Other charities policy proposal
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As a charitable organization, the Wikimedia Foundation recognizes that there are many other causes that merit the attention of donors everywhere. Famine, epidemics, and natural and manmade disasters still continue to plague humanity around the world.
The Wikimedia Foundation believes that the free flow of information is among the best means of alleviating suffering everywhere. By promoting education and awareness, we can help people understand the causes of these catastrophes and take steps to avoid them in the future. We can also play a role in providing more specific relief relating to our mission, such as publishing informative materials and books for children.
Nevertheless, we recognize that under certain dire circumstances, the immediate needs of the victims of catastrophes cannot be met by the Wikimedia Foundation. Our approach is long-term, whereas certain disasters demand immediate assistance in terms of food and shelter for the victims.
Under those circumstances, each project will have the right to determine whether a notice can be placed on its Main Page, directing people to other charities that help the needy.
Proposed amendments to the proposal edit
Noting notafish's comments below, I propose that we change
- each project will have the right to determine whether a notice can be placed on its Main Page
to
- each project will have the right to display a notice on (a) page(s) of its choosing within the project
Pcb21 12:56, 6 September 2005 (UTC)
Discussion edit
I agree with this, but as I said at en:mediawiki talk:sitenotice, I think projects need an actual policy on what to support, when they will support those, and how they will do it. Without that, it leads to arguments occurring at the time the donation links are most needed, and could appear POV if only one certain charity or disaster is seen to be represented with no policy or discussion on why that particular one has been chosen. Angela 11:43, 6 September 2005 (UTC)
- Indeed. Having a "don't do it, it's divisive, POV, and, whatever you do, people will object" policy would get around this, but sadly that seems an unpopular choice.
- James F. (talk) 13:34, 6 September 2005 (UTC)
There is also a difference between a notice on the main page (visible by those who enter by the main page) and a sitenotice (visible on every single page). notafish }<';> 12:39, 6 September 2005 (UTC)