Wikimedia Belgium/September 2011 proposal

Suggested structure and working methods for Wikimedia Belgium

Structure

Any member of Wikimedia Belgium would categorise himself/herself under one of the following groups

• Flemish group
• Francophone group
• [German-speaking group, when there are enough interested contributors]

Participants from the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg can categorise them under those categories as well (presumably German-speaking), unless they desire to form their own chapter.

Board

There would be four functions: a president, vice-president, secretary, and a treasurer. The first and third function will be held by a member of the first group and the second and fourth function by a member of the second group. Each year this switches to the other group respectively. So e.g. a Flemish president and secretary and a Francophone vice-president and a treasurer, and the next year a Francophone president and secretary and a Flemish vice-president and a treasurer. This reduces the 2009 scenario, where the proposal came from francophone interested people, so the Flemish immediately felt underrepresented. When the German-speaking group joins, a fifth position is permanently held by a member of this group. He will probably not have a specific function, but help out in general.

Language

English, Dutch, French and possibly German would be the languages used. Which language to use depends on the situation.

Activities

• Goals at Belgian level: financial matters, websites, Wiki Loves Monuments (prizes, …). For events on a Belgian level, at least one person from Flemish and Francophone side should attend it.
• Goals of Flemish group: regional events like Boekenbeurs; contact with WM NL; possibly subsidies of Flemish community
• Goals of Francophone group: regional events like Foire aux livres; contact with WM FR; possibly subsidies of Francophone community
• Goals of German-speaking group [if there is interest]: regional events or events in Luxembourg only; contact with WM DE; possibly subsidies of German-speaking community and/or Luxembourg

So, the organisation of an event depends on which level it takes place. Events involving politicians (Flemish, federal parliament) probably depends on the language group of the party.

Press releases could be made either first in English and then translate to Dutch/French/(German), or each language group could make their own about the same topic.

Financial

I have not much experience with how money is raised/spent in other chapters, but we can probably do this: All money raised in Belgium (and Luxembourg, for that matter) is kept at the Belgian-chapter level, and money is given to specific activities no matter which level or region.

Office

In the longer term, it might be an option to open an office in Brussels of both the Wikimedia Foundation and Wikimedia Belgium, serving as a workspace of our chapter and a link between the heart of Europe with the American headquarters.

Interested

Please put your name below if you are interested in participating with a Belgian(-Luxemburg) chapter. Please also mention how much you want to put effort in this project.

Flemish

1. Want to help with organising, but not too much. SPQRobin (talk) 23:40, 13 September 2011 (UTC)
2. Romaine 23:41, 13 September 2011 (UTC) - Want to help organize and setting up the chapter toegether with others.
3. Vdkdaan (talk) 10:07, 19 May 2013 (UTC) Experience in vzw/asbl writing and knowledge of the concerning law's. Looking for a appropriate structure. So short temporarily engagement. But if i can, go on with the next temp. engagement.

Francophone

1. M0tty (talk) 14:24, 9 June 2012 (UTC)

German-speaking

1. ...