Volunteer Policy

This is a proposed policy that is on the agenda for adoption by the board on 11th February. Please feel free to contribute either here or on the talk page

Wikimedia is a community of volunteers. Wikipedia, the largest project of the community, is created by approximately 100,000 [ref] people, all volunteers, spending on average [x] hours per month. This is equivalent to xx full time people. There are certain vital functions that can only be performed by staff - for instance defense against legal actions and ownership of the necessary supporting infrastructure; however the 100 full time staff worldwide comprise only [x]% of the total effort expended by the community.

Volunteers do not just contribute to a limited role: as well as helping to create project they set policies, help with the technical support, respond to queries and initiate new projects. They "own" the community in a way that you see in no other organisation.

Wikimedia UK, the local chapter in the UK aims to continue this culture. We similarly have certain vital functions that can only be effectively performed by staff, in particular ensuring that appropriate Financial Controls are maintained. We are commiteed to the professionalisation of the chapter, but want to keep volunteers at the heart of what we do. In particular:

1. Staff should only do things that volunteers either cannot do or do not want to do
2. All staff should include volunteers, wherever possible, in their activities
3. Events should be initiated and led by volunteers
4. The chapter should be represented in the media by volunteers where possible