Movement roles project/Charter

To be drafted. See the current Movement roles/charter topics for ideas and sample language

QUESTIONS

1. What movement principles do you care about, but feel are often not given priority, by either the WMF or by Chapters?
2. Should the same standards apply to all entities in the movement, regardless of formal or informal status? Do some not apply to informal groups?

Purpose of this Wikimedia movement charter

The purpose of this charter is to help the Wikimedia movement develop as a strong, balanced global network to achieve its mission at scale - for everyone on the planet. It describes shared values, roles and responsibilities for groups and entities in the Wikimedia movement. We hope that this charter can sustain the movement through a number of years, and a substantial increase in scale to reach parts of the world currently under-represented.

DRAFT CHARTER

As agreed in Wikimania drafting session

Definitions: see http://etherpad.wikimedia.org/MR-definitions

Priorities

We are committed to reaching and supporting those communities not currently reached by our projects.

Shared principles

The groups and entities in the Wikimedia movement share common beliefs, values, vision and mission.

Each group sets its own goals, in harmony with movement priorities , but no group should actively hinder the work of another. We are committed to sharing our work and experiences, and learning from one another's successes and failures.

We are commited to multi-culturalism, diversity, and non-discrimination in everything that we do. Our work is open to any Wikimedian who can contribute to the goals of our group.

Responsibilities

We believe in transparency and public accountability for our work, and endorse the INGO Accountability Charter.

We hold ourselves accountable to the broader movement for furthering the movement goals, managing resources well, and reporting on their work and future plans.

Collaboration and decision making

Movement groups work together without assumption of hierarchy, respecting where rights and obligations are limited to certain groups, such as for fundraising.

We are committed to deciding on movement goals and priorities collaboratively. The Foundation Board may lead some discussions, but should only be involved as a last resort to resolve deadlocks.

[We agree to settle disputes between movement entities through internal arbitration.] --> keep?

Types of Wikimedia groups and entities covered by this charter

• The Wikimedia Foundation:
  • hosts Wikimedia project websites and content with a core responsibility of keeping the projects running and protecting them from threats (legal or otherwise)
  • convenes the global movement
  • works alongside other Wikimedian movement groups and entities to achieve the goals of the movement
  • owns trademarks, which it can license to other Wikimedian groups and entities and other external partners
  • coordinates global projects, public relations and fundraising
  • manages global flows of funds among groups and entities
  • creates decision-making processes for the Wikimedia movement, e.g. which groups and entities to recognize, which movement goals to adopt
  • creates effective, efficient, transparent, responsive and legitimate decision-making bodies for the Wikimedia movement

• National and sub-national chapters:
  • are legally registered within their jurisdiction as a nonprofit (or equivalent) and recognized as a charity
    • Charity as a different legal meaning in every country, this should be removed
  • authorized to use the Wikimedia name for non-commercial purposes by the Wikimedia Foundation via a Board resolution and a chapter agreement
  • organize volunteer action and administer funds to support movement goals globally and locally, as agreed with the worldwide movement
  • lead programs within their jurisdiction in harmony with movement goals
  • collaborate with other Wikimedia movement groups and entities that act in their jurisdiction
  • may seek grants from the Wikimedia Foundation to support their program activities
  • may seek donations from individuals and foundations using the Wikimedia name within their jurisdiction once a chapter agreement is in place

• Wikimedia Partner Organizations
  • are legally registered, preferably as a nonprofit (or equivalent), recognized as a charity
  • bring together Wikimedians with a specific interest, such as a language, culture, or field
  • need not operate within geographical boundaries
  • seek grants from WMF and chapters to complete programs
  • support and work in harmony with movement goals
  • are authorized to use the Wikimedia name by the Wikimedia Foundation under a contractual agreement

• Other geographic groups, and possibly preparing to become Chapters or Partner Organizations:
  • can raise money in their territory, but not directly via site-wide fundraisers
  • lead programs locally which support movement goals locally
  • seek grants from WMF and chapters to complete programs
  • may engage in an agreement to use the Wikimedia name
  • work closely with any chapters or other group or entity active in an overlapping region

• Wikimedia Associations:
  • form with minimal overhead, by maintaining a wiki or webpage with their goals, and publishing their contact information.
  • support and work in harmony with movement goals
  • are recognized by a Wikimedia-wide group tracking associations
  • may seek grants from WMF or other recognized groups for their programs
  • may engage in an agreement to use the Wikimedia name

Accountabilities of each Wikimedia movement group or entity

Wikimedia groups and entities agree to uphold the principles of the INGO Accountability Charter.

Wikimedia groups and entities are accountable TO:

• the part of the movement that they are trying to support (e.g. a Wikimedia project in Ruritania)
• the rest of the Wikimedia movement (e.g. to the Wikimedia Foundation board)
• their local Wikimedia community (e.g., Wikimedians in Ruritania)
• their broader community (e.g. the people and government of Ruritania)
• their members (e.g. the members of Wikimedia Ruritania)

Wikimedia groups and entities are accountable FOR:

• adhering to the shared principles of the movement outlined above
• helping the movement towards its goals
• fulfilling roles and responsibilities agreed with the worldwide movement
• managing the resources (e.g., trademarks, money, goodwill of the movement) that the movement grants them
• governing themselves in a manner that maximizes accountability to those the group or entity is accountable to
• accounting publicly for funds received and used
• stating publicly the planned actions in an annual plan and budget
• stating publicly what they did, documenting their activities
• ensuring activities are ethical and legal

Wikimedia groups and entities are accountable THROUGH:

• Public reporting: local and global

• Annual plans and budgets
• Reports on activities
• Reports on changes in governance
• Timely annual reports of financial accounts (audited for organizations of a certain size)
• Pro-active reporting on problems and issues encountered, as appropriate for the level of resources

• Review body(ies) that support accountability

• Organizations to maintain internal self-regulation and review process against a set of accountability measures developed by the organization's Board
• Movement-level group to conduct peer review of organizations/groups based on agreed standards with the ability to recommend actions

[can (and maybe should) be done in a two level model: globally by an advanced & proper seperated audit committee of some sort and more locally - related to the supported community, named in 1.1 - to adress non-global movement matters in entity <-> "local" movement interaction. see also the note regarding paid staff <-> volunteer run entities above. Jan]

• Role of WMF Board and staff (as counterparty for agreements between Wikimedia and affiliated organizations)??

Decision making for the Wikimedia movement

• Official recognition and permission to use the Wikimedia name is given to a group or entity through an agreement signed with the Wikimedia Foundation. The Wikimedia Foundation may seek guidance from an advisory body it creates to assist in decision making.
• Wikimedia movement goals are chosen collaboratively; the Foundation board is elected and selected by and for the movement to play a keystone role in these decisions.
• The Wikimedia Foundation board should only be involved as a last resort to resolve disputes among Wikimedia groups and entities.