Advisory Committee Policy

ARTICLE I – PURPOSE AND SCOPE

1. Purpose. The purpose of this Advisory Committee Policy ("Policy") is to describe the roles of the advisory committees established by the Board of Directors ("Board") of Wikimedia District of Columbia (the "Corporation").

2. Scope. This Policy applies to all committees established under Article VIII, Section 3 of the Bylaws of the Corporation. It does not apply to standing or special committees established under Article VIII, Sections 1–2 of the Bylaws.

ARTICLE II – GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. Composition. Each advisory committee shall consist of several persons who may, but need not, be Directors.

2. Initial Members. No advisory committee shall be considered established until at least three persons have been appointed by the Board to said committee.

3. Authority. Advisory committees shall not be authorized to act on behalf of the Board or the Corporation and shall serve only to advise the Board or to carry out tasks delegated by the Board to such committees.

4. Exhaustive List. The Policy shall be deemed to contain an exhaustive enumeration of advisory committees, and no advisory committee shall be deemed to exist unless such committee is described by the Policy.

ARTICLE III – PROGRAM COMMITTEES

1. Cultural Outreach Committee.

(a) Role. The role of the Cultural Outreach Committee shall be to advise the Board on programs and associated matters related to the mission and strategic priorities of the Corporation, specifically with regards to partnerships with cultural and academic institutions; and to assist the Board in organizing events and activities and recruiting volunteers.

(b) Member Qualifications. In appointing the members of the Cultural Partnerships Committee, the Board shall seek persons who support the strategic priorities of the Corporation and have experience with cultural or academic partnerships.

2. Technology Outreach Committee.

(a) Role. The role of the Technology Outreach Committee shall be to advise the Board on programs and associated matters related to the mission and strategic priorities of the Corporation, specifically with regards to developing software that provides direct or indirect support to the projects operated by the Wikimedia Foundation; and to assist the Board in organizing events and activities, seeking partnerships, and recruiting volunteers.

(b) Member Qualifications. In appointing the members of the Technology Outreach Committee, the Board shall seek persons who support the strategic priorities of the Corporation and have experience with technology-related outreach, including organizing open source software-related projects and events.

3. Public Policy Committee.

(a) Role. The role of the Public Policy Committee shall be to advise the Board on matters of law and public policy as they relate to the mission of the Corporation, to develop expertise and conduct research on these subjects, and to seek partnerships with government agencies. To this end, the Committee shall help facilitate volunteer efforts to improve Wikimedia projects and engage with organizations and individuals on possible projects and proposals.

(b) Member Qualifications. In appointing the members of the Public Policy Committee, the Board shall seek persons who support the mission of the Corporation, who have relevant expertise in the diverse fields informing public policy, and who have experience with government partnerships.

(c) Policy Papers. The Committee may prepare policy papers, including amicus briefs, in support of public policy positions related to the mission of the Corporation. No such paper may be published, submitted, or be otherwise made available to the public without the advance approval of the Board.

(d) Lobbying. The Committee shall not advocate for the election or defeat of a political candidate, and no substantial part of the Committee's activities may be dedicated to advocating for or against legislation.

(e) Insubstantial Part Analysis. The Committee shall conduct an annual analysis of the Corporation's activities to ensure that no substantial part of the Corporation's activity is dedicated to advocating for or against legislation, pursuant to Section 501(h) of the Internal Revenue Code.

4. National Outreach Committee.

(a) Role. The role of the National Outreach Committee shall be to advise the Board on programs and associated matters related to the mission and strategic priorities of the Corporation, specifically with regards to building a nationwide network of volunteers in support of the projects operated by the Wikimedia Foundation and with regards to conducting outreach activities to promote participation in such projects; and to assist the Board in organizing events and activities, seeking partnerships, and recruiting volunteers.

(b) Member Qualifications. In appointing the members of the National Outreach Committee, the Board shall seek persons who support the strategic priorities of the Corporation and have experience in training Wikimedia project contributors or building volunteer communities.

ARTICLE IV – OTHER COMMITTEES

1. Communications Committee.

(a) Role. The role of the Communications Committee shall be to advise the Board on promotional and media matters relevant to the mission or business of the Corporation; and to assist the Board in preparing press releases, blog posts, and other promotional materials.

(b) Communications Plan. Each fiscal year, within 90 days of the approval of the Annual Plan, the Communications Committee shall prepare an Annual Communications Plan, which shall describe the strategies to be adopted for the purpose of addressing the communication and marketing needs of the Corporation, including, but not limited to, blog posts, activities on social media, and outreach to the press.

2. Fundraising Committee.

(a) Role. The role of the Fundraising Committee shall be to advise the Board on fundraising matters relevant to the mission or business of the Corporation; to assist the Board in preparing grant applications and other solicitation materials on behalf of the Corporation; and to assist the Board in soliciting funds on behalf of the Corporation.

(b) Fundraising Plan. Each fiscal year, within 90 days of the approval of the Annual Budget by the members of the Corporation, the Fundraising Committee shall prepare an Annual Fundraising Plan, which shall describe the strategies to be adopted for the purpose of generating sufficient revenue to cover the costs of the Corporation's operations for the given fiscal year, and shall address long-term considerations of the Corporation's fundraising infrastructure and donor constituencies.

(c) Projects and Events Grants. Each fiscal year, within 90 days of the approval of the Annual Budget by the members of the Corporation, the Fundraising Committee shall prepare and submit one or more grant applications to the Wikimedia Foundation's Projects and Events Grants process to obtain funding for some or all of the Corporation’s planned program expenses in accordance with the Annual Budget.

3. Governance Committee.

(a) Role. The role of the Governance Committee shall be to advise the Board on legal and governance matters relevant to the mission or business of the Corporation; and to assist the Board in preparing and reviewing policies, contracts, and other legal documents.

ARTICLE V – TRANSITION

1. Transition. Any advisory committee established by the Board prior to the adoption of the Policy that is not described by the Policy shall be deemed to have been disbanded, provided that members of the Content Programs Committee shall be deemed members of the Cultural Outreach Committee, and that members of the Technology Programs Committee shall be deemed members of the Technology Outreach Committee.