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Wiki Project Med/Application

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Draft application for recognition

WPMEDF is presently a Wikimedia user group, but its focus is so clearly well developed on the topic of medicine that it ought to provide an exemplar for Wikimedians with a common subject interest who wish to group together trans-nationally to promote the movement as a Wikimedia thematic organization.

The extra benefits of becoming a thematic organisation are the same as for Wikimedia chapters, and are outlined at Wikimedia thematic organizations/Creation guide thus:

Benefits of becoming a recognized Wikimedia thematic organization includes:

  • Use the Wikimedia logos consistent with the Wikimedia Foundation's Trademark Policy without any additional approval. Thematic organizations may use other logos not part of the Trademark Policy (such as the Wikimedia Foundation logo) pursuant to a trademark license with the Wikimedia Foundation and approval by the Wikimedia Foundation legal team.
  • Receive large, but limited, quantities of Wikimedia merchandise for use in activities and outreach efforts.
  • Public recognition of the group's affiliation with the Wikimedia Foundation.
  • Affiliations Committee Liaison support during and after the approval process.
  • Apply for Annual Plan Grants after successfully completing two other Wikimedia Foundation grants and meeting other eligibility requirements.
  • A short name clearly linking the group to Wikimedia.
  • Exclusive use by a thematic organization of the Wikimedia name and brand within the group's thematic focus area.
  • Communications and public policy support from the Wikimedia Foundation.
  • Two scholarships to attend the Wikimedia Conference, held annually in Berlin for Wikimedia movement affiliates.

Although I would add that there are less tangible (but more immediately valuable) benefits, such as parity of esteem with the Chapters, which would encourage forming partnerships on an equal basis. The growth of partnerships between WPMEDF and the geographically defined groups is key to expanding our role, in my humble opinion.

At WMCON18, Jenny and I met with AffCom to examine the route for recognition of Wiki Project Med as a thematic organisation.

The discussion was helpful and positive. I gained the impression that WPMEDF had a very good case for recognition and I'm therefore drafting an application here for members to work on. --RexxS (talk) 15:01, 26 April 2018 (UTC)reply

Requirements

The following are the requirements for initial recognition of a thematic organisation, taken from Wikimedia thematic organizations/Requirements:

Wikimedia supportive mission

The mission of the organization must be in line with the mission and vision of the Wikimedia Foundation, as well as the guiding principles of the Wikimedia Foundation and principles of movement affiliates. Regardless of the chosen legal form or incorporation method, the thematic organization must have goals similar to those of the Wikimedia Foundation, and its activities should not stray from them.

  • Wiki Project Med #Mission
  • To make clear, reliable, comprehensive, up-to-date educational resources and information in the biomedical and related social sciences freely available to all people in the language of their choice.

Thematic focus

The thematic organization has a clear cultural, linguistic, or otherwise thematic focus. Thematic organizations need a clearly defined and unique scope. Wikimedia is an international movement, therefore, when setting up a thematic organization questions of language, geographic area of operation, and membership criteria need to be determined. While there can be multiple user groups serving a similar or single focus area, there can only be one thematic organization covering their designated thematic focus area.

The thematic organization must have a legal structure/corporation that is legally independent from the Wikimedia Foundation. Thematic organizations are meant to give a real-life structure to projects that might arise from contributors or external parties in line with the goals of the Wikimedia Foundation. However, thematic organizations are not meant to operate the Wikimedia projects nor to be legally responsible for the content of the projects. In order to achieve that, it is necessary that the legal structure chosen for the creation of a thematic organization is clearly independent from the Wikimedia Foundation. The organization's governing documents, generally by-laws, must be reviewed and approved by the Affiliations Committee.

Critical mass of active Wikimedia contributor involvement

The thematic organization must involve at least ten, preferably at least twenty, active contributors to the Wikimedia projects. An active contributor is defined as a members with 300 or more contributions to a Wikimedia project on a registered account that has existed for more than 6 months in good community standing (meaning they are not currently suspended or otherwise prevented from participating). While thematic organizations should welcome the input of people who are not active contributors to the Wikimedia projects, they should not stay too far from the community. The active involvement of contributors to the Wikimedia projects is necessary for a thematic organization to be able to bring real-life initiatives tied to the Wikimedia projects to life. Initial membership should broadly reflect the intended scope, thematic and geographic area of activity and chosen languages of operation of the organization.

At least two years of activities

Groups must have two years of demonstrable programmatic results prior to applying for thematic organization recognition. Ideally these activities should be done as a recognized Wikimedia user group. These activities, and their results, must be documented on-wiki, ideally on the group's Meta-Wiki page. Wide outreach efforts to encourage participation and involvement in setting up and shaping the organization are necessary. Activities should be a mixture of online and offline activities designed to encourage participation on the Wikimedia projects. The group must be up to date on its activity and financial reports prior to being considered for recognition.

Capacity, or planned capacity, to meet the future expectations

Something that makes thematic organizations and chapters unique from user groups are the increased expectations. Does your group have the capacity to meet the expectations of thematic organization once you receive recognition? This will be something both the Affiliations Committee and Board of Trustees will consider in reviewing your application. If your group does not have a track record of activities which indicate that you will successfully be able to meet these expectations, that can cause your application to be denied. Consideration will be given for the financial circumstances of the group, realistic demands in your group's focus area, and plans to secure future funding to meet these expectations.

Expectations

Taken from Wikimedia thematic organizations/Requirements:

Beyond the requirements for recognition, which continue to be requirements for groups after they are recognized, there are a number of expectations from the Wikimedia community on the activities and operations of a Thematic Organization.

Regular on-wiki financial and activity reports

Thematic Organizations are required to post at least one detailed annual report on their activities and finances on the Meta-Wiki reports page. The community has come to see that signs of a healthy organization also include reports throughout the year and a published annual plan for the organization. While an annual plan and regular reports are not required for affiliation status, they may be required for grants, and are a community expectation.

Notification of governing document and leadership changes

The group's governing documents are initially reviewed and approved by the Affiliations Committee. The agreement with thematic organizations also requires that they notify the Wikimedia Foundation of any changes to those documents. The community also expects that the current governing body of the organization is identified on Meta-Wiki.

Multiple offline and online activities each quarter

The fundamental goal of the Wikimedia movement affiliates model is to promote collaboration on the Wikimedia projects. Affiliates are expected to hold a variety of events, both online and offline, to help support this goal.
'-Offline projects involving Wiki Project Medicine
 * Internet-in-a-box (IIAB)

* Dominican Republic Pilot using the Internet-in-a-box

* Guatemala project using the IIAB as a clinical and educational tool

* Syrian refugee project using the IIAB as a medical resource for providers

* Rohingya refugee project using the IIAB as a medical resource for providers

* Stanford Pilot project using the IIAB as an educational tool in Uganda

'-Online projects involving Wiki Project Medicine

A thematic organization is expected to have the capacity to monitor, and when necessary, respond to communications issues related to their thematic scope. That includes monitoring of media coverage of their topic when it involves Wikimedia, and distributing information about Wikimedia activities to the group's members and network. Thematic organizations are expected to coordinate with the Wikimedia Foundation Communications department while performing these tasks.

A thematic organization is expected to have the capacity to monitor, and when necessary, respond to public policy matters related to the group's scope. All Wikimedia organizations are expected to utilize effect strategy when performing these tasks, and not engage on issues outside the scope of Wikimedia's mission. Movement affiliates are encouraged to focus on five primary areas the Wikimedia Foundation has identified for Wikimedia public policy activities. They are strongly encouraged to utilize the public policy site maintained and developed by the Wikimedia Foundation, and coordinate with the Wikimedia Foundation Legal department while performing these tasks.

Compliance with movement policies and governing principles

Wikimedia movement affiliates are required to maintain compliance with movement policies and governing principles. Primary examples of these include the Wikimedia Foundation Guiding Principles, affiliate principles, trademark policy, visual identity guidelines, and friendly space policy.

Maintain expertise within group's scope that is accessible to Wikimedia community

Thematic organizations are expected to both maintain an expertise within the group's scope and make that expertise accessible to the broader Wikimedia movement. This important resource role helps volunteer working on the Wikimedia projects to have documented knowledge bases to contact for assistance in performing Wikimedia tasks.

Collaboration with other affiliates and volunteer projects

Wikimedia thematic organization are expected to play a coordinating role within their respective thematic focus, and this is a distinctive role they play among Wikimedia organizations. While there can be several other affiliates working with the group's thematic focus, there will be only one thematic organization. Entities working on a thematic focus are not in a hierarchy, but need to agree how to co-exist to streamline their communication and avoid duplicate work.
-Wiki education, collaboration on supporting UCSF School of Medicine
-Wikimedia Ireland (medical editing initiative, new collaboration)
-Wikimedia Armenia (medical editing initiative, new collaboration)
-Wikimedia India (collaborating on IIAB)
-Wikimedia Taiwan (collaborating on medical translation)
-Wikimedia DC (collaborating on NIH effects)
-WikEM collaborating with founder Ross Donaldson

Based on their thematic focus expertise and utilizing their communications capacity, thematic organizations are expected to have the capacity to represent the Wikimedia movement and its interests at public events when called upon to do so.
-Wikimania (2012-2018)
-Wikimedia Conference 2018
-Geneva Health Forum in 2018 (in collaboration with Kiwux, WMCH, and WMFr)
-National Network of Libraries of Medicine (introductory lecture March 2018)
-Cochrane Colloquium (I think Jenny is going this year)
-Digital Health Forum December 2017, Washington (Indira attended)

Diverse funding sources

Thematic organizations are expected to seek funding from diverse sources. Thematic organizations are strongly encouraged to utilize the Wikimedia Foundation's grants program. However, thematic organizations are also expected to explore other means of funding, such as member dues, outside grants, or traditional fundraising activities.

Fundraising activity:
-Amazon Smile
-Paypal Giving Fund
-Benevity
-Network for Good
-Guidestar
-JustGiving
-Personal Donations

In 2017 we raised just under 10,000 USD will in 2018 our goal is to raise over 10,000 USD.

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