Wikipedia:Education Working Group/About the Working Group

Working Group is a term we're using for the group of people selected to plan the Education Program Structure (whatever this may be). This group of volunteers will collaborate from May 2012 to November 2012 to plan a new structure that meets both the academic and Wikipedia-based needs of the Education Programs in the United States and Canada. Many of these members may also decide to recommit through May 2013 and beyond to actually set up and participate in the new Education Program Structure.

What are Working Group members committing to?

 * Participating in the Working Group through November 2012;
 * Volunteering a minimum of one hour of work per week from May 2012 to November 2012;
 * Collaborating with other Working Group members to plan an effective, sustainable Education Program Structure;
 * Respecting the diversity of opinions of fellow Working Group members;
 * Adhering to and meeting the overall goals of the Working Group Kick-Off Meeting;
 * (Not required but highly encouraged) Availability and willingness to attend the Working Group Kick-Off Meeting for a weekend in July.

If you cannot or do not wish to meet all the Working Group commitments outlined above, you can still contribute to the process of planning the Education Program Structure by submitting a proposal.

Working Group member slots
Academics (university instructors and staff) and Wikipedia community members are both critical stakeholders of the program, as are Wikimedia Foundation staff members. Thus, the breakdown of the Working Group is as follows:
 * 7 slots for Wikipedians (campus, online, and regional ambassadors or other involved volunteer community members)
 * 7 slots for academics (university instructors, university staff)
 * 2 slots for Wikimedia Foundation staff

Benefits of joining the Working Group

 * Play a central leadership role in determining and planning the future of the U.S. and Canada Wikipedia Education Programs.
 * Gain valuable experiences starting a new national structure or organization.
 * Work closely with involved academics, free-knowledge experts, and non-profit professionals.
 * Be recognized by the Wikimedia Foundation and the academic community as important leaders in Wikipedia's innovative use in higher education.
 * Funded travel to the Working Group Kick-Off Meeting and potentially other relevant events.

Selection criteria
Working Group membership applications were evaluated on the following criteria:
 * Applicant submits a proposal that showcases his/her ideas about what the future U.S. and Canada Wikipedia Education Program Structure could look like.
 * Applicant illustrates genuine alignment with the mission of the Wikipedia Education Program.
 * Applicant is a big-picture thinker capable of developing strategies and high-level plans.
 * Applicant has a history of positive conduct on Wikipedia, including supporting collaboration, diverse perspectives, and willingness to consider alternative viewpoints.
 * Applicant is willing and able to meet the Working Group commitments outlined above.
 * Prior involvement in the U.S. and Canada Wikipedia Education Programs is not required but is a big plus, especially in leadership roles like Regional Ambassadorship or the Steering Committee.
 * Ability to attend the Kick-Off Meeting is not 100% required but is a big, big, big plus.