Wikimedia New York City/Community Engagement Roundtables

Community Engagement Roundtables

Abstract

Wikimedia New York City is seeking to contract for a four-month time frame with two community facilitators. Each facilitator will convene a series of roundtable discussions around a proposed focus area, report on the outcomes, and make community-building recommendations.

Overview

Wikimedia NYC began as a grassroots community of Wikipedians, information professionals, and activists committed to connecting the peoples and institutions of the New York metropolitan area with Wikipedia and the larger free-culture movement. The realization of this early vision for the Chapter is evidenced in its partnerships, its edit-a-thons and monthly meetups, and its role in the early development and growth of projects such as AfroCrowd, Art + Feminism, "Wiki Loves …" initiatives, and other catalyzing, replicable, global efforts growing from a diverse local context.

In furtherance of this commitment during this time of social distancing, Wikimedia NYC aims to create opportunities for institutional partners and members of our community to connect and learn from each other, as well as to develop best practices, build community, foster new ideas, and plan projects for when the pandemic is over. Wikimedia NYC seeks proposals from members of its community interested in facilitating a program for learning, support, and the development of communities of practice across our metropolitan area’s various cultural sectors.

Expectations

The facilitator will be expected to convene four discussion sessions in the proposed area, completed by the beginning of July 2021. Based on these discussions, the facilitator will generate a two-page report describing their work and recommendations for next steps to foster mutual support between the members of the discussion group and the local Wikimedia NYC community.

Proposal elements (response format)

Proposals should be between 500 and 1,000 words and address:

Your relationship with Wikimedia projects (e.g. Wikipedia) and/or Wikimedia NYC.
A focus area for the roundtable. This may include an area of practice (e.g. libraries, archives and museums), a Wikimedia project (e.g. Wikidata), thematic area (e.g. science and ecology), an underrepresented group (e.g. lgbtq+ editors), or a role within the Wikimedia movement (e.g. edit-a-thon facilitators).
Relevance of the focus area to Wikimedia NYC and its community.
Ways in which individual sessions will be structured, for example in the form of an example session plan including community participation and mutual support.
Suggested target audience/participants of roundtable discussions.

Eligibility

We want to hear from members of our community who reside in the greater New York City metropolitan area and have familiarity with the Wikimedia ecosystem.

Not sure if you're a member of the Wikimedia NYC community? If you've attended or organized an edit-a-thon, shared a project at WikiWednesday, or otherwise participated in our activities and have a good idea for a roundtable focus area, we want to hear from you.

Qualities important to us

Natural curiosity / Excited about the process of discovery.
Ease in interacting with people
Strong verbal skills.
Ability to create comfort and trust.
Ability to remain impartial, open, and unbiased

Support

Facilitators will be provided with a $1,000 honorarium in recognition of their work. Wikimedia NYC will provide access to its web conferencing platforms and outreach channels, and will be available to collaborate and provide guidance as necessary.

How to apply

Please send a resume and proposal to rajene@wikimedianyc.org by March 30th with the subject line “Roundtable Proposal.” Proposals will be considered in order of receipt, until filled.