We are now in the Q&A process with the Wikimania jury, for the Wikimania 2012 DC bid.

Something we've discussed is to create a formal organization to handle the finances for Wikimania. It could be possible, at a later time, to transition this organization into our official chapter. This will only happen after:

1) broad community discussion and participation in the process

2) input from the Wikimedia chapters committee and recommendation to the Wikimedia board to approve us as a chapter

3) official board approval

To help get the ball rolling and make sure they are aware of our plans for supporting Wikimania, I sent the chapters committee an initial contact message. (see below)

Here's our proposed chapter page on meta-wiki: http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_DC (feel free to add your name, as someone who's interested in the chapter)

We'll keep everyone informed once we hear back and as things progress.

Cheers, Katie

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: aude aude.wiki@gmail.com Date: Tue, Mar 29, 2011 at 4:43 PM Subject: Wikimedia DC - initial contact To: chaptercommittee-l@lists.wikimedia.org

Wikimedians in the DC area have been talking about forming a local chapter and would like to proceed in the next months.

Our group has 20+ people actively involved, and drawing as high as 100 to our WikiXDC event in January. The chapter would help facilitate local outreach, to GLAM institutions (Smithsonian, National Archives, Library of Congress, ...), could help support continuation of the campus ambassadors efforts at Georgetown, etc.

Here is our proposed chapter page on meta-wiki:

http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_District_of_Columbia

We are aware that the chapter approval process can take a while, but in the meantime are putting together a bid to host Wikimania 2012. Although we can work via Wikimedia NYC to handle Wikimania finances, we are interested to go ahead and incorporate an organization to handle the financials, strictly for Wikimania at this point.

As we move along towards organizing the chapter, we would like to leave open the option for this organization to become the chapter, once we are approved. We want to make you aware of this and make sure you are okay with this plan.

I am willing to serve as the point-of-contact for the chapter. We look forward to moving the process along, with your guidance.

Cheers, Katie