Misplaced Pages

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by El C (talk | contribs) at 06:34, 28 August 2005 (→General membership: First lowly member!!!!!! TINEC!!!!!!!!!!). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

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Esperanza or Esperanza Association is a newly formed association of Wikipedians dedicated to strengthening Misplaced Pages's sense of community through establishing a support network for Wikipedians in an environment that is often hostile and apathetic. Esperanza takes its name from the Spanish word for hope in the spirit of offering hope to Wikipedians who feel isolated and ignored. Spanish is used in the hope that a segment of the Misplaced Pages community will never again feel so isolated that it breaks away from the community as did a portion of the Spanish Misplaced Pages community to form Enciclopedia Libre.

General philosophy

One of Misplaced Pages's greatest problems is that it has become so large so quickly. Its phenomenal growth is something we can all be proud of, but it has put great strain on the community. The goal of Esperanza is simple, match those who desire help with those who offer it, or even both. Being a smaller community, we can better address and recognize the needs of our membership than the greater en.wikipedia community of around 1,000 regular contributors. Many users' problems go unsolved because wikipedia provides no way for some problems to be addressed in a public forum and because of that many Wikipedians' problems go unsolved. For example, some Wikipedians may be bogged down in tasks that they do not particularly enjoy but feel obligated to continue. Esperanza specializes in this, solving the unique problems individual Wikipedians encounter. Esperanza does not resolve user conflicts or POV issues, and will not accept requests to do so.

Provisional and future government

Esperanza is a growing association, we expect to soon reach a size where a minimal system of organizational governance will be required. While it may be necessary to delegate some authority, it still needs to be readily accessible. A body representing not less than 10% ten and no more than 20% of the membership, elected to staggered four month terms, will serve as Esperanza's guiding body. An administrator general will be elected by this body to coordinate Esperanza and may be granted additional responsibilities.

Until membership passes fifty, a provisional government consisting of the first fifteen members will exist. In the mean time please add yourself to the general membership section. A more inclusive government will be included in Esperanza's charter which is currently being drafted by a committee (consisting of JCarriker, and two others whose names will be released once they have formally accepted their positions), and after ratification by the provisonal goverment will come into effect.

Possible programs

Feeling unappreciated is a major factor in many users decision to leave Misplaced Pages. Esperanza seeks to recognize users by highlighting them for a featured Wikipedian of the week. Wikipedian of the week would get its own section on this particular page, rather than the Main Page as has been suggested. We'll probably template this. The template will be unprotected until the week it is up, enabling all members to work on it, but once it is up it will be protected to avoid vandalism. We will probably run a poll (i.e. after we get 50 members and those two people JCarriker has mentioned have formally accepted...) Over whether or not to have such a thing.

Tentative members list

Provisional government members

Please remove yourself if you are not willing to serve.

1. Andre (talk)
2. Angela.
3. Essjay
4. Grumpy Troll (talk)
5. Gryffindor (always willing to help the needy)
6. HappyCamper
7. Howabout1
8. JCarriker
9. Karol
10. maltmomma
11. Meelar (talk) (if you'll have me)
12. Lisa
13. Redwolf24 (Talk)
14. Theresa Knott (a tenth stroke)
15. — Ŭalabio‽

General membership

1. As the the first lowly member, you have my commitment to overthrow ^^^^thee^^^^ yet! Through violence, or love, whichever's comes first. El_C 06:34, 28 August 2005 (UTC)