User:Akeybl/sandbox
Types of OLPC Grassroots Groups
OLPC Chapters
To be a "blessed" (or approved) OLPC chapter, a group must adhere to a small set of rules. The first is to have a clear objective and enthusiastic group of volunteers. This requires the group to have good structure/founding documents. The second is to understand any legal issues related to being affiliated with OLPC.
Possible Services to the Community
The are a number of ways that OLPC Chapters can help the community. They include:
- Support and repair of XO laptops in the community or nearby schools
- Hosting OLPC related events/Jams
- Facilitating software/activity development
- Speaking at events (such as conferences) about the OLPC XO laptop
- Keeping a pool of XO laptops for community projects or development groups to use
University Chapters
A university chapter is much like an OLPC chapter, but in a sense is almost more difficult to get up and running. See University program for more information and a list of already established groups.
University chapters have a number of advantages and disadvantages to a normal grassroots chapter:
Advantages
- Can make use of departments and professors
- Can easily hold interest meetings and general meetings
- Ability to work on OLPC related stuff during independent studies for credit.
- Youth!
Disadvantages
- Must operate within the rules of the university
- 4 year built-in turnover
Possible Services to the Community
See above in the OLPC Chapters section. Other ideas include:
- Make use of your school's departments:
- Have your CS Department co-host a Jam
- Collaborate with your Language Department to help translate on Pootle
- Work with your Education Department to host a study involving XOs (emulated or otherwise)
- There's a lot more possibilities
- Make use of fundraising methods already in place at the university
- Work with partner elementary schools in the area, providing XO laptops for a study/pilot program
Interest/Meetup Groups
This type of group does not necessarily need to have any sort of blessing from OLPC. That being said, a lot can still be accomplished by an interest group. It can facilitate the testing of laptops, discussions of OLPC in general, public awareness, and help move some of the support off site from 1CC.
Starting a Chapter
This document is intended to be an easy to read introduction into the process of chapter creation. While it probably is not exhaustive and does not take into account differences between jurisdictions, it is the first stop for anyone thinking of forming a OLPC Chapter ( need some place where we can record those "officially" recognized).
Please note that in some circumstances it may be possible (or necessary) to go about chapter creation in some other way. You might want to consult (whom?) about variations in procedure. (who is the main point of contact for chapter creation, anyway?)
Step 0: Check for Redundancy
Make sure that you aren't reinventing the wheel in your region. It's hard to get a group started, and if somebody else has already done a lot of the work, jump on board!
Specific to University Chapters
Creating a self sufficient group and doing well in school can be difficult to juggle. If there is a regional group in the area, try getting in touch with them and collaborating with them.
Step 1: Gather the people
At the very fundamental level, chapters are about people – a group, bound geographically, which wants to contribute to and support the OLPC projects as a whole in a way indicated in some formalized proposal. (see updated projects page for project ideas/tips on getting started)
While there is no required number of people to participate in the creation of a chapter, OLPC would like to know/believe that your group is sufficiently populated/equipped (word choice?) to see a project through.
Specific to University Chapters
Hold a school-wide interest meeting to see how much support you have from your university community. Don't only invite students, also actively invite professors and other staff members. Part of what makes starting a chapter at a university so great is the kind of support that you can get that isn't available right off the bat to others. You're paying for the institution you're going to... make use of it to the fullest.
Step 2: Write the Founding Documents
This is by far the most important part of chapter creation.
The bylaws (statutes, or whatever the name of this document is in your language) should define the goals and objectives of your association in time and space. Your goals and objectives should be based upon the ability of members of your group. They should be precise and to the point. Avoid definitions which are either too vague or too restrictive.
When writing the bylaws you need to take several factors into account (in the order given below):
- the laws of your country
- (OLPC requirements, if any exist)
- the primary goals of your organization should be in line with those of the OLPC, i.e. to promote education and support the laptop project. (this needs to be better defined)
- where possible, a non-profit status (probably not a requirement though... legal issues/costs)
- avoid ties to political statements/groups that do not fit within the scope of OLPC projects
- Guidelines (this page does not exist yet)
In order to make sure that those are observed, we advise you to inspire yourself first from bylaws of other organisations in your country and then adapt those to the OLPC requirements and guidelines. Do not try and translate existing OLPC chapters' bylaws, as legislation differs from one country to another and what seems evident in one country may make no sense in another.
^ Or rather than that, suggest that you inspire yourself from bylaws of other organizations already affiliated with OLPC, as seen where 'x'.
In every part of this process, do not hesitate to ask (relevant people) for advice.
Specific to University Chapters
In the case of university chapters, the proper authorities are more than likely the university and student government. They may require to to start a student group constitution in order to become an "official" organization.
University chapters must also ensure a clear method of allowing for the aforementioned 4-year turnover of students. University groups should not just die when a founding student graduates and moves on.
Step 3: Set Up Lines of Communication
Communication can range from setting up a listserv to keeping a blog/site of current group news and information. You can also make use of the laptop.org wiki; see ILXO. The leaders of the group must also be easily accessible to both OLPC and the community at large.
Specific to University Chapters
Many universities even provide free listservs and webspace. Check with your school's office of IT in order to learn more.
Step 4: Submit bylaws and register with the authorities
When your bylaws are ready (but before you do anything that would make the association official, like opening a bank account, holding a founding assembly, registering with your country's authorities etc.!), you should translate them into English and submit them to the Chapters committee for approval.
The chapters committee will review your bylaws and then will submit them to OLPC to approve the creation of your organization as a Wikimedia chapter.
The details of this process are given in the Chapter approval process document.
Once you have received the approval of OLPC, you can go on and register your association as per is standard in your country.
Note that at this stage various agreements may be signed between the Wikimedia Foundation and the chapter as it is being created.
Step 5: Go!
All done! You can now go about chapter business and promote Wikimedia projects in your country.
If you want some hints about possible projects, you can always look at what other chapters have accomplished or are currently doing.
Remember, you can always ask the Chapters committee as well as other chapters for help.
Good luck!