Affiliations Committee/Resolutions/Wikimedia user group approval process - May 2015

Whereas

1. Recognizing Wikimedia User Groups is the responsibility of the Affiliations Committee;
2. The current approval process for user groups faces challenges as the number of applications increases and the committee believes it is not able to meet the board's expectations for the user group model;
3. A user group may later be recognized as a chapter or a thematic organization if it meets the additional requirements.

Therefore be it

resolved that the Affiliations Committee is formally changing the Wikimedia user groups approval process;

The new proposed approval process for Wikimedia user groups is:

Wikimedia user groups will apply by filling out a simple online form that sends an email to list with Committee and Foundation staff, where they can track user group applications.

The Committee will approve new groups by two members confirming they meet the criteria and responding to the email list to approve the group.

Committee and Foundation staff can talk to the applicant if more information is necessary.

Committee and Foundation staff may introduce applicants to affiliates which may be interested in the application, such as affiliates with a similar geographic or topical focus.

Committee and Foundation staff can watch applications and raise objections, but the aim is to approve the group after a 48 hour waiting period.

User groups will automatically get "Wikimedia Community User Group " name, or applicants can request another name on the approved list. If they want to use the house logo (the logo used by Wikimedia Foundation and chapters), they can also request a standard trademark license.

The new requirements for user groups will be:

Three or more active Wikimedians (defined as 300 or more contributions to a Wikimedia project on a registered account that has existed for more than 6 months)

Agree to the User group agreement and code of conduct|user group code of conduct

Votes

Resolution passed with 12 votes in favor, 0 votes against, 0 abstentions, 0 votes not cast, on 28 May 2015.