Agenda talk:2013-11/Frequently asked questions

User groups: 'why now'

The consultation process could be made clearer. The last paragraph could be rewritten:

"We consulted with AffCom and the WMF Executive Director in making this decision. The ED endorsed it, AffCom did not, but we took the committee's concerns into account."

–SJ talk  09:03, 11 February 2014 (UTC)

SJ, with all respect, your proposed text would be a slight departure from the truth and would feel disrespectful to me (and perhaps to other members of AffCom). --Bence (talk) 13:12, 11 February 2014 (UTC)

Thank you, Bence. I also received a clarifying email about this today. This subthread was useful for me, since my understanding of the discussions leading up to the decision had been different. In that case, this paragraph could be removed; the end of the FAQ covers the discussion after the decision was made, and there is no need to repeat it. –SJ talk  18:23, 11 February 2014 (UTC)

Thanks. I am fine with removing that sentence. --Bence (talk) 18:27, 11 February 2014 (UTC)

Removed: "We also received a recommendation from the WMF Executive Director to make this decision, and before publishing the decision we consulted with AffCom. AffCom did not endorse this change, but we took the committee's concerns into account." –SJ talk  19:10, 11 February 2014 (UTC)

Trust in the existing entity model

One of the original questions was "Has the WMF lost trust in chapters and thematic organizations? Does the WMF think chapters are a bad idea?" I switched this to the positive version of those questions. If this missed an aspect of the original, feel free to add Qs or ask for further clarity. –SJ talk  18:58, 11 February 2014 (UTC)

Concept of user group (not related to being legally incorporated)

Although I do agree that focusing on programmatic activities is more important than focusing on bylaws and necessarily requiring legal incorporation, I`m afraid there is a conceptual confusion on the statement made on that point. I would like to ask for clarification on the understanding of the user groups. I've pointed out a couple of times in Brazil that creating a user group does not necessarily mean not incorporating. As the user group page states, "User groups may or may not be legally incorporated entities". Therefore, the difference between a user group and a chapter may be only in the relation with WMF and not on how they are formed on the ground. A user group might well be incorporated if it feels right for the group. Only WMF would not endorse this group as much as it would endorse a chapter through financial support and trademark pre-authorized use. Is that correct?--Oona (talk) 19:51, 11 February 2014 (UTC)