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[Wikimedia-l] Announcement about changes to the Board

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Patricio Lorente

[Wikimedia-l] Announcement about changes to the Board

Dear all,

Today the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees voted to remove one of the
Trustees, Dr. James Heilman, from the Board. His term ended effective
immediately.

This was not a decision the Board took lightly. The Board has a
responsibility to the Wikimedia movement and the Wikimedia Foundation to
ensure that the Board functions with mutual confidence to ensure effective
governance. Following serious consideration, the Board felt this removal
decision was a necessary step at this time. The resolution will be
published shortly.

This decision creates an open seat for a community-selected Trustee. The
Board is committed to filling this open community seat as quickly as
possible. We will reach out to the 2015 election committee
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections_2015/Committee>
to discuss our options, and will keep you informed as we determine next
steps.

Patricio Lorente

Chair, Board of Trustees

Wikimedia Foundation

--
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Kevin Gorman

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Announcement about changes to the Board

I really really hope that the full and transparent text of the resolution
is published as soon as is reasonably possible. James has the trust of a
colossal number of movement members, and seeing him suddenly removed short
of allegations of financial malfeasance or something to that effect is
incredibly jarring. This has never happened before in the history of the
WMF... and bluntly, we've definitely had community elected trustees whose
judgement was less well thought of than James.

----
KG

On Mon, Dec 28, 2015 at 3:29 PM, Patricio Lorente <
[hidden email]> wrote:

> Dear all,
>
> Today the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees voted to remove one of the
> Trustees, Dr. James Heilman, from the Board. His term ended effective
> immediately.
>
> This was not a decision the Board took lightly. The Board has a
> responsibility to the Wikimedia movement and the Wikimedia Foundation to
> ensure that the Board functions with mutual confidence to ensure effective
> governance. Following serious consideration, the Board felt this removal
> decision was a necessary step at this time. The resolution will be
> published shortly.
>
> This decision creates an open seat for a community-selected Trustee. The
> Board is committed to filling this open community seat as quickly as
> possible. We will reach out to the 2015 election committee
> <
> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections_2015/Committee
> >
> to discuss our options, and will keep you informed as we determine next
> steps.
>
> Patricio Lorente
>
> Chair, Board of Trustees
>
> Wikimedia Foundation
>
> --
> _______________________________________________
> Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at:
> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines
> New messages to: [hidden email]
> Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l,
> <mailto:[hidden email]?subject=unsubscribe>

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Risker

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Announcement about changes to the Board

In reply to this post by Patricio Lorente

On 28 December 2015 at 18:29, Patricio Lorente <[hidden email]>
wrote:

While you are at it, Patricio, please also publish the names of the two new
Board-appointed trustees.

Risker/Anne
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Thomas Goldammer-2

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Announcement about changes to the Board

Dear Patricio,

as James is (or was) a community-elected member, it would have been nice to
include reasons why the Board took this decision in the announcement. It
gives (at least me) the impression of deliberate non-openness, and I don't
like it.

Th.

2015-12-29 0:52 GMT+01:00 Risker <[hidden email]>:

> On 28 December 2015 at 18:29, Patricio Lorente <[hidden email]
> >
> wrote:
>
> > Dear all,
> >
> > Today the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees voted to remove one of
> the
> > Trustees, Dr. James Heilman, from the Board. His term ended effective
> > immediately.
> >
> > This was not a decision the Board took lightly. The Board has a
> > responsibility to the Wikimedia movement and the Wikimedia Foundation to
> > ensure that the Board functions with mutual confidence to ensure
> effective
> > governance. Following serious consideration, the Board felt this removal
> > decision was a necessary step at this time. The resolution will be
> > published shortly.
> >
> > This decision creates an open seat for a community-selected Trustee. The
> > Board is committed to filling this open community seat as quickly as
> > possible. We will reach out to the 2015 election committee
> > <
> >
> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections_2015/Committee
> > >
> > to discuss our options, and will keep you informed as we determine next
> > steps.
> >
> > Patricio Lorente
> >
> > Chair, Board of Trustees
> >
> > Wikimedia Foundation
> >
> >
>
> While you are at it, Patricio, please also publish the names of the two new
> Board-appointed trustees.
>
> Risker/Anne
> _______________________________________________
> Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at:
> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines
> New messages to: [hidden email]
> Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l,
> <mailto:[hidden email]?subject=unsubscribe>
>

Anthony Cole

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Announcement about changes to the Board

In reply to this post by Risker

Here is the resolution removing James.

https://m.wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Resolution:James_Heilman_Removal

On Tuesday, December 29, 2015, Risker <[hidden email]> wrote:

> On 28 December 2015 at 18:29, Patricio Lorente <[hidden email]
> <javascript:;>>
> wrote:
>
> > Dear all,
> >
> > Today the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees voted to remove one of
> the
> > Trustees, Dr. James Heilman, from the Board. His term ended effective
> > immediately.
> >
> > This was not a decision the Board took lightly. The Board has a
> > responsibility to the Wikimedia movement and the Wikimedia Foundation to
> > ensure that the Board functions with mutual confidence to ensure
> effective
> > governance. Following serious consideration, the Board felt this removal
> > decision was a necessary step at this time. The resolution will be
> > published shortly.
> >
> > This decision creates an open seat for a community-selected Trustee. The
> > Board is committed to filling this open community seat as quickly as
> > possible. We will reach out to the 2015 election committee
> > <
> >
> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections_2015/Committee
> > >
> > to discuss our options, and will keep you informed as we determine next
> > steps.
> >
> > Patricio Lorente
> >
> > Chair, Board of Trustees
> >
> > Wikimedia Foundation
> >
> >
>
> While you are at it, Patricio, please also publish the names of the two new
> Board-appointed trustees.
>
> Risker/Anne
> _______________________________________________
> Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at:
> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines
> New messages to: [hidden email] <javascript:;>
> Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l,
> <mailto:[hidden email] <javascript:;>
> ?subject=unsubscribe>

--
Anthony Cole <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_talk:Anthonyhcole>
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Nathan Awrich

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Announcement about changes to the Board

In reply to this post by Thomas Goldammer-2

Add my voice to those waiting for the Board to provide something closer to
the minimum necessary context for this decision.
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Tito Dutta

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Announcement about changes to the Board

Add me as well.
Eager to know what happened.
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Bodhisattwa Mandal

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Announcement about changes to the Board

In reply to this post by Risker

Hi,

This official statement is very much weak and does not state any reason of
such removal. A rather serious and transparent explanation to the community
is needed.

Regards,
Bodhisattwa
On 29 Dec 2015 05:22, "Risker" <[hidden email]> wrote:

Matthew Flaschen

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Announcement about changes to the Board

In reply to this post by Patricio Lorente

Under Florida law
(https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2011/617.0808), there is a
distinction between removals for cause and removals not for cause
(https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2011/617.0808).

Removals not for cause require a 2/3 majority (this standard was still met).

If you are unwilling or unable to specify the reason for removal, I
think you should at least specify whether it was for cause.

Thanks,

Matt Flaschen

On Mon, Dec 28, 2015 at 6:29 PM, Patricio Lorente
<[hidden email]> wrote:

> Dear all,
>
> Today the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees voted to remove one of the
> Trustees, Dr. James Heilman, from the Board. His term ended effective
> immediately.
>
> This was not a decision the Board took lightly. The Board has a
> responsibility to the Wikimedia movement and the Wikimedia Foundation to
> ensure that the Board functions with mutual confidence to ensure effective
> governance. Following serious consideration, the Board felt this removal
> decision was a necessary step at this time. The resolution will be
> published shortly.
>
> This decision creates an open seat for a community-selected Trustee. The
> Board is committed to filling this open community seat as quickly as
> possible. We will reach out to the 2015 election committee
> <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections_2015/Committee>
> to discuss our options, and will keep you informed as we determine next
> steps.
>
> Patricio Lorente
>
> Chair, Board of Trustees
>
> Wikimedia Foundation
>
> --
> _______________________________________________
> Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines
> New messages to: [hidden email]
> Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, <mailto:[hidden email]?subject=unsubscribe>

Kevin Gorman

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Announcement about changes to the Board

In reply to this post by Tito Dutta

I really, really hope that, as fast as one can be written, a resolution
explaining more fully the circumstances of James' departure from the board
is written and passed. If there are legal reasons that mean that his
departure cannot be more fully explained, that itself needs to be noted -
and I hope they're particularly strong reasons. Without looking up the
vote count in the last election: James has the trust of a huge segment of
the community, and also has a much stronger sense of direction in how WMF
should be steered than many of our trustees have in the past. His sudden
removal (the power mechanism I've cobbled together to have my laptop
functional today is hilarious) without further explanation looks way too
much like one of only three directly elected trustees spoke up too openly
in a way that wasn't welcomed about the directions he thought Wikimedia
should go - even though he literally published a platform before he was
elected. The sudden removal of a very well respected community elected
trustee has at least the appearance of a board that may not want to be
responsive to those who literally create it's only valuable asset.

Best,
KG

On Mon, Dec 28, 2015 at 4:10 PM, Tito Dutta <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Add me as well.
> Eager to know what happened.
> _______________________________________________
> Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at:
> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines
> New messages to: [hidden email]
> Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l,
> <mailto:[hidden email]?subject=unsubscribe>
>
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Pine W

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Announcement about changes to the Board

I am hopeful that the resolution, when it is published, will provide us
with more information.

IMO, speed is less important here than the completeness of the information.
I'd prefer a more thorough explanation provided tomorrow than a hasty and
potentially incomplete explanation today.

Thanks,
Pine

On Mon, Dec 28, 2015 at 4:32 PM, Kevin Gorman <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I really, really hope that, as fast as one can be written, a resolution
> explaining more fully the circumstances of James' departure from the board
> is written and passed. If there are legal reasons that mean that his
> departure cannot be more fully explained, that itself needs to be noted -
> and I hope they're particularly strong reasons. Without looking up the
> vote count in the last election: James has the trust of a huge segment of
> the community, and also has a much stronger sense of direction in how WMF
> should be steered than many of our trustees have in the past. His sudden
> removal (the power mechanism I've cobbled together to have my laptop
> functional today is hilarious) without further explanation looks way too
> much like one of only three directly elected trustees spoke up too openly
> in a way that wasn't welcomed about the directions he thought Wikimedia
> should go - even though he literally published a platform before he was
> elected. The sudden removal of a very well respected community elected
> trustee has at least the appearance of a board that may not want to be
> responsive to those who literally create it's only valuable asset.
>
> Best,
> KG
>
> On Mon, Dec 28, 2015 at 4:10 PM, Tito Dutta <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> > Add me as well.
> > Eager to know what happened.
> > _______________________________________________
> > Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at:
> > https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines
> > New messages to: [hidden email]
> > Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l,
> > <mailto:[hidden email]?subject=unsubscribe>
> >
> _______________________________________________
> Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at:
> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines
> New messages to: [hidden email]
> Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l,
> <mailto:[hidden email]?subject=unsubscribe>
>

Thomas Goldammer-2

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Announcement about changes to the Board

Pine, the resolution was published, and it does not provide any
information.
https://m.wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Resolution:James_Heilman_Removal

Matt, why would FL law apply to Board decisions? WMF is based in Cali. Are
they still officially a Florida entity?

Best,
Th.

2015-12-29 1:39 GMT+01:00 Pine W <[hidden email]>:

> I am hopeful that the resolution, when it is published, will provide us
> with more information.
>
> IMO, speed is less important here than the completeness of the information.
> I'd prefer a more thorough explanation provided tomorrow than a hasty and
> potentially incomplete explanation today.
>
> Thanks,
> Pine
>
>
>
> On Mon, Dec 28, 2015 at 4:32 PM, Kevin Gorman <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> > I really, really hope that, as fast as one can be written, a resolution
> > explaining more fully the circumstances of James' departure from the
> board
> > is written and passed. If there are legal reasons that mean that his
> > departure cannot be more fully explained, that itself needs to be noted -
> > and I hope they're particularly strong reasons. Without looking up the
> > vote count in the last election: James has the trust of a huge segment of
> > the community, and also has a much stronger sense of direction in how WMF
> > should be steered than many of our trustees have in the past. His sudden
> > removal (the power mechanism I've cobbled together to have my laptop
> > functional today is hilarious) without further explanation looks way too
> > much like one of only three directly elected trustees spoke up too openly
> > in a way that wasn't welcomed about the directions he thought Wikimedia
> > should go - even though he literally published a platform before he was
> > elected. The sudden removal of a very well respected community elected
> > trustee has at least the appearance of a board that may not want to be
> > responsive to those who literally create it's only valuable asset.
> >
> > Best,
> > KG
> >
> > On Mon, Dec 28, 2015 at 4:10 PM, Tito Dutta <[hidden email]> wrote:
> >
> > > Add me as well.
> > > Eager to know what happened.
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at:
> > > https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines
> > > New messages to: [hidden email]
> > > Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l,
> > > <mailto:[hidden email]?subject=unsubscribe>
> > >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at:
> > https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines
> > New messages to: [hidden email]
> > Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l,
> > <mailto:[hidden email]?subject=unsubscribe>
> >
> _______________________________________________
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> <mailto:[hidden email]?subject=unsubscribe>
>

Pete Forsyth-2

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Announcement about changes to the Board

In reply to this post by Kevin Gorman

I'd like to suggest we look at this decision from as objective and broad a
perspective as possible, and consider any statement (or lack of any
statement) from the Wikimedia Foundation from that perspective. My initial
thoughts are that the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees are an entity
that:
* Controls one of the most valuable brands in the world
* Leverages that control to command a budget approaching $100 million
annually, mostly from $15 donations
* Makes or approves decisions, with an unknown level of transparency, about
how to spend that budget
* Is only minimally accountable to anyone. (Four Trustees are selected by
the Board itself, one is a co-founder of Wikipedia with exclusive claim to
a seat, two are selected by a somewhat arcane process by the Chapters, and
only three -- 30% -- are elected by Wikimedia volunteers)

With this action, eight Trustees with little accountability overruled
several hundred volunteers and another Trustee who literally earned the
most support votes of any Trustee in the organization's history.

Any explanation of the reasons should be commensurate, in my view, to the
points outlined above.

-Pete
[[User:Peteforsyth]]

On Mon, Dec 28, 2015 at 4:32 PM, Kevin Gorman <[hidden email]> wrote:

cro0016

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Announcement about changes to the Board

In reply to this post by Kevin Gorman

Quite surprised by this action, it does indeed seem unprecedented and I would hope the board would release a statement as to why this decision was made. Unless there are legal reasons that mean the board cannot disclose why, I would think that an explanation should be provided.

Steve Crossin

Sent from my iPhone

> On 29 Dec 2015, at 11:32 AM, Kevin Gorman <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I really, really hope that, as fast as one can be written, a resolution
> explaining more fully the circumstances of James' departure from the board
> is written and passed. If there are legal reasons that mean that his
> departure cannot be more fully explained, that itself needs to be noted -
> and I hope they're particularly strong reasons. Without looking up the
> vote count in the last election: James has the trust of a huge segment of
> the community, and also has a much stronger sense of direction in how WMF
> should be steered than many of our trustees have in the past. His sudden
> removal (the power mechanism I've cobbled together to have my laptop
> functional today is hilarious) without further explanation looks way too
> much like one of only three directly elected trustees spoke up too openly
> in a way that wasn't welcomed about the directions he thought Wikimedia
> should go - even though he literally published a platform before he was
> elected. The sudden removal of a very well respected community elected
> trustee has at least the appearance of a board that may not want to be
> responsive to those who literally create it's only valuable asset.
>
> Best,
> KG
>
>> On Mon, Dec 28, 2015 at 4:10 PM, Tito Dutta <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> Add me as well.
>> Eager to know what happened.
>> _______________________________________________
>> Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at:
>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines
>> New messages to: [hidden email]
>> Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l,
>> <mailto:[hidden email]?subject=unsubscribe>
> _______________________________________________
> Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines
> New messages to: [hidden email]
> Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, <mailto:[hidden email]?subject=unsubscribe>

SarahSV

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Announcement about changes to the Board

In reply to this post by Pete Forsyth-2

On Mon, Dec 28, 2015 at 5:45 PM, Pete Forsyth <[hidden email]> wrote:

>
> With this action, eight Trustees with little accountability overruled
> several hundred volunteers and another Trustee who literally earned the
> most support votes of any Trustee in the organization's history.
>
> Any explanation of the reasons should be commensurate, in my view, to the
> points outlined above.
>
> -Pete
> [[User:Peteforsyth]]
>

James was elected
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections_2015/Results>
by 1,857 people

and removed by eight. I hope an explanation is forthcoming very soon.
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Matthew Flaschen

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Announcement about changes to the Board

In reply to this post by Thomas Goldammer-2

Yes, it's still a Florida organization.

You can see the resolution cites
https://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Bylaws#Section_7._Removal , which in
turn cites Section 617.0808(1), which is what I linked to (
https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2011/617.0808)

Matt Flaschen

On Monday, December 28, 2015, Thomas Goldammer <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Pine, the resolution was published, and it does not provide any
> information.
> https://m.wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Resolution:James_Heilman_Removal
>
> Matt, why would FL law apply to Board decisions? WMF is based in Cali. Are
> they still officially a Florida entity?
>
> Best,
> Th.
>
> 2015-12-29 1:39 GMT+01:00 Pine W <[hidden email] <javascript:;>>:
>
> > I am hopeful that the resolution, when it is published, will provide us
> > with more information.
> >
> > IMO, speed is less important here than the completeness of the
> information.
> > I'd prefer a more thorough explanation provided tomorrow than a hasty and
> > potentially incomplete explanation today.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Pine
> >
> >
> >
> > On Mon, Dec 28, 2015 at 4:32 PM, Kevin Gorman <[hidden email]
> <javascript:;>> wrote:
> >
> > > I really, really hope that, as fast as one can be written, a resolution
> > > explaining more fully the circumstances of James' departure from the
> > board
> > > is written and passed. If there are legal reasons that mean that his
> > > departure cannot be more fully explained, that itself needs to be
> noted -
> > > and I hope they're particularly strong reasons. Without looking up the
> > > vote count in the last election: James has the trust of a huge segment
> of
> > > the community, and also has a much stronger sense of direction in how
> WMF
> > > should be steered than many of our trustees have in the past. His
> sudden
> > > removal (the power mechanism I've cobbled together to have my laptop
> > > functional today is hilarious) without further explanation looks way
> too
> > > much like one of only three directly elected trustees spoke up too
> openly
> > > in a way that wasn't welcomed about the directions he thought Wikimedia
> > > should go - even though he literally published a platform before he was
> > > elected. The sudden removal of a very well respected community elected
> > > trustee has at least the appearance of a board that may not want to be
> > > responsive to those who literally create it's only valuable asset.
> > >
> > > Best,
> > > KG
> > >
> > > On Mon, Dec 28, 2015 at 4:10 PM, Tito Dutta <[hidden email]
> <javascript:;>> wrote:
> > >
> > > > Add me as well.
> > > > Eager to know what happened.
> > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at:
> > > > https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines
> > > > New messages to: [hidden email] <javascript:;>
> > > > Unsubscribe:
> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l,
> > > > <mailto:[hidden email] <javascript:;>
> ?subject=unsubscribe>
> > > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at:
> > > https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines
> > > New messages to: [hidden email] <javascript:;>
> > > Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l,
> > > <mailto:[hidden email] <javascript:;>
> ?subject=unsubscribe>
> > >
> > _______________________________________________
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> > https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines
> > New messages to: [hidden email] <javascript:;>
> > Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l,
> > <mailto:[hidden email] <javascript:;>
> ?subject=unsubscribe>
> >
> _______________________________________________
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> Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l,
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Re: [Wikimedia-l] Announcement about changes to the Board

Wikimedia is still a democracy, even if the people running it aren't
..as someone pointed out above, he was selected by over 1800
"contributors" and i have personally seen him make 'minor' mistakes,
none justifying why he was removed.. This is quite unbecoming of an
organisation that prides itself on its community, only to remove one
of its community-elected board members without any justification
whatsoever......still waiting....I doubt any of us will be fond of
having another elections until we find out why James was removed in
the first place..

--
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Todd Allen

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Announcement about changes to the Board

In reply to this post by cro0016

Even if there are legal reasons that disclosure is not possible, a simple
statement to that effect ("For legal reasons, we cannot provide additional
information") should be at the very least forthcoming.

If the removal was "not for cause", which apparently is allowed, that
should be explicitly stated as well.
On Dec 28, 2015 5:45 PM, "Steven Zhang" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Quite surprised by this action, it does indeed seem unprecedented and I
> would hope the board would release a statement as to why this decision was
> made. Unless there are legal reasons that mean the board cannot disclose
> why, I would think that an explanation should be provided.
>
> Steve Crossin
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On 29 Dec 2015, at 11:32 AM, Kevin Gorman <[hidden email]> wrote:
> >
> > I really, really hope that, as fast as one can be written, a resolution
> > explaining more fully the circumstances of James' departure from the
> board
> > is written and passed. If there are legal reasons that mean that his
> > departure cannot be more fully explained, that itself needs to be noted -
> > and I hope they're particularly strong reasons. Without looking up the
> > vote count in the last election: James has the trust of a huge segment of
> > the community, and also has a much stronger sense of direction in how WMF
> > should be steered than many of our trustees have in the past. His sudden
> > removal (the power mechanism I've cobbled together to have my laptop
> > functional today is hilarious) without further explanation looks way too
> > much like one of only three directly elected trustees spoke up too openly
> > in a way that wasn't welcomed about the directions he thought Wikimedia
> > should go - even though he literally published a platform before he was
> > elected. The sudden removal of a very well respected community elected
> > trustee has at least the appearance of a board that may not want to be
> > responsive to those who literally create it's only valuable asset.
> >
> > Best,
> > KG
> >
> >> On Mon, Dec 28, 2015 at 4:10 PM, Tito Dutta <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
> >>
> >> Add me as well.
> >> Eager to know what happened.
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MZMcBride-2

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Announcement about changes to the Board

In reply to this post by SarahSV

SarahSV wrote:

>On Mon, Dec 28, 2015 at 5:45 PM, Pete Forsyth <[hidden email]>
>wrote:
>> With this action, eight Trustees with little accountability overruled
>> several hundred volunteers and another Trustee who literally earned the
>> most support votes of any Trustee in the organization's history.
>>
>> Any explanation of the reasons should be commensurate, in my view, to
>>the points outlined above.
>
>James was elected by 1,857 people and removed by eight. I hope an
>explanation is forthcoming very soon.

---
; Approved: Patricio Lorente, Alice Wiegand, Frieda Brioschi, Jimmy Wales,
Stu West, Jan-Bart de Vreede, Guy Kawasaki, Denny Vrandečić,

; Oppose: Dariusz Jemielniak, James Heilman
---

This is a somewhat interesting breakdown. I'm also paying close attention
to what James posted on this mailing list. In my mind, he's the person
likely able to speak most freely about this removal and probably is more
familiar with it than most. For now, he seems to have chosen not to say
very much. Others involved in the removal likely can't (or maybe won't)
say much more, which of course just leaves everyone else to speculate.

MZMcBride

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Ilario Valdelli

Re: [Wikimedia-l] Announcement about changes to the Board

On 29.12.2015 02:17, MZMcBride wrote:

> ---
> ; Approved: Patricio Lorente, Alice Wiegand, Frieda Brioschi, Jimmy Wales,
> Stu West, Jan-Bart de Vreede, Guy Kawasaki, Denny Vrandečić,
>
> ; Oppose: Dariusz Jemielniak, James Heilman
> ---
>
> This is a somewhat interesting breakdown. I'm also paying close attention
> to what James posted on this mailing list. In my mind, he's the person
> likely able to speak most freely about this removal and probably is more
> familiar with it than most. For now, he seems to have chosen not to say
> very much. Others involved in the removal likely can't (or maybe won't)
> say much more, which of course just leaves everyone else to speculate.
>
> MZMcBride
>

What is strange is that he votes and he votes in opposition.

Did someone see an inconsistencyon that?

Kind regards

--
Ilario Valdelli
Wikimedia CH
Verein zur Förderung Freien Wissens
Association pour l’avancement des connaissances libre
Associazione per il sostegno alla conoscenza libera
Switzerland - 8008 Zürich
Tel: +41764821371
http://www.wikimedia.ch

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