Wikimedia Foundation elections/Board elections/2007/Candidates/Yann/questions

Questions

Add your questions for Yann at the bottom.

Self Questions

• Difficulties I might have as a board member
  • English is not my native language, although I worked for 4 years in English speaking countries (India and Sri Lanka), and I still work a big part of my time in English.
  • Board member is a occupation which needs time. I decided to work part-time if elected to be able to cope with the amount of work needed for the Foundation.

Users' Questions

Lesser-known projects

What is your opinion on some of the projects that are not as well-known as Wikipedia? Would you favour a situation where attempts are made to nurture these projects rather than almost-solely concentrate on the one that has the highest profile? --Brian McNeil / ^talk 14:46, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

Work with NGOs

Which NGOs did you work with, and in what capacity?--Ragesoss 18:59, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

I was director of a technical school founded by the Anglican Church in India. As an employee, I also worked for "Fédération des œuvres laïques" (Non religious cultural organization), teaching computer basic to children, and "Partenaires" (Partners) a NGO working on development and humanitarian assistance in India. I worked 6 months as a full time volunteer for Peace Brigades International in civil war torn Sri Lanka, and 2 years part time with "Friends of All", an Indian NGO dedicating to improving education in rural India.

Ads, branding, business dev., GHGs.

1. On the board, will you vote for ads on Wikimedia sites?
   1. yes
      1. pop-ups/flash/banners/graphics
      2. flash/banners/graphics in skin whitespace or at bottom
      3. company logos in site notices
      4. prominent text ads
      5. company names in site notices
      6. text ads in skin whitespace or at bottom
      7. opt out
      8. opt in
      9. other
   2. maybe
      1. only for a huge amount of money
      2. only during budget emergencies
      3. only if editors support it
   3. never
   4. other
2. What are your thoughts on Wikimedia branding?
3. What are your thoughts on the foundation's hiring of a business developer?
4. How would you vote on the board about the foundation reducing or offsetting anthropogenic greenhouse gases, e.g. power used by hardware, flights, etc.?

Thanks. -- Jeandré, 2007-06-15t21:30z

1. I think that advertising cannot be neutral. Putting ads on Wikimedia web sites would change the perception of the projects. They would not be seen as free. There are many other financial possible resources, so resorting to ads would be a failure of the financial management to bring these resources to the Foundation.

2. Branding of a non profit organization is fundamentally different of branding of a business company. In addition, we should find a balance between the independent development of the projects and the branding of the Foundation as a whole.

3. A business developer is useful to organize the management of Foundation services (datafeeds, trademarks for the Foundation and third parties products, etc.).

4. The most efficient way to reduce greenhouse gases is to reduce energy consumption. Investment in energy saving is wise, both on a long term financial plan and greenhouse gas reduction. Buying carbon offset could be done, but is only a short term remedy.

Office evolution

In what way do you forsee the office (and staff) evolving under your tenure as a board member, should you be elected? i.e. would you be in favor of expansion, contraction, status quo, more interns, new positions, less, what?Swatjester 01:05, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

Change

Hi Yann,

What is the top 3 things you want to have changed in the current strategy of the foundation? Thanks, Effeietsanders 21:53, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

Added Value

Hi Yann,

What kind of value do you add to the current set of boardmembers in the area of Legal, Financial, Accounting etc expertise? Thanks, Effeietsanders 21:53, 15 June 2007 (UTC)