Folks,
I've read a lot of the comments that have made about why a chapter is necessary, and I
agree it's an important question to answer. I've started a section
at
http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Talk:Wikimedia_California listing some of the areas
where a chapter could do things. The items I've listed are things that the Foundation
isn't doing, or simply doesn't have the manpower or resources to do.
When it comes down to it, the reason why a chapter is necessary is that it provides a
legal covering and organizational sponsor for projects. I am completely convinced that a
chapter will compliment both the Foundation and individual initiatives, rather than
competing with the Founation and stifling individual initiative.
California has some prime advantages, like it's status in the American educational
system. Did you know that the state standards in California are among the most important
in the nation? Because of our size as a state, we dictate what textbooks say, presenting a
unique advantage for Wikibooks. A wikibook approved here would be likely to be approved in
other states, validating the work that contributors are doing. However, this is an area
where a formal structure would be beneficial.
For example, if a group of people create a wikibook and want it to become approved by the
State Board of Education, they will have a lot higher chance of success if they submit the
application through an organizational sponsor.
There are also other ideas I've listed, and we should begin to work towards meetings.
This would definitely be something to consider putting on a future meetup agenda, and we
could also look into virtual meetings either on Yugma or Skype. Alternately, if someone
has access to a paid subscription for something like Go2meeting or WebEx, we could use
that.
What do you guys think? What times/type of software would work? Also, could you send me
your relative location in California so I can make a map up of where interest is?
Thanks,
Geoffrey Plourde
P.S. Sorry for the long winded message