Movement roles project/Thematic Organizations

Please help improve these draft parameters through edits or suggestions on the talk page.

• Name: Wikimedia Thematic Organization

• Mission: To support and promote the Wikimedia projects in general with regards to a specified thematic field or focus area. They aim to empower and engage people around the world to collect and develop educational content under a free license or in the public domain, and to disseminate it effectively and globally.

• Territorial range: Variable; national, sub-national, across nations, global

• Incorporation: Legally registered. Can be registered where they see fit if operating in more than one country.

• Minimum rights:

1. WM trademark use for most purposes within focus, including fundraising and publicity.
2. Recognition as representatives of the movement within area of focus.
3. A voice in the selection of two Foundation trustees every two years

• Minimum duties:

1. Active work
2. Publishing an annual report as per Reporting Requirements
3. Fulfilling movement-wide accountability standards
4. Focus on our global mission
5. Development of a sustainable, independent regional non-profit
6. Within their focus area: support of community projects, fundraising coordination, grant and partnership development[1], oversight of PR and media; representing the Wikimedia movement and its interests at public events and in government discussions

• Trademark use: For most purposes within thematic area of focus, including fundraising and publicity, via agreement with the WMF

• Origin of funds: Multiple. Independent fundraising (outside Wikimedia); fundraising agreements with chapters (chapters could provide an option to mark donations for a them); WMF grants; chapter grants; member fees

• Relationship with overlapping entities: Entities in a country are not in a hierarchy, but need to agree how to co-exist in a geography to streamline their communication and avoid duplicate work.

• Board and membership: Elected board with individuals willing to publicly disclose identity, a majority of whom are wikimedians. Open membership.

• Transparency and communication:Full info about organizers and supporters; see reporting requirements

• Capacity to sign agreements with third parties: Yes, overseen by WMF if on global level

• Recognition from: WMF Board of Trustees, with recommendations from the Affiliations Committee

• Minimum requirements for recognition:

1. Viability
   • A critical mass of active participants - at least 20 people
   • Members originating from the Wikimedia community (not all of them, but at least the majority), and accepted by the relevant thematic community
2. Trustworthiness:
   • A non-profit, with a mission supporting all WMF projects (possibly as part of a general support for free knowledge or free culture as the stated aim) in all languages. (If there is a very good reason, an exception might be made).
   • A history of good work within the movement
3. Openness (see Board and membership, above)

• Recognition document: WMF Board resolution (interim), supplanted by an agreement with the WMF

• Reporting requirements: As per Draft Accountability Standards

• Mentoring and support: Affiliations Committee until recognition

• Change of status possible: Yes

• Withdrawal of recognition: WMF Board of Trustees, if necessary

• Examples: Amical, WM Esperanto

• Other considerations:

Optional right: Eligibility for longer-term infrastructure grants; tied to size, capacity and activity.

Optional right: Receiving in-kind support to build capacity and develop skills; tied to activity and need.