Setting up South Africa
Incomplete daft slides for Wikimania 2014 presentation
Steps to getting setup
1. Basic group2. Legally setup: get registered– Ensure MOI is properly written
3. Tax registration4. Apply for tax right off status– Donors can now save money by donating money
to you5. Ensure funds are properly distributed
Sources of Funding Organisation(core funding for the lab)
ProjectsFunding on a project by project basis
GovernmentPros:
Reliable: line-itemsEasy: it is what we know
Cons:
PoliticalNo Freedom
ü
- Good source of discretionary funding
û
Corporate(CSI / marketing)
Pros:Flexible: can define our own goals
Freedom: can do what we want
Cons:Loss of trust with some partners
Corrupts our focus
û
- not a reliable source of funding for core funding
üü
- Margins- Open to experimentation and failure
DonorsPros:
Ready source of fundingVery structured & focused
Cons:Needy
Time consuming: applying for grants
Inflexible
û- Some more libertarian organisations (USA, UK) might be interested but this might make things political and corrupt our focus.
ü- Great source of funding if there is strong mission alignment but otherwise inflexible.- must clearly define project beforehand, not good for experimentation.- requires monitoring and evaluation: complicated
Own sourcesPros:
Fully flexibleSelf sufficiency
Cons:
High riskMight corrupt our focus
ü
ü
Reasons for seeking alternative sources
• Diversification of Risk• Policy: Wikimedia Foundation encouragement• Quicker• Easier to obtain• Can fund core staff• BUT:– Less reliable– Must learn new systems & protocals – Must ensure mission alignment
Funding background
• Two sources– Open Society of South Africa– Wikimedia Foundation
• Open Society invited us to apply for funding– Process easier than Wikimedia Foundation– Process is quicker (but still over a month for funds
to come through)
BELOW PAR: 1 BASELINE: 2 PROFICIENT: 3 BENCHMARK: 4
organised*
doesn't do what he/she says going to; chronically late or visibly disorganised in meetings
a safe pair of hands - constructs logical workplan reflecting key activities supporting desired outcome, and deliver own activities per spec
able to manage own activities plus others (both the Chapter and external) to timeframes and quality, proactively 'raises the alarm' ahead of issues
coordinates across multiple projects and teams, striking balance between guidance, delegation and empowerment as appropriate
results focused*
difficult to translate ideas into 'who would do what when where & how'? - prefers giving input rather than taking ownership
delivery rather than debate - primary goal is getting things done, whether internal 'product' or external social impact
relentless pursuit of action, demonstrating skill at getting things done even in situations of adversity or resistance
consistently able to engage stakeholders and acceess financial resources in support of program activation
communication*
verbal delivery follows long winded path of activity rather expressing key messages; writing is inelegant or self conscious
able to structure written and verbal communication & deliver this confidently
consistent ability to structure clear documents; tells the story in pyramid structure; moderates style and medium as needed
masterful ability to tailor and deliver written and verbal communication in pithy manner, balancing intellectual & emotional engagement
resilience
easily flustered in the face of adversity - including visibly losing composure or train of thought
internally driven rather than relying on external incentives or cajoling; 'bounces back' after setbacks
shows determination in face of adversity, and has developed personal habits / practices to support this
maintains personal internal balance even in face of ongoing conflict & challenge, with well developed personal practices to nourish this
adaptability
becomes dispirited when workplans or priorities change, fleeing into the detail rather than focussing on the 'big picture'
able to change direction or step away from project without significant emotional discomfort
anticipates the need to change direction; regularly pre-empts this and plans accordingly
demonstrates rapid adjustment to new realities & expectations, even where personally & emotionally invested in the status quo
Technical proficiency
Only very basic computer literacy knowledge. Such as operating a spreadsheet or MS word.
Has some experience with more advanced programs such as Photoshop, Inkscape, SPSS, Wiki-markup. Open to learning new systems.
Fluency in Wiki-markup, html, CSS. Some knowledge of programing.
Awesome programmer/developer. Builds apps and computer games in their spare time.