Wikimania 2022/Volunteer/Applicants

Application process and deadline

To apply, answer the application questions, below. The deadline is January 9, 2022.
You can email your answers to the community events team at communityevents wikimedia.org if you would prefer to keep your application private, or if you would prefer your application to be public, you can post it on this page. Applicant details from email and meta will be shared with the Wikimania events staff and Wikimania Steering Committee, who will review the candidates to ensure a good mix of experience and global diversity
Short-listed candidates will be invited to a 30-minute chat with previous COT members, members of the Steering Committee and Wikimedia Foundation Staff during the week of January 13, 2022, which will be a chance to understand the role and get questions answered as well as discuss what role you want to take with Wikimania
Members will be announced by January 21, 2022.
Please read the COT Survey Privacy Statement regarding how private information will be handled.

NOTES on the application:

Please indicate if you'd like to be on the core team, or in a different role. There are two questions about time commitments: if you are on the core team if you can commit 60-90 minutes per week, increasing to 4-5 hours closer to the event. If you'd like to be in a different volunteer role, please let us know how much time you can commit.

Application Questions

Wiki username (if you post on meta, please make sure the email connected to your username is active so that we can contact you directly)
What region are you located in? (Africa (East, South or West Africa), America (North, Central or South America), Asia (East, Southeast or South Asia), Europe, Middle East and North Africa)
Do you have any previous event planning experience? (In-person or online? Local, regional, or international? A Wiki Loves campaign? An edit-a-thon? Another photography competition or campaign?)
What was your role? (I helped out a bit, I was one of the coordinators, I was the lead organizer for an event of up to 100 people, I have organized 100+ person events in the past)
Have you ever organized a virtual event? Can you give examples?
Have you been to Wikimania before?
Are you a past Wikimania organizer?
In 100 words or less, let us know why you are interested in volunteering as a Wikimania 2022 organizer?
Is there an aspect of conference planning you are especially interested in? (examples: communication tasks, on-wiki tasks, social media support, event logistics support, buddy to first time event participant etc)
What is your availability like? (A few hours a week? A few hours a month only? Available from January to August? Available closer to the event only?)

applicants

Edwardssali

Wiki username: Edwardssali
What region are you located in?: East Africa
Do you have any previous event planning experience?: I have never but I do look forward to learning about how to run events with Wikimania
What was your role?:
Have you ever organized a virtual event? Can you give examples?: Yes, as an E-resources librarian I organize virtual training programs for new students on accessing and using library resources at Kampala International University IBML
Have you been to Wikimania before?: Not yet, this will be my first time if given the opportunity
Are you a past Wikimania organizer?: No
In 100 words or less, let us know why you are interested in volunteering as a Wikimania 2022 organizer?: I would love to help make a conference that attracts new people to Wikipedia and supports existing contributors, build more on my profession, meet and connect with other wiki contributors and share ideas
Is there an aspect of conference planning you are especially interested in?: I have interest in helping with social media support and communication tasks
What is your availability like?: 5 hours per week until August

Douglas Scott

Wiki username: Discott
What region are you located in?: Africa
Do you have any previous event planning experience?: I was the organising chair of Wikimania 2018 (Cape Town) and assisted with scholarship review for Wikimania 2017. I was also co-organizer of Wiki Indaba 2015.
What was your role?: Lead organiser/organiser chair
Have you ever organized a virtual event? Can you give examples?: Not yet but there is always a first time. :-)
Have you been to Wikimania before?: yes, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021
Are you a past Wikimania organizer?: I helped with the program in 2018 in addition to being lead organiser for the 2018 Wikimania.
In 100 words or less, let us know why you are interested in volunteering as a Wikimania 2022 organizer?: I am really interested in helping out with another Wikimania and also very interested in helping to organise a virtual event.
Is there an aspect of conference planning you are especially interested in?: I especially want to help with social events as I feel this area of organising for an online conference is particularly tricky/an interesting challenge. It is also a very important part of any Wikimania experience.
What is your availability like?: 4 hours per week

Ashlesh

Wiki username: User:Ashlesh007
What region are you located in?: Asia
Do you have any previous event planning experience?: No experience planning any Wikimedia events, but have organized virtual/physical events.
What was your role?: Managing production, logistics, to communications.
Have you ever organized a virtual event? Can you give examples?: Have organized virtual events, mostly webinars over zoom.
Have you been to Wikimania before?: yes, in 2021
Are you a past Wikimania organizer?: No
In 100 words or less, let us know why you are interested in volunteering as a Wikimania 2022 organizer?: I have always wanted to get more involved with the Wikimedia-community, and volunteering for the event is a great way of doing that.
Is there an aspect of conference planning you are especially interested in?: Social Media communications, program committee
What is your availability like?: 3-4 hours a week

Oluwafemi

Wiki username: User:Lordgentual
What region are you located in?: West Africa
Do you have any previous event planning experience?: Yes. I have organised a local WPWP contest WPWP
What was your role?: I was the lead co-ordinator
Have you ever organized a virtual event? Can you give examples?: not really but the WPWP contest i organised was a virtual event and I have been to several virtual conferences. I also attended the last Wiki-Indaba virtual event
Have you been to Wikimania before?: No
Are you a past Wikimania organizer?:No
In 100 words or less, let us know why you are interested in volunteering as a Wikimania 2022 organizer?: I want to contribute more to Wiki events and volunteering to this event is one great way of doing that.I would love to help make a conference that attracts new people to Wikipedia and supports existing contributors!
Is there an aspect of conference planning you are especially interested in?: I especially want to help with social events and translation
What is your availability like?: up to 8 hours per week until August

Ndahiro Derrick

Wiki username: User: Ndahiro derrick
What region are you located in?: East Africa
Do you have any previous event planning experience?:Yes,from 2018-2019,I've organized physical events both at university as a student leader such as the Gender identity week ,Mental health dialogues,2020-uptodate, in Rwanda as a founder of Wikimedia User Group Rwanda, I have organized both virtual and physical events in Rwanda which included: WLE 2020 & 2021,WLA 2020& 2021,wpwpw campaign 2020 & 2021, WLM 2021, Wiki@20 editathon,The Africa Wiki challenge,WIKIGAP,Wikimania Discussions in Rwanda,Wlf 2021 to mention a few and also pariticipated as a volunteer in recent concluded Wiki INDABA 2021
What was your role?: At University : I was a school president,In Rwanda : I am a founder and a team leader,At wiki Indaba: as a volunteer in charge of session hosting
Have you ever organized a virtual event? Can you give examples?: Yes I've organized multiples virtual events these include but not limited to :WLE 2020 & 2021,WLA 2020& 2021,wpwpw campaign 2020 & 2021, WLM 2021, Wiki@20 editathon,The Africa Wiki challenge,WIKIGAP,Wikimania Discussions in Rwanda,Wlf 2021in Rwanda

Have you been to Wikimania before?: yes in 2020 (the virtual one)
Are you a past Wikimania organizer?: No
In 100 words or less, let us know why you are interested in volunteering as a Wikimania 2022 organizer?: I am interested in volunteering as a wikimania 2022 orgainzer because, this will be a platform for me to put my events organization and management skills at work within the Wikimedia Movement, This will also be a chance to learn and network from other people whom will be coming from various walks of life as proven by the recently concluded Wiki indaba summit,This will also be an opportunity for me to give back as a young person who has benefited much from playing a role in the wikimedia movement ,last but not the least my participation in the Wikimania 2022 organization will act as an inspiration to other young wikimedians who have joined the movement
Is there an aspect of conference planning you are especially interested in?: I am much interested in session hosting {session moderation}
What is your availability like?: 5 to 6 hours per week until August

Justus

Wiki username: JadePhenom
What region are you located in?: West Africa
Do you have any previous event planning experience?:None on Wikimedia. But I've organized both virtual and physical events both at school and during religious gatherings . I look forward to learning more about how to run events on Wikimedia though!
What was your role?: Local Organizing Secretary
Have you ever organized a virtual event? Can you give examples?: Yes I have, School Virtual Classes and organized a virtual Quiz session
Have you been to Wikimania before?: No
Are you a past Wikimania organizer?: No
In 100 words or less, let us know why you are interested in volunteering as a Wikimania 2022 organizer?: I would love to be more involved in fostering a better Wikimedia through my little bits,would live to meet new people as I believe this would grant me that platform and also would help me in learning more about planning better virtual events that would be attended internationally. I would love to help make a conference that attracts new people to Wikipedia and supports existing contributors!
Is there an aspect of conference planning you are especially interested in?: I especially want to help with social events and acting as the time moderator
What is your availability like?: 5 to 6 hours per week until August

Uwayezu Protais

Wiki username: Protais
What region are you located in?: East Africa
Do you have any previous event planning experience?: I helped in the project of Wikigap 2021 in Kigali. I look forward to learning more about how to run events!
What was your role?:Trainer and mentorship
Have you ever organized a virtual event? Can you give examples?: not yet but I have been to several virtual conferences
Have you been to Wikimania before?: yes, in 2021
Are you a past Wikimania organizer?: No
In 100 words or less, let us know why you are interested in volunteering as a Wikimania 2022 organizer?: I would love to help make a conference that attracts new people in my region and worldwide to Wikipedia and supports existing contributors and learning new skills about organizing Wikimedia events!
Is there an aspect of conference planning you are especially interested in?: I especially want to help with social events and Program Committee
What is your availability like?: up to 6 hours per week until August

Drake Tamale

Wiki username: Tamdra
What region are you located in?: East Africa
Do you have any previous event planning experience?: I volunteered for WikiIndaba 2021, Kampala Uganda.
What was your role?: Team member Logistics and Coordination
Have you ever organized a virtual event? Yes, I run a number of Webinars in the Consortium of Uganda University Libraries (CUUL), where I am the Chairperson of the eJournals and eBooks Committee, my other roles during WikiIndaba 2021 were also hosting a number of virtual sessions which I did successfully.
Have you been to Wikimania before?: Yes, in 2021
Are you a past Wikimania organizer?: No, this would be my first time.
In 100 words or less, let us know why you are interested in volunteering as a Wikimania 2022 organizer?: When I attended my first Wikimania which happened in 2021, I was amazed by the great organization skills on display in a virtual environment, I wished I could have been part of the preparations, this motivated me to apply as a volunteer for WikiIndaba 2021 and when my application was successful I helped in the preparation phase to the end of the conference, it was a great experience which I wish to build on to with Wikimania 2022.
Is there an aspect of conference planning you are especially interested in?: I would be grateful to participate in a logistics role as I build on my previous WikiIndaba 2021 experience, I am also dynamic enough to serve in the Scholarship role if it's available.'
What is your availability like?: 5 hours per week

Baah Thomas

Wiki username: Baah Thomas
What region are you located in?: Africa, West Africa
Do you have any previous event planning experience?: Yes. I am an experienced Wikimedian and editor mostly supporting the Wikimedia community in Kumasi under Open Foundation West Africa as a hub leader. This leadership opportunity has granted me the opportunity to coordinate and organize various Wikipedia training which includes both virtual and in-person editing events for participants ranging from 15 to 32. I have also gained a lot of experience in communication and social media management since I mostly engage people on Facebook and Twitter concerning Wikipedia and its sister projects..
What was your role?: Lead organiser/organiser chair
Have you ever organized a virtual event? Yes. As a hub lead at the Kumasi Wiki Hub, I’ve organized a series of virtual events. These include Wikipedia Newbie training(101 and 102) and virtual photo contest..
Have you been to Wikimania before?: Yes. 2021 (virtual)
Are you a past Wikimania organizer?: No, this would be my first time.
In 100 words or less, let us know why you are interested in volunteering as a Wikimania 2022 organizer?: I am really interested in helping out with Wikimania, very interested in helping to organize a virtual event and also to learn from other Wikimedians around the world. I bring onboard the following skills which I believe will be of benefit to the team; ability to multitask, problem-solving skills, good time management, and super resilience which makes me more efficient in my work.
Is there an aspect of conference planning you are especially interested in?: I am interested in Social Media communications, program committee as this is a field I have attained adequate experience in.'
What is your availability like?: Up to 6 hours per week until August

Esteban Zárate

   Wiki username: Ezarate
   What region are you located in?: Argentina
   Do you have any previous event planning experience?: I helped in edit-a-thons in Argentina, helping to assistants
   What was your role?: Assist to editors
   Have you ever organized a virtual event? Can you give examples?: not yet but I have been to several virtual conferences
   Have you been to Wikimania before?: yes, in 2009, 2011 - 2019
   Are you a past Wikimania organizer?: No
   In 100 words or less, let us know why you are interested in volunteering as a Wikimania 2022 organizer?: I would love to help make a conference that attracts new people to Wikipedia and supports existing contributors! And also shares my experiences with anothers editors
   Is there an aspect of conference planning you are especially interested in?: I especially want to help with social events and technicals questions, bots, scripts, etc
   What is your availability like?: 6 hours per week until August

Nii Armah Kwaku Tagoe

Wiki username: Niiarmahktagoe
What region are you located in?: West Africa
Do you have any previous event planning experience?: I have no previous event experience with Wiki. However, I have coordinated an in-person mentorship session with a beauty queen for school children in my community.
What was your role?: I was the coordinator.
Have you ever organized a virtual event? Can you give examples?: Yes. An informal session with a handful of youth of my church. :-)
Have you been to Wikimania before?: Yes, in 2021.
Are you a past Wikimania organizer?: No
In 100 words or less, let us know why you are interested in volunteering as a Wikimania 2022 organizer?: I like to give new fields a try. I consider volunteering for Wikimania 2022 as an opportunity to contribute my quota to the work of Wiki. It will also afford me the opportunity to learn from others and also share ideas.
Is there an aspect of conference planning you are especially interested in?: I want to help with the scholarships.
What is your availability like?: 5-6 hours per week until August.

Valerio Bozzolan

Wiki username Valerio Bozzolan
What region are you located in? Europe, Italy
Do you have any previous event planning experience?: Yes since 2016, both online (national conference) and in-person (regional) using Free/Libre and Open Source tools.
What was your role? Co-lead organizer, of the national wiki conference online with 20,000+ views in 2 days (Italian Wiki Conference 2020 report). Organization team in the yearly Linux Day Torino regional conference in-person with 250+ participants each year ([1] [2] [3] [4]) since 2016.
Have you ever organized a virtual event? Can you give examples? Yep. Italian wiki conference 2020.
Have you been to Wikimania before?: Online.
Are you a past Wikimania organizer?: No.
In 100 words or less, let us know why you are interested in volunteering as a Wikimania 2022 organizer?: I'm interested in designing a simple, exciting, fun and Free/Libre and Open Source online conference. Why? How? Spoiler: wikimania:2021:Present and future
Is there an aspect of conference planning you are especially interested in? Evaluating Tech solutions. Evaluating privacy impacts. Implementing FLOSS solutions. On-wiki stuff.
What is your availability like? Flexible. The 5 hours a week during the hottest cycle may be fine.

Nanour Garabedian

Wiki username: NANöR
What region are you located in?: Middle East and North Africa
Do you have any previous event planning experience?: Edit-a-thons. Volunteered for Wikimania 2021. A webinar for WikiForHumanRights 2021 campaign. Online workshops.
What was your role?:Program co-ordinator. Organizer and coordinator.
Have you ever organized a virtual event? Can you give examples?: Yes. WikiForHumanRights 2021 - Sustainable Environment.
Have you been to Wikimania before?: yes, in 2021
Are you a past Wikimania organizer?: I helped review session submissions and smaller tasks during and after the event in Wikimania 2021.
In 100 words or less, let us know why you are interested in volunteering as a Wikimania 2022 organizer?: I would love to help make a conference that attracts new people to Wikipedia and supports existing contributors! I look forward to learning more about how to run events!
Is there an aspect of conference planning you are especially interested in?: Programming, scholarships and social events.
What is your availability like?: 4-5 hours per week.

Wilson

Wiki username: OtuNwachinemere
What region are you located in?: Africa (West Africa)
Do you have any previous event planning experience?: Yes, Edit-a-thons and Photowalks.
What was your role?: Organizer and Coordinator.
Have you ever organized a virtual event? Can you give examples?: Yes, A series of Wikimedia sponsored events on Wikidata using Google Meet.
Have you been to Wikimania before?: No
Are you a past Wikimania organizer?: No
In 100 words or less, let us know why you are interested in volunteering as a Wikimania 2022 organizer?: I started to get involved with organizing Wikimedia events in 2021 and i really wanted to participate in Wikimania but just couldn't find the time. This year, i have built it into my schedule and i am looking forward to doing my very best to ensuring we have an amazing experience. Also, the responsibility will help me stay more focused.
Is there an aspect of conference planning you are especially interested in?: Communication, Safety support during the event.
What is your availability like?: At least 5 hours per week until August.

Ategyeka Alvin

Wiki username: Alvinategyeka
What region are you located in?: East Africa
Do you have any previous event planning experience?: Yes; I have been part of planning teams for editathons, photohunts, trainings for new editors, virtual and in person events for Wikimedia community user group Uganda.
What was your role?: In 2021, I was the events coordinator for wiki loves monuments in Uganda. I was also a trainer and facilitator for wikigap 2021 in Uganda where I traveled to northern Uganda to train students of Gulu university how to edit and contribute to Wikimedia projects. Additionally I've organized photohunts for different Wikimedia challenges in Uganda like wiki loves Earth, wiki loves Africa and wiki loves monuments for the last 3 years. I also volunteered in organizing wiki for human rights 2020 in Uganda and was part of the volunteers during the planning and execution of the Wikimedia 2030 strategy salon In Uganda in 2019. I've also been a volunteer trainer for new editors on several Wikimedia challenges and projects for the last two years.
Have you ever organized a virtual event? Can you give examples?: Yes I've organized several of them, the recent one being the Wiki loves monuments 2021 Uganda official Launch.
Have you been to Wikimania before?: Yes; during the virtual wikimania 2021
Are you a past Wikimania organizer?: No
In 100 words or less, let us know why you are interested in volunteering as a Wikimania 2022 organizer?: Volunteering with Wikimedia at an international level has been one my goals. I would love to broaden my perspective, learn more event organisation skills, interact and share knowledge with fellow volunteers from other parts of the world on how to execute a successful event. Furthermore I would love to present the east african perspective on international Wikimedia events and how we can better prepare ourselves for wikimania to make a larger impact. As a volunteer who is excited about this opportunity, I pledge to execute duties assigned to me with commitment and seriousness.
Is there an aspect of conference planning you are especially interested in?: Am interested in being friends with new participants and making them feel at home during the conference and can also offer social media support and helping out with logistics if necessary.
What is your availability like?: I will be fully available from January to August, and can offer more than 5 hours a week.

Adi

Wiki username Rtnf
What region are you located in? Asia
Do you have any previous event planning experience? Yes (local seminar, in-person)
What was your role? I was the lead organizer for an local in-person event up to 300 people.
Have you ever organized a virtual event? Can you give examples? Not as the lead organizer, but as a speaker (Indonesian OpenStreetMap Community Meet Up and online programming bootcamp) and technical support (Indonesian Wikipedia Anniversary twitter spaces event).
Have you been to Wikimania before? Yes
Are you a past Wikimania organizer? No
In 100 words or less, let us know why you are interested in volunteering as a Wikimania 2022 organizer? My acquaintance from ESEAP Hub encouraged me to apply.
Is there an aspect of conference planning you are especially interested in? Programming and Scholarships
What is your availability like? A few hours a week, available from January to August.

Dennis Yi

Wiki username: Anon423
What region are you located in?: North America
Do you have any previous event planning experience?: No, but I'm interested in learning how I can help.
What was your role?:
Have you ever organized a virtual event? Can you give examples?:
Have you been to Wikimania before?: Yes
Are you a past Wikimania organizer?: No
In 100 words or less, let us know why you are interested in volunteering as a Wikimania 2022 organizer?:I'm interested in helping Wikimedians share the ways in which the movement can be a force for good. We've made information more accessible than ever, but should address historical deficiencies such as the lack of women's biographies, hostility to newcomers, and Eurocentrism. Wikipedia has been valuable as a public service, covering the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change while fending off misinformation, but there is much more we can do, using our strengths, such as neutrality and verifiability. I saw great presentations about these things last year, and want to help it happen.
Is there an aspect of conference planning you are especially interested in?: I work well as a copyeditor and bug-fixer, so I'd be happy to make sure materials are presentable and all the organizational loose ends are addressed. For example, if you need someone to make sure basic details are collected and organized for, say, a list of presentations, I'd be happy to both maintain that data and reach out to people as necessary. I'm also a help agent at English Wikipedia's Teahouse, Help desk, and IRC help channel (I enjoy explaining basics to newcomers as well as acting as a detective to solve strange technical issues.), so I would be happy to help prospective presenters and attendees navigate our systems.
What is your availability like?: 7+ hours per week through August

Houcemeddine Turki

Wiki username: Csisc
What region are you located in?: Middle East and North Africa
Do you have any previous event planning experience?: Yes, I was involved in the organization of WikiIndaba Conference for three times in a row (2018, 2019, 2021). As well, I was one of the organizers of WikiConvention Francophone 2021. Furthermore, I was also one of the organizers of several initiatives led by Wikimedia Tunisia, including Wikimedia trainings and workshops for Tunisian scientists.
What was your role?: Program Chair (WikiIndaba 2018, WikiFranca 2021), Program Committee Member (WikiIndaba 2019 and 2021)
Have you ever organized a virtual event? Can you give examples?: In 2020, I have organized an online session of WikiCite Virtual Conference in French. As well, I have been the Program Chair of WikiConvention Francophone 2021 and a Program Committee Member of WikiIndaba 2021 fully held online.
Have you been to Wikimania before?: Yes (2019 and 2021)
Are you a past Wikimania organizer?: No
In 100 words or less, let us know why you are interested in volunteering as a Wikimania 2022 organizer?: Wikimania 2022 is the premier Wikimedia conference. Contributing to its success will absolutely enhance the Movement. As a Program Committee member in several Wikimedia conference, I am sure that I can bring my experience to further ameliorate how the main programme of the conference is structured and diversified. When comparing Wikimania 2021 to other conferences, particularly itWikiCon 2020, WikiIndaba 2021
Is there an aspect of conference planning you are especially interested in?: I work well as a copyeditor and bug-fixer, so I'd be happy to make sure materials are presentable and all the organizational loose ends are addressed. For example, if you need someone to make sure basic details are collected and organized for, say, a list of presentations, I'd be happy to both maintain that data and reach out to people as necessary. I'm also a help agent at English Wikipedia's Teahouse, Help desk, and IRC help channel (I enjoy explaining basics to newcomers as well as acting as a detective to solve strange technical issues.), so I would be happy to help prospective presenters and attendees navigate our systems.
What is your availability like?: I will be available when needed.