today I found out another wikimedian from Iraq was also rejected because of "purpose of trip", I highly believe this stem from our invitation letter which is from WFM not a local entity. why should an American foundation invite someone to Canada ? it would be great if others could update us about their visa situation
Mardetanha On Tue, Jun 27, 2017 at 5:27 PM, Cornelius Kibelka < [email protected]> wrote: > Hello all, > > While preparing the report for the last Wikimedia Conference (which we > will publish on Friday), Daniela Gentner, our logistics coordinator, has > written a detailed learning pattern about how to support participants in > getting a (German) Schengen visa for the Wikimedia Conference. While it is > certainly focused on German processes, many steps and tips are applicable > by any organizer in any country. > > https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Learning_patterns/Timing, > _Communication,_Preparation:_How_to_support_your_event_ > participants_in_the_best_way_to_get_a_Schengen_Visa > > Maybe this is could be a good start to collect resources and material > around this topic for future events. > > Happy reading & sharing, > Cornelius > > > On 27 June 2017 at 02:49, Pine W <[email protected]> wrote: > >> The creation of one or more learning patterns could be good here. Please >> see https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Learning_patterns. >> >> Pine >> >> >> On Sun, Jun 25, 2017 at 11:07 AM, Ellie Young <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> >>> I think the centralized place on meta is a great idea so we could put >>> tips, samples, and maybe even an 'advice line' for people who might be able >>> to help someone in a particular region. If someone wants to start this >>> I'd be happy to add, edit, etc. >>> >>> Ellie >>> >>> >>> On Sat, Jun 24, 2017 at 5:47 AM, Amir Ladsgroup <[email protected]> >>> wrote: >>> >>>> As a person who missed three events because of rejection of visa (one >>>> Wikimania, one Wikimedia Hackathon, one WikiArabia) and missed two other >>>> because couldn't event get an appointment with the embassy (DevSummits) I >>>> want to share my experience here. There is three parties involved in this >>>> case: >>>> >>>> - Participants: >>>> -- If you are going to another country that has strict visa rules, you >>>> should be prepared and know what can go wrong. Usually make a group of >>>> people who are more experienced in Wikimedia events and ask them for help. >>>> This helped me in some events to get visa without trouble. One case I >>>> remember was when the invitation letter was from WMF and not the local >>>> chapter. It caused rejection of visa before me and once I knew it, I fixed >>>> it. >>>> -- Be prepared for other options. For example, for Esino Lario one of >>>> my friends missed the event because he couldn't get appointment with the >>>> embassy, when I knew this is a problem, I tried the German embassy and got >>>> the visa ready in time. (Per Schengen laws, you need to make requests to >>>> the country you will stay the most, so I stayed in Germany for 11 days and >>>> Italy for 8 days to make things legal) >>>> -- If you have an interview to justify your visa, definitely mention >>>> Wikipedia. People don't know what WMF is but all know Wikipedia and have >>>> positive feelings. >>>> -- I know it's hard but let go sometimes: I decided not to go at this >>>> year's Wikimania just because the visa process is horrible and I need to >>>> travel to Turkey at least twice. Even though I know I miss a great event >>>> but let's hope to meet them soon. >>>> >>>> -WMF: >>>> -- I know WMF is busy but I mentioned this several times to legal, >>>> support and safety and some other teams. People like me have problem going >>>> to events and there should be support for them. Two things were always said >>>> and I don't know why it's not being done, 1- Prepare a centralized place >>>> (probably in meta) so people share experience to help newbies to get visa >>>> documents right. I have seen lots of problems in the documents my friends >>>> need to prepare for the visa and helped them to get it right before it gets >>>> rejected but I had to meet them in person and it's an exclusive club of >>>> people I know. I want to open this knowledge to others. >>>> -- The other option I always mentioning is support for getting one >>>> multiple entries visa instead of getting one visa for each event, This is >>>> very true for European events. This would make life of lots of people way >>>> easier. >>>> >>>> Local chapters: >>>> -- When there is a Wikimania, a local chapter will be handling process >>>> of visa for lots of countries with different issues. Sometimes they handle >>>> it perfectly and other problems might be the reason for rejection but >>>> sometimes I need to come back to them and ask for more documents which >>>> increases the chance of rejection or visa not being issued in time. They >>>> usually consult with an immigration lawyer before the process, this needs >>>> to be increased and WMF needs to make sure these consults happen. >>>> >>>> Sorry for the long email. I hope this would be helpful for you. >>>> >>>> Best >>>> >>>> >>>> On Sat, Jun 24, 2017 at 1:51 PM Ilario valdelli < >>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>>> On 24/06/2017 02:00, Ellie Young wrote: >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Fri, Jun 23, 2017 at 2:10 PM, Gabriel Thullen <[email protected]> >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> I have a few comments: >>>>>> 1) >>>>>> We do not know how the Montreal venue was selected for Wikimania. >>>>>> Jean-Philippe said: >>>>>> "A "Wikimania Montreal Committee", now defunct, was behind the >>>>>> request to WMF to have Wikimania in Montreal and they did not coordinate >>>>>> with the chapter in doing this." >>>>>> The situation there is obviously more complicated than what is being >>>>>> said so I will not dwell on that. What disturbs me is that the Montreal >>>>>> bid >>>>>> was accepted in absence of the local chapter support. That is not >>>>>> acceptable. Looking back on the success of the Esino Lario event, I >>>>>> believe >>>>>> that strong local chapter and volunteer support is vital for a Wikimania >>>>>> event. >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Let us just say that there was confusion and communication issues >>>>> with the original proposers to host. The Steering Committee (including >>>>> yours truly) thought that Wikimedia Canada was involved. I think >>>>> everyone can agree how important it is for having the local chapters >>>>> involved--- most recently Esino Lario and Mexico City and of course South >>>>> Africa coming up. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Hi Ellie, >>>>> This is an interesting point. I know that recently there has been a >>>>> decision to have Wikimania's organization notified two years in advance, >>>>> but this model can only work if there is a "local group" with a mature >>>>> organization. Two years are too many for a local "extemporary" >>>>> committee. >>>>> >>>>> A chapter (with at least a small staff) is something that can assure a >>>>> commitment for two years and can support efficiently a local group (and >>>>> perhaps to save the organization in case of withdrawal). >>>>> >>>>> Basically the two year model cannot be disconnected from a *mature* >>>>> local organization as a chapter, otherwise the model will not work. >>>>> >>>>> But at this point is also interesting to know how big may be the >>>>> impact on a chapter. The organization of an event like Wikimania is >>>>> something fascinating, but at the same time it's more than a "stress test" >>>>> for a chapter. >>>>> >>>>> Kind regards >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> Ilario Valdelli >>>>> Wikimedia CH >>>>> Verein zur Förderung Freien Wissens >>>>> Association pour l’avancement des connaissances libre >>>>> Associazione per il sostegno alla conoscenza libera >>>>> Switzerland - 8008 Zürich >>>>> Tel: +41764821371 <+41%2076%20482%2013%2071>http://www.wikimedia.ch >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient> >>>>> Mail >>>>> priva di virus. www.avast.com >>>>> <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient> >>>>> <#m_185410550034025492_m_1267552695921599484_m_6880580939877686418_m_-1851108117246999399_m_3850020966839007458_m_-2762511510589227394_DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> Wikimania-l mailing list >>>>> [email protected] >>>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l >>>>> >>>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> Ellie Young >>> Events Manager >>> Wikimedia Foundation >>> [email protected] >>> c. 510 701 8649 <(510)%20701-8649> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Wikimania-l mailing list >>> [email protected] >>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l >>> >>> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Wikimania-l mailing list >> [email protected] >> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l >> >> > > > -- > Cornelius Kibelka > Program and Engagement Coordinator (PEC) > for the Wikimedia Conference > > Wikimedia Deutschland e.V. | Tempelhofer Ufer 23-24 | 10963 Berlin > Tel. (030) 219 158 26-0 > http://wikimedia.de > > Stellen Sie sich eine Welt vor, in der jeder Mensch an der Menge allen > Wissens frei teilhaben kann. Helfen Sie uns dabei! > http://spenden.wikimedia.de/ > > Wikimedia Deutschland - Gesellschaft zur Förderung Freien Wissens e. V. > Eingetragen im Vereinsregister des Amtsgerichts Berlin-Charlottenburg unter > der Nummer 23855 B. Als gemeinnützig anerkannt durch das Finanzamt für > Körperschaften I Berlin, Steuernummer 27/029/42207 > > _______________________________________________ > Wikimania-l mailing list > [email protected] > https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l > >
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