Hi all,

[I'm still optimistic that I can commit to a weekly update for this list, hence the subject. Obviously, I've failed on this front so far, but I'm trying, really! ;)]

We are almost 10 days away from the start of Wiki Loves Monuments 2017 contest. :)

== Participating? == * If your country is participating and you have not signed up officially yet, please do so. [1] We need this information asap. If you are in this category and your country is participating for the first time, please email Lodewijk (cc-ed) and myself immediately.

* If your country is participating for the first time and you have listed your country as definitely participating country [1] and you don't have your lists ready, please email Lodewijk immediately. We can't lose 1 extra day at this point and we need to quickly help you get on board.

* If you are in the list of participating countries and you are unsure if you can make it, please indicate this by moving your country to Likely to participate list [2] and get in touch with us immediately so we can figure out together how we can help.

* All others: please make sure you've read and are following the steps needed to organize Wiki Loves Monuments. [3]

== Share == We were reminded one more time in Wikimania that many of you like to share your experiences and new things you are trying with other organizers. We encourage you to use the following space to continue sharing with each other what new things you are trying, what has worked in your context, and what hasn't. :)

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Wiki_Loves_Monuments_2017/Organiz...

== Jury tool signup == If you are planning to use Montage as the jury tool for your contest, please sign up at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons_talk:Montage#Wiki_Loves_Monuments...

== Prizes == We are finalizing the prize scheme at the international level and you should hear from us soon. You can follow up the task where this is being discussed at https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T170749

A teaser for this year's prize: We are grateful to receive an anonymous donation for the winner of Wiki Loves Monuments at the international level. More on the specifics of the camera and prize to be shared in the coming days.

== Getting help == We are here to help you organize a successful Wiki Loves Monuments contest. If you need help, please ask for it. :) The best way to do this is at Help desk [4]. Yes, 1:1 emails are nice but individual inboxes can overflow and if there is not much visibility to your help request, you may not receive it. If your request needs to be communicated privately (sometimes there is a need for it, we understand:), please email the person in the international team responsible for it [5] but do cc me in your email, please. :)

There are a few other things I'd like to share but this email is already getting long. :) If you have questions or comments, they're welcome. Otherwise, I keep the rest of the updates for next week. :)

Enjoy the ride, you all! :)

/me counts the days to September 1.

Best, Lily

[1] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Wiki_Loves_Monuments_2017/Partici...

[2] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Wiki_Loves_Monuments_2017/Partici...

[3] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Wiki_Loves_Monuments_2017/Organis...

[4] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Wiki_Loves_Monuments/Help_desk

[5] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Wiki_Loves_Monuments_2017/Organiz...