All,
The London office of Wikimedia UK is open! I am reliably informed by Jon
Davies that we have a laptop, tea and coffee and a printer whose drivers
won't load. Otherwise everything is going rather well.
We're at Development House, Leonard Street, London - just a minute or so
walk from Old Street tube station. Jon is the only employee there regularly
at the moment, but he tells me that he's more than happy for people to drop
in. The full address is:
4th Floor, Development House,
56-64 Leonard Street,
London
EC2A 4LT
Telephone (0044) 207 065 0990
All the best,
Richard Symonds
Office Manager
Wikimedia UK
+44 7885 764 613
--
Wikimedia UK is the operating name of Wiki UK Limited, a Company Limited by
Guarantee registered in England and Wales, Registered No. 6741827. Our
Registered Charity No. is 1144513. The Registered Office is at 23 Cartwright
Way, Nottingham, NG9 1RL, United Kingdom.
Wikimedia UK is the local chapter of the Wikimedia Foundation (who operate
Wikipedia, amongst other projects). It is an independent non-profit
organization with no legal control over Wikipedia nor responsibility for its
contents.
Visit <http://www.wikimedia.org.uk/> http://www.wikimedia.org.uk/ and
@wikimediauk
Hey all,
it's vaguely that time of year again when I feel like I ought to be
coughing up membership dues. Will a reminder be sent out at the correct
time automatically or is there some other process I should be following?
(I've been a member for two years; it didn't remind me last year but I
heard talk of getting it to in the near future.)
Apologies for asking such a stupid question.
Also, as far as I know we're looking a little under-numbers for the
Brighton Hackathon next weekend so I guess I should drop that into this
email in the name of publicity.
Regards,
Harry (User:Jarry1250)
p.s. rather confusingly http://donate.wikimedia.org.uk has a different
favicon from the usual domain, incidentally.
Begin forwarded message:
> From: Sue Gardner <sgardner(a)wikimedia.org>
> Subject: [Wmfcc-l] BBC 4: I'm on now! :-)
> Date: 15 November 2011 14:33:33 CET
> To: Communications Committee <wmfcc-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
> Reply-To: Communications Committee <wmfcc-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
>
> Hey I'm on BBC 4 right now, live.
> http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/bbc_radio_fourfm :-)
>
> Thanks,
> Sue
>
>
> Sue Gardner
> Executive Director
> Wikimedia Foundation
>
> 415 839 6885 office
> 415 816 9967 cell
>
> Imagine a world in which every single human being can freely share in
> the sum of all knowledge. Help us make it a reality!
>
> http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Donate
>
> _______________________________________________
> Wmfcc-l mailing list
> Wmfcc-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wmfcc-l
1) Are all members of Company (limited by guarantee) now members of the
registered charity?
2) Are all Directors of the Company now Trustees of the registered charity?
3) Is the Charity planning to become a "Charitable Incorporated
Organisation" in 2012 (subject to the secondary legislation being passed
by Parliament)?
See http://bit.ly/CIO_explained
Gordo
--
Gordon Joly
gordon.joly(a)pobox.com
http://www.joly.org.uk/
Don't Leave Space To The Professionals!
Below is the Wikimedia UK monthly report for the period 1 to 31 October 2011. If you want to keep up with the chapter's activities as they happen, please subscribe to our blog, join our mailing list, and/or follow us on Twitter. If you have any questions or comments, please drop us a line on this report's talk page.
This report is also available, complete with pictures, on our website at http://uk.wikimedia.org/wiki/Reports/2011/October .
Contents
1 Program activities
1.1 2012 Activity Plan
1.2 Education projects
1.3 GLAM activities
1.4 Other activities
1.5 UK press coverage (and coverage of UK projects & activities)
1.6 Upcoming activities in November
2 Administrative activities
2.1 Board activities
2.2 Extraordinary General Meeting to change our Objects
2.3 News from the CEO
2.4 Fundraising
2.5 Recruitment
Program activities
2012 Activity Plan
Our 2012 Activity Plan was posted to the WMUK wiki on 1 October and has been submitted to the Wikimedia Foundation as part of the planning for the annual fundraiser. This plan is an outline of the work we will do in 2012, and the resources we need to support it. It is an important stage in the development of our 2012 Budget. When we’re asking people for money in this Autumn’s fundraiser, the Activity Plan will show people what we’re hoping to achieve with their donations – so it’s also important for the openness and accountability of our fundraising. We welcome any comments or suggestions on the talk page.
Education projects
Dr Mark Graham, and Han-Teng Liao, both from the Oxford Internet Institute, attended WikiSym 2011 on WMUK scholarships this month; they also presented about their work at the Wikimedia Foundation offices.
Fiona Apps, supported by Richard Symonds, held a stall at the University of Warwick Freshers fayre, on 1 October. This resulted in over 70 expressions of interest in forming a Wiki student club.
We have supported a University of Birmingham bid for JISC funding for World War One digital content prioritization; our letter of support is at File:Birmingham JISC support.pdf.
On 24th October, Fiona Apps led a Wikipedia Lounge at The University of Manchester.
GLAM activities
On October 1st there was a Herbert Art Gallery and Museum Backstage Pass - this was covered in detail in the This Month in GLAM newletter. Also on the 1st, Tom Morris attending Over the Air at Bletchley Park.
On the 7th October, an internal training workshop was held at the British Museum. Then on the 13th October, the British Museum Ice Age art "Behind the Scenes" event was held.
Other events this month included:
5th - Martin Poulter spoke on "Common pitfalls in engaging with Wikipedia" at Bathcamp #26, the Innovation Centre, Bath
8th - Andy Mabbett talked about "GLAM and QRpedia" at Library Camp UK in Birmingham
14th - CeriseLovesColours from France visits Derby for VIP tour and to pick 2nd prize for the Wright Challenge
28th - Initial meeting for MonmouthpediA - John Cummings
A video showing Derby Museum using QRPedia codes was released on Vimeo.
Other activities
UK Wikimeets this month: Edinburgh meeting (1st), Cambridge meetup (8th), London (16th)
3rd-5th - Roger Bamkin speaking at Europeana Tech Conference in Vienna (report here)
29th - Trevor Johnson hosted a stand and a training event at RISC OS London Show, Feltham
Microgrants funded this month include Elections in Europe from User:Number 57 and Copyright law from User:Ironholds
UK press coverage (and coverage of UK projects & activities)
Press coverage of Wikipedia in UK publications this month included:
Journal: "The Linguist" (vol. 50 no. 5, Oct/Nov 2011, p. 7 covers "Net Challenge" by Andrew Dalby listing the winners in Russia, France, Italy, Indonesia and the Czech Republic
1st - continued coverage of QRPedia:
How Wikipedia Is Making QR Codes Useful Again, Gizmodo
QRPedia: Wikipedia launches QR code tool for museums, PC Advisor
QRPedia - simple but effective , i-Programmer
Also: Wikipedia Signpost write-up of QRPedia
3rd - Wikipedia codifica tutto, Pubblicita Italia (QRpedia and arty QR codes)
5th-7th - several UK media outlets covered the strike of the Italian Wikipedia:
Wikipedia closes in Italy after Silvio Berlusconi 'gagging' bid, Independent
Wikipedia shuts Italy site to protest Berlusconi "gag law", Reuters UK
Italy wiretap law: Wikipedia hides pages in protest, BBC News
Wikipedia Shut Italian Site In Protest Over Privacy Law, Huffington Post UK
7th - Die Wikipedia kommt ins Museum, Spiegel on line, Interview with Peter Weiss about QRpedia and GLAM
14th Arriba a Barcelona l’exposició ‘Joan Miró. L’escala de l’evasió, Calalan Wikipedia and QRpedia enable Spanish Art Gallery labelling by Kippelboy
Wikipedia vandalism:
Rugby World Cup 2011: referee Alain Rolland's Wikipedia account sabotaged after Sam Warburton red card, Telegraph
Wiki-d lies so mean say North Lynners, Lynn News
When I died on Wikipedia, Guardian
Jimmy Wales
23 October, Jimmy Wales: The internet's shy evangelist, Independent - unfortunately containing a number of inaccuracies.
29 October, Jimmy Wales appeared on The Culture Show, talking to Aleks Krotoski.
Upcoming activities in November
Planned activities in November include:
1st - Exec board meeting
1st - Fae at PICTFOR meeting on Hargreaves' report on UK copyright changes, blog post
10th - Steve Virgin speaking at UK Association of Science & Discovery Centres Marketing Managers Conference - event entitled 'Word of Mouth'
12th - Manchester Girl Geeks Editing Day
13th - London meetup
13th - 18:30-20:00 Sue Gardner Speaking at Imperial College
16th - Roger Bamkin speaking at Lillehammer
17th - Roger Bamkin on Special Libraries Assoc panel
18th - Martin Poulter speaking at ESRC Research Seminar on "Digital Policy: Connectivity, Creativity and Rights", Leicester University
19-20th - In-person board meeting
19-20th - Brighton Hackathon 2011
22nd - 18.00- Liverpool meetup
24th - Fae presenting at Open Data in Cultural Heritage workshop hosted by Wellcome Trust & Open Knowledge Foundation
For events in December and onwards, please see Events.
Administrative activities
Board activities
A full board meeting was held on 11 October, focused on the topics of office space; charity status and fundraising readiness. Draft minutes from the meeting are available. A brief board meeting was also held on 16 October discussing the constitution of the Executive Board, and the implementation of our expenses system. You can also find out information about our Board member's recent activities at the report page for the board meeting on 11th October.
Extraordinary General Meeting to change our Objects
On 16th October we held an Extraordinary General Meeting to approve a change of our Objects as part of the process of being recognized by the Charities Commission as a UK charity. The resolution was passed, with 49 supporting, 1 abstaining and no-one opposing.
News from the CEO
For more information on Jon's activities this month, see News from the Office.
A busy first month for me with visits to Coventry to see everyone in action at the Herbert and the Fresher's Fair at Warwick University. Later I spent a few days in the offices of our German sister organisation seeing what we might look like a few years on. We had a successful EGM in London which was a key step on the way to becoming a charity.
In the background a steep learning curve with lots of support from the community, so thanks, you know who you are. An office space has also been found into which I move next Monday with a couple of cardboard boxes. There will be some open days when we get it equipped.
Fundraising
A number of fundraising tests were run this month; the details and their outcomes are described on meta. For more information about our participation in this year's fundraiser, see 2011 Fundraiser.
We received £17,622.69 in donations from 1270 donors via paypal this month, and £658 of monthly donations from via direct debit (including M new direct debits). For more information please see our monthly fundraising report at Fundraising Report - Monthly Totals 2011.
We are currently in the process of assembling our Expense policy, which more clearly sets out the approach that we have already been following with regards expenses incurred by Board, staff and volunteers when on Wikimedia UK business.
Recruitment
Our Chief Exec, Jon Davies, started work on 1 October.
Recruitment started for our permanent Office and Development Manager, with interviews due to take place in November.
Wikimedia UK is the operating name of Wiki UK, a charity registered in England and Wales (1144513).
Wiki UK Ltd is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and Wales, Registered No. 6741827.
The Registered Office is at 23 Cartwright Way, Nottingham, NG9 1RL, United Kingdom.
Dear all,
Just a note about the fundraiser.
The Foundation is currently starting a "fundraiser soft launch" where only
logged-in users will the fundraising banners displayed. This is so the
community can help troubleshoot the Foundation's payment systems (which are
rather more complicated than hitherto).
We aren't taking part in this "soft launch" as we are less worried about
our systems. We will be running a further fundraising test, for
non-logged-in users tomorrow (Tuesday) for much of the day. Then there will
be silence until the real public launch on November 14th, with both
logged-in and non-logged-in users.
We haven't yet decided how long we will keep the banners running for
logged-in users - views on this from the community are welcome :-)
We'll try to keep you up to date with what's going on here:
http://uk.wikimedia.org/wiki/2011_Fundraiser - though please excuse any
delays in communication, those of us involved (particularly myself and
Richard) will be very, very busy for the next month or two.
Chris
Hi,
I spent this afternoon with representatives in the V&A (from Comms,
Digitization and Documentation/Copyright) and supported by another
Wikimedian (Jeanne who is interested in helping with fashion related
topics on Wikipedia).
We have a track record of events with the V&A (the most recent being
the collaboration on <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tipu's_Tiger>) but
they would like to start long term planning events for next year for a
sustained programme of activities and supported by a persistent
community of interested Wikimedians rather than thinking of one-off
events. Within the organization they are discussing the benefit of
releasing a selection of high quality images/media of their
collections, particularly where these would have significant impact on
Wikipedia article quality, such as their key artefacts (sometimes
referred to as "treasures"). We are also going to have a follow-up
discussion on copyright as they are currently reviewing how to apply
creative commons licenses on their publicly accessible database
(<http://collections.vam.ac.uk>, at the moment commercial re-use would
require a negotiation with the V&A each time) to make it much simpler
for members of the public to understand how to re-use images,
potentially some then usable on Wikipedia or Wikimedia Commons.
If you would like to help with future programmes or would like early
involvement in the planning and consultation for events with staff and
curators please drop me a note and I'll keep you copied in on future
meetings as they happen. I am planning on being at the next London
wikimeet (13th Nov) so you can buy me a coffee and bounce some ideas
off me for 2012 if you prefer doing this in person. ;-)
Cheers,
Fae (WM-UK trustee and GLAM budget holder)
--
http://enwp.org/user_talk:fae
Guide to email tags: http://j.mp/faetags
On Thursday we finally heard back from the Charity Commission that they
have agreed to register us as a charity, number Registered Charity,
No.1144513.
Thank you all very much indeed for your support, patience and forbearance
over the last few months (and years!) while we have been sorting this out,
and to everyone who turned up to amend our Objects a few weeks ago.
This is obviously a hugely significant step for us as an organisation. It
is also a recognition of the quality of Wikipedia and the Wikimedia
movement as a whole - the Charity Commission in their decision took pains
to distinguish Wikipedia from a random collection of information on the
Internet, which is what they were worried we were. And we're also told
this it's a significant development in charity law. (Well, if it was really
simple, we would have done it ages ago...)
We'd like thank to our lawyers (Stone King) and to John Byrne and Steve
Virgin who have carefully navigated our path along this journey. You can
find out more on our blog -http://blog.wikimedia.org.uk/2011/11/charity/
We already have Gift Aid forms working (why not fill one in here?
http://donate.wikimedia.org.uk/thanks-gift-aid ) and we'll be doing our
best to make sure we can get Gift Aid on as many donations as possible in
this Autumn's fundraiser, which starts next week.
We've been holding off the announcement to try to maximise our press
coverage, but please now join the Board in cracking open a metaphorical
bottle of champagne... :-D
Regards,
Chris
(on behalf of the Wikimedia UK Board)
FYI,
At Imperial College, on Sunday 13th November 2011 at 18:30 UTC.
Room SAF LT1 G16, Imperial College, Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2AZ
/'Participation of Female Editors on Wikipedia and its Sister Projects'/
http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Sue_Gardner_at_Imperial_College_London
Gordo
22:00 on BBC Radio 3, Friday 4th November
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b016kgfd
Jimbo will be playing a string quartet or two...
"American internet entrepreneur Jimmy Wales has created the most
referenced source of knowledge on the planet."
Gordo
--
Gordon Joly
gordon.joly(a)pobox.com
http://www.joly.org.uk/
Don't Leave Space To The Professionals!