Talk:Global Resource Distribution Committee/Creation of the interim GRDC

note

thanks for setting this up. Sm8900 (talk) 16:52, 14 January 2025 (UTC)

Link doesn't work

This link (under "Goals") does not work: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_committeesGrants:Programs/Wikimedia_Community_Fund --Schreibvieh (talk) 08:56, 11 February 2025 (UTC)

Thank you very much, @Schreibvieh! Fixed. Qgil-WMF (talk) 12:51, 11 February 2025 (UTC)

thematic volunteer seat

Hello, I'm wandering if a candidate can run for the regional seat and thematic volunteer seat at the same time? So that if he/she is unable to run for one of them he/she has the opportunity to run for another seat? Ibrahim.ID (talk) 15:22, 22 February 2025 (UTC)

@Ibrahim.ID Yes, it is possible to run for more than one seat. Candidates need to explain why they are a good fit for each of the seats they choose to run for. Qgil-WMF (talk) 14:04, 24 February 2025 (UTC)

Call for candidates deadline extended until March 31

Hi, just a note to acknowledge that the deadline of the call for candidates is due (26 February 2025, 12:00:00 UTC). An update will follow later today. Qgil-WMF (talk) 12:13, 26 February 2025 (UTC)

The call for candidates to constitute the interim Global Resource Distribution Committee (GRDC) is being extended until March 31. The Wikimedia Foundation team organizing the GRDC creation process has taken this decision to keep promoting the call among different communities and welcome more candidates for all seats. The extension of the call for candidates doesn’t affect those who have applied already.

The interim GRDC is expected to manage the Wikimedia Community Fund, set the community grants strategy of the Wikimedia movement, and advise the Wikimedia Foundation on funding Wikimedia organizations and other volunteer efforts. This new body will oversee the Regional Fund Committees and evolve their scope and processes as needed, among other duties (check the Q&A for more details). We need to form a good team of Wikimedians with a strategic mindset to set the interim GRDC for success. If you want to be part of this committee, check the details in the original call for candidates announcement and submit your candidacy. JVargas (WMF) (talk) 21:38, 26 February 2025 (UTC)

Qgil-WMF and JVargas (WMF) thanks for update the dates. Following a period of calm deliberation, I've chosen to withdraw my candidacy. My decision is largely driven by the emphasis on professionalism and meeting committee obligations. However, this extension, lasting over a month, feels like a profound disrespect to those of us who adhered to the established deadlines. I understand the challenge of insufficient applicants, but those of us who respected the process and submitted on time are, regrettably, being overlooked once more. Kindly Superzerocool (talk) 14:23, 27 February 2025 (UTC)

Hi @Superzerocool - Thanks a lot for your comments, and I'm sorry you're feeling disrespected and overlooked by us extending the call for candidates. We appreciate how you, and others, filed their applications within the initial timeframe. However, in this (and other processes), extensions like this one are often needed, and in this case, without an extension, the process wouldn't have been able to continue as plan (unless it was left with empty seats). The extension does not affect in any way the folks that applied within the original period. If you want to reconsider your application and add it back, understanding the reasoning why you withdrew it, you're more than welcome to. Thank you! JVargas (WMF) (talk) 17:16, 27 February 2025 (UTC)

@JVargas (WMF): Thanks for sharing this. I would not go as far as Superzerocool yet but I am now genuinely confused. I thought that the timeline was deliberately designed to avoid clashes with regional fund committees processes. In my case I am a member of the NWE RFC and our Round 2 review starts mid-March. According to the initial timeline I was supposed to know by then if I am confirmed which was perfect, but it's not the case anymore. I don't think it would be fair if I have to switch roles mid-round, so is it possible to:

• Either announce the NWE GRDC member before the NWE review starts (on 14 March), so that I know if I have to resign from the committee before Round 2 begins
• Or keep GRDC applications open until Round 2 ends (after 30 April, maybe a bit later if there are some back-and-forths) so that I continue the process with my RFC hat only and I know the decision only after?

This situation is particularly tricky for me as I am the only candidate for NWE so far, thus I am in a strange position of presumably-resigned RFC member. If nothing changes before our regional review starts (i.e. I am still the only candidate and the timeline still requires switching committees mid-round), I would have to withdraw my candidacy as well, as it would negatively affect my RFC work. I remain interested in GRDC but I think this change made the process significantly worse. Thanks — NickK (talk) 21:33, 27 February 2025 (UTC)

Thanks for flagging this@NickK. Makes absolute sense, and we appreciate you bringing this clash of timelines between the upcoming GSF rounds and the candidacy extension for the volunteer seats. I think each case will be different depending on what RFC you serve, the region, etc. Right now the priority is the funding rounds. As there is a selection process once the candidacy call concludes, we will look into each in individually as we get into that review. Thus, your case (or the ones of other serving RFC members) will be looked into adhoc. No need to consider resignation at the moment, and you should continue your duties as normal. We will look into this with you (and each candidate) as the process moves along. Thanks a lot for bringing this up, your flexibility, and patience. Each case is different! :) JVargas (WMF) (talk) 18:22, 28 February 2025 (UTC)

@JVargas (WMF): Thanks for your answer. I do think that I am facing a pretty unique issue of having to start a round in just two weeks with a double hat of NWE RFC member and presumptive GRDC member at the same time. If I should continue my duties as normal, I need to be sure I can do the whole round: as the main page rightly says, it is needed to maintain transparency in decision-making processes. I would really love to get feedback or look into it together before the round starts. Thanks — NickK (talk) 22:22, 28 February 2025 (UTC)

Thanks again for your comment NickK. Jorge is out today but I want to reassure you that we'll also be mindful of individual situations, especially for those of you involved in upcoming RFC work. To keep things as smooth as possible, we’ll plan a thoughtful onboarding process and timeline to avoid unnecessary disruptions.

Our main goal is to set up the interim GRDC for success right from the start of this two-year pilot. That’s why giving it an extra month—or taking a slower approach to onboarding—is a better adjustment than sticking to a deadline that wouldn’t allow us to build a strong foundation.

We really appreciate your patience and commitment as we work through these changes. Let us know if you’d like to chat more about it! --ATorres-WMF (talk) 14:44, 3 March 2025 (UTC)

@ATorres-WMF: Thank you. I think we have 10 more days to figure out what solution can work for my individual situation, happy to chat when you have more clarity (it's not super urgent and can definitely wait a few days until Jorge is back) — NickK (talk) 23:36, 3 March 2025 (UTC)

@ATorres-WMF and JVargas (WMF): I'm confirming my removal from the candidate list. Even though the explanations are enough, I think it's disrespectful to the volunteers who, even on vacation, made time to fill out the application and get it in on time. I always check with my family at home, since it's a two-year commitment where I have to give up free time—miss rugby games, help less at home, etc.—and it was just brushed aside. The original notice was for a month, and extending it another month feels like a sick joke. I've seen reasonable extensions (3, 5, 10 days...), but never 32 more days. So, if the process rules are abused, I don't think the outcome will be serious. Thanks for asking again if I want to be taken off the list, and yes, I do. Superzerocool (talk) 14:24, 4 March 2025 (UTC)