Movement accountability policy
ARTICLE I - PURPOSE
1. Purpose. The purpose of this Movement Accountability Policy ("Policy") is to ensure that Wikimedia District of Columbia follows the generally accepted best practices for organizational accountability and governance which have been established for member entities within the Wikimedia movement.
2. Intent. In adopting this Policy, it is the intent of Wikimedia District of Columbia to comply with the applicable provisions of the Resolution Regarding Organizational Best Practices, as adopted by the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees on March 31, 2012.
ARTICLE II - GENERAL PROVISIONS
1. Definitions.
2. Legal Requirements. No provision of this Policy shall be interpreted in a manner that conflicts with any applicable law or regulation. It is the policy of Wikimedia District of Columbia to comply with all applicable laws and regulations at all times.
3. Legal Agreements. Wikimedia District of Columbia shall sign the necessary legal agreements to receive movement recognition or use movement resources like the trademarks, and fulfill all commitments made to our movement.
4. Governance Policies. Wikimedia District of Columbia shall adopt core governance policies including a code of conduct for Board and staff that requires at least disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest.
5. Fundraising. When soliciting funds, Wikimedia District of Columbia shall ensure that communications with potential donors accurately reflect the intended use of those funds.
ARTICLE III - ANNUAL AND STRATEGIC PLANS
1. Annual Plans. The Board of Directors shall develop and publish an annual plan, including specific goals and planned program activities, planned budgets and sources of revenue, and an assessment of risks, within 30 days of the beginning of the fiscal year. Best practice is publishing within 30 days of the beginning of the year and linking to this plan from http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Financial_reports
2. Strategic Plans. The Board of Directors shall develop and publish a multi-year strategic plan with goals for the organization's development, with focus on vision impact.
ARTICLE IV - REPORTS
1. Activity Reports. The Secretary shall publish activity reports frequently. Best practice is publishing reports at least once every 90 days (every 180 days minimum) and linking to reports from http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Reports.
2. Financial Reports. The Treasurer shall publish annual financial reports. Best practice is publishing within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year to and linking to reports from http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Financial_reports.
- Publish information on any major donations at least annually.
- Regularly publish information on significant grants given, significant grants received, and performance against those grants.
3. Minutes of Meetings. The Secretary shall publish minutes of Board meetings and summaries of other organizational activities promptly. Best practice is reporting no later than 30 days after the session.
4. Partnership Agreements. The President shall publish information on any major partnership agreements at least annually.
ARTICLE V - REVIEWS
1. Reviews of Impact. The Board of Directors shall conduct regular reviews of impact. This may include self-assessment, peer review, and feedback from the relevant volunteer community (e.g. editors in the country of a geographic chapter).
2. Annual Reviews. The Board of Directors shall conduct an annual review of the annual plans for each organization and the performance against those annual plans. Best practice is completing the annual assessment cycle by May 30 each year, following calendar year reporting but prior to the October start of the annual fundraiser.
ARTICLE VI - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
1. Support for Movement Organizations. It shall be the policy of Wikimedia District of Columbia to support other movement organizations as they build capabilities to achieve program work and fulfill our movement's principles of accountability and transparency.