Strategy/Wikimedia movement/2017/Toolkit/Discussion guide/On wiki

This page explains how to organize a discussion about Movement strategy on a wiki during cycle 2.

Organizing a discussion on Meta-Wiki

You are welcome to organize a discussion on Meta-Wiki. It is sometimes simpler because the pages already exist and you can simply translate them. However, remember that some communities prefer to discuss on their wiki and will not come to Meta.

To create a discussion in your language on Meta-Wiki:

  • Translate the Cycle 2 page
  • Create the Talk page for your translation
  • Check that the buttons work.

That's it! Remember to add a link to your page on the list of organizers.

Organizing a discussion on another wiki

On a community discussion page ("Village pump")

On some smaller wikis, the main discussion page of the community ("Village pump") is the most active place of discussion. You may choose to discuss the movement strategy there.

You can start the discussion with the "first question" on each theme and then help people understand what to say. Remember to add a link to the Village pump on the list of organizers.

On a separate page

On some large wikis, the Village pump is very active and discussions get lost after a few days. In that case, you can create a separate page for movement strategy.

  • Copy the Cycle 2 pages on your wiki, translate them, and adapt them to your needs.
  • Check that the buttons work.
  • Post a message on the Village pump from time to time to help people remember to participate. For example, you could do this every week.

That's it! Also remember to add a link to your page on the list of organizers.

Step Activity / Prompts for online discussion
Step 1

(week 1)

First posting - Introduction and briefing
  • Follow up on cycle 1, which has produced a comprehensive report. Encourage the group to read the report, the themes, and related research. Ask to share initial thoughts.
Step 2

(week 2)

Second posting - Main discussion on our future direction
  • Focus on one or more themes that your community has been interested in debating in more detail. Answer the questions related to the theme(s) with them:
    • What impact would we have on the world if we follow this theme?
    • How important is this theme relative to the other 4 themes? Why?
    • Focus requires tradeoffs. If we increase our effort in this area in the next 15 years, is there anything we’re doing today that we would need to stop doing?
    • What else is important to add to this theme to make it stronger?
    • Who else will be working in this area and how might we partner with them?
Step 3

(week 3-4)

Summarize the themes (summarize the statements for the sources pages by theme, depending on for which themes you have gotten feedback, ideas for change, or counter-proposals)
  • Identify major ideas from the discussion
  • Write one sentence statement (theme statements) and a keyword for each major idea
    • Example:
      • Theme statement: We should prioritize "Healthy, Inclusive Communities" because the communities are the center and reason the movement exists and the main way through which it reaches its goals.
      • Keywords: community health

Post to local project and to meta

  • Meta: If possible, translate your summary into English. If not, please post in your local language to Meta and mark for translation if we do not have a language liaison to translate this for you.

Summarize

During the discussion, remember to summarize the main arguments to share the information with other groups and communities.