If we did classes on Wikipedia, they should be free and any costs that we would acquire should be covered by the chapter. Possible funding sources could include community grants from the Foundation, one of the other chapters or donations and donations  in kind through partnering organizations like the DC library system. We could also partner up with adult learning programs like those offered through NVCC or Fairfax County Park systems. However, I think getting individuals to pay for the classes would be counter to the communities principle of free culture (unless it is sponsored by the chapter or another organization who is paying for the cost). I like the idea of extended or regular courses. There might be organizations to appeal to for this including local history organizations.<div>
<br></div><div>Alex Stinson<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">2011/6/6 John Broughton <span dir="ltr">&lt;<a href="mailto:johnbroughton@comcast.net">johnbroughton@comcast.net</a>&gt;</span><br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex;">
<div><div style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;color:#000000">James -<div><br></div><div>It would be great if the chapter were to offer classes in how to edit Wikipedia.  The chapter could charge a small fee (say, $50 for a ten-week session, with one class per week), and pay the instructor part of that (more an honorarium than real wages, if the fee is low and the class size is restricted, particularly if the chapter has to pay for the room).  Given how many people in the DC area have an interest in what is and could be on Wikipedia, I don&#39;t think we&#39;d lack for students.</div>
<div><br></div><div>The chapter gets publicity from this; the instructor puts the material on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org" target="_blank">en.wikipedia.org</a> website (to encourage similar efforts elsewhere); Wikipedia gets more editors.  And (in the best of worlds) we could even pay for someone to make a set of videos of the classes, to be posted on the web for free viewing. Plus we could offer the same course to institutions like the Smithsonian, to further expand our reach.</div>
<div><br></div><font color="#888888"><div>-- John</div></font><div><div></div><div class="h5"><div><br>----- Original Message -----<br>From: &quot;James Hare&quot; &lt;<a href="mailto:messedrocker@gmail.com" target="_blank">messedrocker@gmail.com</a>&gt;<br>
To: <a href="mailto:wikimedia-dc@lists.wikimedia.org" target="_blank">wikimedia-dc@lists.wikimedia.org</a><br>Sent: Monday, June 6, 2011 7:49:14 AM<br>Subject: [Wikimedia-DC] What programs would you like to see in 2012?<br>
<br>Hello, community!<br><br>As the treasurer of our (pending) Wikimedia chapter, I have begun<br>preparing the budget for the 2011-2012 fiscal year. While next year we<br>have the Wikimania 2012 conference (and we are all excited for that!),<br>
we can also plan other programs and events as a chapter. Not<br>everything has to be processed through the corporate infrastructure,<br>of course, but if your idea involves spending a lot of money, let me<br>know and I&#39;ll see what I can do to make it work. Conversely, if you<br>
have ideas about fundraising, I would also like to hear them. This is<br>your opportunity to do something awesome in the D.C. community!<br><br>Sincerely,<br>James Hare<br><br>_______________________________________________<br>
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