support team,

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