Wikimedia Conference 2017/Program/40

40: Orientation for Newcomers to the Wikimedia movement

How to move forward

Delphine & Alex presenting

What was this session about?

This session was meant to be an introduction for newcomers to the Wikimedia movement and the Wikimedia Conference alike. Besides some input by the speakers, it was a space to ask questions.

What are the next steps to be taken?

There are no specific next steps planned. However, it was wished that such a session should be held every year.

Photos

see the Commons category

Slides

Audience: People who want to learn something about how the Wikimedia movement came to be
Session Format: Presentation and Q&A
Length: 60 min
Description: This session is intended to take a look back at the history of the Wikimedia movement and outline the different milestones which led to the current organisational status. Its intent is to accompany people entering the organisation today to benefit from institutional memory and understand the state of Wikimedia today.
Desired Outcome: People have a good understanding of the history of the movement to understand the context they are working in.
Next Steps and Milestones: n/a
Speakers: Delphine Ménard, Àlex Hinojo
Documentation

Delphine and Álex opened the session, which was the first session at all of the Wikimedia Conference (Friday, 9 to 10 am). After explaining shortly the meaning of the session, both of them introduced themselves. Delphine talked about her introduction to the movement and her role organising the first Wikimania ever in 2005. She also worked as an adviser to the Chapters Committee (now: Affiliations Committees) and volunteered for the FDC. Delphine works now as a Grant Officer at the Wikimedia Foundation.

Alex explains that he started in 2007 and worked as a “Wikipedian in Residence” in various museums with the idea to promote GLAM work in Europe. He also started educational programs in Catalonia and works nowadays as the Executive Director of the Wikimedia Thematic Organization “Amical”.

After that, both started with giving the intro to Wikimedia and their explanation of the Wikimedia movement universe. The slides by Delphine and Alex are pretty self-explainable, so no further context is necessary.

After the presentation, there was some space for questions:

Q: What’s the difference between the Wikimedia Conference and Wikimania?
A: Wikimania is open to the entire community. The Wikimedia Conference (WMCON) is about organisations – affiliates (Chapters, Thematic Organizations, User Groups) and the Wikimedia Foundation and its committees. There is a big difference in the topics covered. It’s also less granular.

Q: How is this year different from others?
A: The additional Movement Strategy track this year means that the conference is a bit different than usually. The idea is basically to involve more people asking questions about that, means also people who have no direct affiliations.

Q: Why is the Wikimedia Conference always in Berlin?
A: German efficiency…

Q: Can we see a possibility where regional groups will be equal to Chapters?
A: The dynamic might be going the other way, with user groups being more appropriate than chapters in some ways. Generally, it depends a lot on context and location. The main question is “What is the best model of representation?”. Usergroups *can* become thematic organisations, if they want to and if it’s appropriate.