DCW Board Elections/2026/Shadabgdg
Shadabgdg
| Summary |
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|---|---|---|
| Mandatory questions | ||
| Why are you running for the DCW Board? What unique contributions do you bring to the role? What areas would you like to learn more about? | I am running for the DCW Board because my involvement in Wikimedia has grown over time. I started by contributing and have expanded to thinking about how communities work and develop. I have participated in various activities and witnessed both the opportunities and challenges at the community level, especially with new contributors.
I offer a mix of practical experience and a student/community viewpoint. I have worked closely with student communities and know how to introduce newcomers to Wikimedia and keep them engaged. I emphasize consistency and aim to create lasting solutions rather than one-time efforts. I also see this as a chance to learn. I want to gain more insight into governance, decision-making at the affiliate level, and how long-term strategies are planned and carried out in the Wikimedia movement. | |
| Please describe your Wikimedia experience (such as contributions to the Wikimedia projects, activities as a Wikimedia movement organizer, or other relevant participation). | My involvement with Wikimedia began with a simple thought, what an incredible thing that anyone can contribute knowledge and make it available to the entire world. What started as a curiosity slowly blossomed into so much more for me.
I started getting more and more active, especially on Wikimedia Commons, my favourite place to document mundane moments of everyday life, local culture, and community activity. It feels like something, capturing things around me that I know can come of use to someone, somewhere, someday. As I became more active again, I also began to think about how to bring more people into the movement. Through my position as a Wikimedian in Residence at United University I have been working with students who are brand new to Wikimedia, helping them get oriented, learn how things work, and gain confidence in what they can contribute. I organized sessions and helped peers on MediaWiki tools, training them in technical platforms such as Phabricator, Gerrit through WikiClub Tech UU. To witness others grow in that trajectory, from being complete newbies to contributing positively and significantly has been one of the most incredible aspects about this whole journey. Wikimedia is not only about editing or uploading content to me. It’s about people, learning together, and opening up knowledge and its experience. And every day I am learning something new. | |
| From your perspective, what should the Deoband Community Wikimedia prioritize over the next 3 to 6 years? Why do you consider these priorities to be the most important? | In my opinion, there are three key areas that should be focused on by DCW. Firstly, there is the issue of retaining contributors. This is because there are many people who contribute to Wikimedia but do not contribute for an extended period of time. Secondly, there is the issue of outreach in educational institutions. This is particularly important because students form an essential part of the future of Wikimedia. Thirdly, there is the issue of enhancing the quality of content. This is important because, apart from focusing on growth, it is also essential to look at the quality of contributions. | |
| Optional questions - Professional Experience and Education | ||
| Describe your educational background, including degrees, certificates, and courses of study finished, and their relevance to board work. | I am currently pursuing my Bachelor’s in Computer Applications (BCA). Through my academic journey, I have been able to develop problem-solving skills, basic technical knowledge, and ability to work in a structured system. These skills are helpful in organizing tasks, understanding systems, and taking appropriate decisions | |
| Describe your experience in making impactful decisions. | In my experience of dealing with communities and projects, I have often had to make choices based on time or resource constraints. I try to understand the situation, weigh the possible outcomes, and choose an option that is best for the community in the long run. I prefer practical choices over perfect choices and try to be flexible so that if I need to make changes later, I can. | |
| Outline your career experience and key roles you have held. | ||
| Provide two examples where you successfully addressed or advised on complex organizational challenges. How did you collaborate with others to resolve these issues? | ||
| Add any relevant links describing your professional background, experience, profile (such as LinkedIn, etc.). | LinkedIn and Shadabgdg on Wikis. | |
| Optional questions - Leadership and Strategic Thinking | ||
| How have you been able to empower people to make their voices heard? | My goal is to make people feel at ease in sharing their opinions. Most new contributors are shy, so I encourage them by asking for their opinions and listening to them without judging them. I guess even small encouragement can make people feel included. | |
| In professional settings, personality conflicts can arise. How do you stay productive and maintain effectiveness in such situations? | ||
| Describe ways in which you have helped to form a bridge between multiple communities. | ||
| verification | verification performed | |
eligibility:  verified
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identification: verified
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