Internal:Summary briefs addressing general issues in fulfillment of 2023-2024 WMF grant metrics

As part of Wikimedia DC's July 2023 - Dec 2024 grant from WMF, we committed to write four helpful "summary briefs" (essays) to help ourselves and others come to conclusions about these general issues of the movement or our chapter. They are called, within the grant form's question 20, "metrics".

(1) Brief on removing barriers to engagement for individuals

• Our commitment: Based on qualitative feedback and interviews with program and event participants, WMDC will write a summary brief that lists and analyzes the barriers that prevent new and experienced editors from engaging more deeply with Wikimedia projects. The goal of the brief will be to summarize recommendations and best practices to empower participants in future engagement.

• Draft answer: WMDC continues to provide accessible training opportunities for new editors. As in previous years, about 80% of people who attended WMDC events had little to no editing experience. The feedback received during these events indicates that the main barriers to individual engagement continue to be 1) a lack of knowledge regarding the crowdsourced nature of Wikimedia projects, 2) caution or fear around the process of contributing, and 3) indifference. WMDC successfully removes these barriers among its participants and recommends continued community engagement through edit-a-thons and events that utilize training tools and practices that prioritize accessibility and realistic goals. It is also important to remember that while editor retention is a goal, editing itself may not appel to all who attend and that’s okay, too.

(2) Brief on engaging with institutional partners

• Our commitment: Based on qualitative feedback and interviews with current and prospective institutional partners, WMDC will write a summary brief that lists and analyzes the issues, barriers, policies and practices that institutional partners must face when choosing to engage with Wikimedia projects. The goal of the brief will be to summarize recommendations and best practices and open up greater opportunity and possibilities for institutional partners.

• Draft answer: The most common barrier cited by potential partners is a lack of time, staff capacity, or interest from those in charge. All partners are different and the ability to move forward with a partner depends on their own priorities. At WMDC, we try to demonstrate value as well as our ability to assist with planning and implementation of the events, programs or initiatives. This can be effective. We have also found that inviting representatives from potential partners to other events can help move things along.

(3) Brief on addressing content gaps

• Our commitment: Based on qualitative feedback and interviews with current and prospective individual contributors and institutional partners, WMDC will write a summary brief that lists and analyzes the issues and concerns about content gaps on Wikimedia projects, and point to examples and case studies that suggest ways of overcoming or addressing these gaps. The goal of the brief will be to summarize recommendations and best practices to inform future programs and activities for WMDC.

• Draft answer: While content gaps exist in a number of areas, WMDC is best equipped to address issues and recommendations related to the gender gap as it works often in this area. Known issues that perpetuate the gap include the lack of women editors. Another major issue that we flag and discuss at our events is the lack of secondary sources needed to create articles about women. Sharing this issue widely is the best way to encourage more secondary source creation. A number of our partners have the ability to publish on related topics as they are reliable, verifiable sources of authority. Encouraging them to do so has a ripple effect that helps generate more articles about women.

• It is also important to continue organizing and hosting events about the gender gap. About 3/4 of WMDC events do so.

(4) Brief on WMDC Chapter resilience and community support

• Our commitment: More internally focused than the prior metrics, this brief will analyze the challenges and barriers the Chapter has faced in being administratively resilient and serving as a vibrant community resource for local and regional Wikimedians. The brief will examine the investments and practices put into place during the grant period, with a goal of summarizing recommendations for strengthening the Chapter and for strengthening relationships among local and regional Wikimedians, user groups, and other community stakeholders.

• Draft answer: WMDC is resilient due to the volunteers, many of whom have been active in the movement for 10+ years, as well as a consistent staff person who has been with the organization for 7+ years. as one of just two chapter affiliates in the US, WMDC is a known and active entity with many community connections.

• The best way to maintain relationships and roles within the community is to proactively seek out projects and opportunities that allow for engagement. This year, we helped to spearhead the North American Hub research project which involved facilitating community conversations and focus groups among active Wikimedians, chapters, affiliates and user groups. While this year is somewhat unique in terms of the research period, we intend to continue our role during the implementation phase.