Wikipedia:Online Ambassadors/Apply/DobryDamour

The following discussion is preserved as an archive of a unsuccessful Online Ambassador application.

I would have preferred more supporting or opposing recommendations from other Ambassadors, but lacking any support after a month, I am closing this application as unsuccessful. Over the next couple of semesters, spend some time becoming familiar with the policies and guidelines that support the Wikipedia community. We welcome your input in editing and writing articles. You might also enjoy working with the Wiki Guides and learning more about welcoming new members. If you ever need help or have questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Best regards, Cind.amuse (Cindy) 20:25, 2 November 2011 (UTC)[reply]

DobryDamour

DobryDamour (talk · contribs)

Why do you want to be a Wikipedia Ambassador?
I want to encourage others to collaborate and I want to foster a helpful environment for us to build knowledge in areas of our own interest.
In three sentences or less, summarize your involvement with Wikimedia projects.
Creating, writing and editing articles. Creating a "Safety and Freedom of the Press Project" for recruitment purposes. Recruiting others to contribute.
Please indicate a few articles to which you have made significant content contributions. (e.g. DYK, GA, FA, major revisions/expansions/copyedits).
Noramfaizul Mohd Nor
How have you been involved with welcoming and helping new users on Wikipedia?
Yes, recruiting others from outside of the Wikipedia environment.
What do you see as the most important ways we could welcome newcomers or help new users become active contributors?
Coaching others in making excellent contributions as opposed to throwing a lot of jargon at them and seeming overly prescriptive in areas where there is leeway. I believe a light touch is better than a heavy hand. It would also help to look at issues from other perspectives rather than from the culture of Wikipedia to develop an understanding among parties.
Have you had major conflicts with other editors? Blocks or bans? Involvement in arbitration? Feel free to offer context, if necessary.
No
How often do you edit Wikipedia and check in on ongoing discussions? Will you be available regularly for at least two hours per week, in your role as a mentor?
Yes
What else should we know about you that is relevant to being a Wikipedia Ambassador?
I'm usually pretty good at networking with other people and telling them about new developments, like using Wikipedia in an educational environment. I normally speak in layman terms but I can switch to technospeak, if need be, for the advanced user. For me the technology comes easily and so I pay more attention to the social side of the equation.

Discussion

The applicant successfully set up a course page for Intro to Mass Communication. (The addition was unexpected by the Regional Ambassadors, who are in turn now attempting to follow up with the professor to ascertain interest and expectations of the USEP and the WAP.) Technical skills aside, I'm concerned with the relatively low level of Wikipedia experience (edited for a month in May and then reappeared the past couple weeks). I'm also concerned with the misapplication of policies and guidelines, specifically copyright policies and reliable sources, as demonstrated at User_talk:DobryDamour#September_2011. Due to the lack of demonstrated understanding of policies and guidelines, along with inconsistent edit history over a period of several months, I am not comfortable supporting the applicant to serve in the role of Online Ambassador. Please don't be discouraged. Keep editing and don't hesitate to ask questions at any time. With more experience, you might consider reapplying next term. Best regards, Cind.amuse (Cindy) 19:00, 22 September 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I concur that this candidate should gain more experience with Wikipedia and consider applying again later. -- Donald Albury 00:20, 21 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]