North-West Russia Wiki-Historians User Group/Policies
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Here we publish the short list of user group rules. In few words it can be described as: «We are wikimedians who are passionate about North-West Russia's local history. Everything that helps to promote free knowledge on that topic is welcome here, and non-constructive behavior is condemned». Policies that are published here were formed by themselves as a result of cooperative user group activity and were transformed into written text in February 2022. Voting in-between UG members was held until March 15 and finished with 17 upvotes and 2 abstentions.
You can suggest any changes of our policies (adding or deleting clauses, wording change etc.) using the talk page. If you start a new topic there it's desirable to note user group through one of our channels (VKontakte chat, Telegram chat or mailing list).
Who we are
North-West Russia Wiki-Historians User Group (NWR-Hist; in Russian — Группа «Вики-краеведы Северо-Запада России») is the group of wikimedians who are interested in various topics related with North-West Russia local history, and contributing in many Wikimedia projects in various languages.
Our user group is an open community and every participant is welcome. However, there are few requirements, rules and wishes to the potential and current Wiki-historians of North-West Russia:
1.1. Our user group, as any other Wikimedia project, is volunteer project. Аnything we do here we do on our will, as much as we can, as we want and if we have a free time for that. Any participant has his right to ask any other for help or advice or call somebody to collaborate, but any participant can decline this if it is incompatible with his current life circumstances.
1.2. The user group coordinators aren't supporters of the so-called «forced diversity», but in fact our community of Wiki-historians is very diverse: we are people of different age, gender, sexual orientation, national and religious identity, socioeconomic status, political views, public status, marital status, physical and moral health, education level etc.
1.3. Our work is directly connected with six regions of our activity, marked at the main page. Exact topics can variate depending on individual interests of participants, but anyway it's all about history, geography, culture or nature of these regions.
1.4. Living in our regions of interest is recommended but not mandatory condition for joining our user group, because you can participate in our events remotely.
Expected behaviour
2.1. The working language of our user group is Russian. Coordinators and some of UG members also speak English as well as some other languages and this skill is welcome but not mandatory. We are pleased to see everyone in our community, but any collaboration between us will be difficult without speaking Russian.
2.2. First of all we are wikimedians – members of Wikimedia community, and the base of our activity is our contribution into various Wikimedia projects, mainly into Wikipedia, Wikivoyage and Wikimedia Commons. We write and edit articles, upload and categorize files etc. So we expect this type of activity from new members as well.
2.3. The communication style of the user group members (at online platforms and in person) is friendly and generally informal. However, if you are newcomer or for some reason you feel uncomfortable communicating this way – you shurely can communicate in a way that is more convenient for you, and we will treat you with understanding.
2.4. Any decisions affecting the user group are made by consensus procedure. In arguable cases, in cases that require some competences and in matters of interaction between user group and outer world (Wikimedia Foundation and other entities), user group coordinators leave casting vote to themselves. Anyway, they are committing to consider opinions of user group participants and not to take actions against majority opinion. Keep in mind that the UG coordinators as WMF contact persons take responsibility (reputational and sometimes financial) in some questions for the user group actions.
2.5. Any ideas and proposals related to user group interests and activities are welcome. All the ideas are reviewed and discussed collectively in our chats and in mailing list. If any ideas came up during offline meeting, they should be discussed online afterwards to include those members who couldn't attend offline event to discussion.
2.6. It is understood that all members of the user group take an active part in discussions that relate to our projects, ideas and proposals. Do not ignore pings (notifications) in Wikis and try to check the user group page and read chats regularly. If at some time this is not possible due to your life circumstances, try to notify the user group about this.
2.7. Mutual assistance is cultivated here in every possible way. It is not shameful to ask a colleague for help, and it is honorable to provide this assistance to a colleague if you have the necessary skills and opportunities. At the same time, everything is done voluntarily and at the request of the participants, so it is worth treating refusals with understanding. An explanation of the reason for the denial is encouraged, but not required.
2.8. If you are a beginner in Wikimedia projects but are looking to develop and improve your skills to participate in user group activities, feel free to contact user group members for advice and/or help. Most of communication takes place in our chats, but you can also contact any participant personally (via private message on social networks, on the participants' pages in Wikis or via Wiki mail), if this participant does not mind, i.e. has a public social media page or Wiki profile and/or a Wiki mail address.
2.9. Most of our events are funded by participants themselves (collectively or individually). That means that we expect some financial independence from our participants (for example, you pay for the food yourself); ideal would be participation in some collective expences, such as fuel payments.
Unacceptable behavior
3.1. Any personal slurs and claims based on personality traits (such as race, sex, age, religious identity, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mobility, social adaptation etc.) are strictly prohibited. Offensive behavior can be the reason of numerous administrative actions, such as warning, ban at the user group sites, block in Wikimedia projects (through Trust & Safety as well). Of course, cases of accidental offense which may also take place can be settled with apologies.
3.2. Repeating annoying offtopic, flood and other methods of unconstructive discussion at the user group discussion sites also can be the reason to imply administrative actions.
3.3. Unconstructive behavior during offline events (behavior that causes discomfort to other participants) can be the reason to restrict person from participation in offline events.