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Executive Directors Group

Who we are

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We are Executive Directors (EDs) of Wikimedia affiliates and movement partners who are here to share our experiences and learn from each other.

Specifically we work together to:

  • Share our learning and build capacity within the Wikimedia movement and our communities.
  • Provide support to new members and affiliates by mentoring and sharing best practices with the aim of building a more diverse movement.
  • Build networks of mutual cooperation, support and trust.
  • Design bilateral or multilateral projects to foster cooperation between Wikimedia chapters and communities.
  • Work in a coordinated manner for the development and growth of the global Wikimedia movement.

The ED-group is an informal group – people with a specific 'job-profile' (see below) can choose to join, or not. Participation in this group is not connected to eligibility for any Wikimedia conference or event.

How do we work

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We apply several methods to keep our group active and ensure work effectiveness:

  • We hold one hour online meetings every 6 weeks, which we take turns in hosting, based on a collectively developed agenda.
  • Face to face meetings: We try to meet at least once a year – often around international conferences such as Wikimania – to discuss more strategic issues, share best practices and common challenges, work on our capacity building and address key movement issues.
  • Sometimes we form temporary working groups.
  • We have a mailing list, which we use to discuss questions and share information in between the calls and meetings.

What we expect of group members

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All members must contribute to the workload of organising this group and its activities. These efforts serve our common good and are not compensated in any way. Any costs that participation in this group entails will have to be covered by each ED’s organisation.

Discussion documents and position papers

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We occasionally produce papers on topics that are particularly relevant for affiliates.

Current members

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Who can join?

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EDs of Wikimedia affiliates or movement partners that are paid staff are welcome to join the group if they wish. Working as an ED must be their main occupation, and they must receive wages for 20+ working hours per week. If someone has a fixed-term (temporary) contract, or is hired as a free-lancer, they can still join the ED-group. However, to ensure a safe environment, members should be hired for a period of months rather than weeks.

It’s OK to have a different job title than Executive Director, as long as they are the highest ranking staff member in the organisation, reporting directly to the Board. If the highest ranking staff member for whatever reason chooses not to participate in the ED-group, they can appoint a permanent representative in their place. The representative also has to be paid staff, as described above.

The working language of the ED group is English and for the time being the group is not able to provide translation during the calls. Speaking English is not a formal criterion for membership, but is necessary for meaningful participation.

How to contact or join

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You can reach out to us by email: eds@listen.wikimedia.de.

If you are interested in joining the group please send an inquiry to: join-ed-group@wikimedia.de and our membership committee will be in touch within four weeks of receipt. Thank you for your patience.

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