Revision as of 20:13, 26 January 2015

Overview

Here is our complete guide to our personnel selection requirements, criteria and procedure, including documentation and related tools. As always, feedback and questions are welcome.

What are we looking for in our potential members?

While there are certain qualities and indeed requirements we have in mind, it's difficult to describe "the ideal Guerrilla Translator". Firstly, it would be rare if not impossible for any one person to be “ideal”, and secondly, our needs and dynamic balance as a collective will change over time. In fact, our “ideal” is likely to always be a moving target, depending on who else is working in the collective at any given moment. However, there are some crucial qualities that anyone we consider should have.

Basic criteria would include:

Ability to translate (and/or edit) into at least one target language
Interest in working in a co-operative collective group
Good skills for working independently and remotely, including time management and communication
Strong interest in enough of the topics we cover
Willingness to learn our procedures, tools, governance model

What about credentials?

We are firmly post-credentialist. What this means is that we value experience, whether its obtained in an academic setting or hands on. In fact we think that a combination of both is ideal. We don't like the way that translation is taught in many places and vouch for a style that is more humane and closer in spirit to the feel of the original material.

If you have worked hard for your credentials, by all means share them with us and tell us your experiences. If you have been translating for a long time and are self taught, we want to know about that too. We are always learning from each other in GT and we are all committed to continual growth and improvement, not only in translation, but also in cooperation and all the processes we regularly carry out as part of our work in the collective. How do we test potential members?

We have created a test environment for evaluating new applicants. We have a Survey (see this Trello card for attached survey) for determining co-op/collaborative and ideological suitability, plus translation and editing tests for technical ability. Both aspects are equally important.

Description of procedure

Our Independent Evaluation Procedure is meant to allow each person to record and share their impressions of the applicant's survey, and their opinion regarding whether to follow up. These opinions are documented, shared and discussed by a small evaluation committee of core members. We do this to ensure confidentiality and discretion with potentially sensitive material.

The process is as follows:

After receiving a completed survey, each member of the committee evaluates its content separately by following a simple template (Pros, Cons, Undecided, Feedback, Veredict)
Once the evaluation is filled out, its completion is noted in a Loomio thread.
Survey evaluations are only shared among the committee when all members have completed theirs independently.

This way, committee members can do the evaluations independently without being influenced by assessments already completed by the others, and instead compare them at the same time.

Criteria for collaborative sustainability (based on survey)

General criteria for translation and/or editing suitability (based on tests)

Post-survey/test procedure for "failed" applicants

Post-survey/test procedure for "passed" test applicants

Once applicants are approved, we'll give the applicant feedback over videochat (or, whenever possible, in person). This is a good chance to talk things over, answer any questions and, generally, get to know each other.

Once we've notified the applicant our intent to collaborate, we recommend visiting the two following links:

Welcome to the Guerrilla Translation/Guerrilla Media Collective Wiki. It contains many tips, links and guidelines and serves as a quick-start guide to the collective.
Our entry on Mutual Evaluation and Basic Responsibilities. New applicants go through a three month introductory period in the collective where we'll value the quality of the collaboration. Once this period has passed, we will compare the applicant's self assessment to our own that we're all in the same page and want to go forward.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''ENTRY PENDING'''
+= Overview =
-Ongoing mutual evaluation and basic responsibilities
+Here is our complete guide to our personnel selection requirements, criteria and procedure, including documentation and related tools. As always, feedback and questions are welcome.
-There is a summary of our ongoing evaluation and basic responsibilities requirements [[XXXXXX | at the bottom of this page]] for quick reference. If this is the first time you visit this page, please read the preceding sections first.
+= What are we looking for in our potential members? =
-Overview
-We're a tight collective so ongoing communication and feedback are essential requirements. Although the survey and test process can give us a good idea of new applicant's suitability for the team, neither the applicant, nor the established members of the collective will be able determine whether both parts are successfully compatible until there's been a "burn in" period.
+While there are certain qualities and indeed requirements we have in mind, it's difficult to describe "the ideal Guerrilla Translator". Firstly, it would be rare if not impossible for any one person to be “ideal”, and secondly, our needs and dynamic balance as a collective will change over time. In fact, our “ideal” is likely to always be a moving target, depending on who else is working in the collective at any given moment. However, there are some crucial qualities that anyone we consider should have.
-For translator-editor members we recommend starting by reading the [[The Tao of the Guerrilla Translator]], our in-depth guide to selecting, translating, editing and publishing pro-bono material for our web magazine. At the same time, please take a look at our [[Welcome to the Guerrilla Translation/Guerrilla Media Collective Wiki | "quick start" guide to working in the collective ]], it's full of handy tips, links and guidelines.
+= Basic criteria would include: =
-Ongoing evaluation
-In your first three months of working with the collective, we recommend that you take on a few pro-bono translation, editing or formatting tasks, as explained in [[The Tao of the Guerrilla Translator]]. Feel free to ask any questions during this process and we'll be on hand to answer and guide you through. We also recommend that you pay attention to our discussions in [[Loomio]] dealing with the ongoing development of the collective.
+* Ability to translate (and/or edit) into at least one target language
+* Interest in working in a co-operative collective group
+* Good skills for working independently and remotely, including time management and communication
+* Strong interest in enough of the topics we cover
+* Willingness to learn our procedures, tools, governance model
-The pro-bono process will familiarise you with [[Trello]] our workflow tool and will prepare you to start taking on [[ | organizational work]].
+= What about credentials? =
-By the end of these 3 months (not counting [[Yearly work calendar | holidays in-between]]) we expect you to have earned at least 400 credits. These can be a combination of translation, editing, formatting, subtitling or organizational work. This also gives you the ability to choose and suggest material for the web-magazine (as long as its in accordance with our [[Content Curation Guidelines]].
+We are firmly [http://p2pfoundation.net/Anti-Credentialism post-credentialist]. What this means is that we value experience, whether its obtained in an academic setting or hands on. In fact we think that a combination of both is ideal. We don't like the way that translation is taught in many places and vouch for a [http://guerrillatranslation.com/2014/06/05/traduccion-comunicativa-vs-traduccion-semantica/ style that is more humane] and closer in spirit to the feel of the original material.
-Additionally, we also expect you to have met the basic responsibilities we all undertake within the collective (listed below)We'll also value whether you've joined at least one work-team and contributed to a number of organizational tasks (you can choose your team [https://www.loomio.org/d/yH2V6qpK/working-teams here]).
+If you have worked hard for your credentials, by all means share them with us and tell us your experiences. If you have been translating for a long time and are self taught, we want to know about that too. We are always learning from each other in GT and we are all committed to continual growth and improvement, not only in translation, but also in cooperation and all the processes we regularly carry out as part of our work in the collective.
+How do we test potential members?
-We well then ask you to self evaluate your contribution to the collective, check that we're all happy to be working together, and generally see how they relationship is going.
+We have created a test environment for evaluating new applicants. We have a Survey ([https://trello.com/c/m22Uidl5 see this Trello card for attached survey]) for determining co-op/collaborative and ideological suitability, plus translation and editing tests for technical ability. Both aspects are equally important.
-If everything is dandy, more power to our great working relationship!! We will use this opportunity to determine together what the next steps are. This is also a good time to send us your bio, so we can share it on our website.
+= Description of procedure =
-If things haven't worked out, that's fine too, shit happens. If we both feel the relationship is not what we hoped for, we will then "split amicably". All credits earned up to this point will be paid to you in accordance with our income redistribution plan until we're in the clear.
+Our Independent Evaluation Procedure is meant to allow each person to record and share their impressions of the applicant's survey, and their opinion regarding whether to follow up. These opinions are documented, shared and discussed by a small evaluation committee of core members. We do this to ensure confidentiality and discretion with potentially sensitive material.
-If we feel you're the greatest thing since pizza and cat-memes, but you want to go seek other opportunities, we will be sad to see you go, but your happiness with the collective is paramount and we will wish you the best on your new endeavours.
+The process is as follows:
-If you feel that we should keep working together, but we think that the relationship hasn't met the requirements we ask for here we can make a deal. We will listen to each other's feedback and consult again in a months time. If we still don't agree, we'll have to say goodbye. Sorry!
+* After receiving a completed survey, each member of the committee evaluates its content separately by following a simple template (Pros, Cons, Undecided, Feedback, Veredict)
-Basic Responsibilities
+* Once the evaluation is filled out, its completion is noted in a Loomio thread.
+* Survey evaluations are only shared among the committee when all members have completed theirs independently.
-Regardless of the workteams you may have joined, we think we should be clear on what’s expected of everyone in the collective, whether you just want to do pro-bono translation for the blog or you want to be a full working member of the co-op. These include.
+This way, committee members can do the evaluations independently without being influenced by assessments already completed by the others, and instead compare them at the same time.
-* Looking at Loomio on a regular basis, contributing to threads and voting on polls
+= Criteria for collaborative sustainability (based on survey)=
-* Looking at Trello on a regular basis, specially the cards in which you’re involved (and following through)
+= General criteria for translation and/or editing suitability (based on tests)=
-* Being serious with the Pro-bono deadlines and commitments.
+= Post-survey/test procedure for "failed" applicants=
-* Keeping up with deadlines and due dates.
+= Post-survey/test procedure for "passed" test applicants=
-* Answering any communications and keeping the collective up to date about your availability.
-* Reposting all Guerrilla Translation Social Media in your own Social Media accounts. (Unless you hate it!)
-After the initial 3-month trial period, there shouldn't be any confusion on how to carry out these basic commitments. For the benefit of anyone who may not have seen it, here’s the most efficient way of carrying out these basic commitments: [Browser-tab based workspaces#Daily_management | setting up a daily management Browser Tab Based Workspace.]
+Once applicants are approved, we'll give the applicant feedback over videochat (or, whenever possible, in person). This is a good chance to talk things over, answer any questions and, generally, get to know each other.
-Summary of ongoing Evaluation and Basic Responsibilities
-Here are the main points related to the ongoing evaluation and the basic responsibilities of everyone working within the collective.
+Once we've notified the applicant our intent to collaborate, we recommend visiting the two following links:
-New applicants are expected to:
-* Read the Tao of the Guerrilla Translator, specially the sections more relevant to them
-* Accrue a minimum of 400 credits (either New or Pro-Bono) by doing a number of pro-bono translations, editing or formatting tasks. You may also do organizational tasks to add to these credits.
-* Read through the wiki, specially the material listed in our [[Welcome to the Guerrilla Translation/Guerrilla Media Collective Wiki | Welcome page]]
-* Visit our [https://www.loomio.org/g/JAShYQ1c/guerrilla-media-collective Loomio Homepage] on a regular basis, contributing to threads and voting on polls
-* Visit [[Trello]] on a regular basis, specially the cards in which you’re involved (and following through)
-* Join one or more [[:category:workteams | Workteams]].
-* Keep up with all deadlines and commitments in a professional and responsible manner.
-* Be familiar with our tools and procedures, specially [[Loomio]], [[Trello]] and [[The Wiki]] and how the interact.
-* Answering any communications and keeping the collective up to date about your availability.
-* Reposting all Guerrilla Translation Social Media in your own Social Media accounts. (Unless you hate it!)
+* [[Our wiki's Welcome page | Welcome to the Guerrilla Translation/Guerrilla Media Collective Wiki]]. It contains many tips, links and guidelines and serves as a quick-start guide to the collective.
+* Our entry on [[Mutual Evaluation and Basic Responsibilities]]. New applicants go through a three month introductory period in the collective where we'll value the quality of the collaboration. Once this period has passed, we will compare the applicant's self assessment to our own that we're all in the same page and want to go forward.

Applicant Evaluation Criteria and Procedures: Difference between revisions