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Proposal talk: List of proposals for 2014 planning process

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(→‎Wheatbelt project: sub project commenced)
 
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==A few comments==
==Comments on the process==
'''Wheatbelt project'''—these are not at all loaded questions:  
For example:
*Can this be framed in specific ways that would appeal to the WMF? How exactly is it going to enrich/improve WMF websites?  
* Should we start this process sooner?
* What is our timeframe to complete the planning process?
* What are our criteria for selection or priorisation?
 
==General comments on the planning==
My wishlist for the next year would be to:
 
1.  Improve governance and project management <br>
2.  Consolidate our existing outreach programmes<br>
3.  Experiment with cheap, low cost (in both money and volunteer effort) projects to see if there are good ways to attract and retain new editors, and to stimulate development of new content in neglected areas <br>
4.  Deliver a more defined benefit for those who choose to join the chapter.
 
These are obviously just a couple of thoughts I'm throwing out to stimulate discussion - there may be other worthwhile goals to pursue.  But something like "run training courses" isn't the goal we should be aiming for, the goal should be "attract new editors", and running training courses should simply be the means to that end.
 
Contributed by Craig
:And signed, but with a proviso that these came from about thirty seconds of fevered thinking rather than days of careful contemplation :-).  [[User:Lankiveil|Lankiveil]] ([[User talk:Lankiveil|talk]]) 18:42, 22 July 2013 (EST).
 
==Comments on specific proposals==
 
===Wheatbelt project===
 
these are not at all loaded questions:  
*Can this be framed in specific ways that would appeal to the WMF? How exactly is it going to enrich/improve WMF websites?
*What are the benchmarks for success (numerical if possible ... like how many editors are there from the region now, and how many would be considered a reasonable success after the funded activity?  
*What are the benchmarks for success (numerical if possible ... like how many editors are there from the region now, and how many would be considered a reasonable success after the funded activity?  
*This would be WP-based articles and uploads of images to Commons?  
*This would be WP-based articles and uploads of images to Commons?  
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*"Initial funding for the appraisal and review of the scope of the project is an immediate component of the project."—I'd be more attracted to action than just funding for appraisal and review, which as applicants we'd be expected to have done the basics of already.
*"Initial funding for the appraisal and review of the scope of the project is an immediate component of the project."—I'd be more attracted to action than just funding for appraisal and review, which as applicants we'd be expected to have done the basics of already.


'''Involvement in international events'''
*My inclination is not to ask for petrol, pensiones, and paper, unless critical to improving a WMF website (e.g. essential travel for wheatbelt project photography). Just meeting up to chinwag is increasingly regarded as a luxury.
*My inclination is not to ask for petrol, pensiones, and paper, unless critical to improving a WMF website (e.g. essential travel for wheatbelt project photography). Just meeting up to chinwag is increasingly regarded as a luxury.


Interested to hear more. [[User:Tony1|Tony1]] ([[User talk:Tony1|talk]]) 18:35, 20 July 2013 (EST)
Interested to hear more. [[User:Tony1|Tony1]] ([[User talk:Tony1|talk]]) 18:35, 20 July 2013 (EST)
::Sorry for delay - here are some responses, further detailed responses will be delayed until post-Wikimania in Hong Kong, any further questions on any of the poiuntsd would be appreciated: -
# WMF appeal - content expansion, editor recruitment in under-represented regions, high predominance of female editors, likelihood of indigenous involvement,
- WMF projects (ie websites ) - all projects relevant - commons, voyage, wp en, wp source, have little or no content relative to western australian agricultural regions - also there is an opportunity to link with educational groups in the regions
# outside of the Perth metropolitan area, only 2 known active identified editors in the region (only one has actively pursued content related to the region), the aim would be to gain a minimum of 2 new editors from every event...  benchmarks for success - media relating to every town, photographs of all heritage listed places in the region,
much expanded content over a very wide range of subjects relative to the regions...
# see above, but also significant additions of material to WikiVoyage and WikiSource
# involved - last 2 Perth meetups (April and June) all people attending were supportive of the project, SatuSuro as a member is leading the organisation of the early stages of the project, he has already established initial groundwork to ensure there is significant interest in the project from the region, and Gnangarra has offered support and advice on the establishment of the project and will continue to actively support further development as the project continues.
# indigenous content - yes, a large amount of material and involvement with the various communities will be established
# widest range of interests - the Australian project on a wider scale has significant gaps of unwritten articles about regional variations in agriculture, history, exploration, social development, indigenous culture, transport infrastructure, climatic and environmental issues - this proposal is an excellent opportunity to fill in the gaps where much of the information about local communities is threatened through current irreverisble social and poltical upheaval
# the basics have been done, the information is in hand, the assurance of funding is required for followup where events to further the project can be committed to.
We do not have the luxury of people situated within the region on a day to day basis, not even an ad hoc basis.  While chinwagging might be seen as a luxury - meeting, disucussing and planning in person is an essential part of the process to establish and demonstrate Wmau commitment to the project partners.
As SatuSuro will be in Hong Kong for Wikimania, he will be most open to any discussion about the proposal. [[User:SatuSuro|SatuSuro]] ([[User talk:SatuSuro|talk]]) 23:26, 30 July 2013 (EST)
===Sub Project up and running===
*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wiki_Takes_Western_Australian_Wheatbelt_Railways_2013
*https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Wiki_Takes_Western_Australian_Wheatbelt_Railways_2013
[[User:SatuSuro|SatuSuro]] ([[User talk:SatuSuro|talk]]) 13:04, 27 September 2013 (EST)
===Involvement in international events===


:In 2013, we didn't budget any money for participation in international community events, precisely because we (the committee) were doubtful about the benefits from chinwagging relative to the costs. However, that has been interpreted by others as not engaging with the broader community, etc. In particular we had a certain amount of criticism for not being represented at the Chapters Conference. The other issue here is that, despite all the electronic means of communication, people still seem to need face-to-face meetings (and, in particular, the act of eating together) to build trust and goodwill; this is something that I have seen so many times in my years in international standards development (even though almost all the people I worked with were IT people and hence those who one might think most able to work effectively electronically). And trust/goodwill is important when it comes to getting money, so it may be that an international airfare for some carefully-chosen event (meaning "who" will be there) might be an excellent investment. So that's why it's on the list of possibilities. [[User:Kerry Raymond|Kerry Raymond]] ([[User talk:Kerry Raymond|talk]]) 07:34, 21 July 2013 (EST)
:In 2013, we didn't budget any money for participation in international community events, precisely because we (the committee) were doubtful about the benefits from chinwagging relative to the costs. However, that has been interpreted by others as not engaging with the broader community, etc. In particular we had a certain amount of criticism for not being represented at the Chapters Conference. The other issue here is that, despite all the electronic means of communication, people still seem to need face-to-face meetings (and, in particular, the act of eating together) to build trust and goodwill; this is something that I have seen so many times in my years in international standards development (even though almost all the people I worked with were IT people and hence those who one might think most able to work effectively electronically). And trust/goodwill is important when it comes to getting money, so it may be that an international airfare for some carefully-chosen event (meaning "who" will be there) might be an excellent investment. So that's why it's on the list of possibilities. [[User:Kerry Raymond|Kerry Raymond]] ([[User talk:Kerry Raymond|talk]]) 07:34, 21 July 2013 (EST)


==Proposal==
===Instructional vids for editors===
I like the idea of instructional vids for editors, to bypass the editathon idea, or as a prep or post-activity reinforcing editathons. Might be too ambitious at this stage, though. [[User:Tony1|Tony1]] ([[User talk:Tony1|talk]]) 18:40, 20 July 2013 (EST)
 
I like the idea of instructional vids for editors, to bypass the idea editathons and/or face-to-face edit-training events, or as a prep or post-activity reinforcing them. Might be too ambitious at this stage, though. [[User:Tony1|Tony1]] ([[User talk:Tony1|talk]]) 18:40, 20 July 2013 (EST)
: Tony1, did you mean "edit training" rather than "editathon" here? [[User:Kerry Raymond|Kerry Raymond]] ([[User talk:Kerry Raymond|talk]]) 07:51, 21 July 2013 (EST)
:: Before we start developing new training resources from scratch, have we made sure that we are using what is already available, such as at those [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:IdeaLab/Reimagining_WP_Mentorship here] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Training here]?
:: Also, I developed a corporate training video years ago - it cost upwards of $30,000 so I don't really think we are in a position to do this. [[User:Whiteghost.ink|Whiteghost.ink]] ([[User talk:Whiteghost.ink|talk]]) 18:15, 22 July 2013 (EST)
:::don't under estimate what we volunteers can do, with the help of the camera grant I purchased a new DSLR that also take HD video, already uploaded a few videos to Commons.... I already have the equipment to film further videos and have purchased video editing software as well as upgraded my PC to enable quicker/efficient processing of video. Dismissing an idea because it once cost $x without first seeing what the community has in available skills and resources is not good either. [[User:Gnangarra|Gnan]][[User_talk:Gnangarra|garra]] 12:41, 23 July 2013
:::: Yes, it is true that it is not like it was in the olden days - technology has become cheaper and people more skilled! [[User:Whiteghost.ink|Whiteghost.ink]] ([[User talk:Whiteghost.ink|talk]]) 16:56, 23 July 2013 (EST)
 
===Volunteer support program/microgrants===
 
I should note that [http://www.wikimedia.org.au/w/index.php?title=Proposal:List_of_proposals_for_2014_planning_process&curid=1759&diff=10291&oldid=10257 this] change by Whiteghost.ink which restored my proposal was promoted by an email discussion in which we noted that the VSP was no longer on the list. [[User:Nick-D|Nick-D]] ([[User talk:Nick-D|talk]]) 20:06, 1 August 2013 (EST)
 
== complication ==
 
Over working the planning & Proposal process long delays can be a barrier to getting work done, already if have a project its like at least 6 months just to get funding assistance. There's nothing wrong with having these process but care needs to be taken to ensure that WMAU doesnt kill them in red tape before they get started. Personally at the moment if I cant do it with my own funds its not being done, it took less then 2 weeks for the funding for Freopedia plaques to be provided by thru third party. [[User:Gnangarra|Gnan]][[User_talk:Gnangarra|garra]] 17:00, 23 July 2013 (EST)

Latest revision as of 03:04, 27 September 2013

Comments on the process

For example:

  • Should we start this process sooner?
  • What is our timeframe to complete the planning process?
  • What are our criteria for selection or priorisation?

General comments on the planning

My wishlist for the next year would be to:

1. Improve governance and project management
2. Consolidate our existing outreach programmes
3. Experiment with cheap, low cost (in both money and volunteer effort) projects to see if there are good ways to attract and retain new editors, and to stimulate development of new content in neglected areas
4. Deliver a more defined benefit for those who choose to join the chapter.

These are obviously just a couple of thoughts I'm throwing out to stimulate discussion - there may be other worthwhile goals to pursue. But something like "run training courses" isn't the goal we should be aiming for, the goal should be "attract new editors", and running training courses should simply be the means to that end.

Contributed by Craig

And signed, but with a proviso that these came from about thirty seconds of fevered thinking rather than days of careful contemplation :-). Lankiveil (talk) 18:42, 22 July 2013 (EST).

Comments on specific proposals

Wheatbelt project

these are not at all loaded questions:

  • Can this be framed in specific ways that would appeal to the WMF? How exactly is it going to enrich/improve WMF websites?
  • What are the benchmarks for success (numerical if possible ... like how many editors are there from the region now, and how many would be considered a reasonable success after the funded activity?
  • This would be WP-based articles and uploads of images to Commons?
  • How many contributors would be involved, and how many WMAU members are interested in contributing/organising?
  • Indigenous content?
  • "widest range of interests", but then four thematic bullets below (which look like a good starting point).
  • "Initial funding for the appraisal and review of the scope of the project is an immediate component of the project."—I'd be more attracted to action than just funding for appraisal and review, which as applicants we'd be expected to have done the basics of already.
  • My inclination is not to ask for petrol, pensiones, and paper, unless critical to improving a WMF website (e.g. essential travel for wheatbelt project photography). Just meeting up to chinwag is increasingly regarded as a luxury.

Interested to hear more. Tony1 (talk) 18:35, 20 July 2013 (EST)

Sorry for delay - here are some responses, further detailed responses will be delayed until post-Wikimania in Hong Kong, any further questions on any of the poiuntsd would be appreciated: -
  1. WMF appeal - content expansion, editor recruitment in under-represented regions, high predominance of female editors, likelihood of indigenous involvement,

- WMF projects (ie websites ) - all projects relevant - commons, voyage, wp en, wp source, have little or no content relative to western australian agricultural regions - also there is an opportunity to link with educational groups in the regions

  1. outside of the Perth metropolitan area, only 2 known active identified editors in the region (only one has actively pursued content related to the region), the aim would be to gain a minimum of 2 new editors from every event... benchmarks for success - media relating to every town, photographs of all heritage listed places in the region,

much expanded content over a very wide range of subjects relative to the regions...

  1. see above, but also significant additions of material to WikiVoyage and WikiSource
  2. involved - last 2 Perth meetups (April and June) all people attending were supportive of the project, SatuSuro as a member is leading the organisation of the early stages of the project, he has already established initial groundwork to ensure there is significant interest in the project from the region, and Gnangarra has offered support and advice on the establishment of the project and will continue to actively support further development as the project continues.
  3. indigenous content - yes, a large amount of material and involvement with the various communities will be established
  4. widest range of interests - the Australian project on a wider scale has significant gaps of unwritten articles about regional variations in agriculture, history, exploration, social development, indigenous culture, transport infrastructure, climatic and environmental issues - this proposal is an excellent opportunity to fill in the gaps where much of the information about local communities is threatened through current irreverisble social and poltical upheaval
  5. the basics have been done, the information is in hand, the assurance of funding is required for followup where events to further the project can be committed to.

We do not have the luxury of people situated within the region on a day to day basis, not even an ad hoc basis. While chinwagging might be seen as a luxury - meeting, disucussing and planning in person is an essential part of the process to establish and demonstrate Wmau commitment to the project partners.

As SatuSuro will be in Hong Kong for Wikimania, he will be most open to any discussion about the proposal. SatuSuro (talk) 23:26, 30 July 2013 (EST)

Sub Project up and running

SatuSuro (talk) 13:04, 27 September 2013 (EST)

Involvement in international events

In 2013, we didn't budget any money for participation in international community events, precisely because we (the committee) were doubtful about the benefits from chinwagging relative to the costs. However, that has been interpreted by others as not engaging with the broader community, etc. In particular we had a certain amount of criticism for not being represented at the Chapters Conference. The other issue here is that, despite all the electronic means of communication, people still seem to need face-to-face meetings (and, in particular, the act of eating together) to build trust and goodwill; this is something that I have seen so many times in my years in international standards development (even though almost all the people I worked with were IT people and hence those who one might think most able to work effectively electronically). And trust/goodwill is important when it comes to getting money, so it may be that an international airfare for some carefully-chosen event (meaning "who" will be there) might be an excellent investment. So that's why it's on the list of possibilities. Kerry Raymond (talk) 07:34, 21 July 2013 (EST)

Instructional vids for editors

I like the idea of instructional vids for editors, to bypass the idea editathons and/or face-to-face edit-training events, or as a prep or post-activity reinforcing them. Might be too ambitious at this stage, though. Tony1 (talk) 18:40, 20 July 2013 (EST)

Tony1, did you mean "edit training" rather than "editathon" here? Kerry Raymond (talk) 07:51, 21 July 2013 (EST)
Before we start developing new training resources from scratch, have we made sure that we are using what is already available, such as at those here and here?
Also, I developed a corporate training video years ago - it cost upwards of $30,000 so I don't really think we are in a position to do this. Whiteghost.ink (talk) 18:15, 22 July 2013 (EST)
don't under estimate what we volunteers can do, with the help of the camera grant I purchased a new DSLR that also take HD video, already uploaded a few videos to Commons.... I already have the equipment to film further videos and have purchased video editing software as well as upgraded my PC to enable quicker/efficient processing of video. Dismissing an idea because it once cost $x without first seeing what the community has in available skills and resources is not good either. Gnangarra 12:41, 23 July 2013
Yes, it is true that it is not like it was in the olden days - technology has become cheaper and people more skilled! Whiteghost.ink (talk) 16:56, 23 July 2013 (EST)

Volunteer support program/microgrants

I should note that this change by Whiteghost.ink which restored my proposal was promoted by an email discussion in which we noted that the VSP was no longer on the list. Nick-D (talk) 20:06, 1 August 2013 (EST)

complication

Over working the planning & Proposal process long delays can be a barrier to getting work done, already if have a project its like at least 6 months just to get funding assistance. There's nothing wrong with having these process but care needs to be taken to ensure that WMAU doesnt kill them in red tape before they get started. Personally at the moment if I cant do it with my own funds its not being done, it took less then 2 weeks for the funding for Freopedia plaques to be provided by thru third party. Gnangarra 17:00, 23 July 2013 (EST)