Second of the three questions that the UCoC Revisions committee has asked the community to provide feedback on. For more context, see Revisions to the Universal Code of Conduct (UCoC) Enforcement Guidelines.
Question: What are the pros and cons of the UCoC affirmation and how can it be best stated to strengthen volunteer community self-governance?
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Current text:
"The following individuals should be required to affirm (through signed declaration or other format to be decided) they will acknowledge and adhere to the Universal Code of Conduct. The users listed above should accomplish the affirmation at the occasion of acquiring the right or role, as well as every re-election, renewal or prolongation, the existing ones do so within a short time after the ratification of these guidelines, with exception of current advanced rights holders with rights that are not up for renewal who will not have a set timeframe to accomplish these affirmations. This may be changed on review after a year following the ratification of these guidelines. Once formed, the U4C will create procedures to facilitate these affirmations."
While every user of Wikimedia platforms agrees to abide by the Terms of Use with each edit, the drafters’ intent here was to meet a perceived need to ensure that those in positions of governance understand and follow the UCoC (or the local project rules going beyond it) in their own behavior as well as any governance actions they take related to conduct. Some have voiced concerns with the present language.