[apologies for x-post -- replies to wikimediauk-l please]
Hi all
Ahead of the volunteer strategy day, my Technology Committee colleagues and
I have spent a little time thinking about the volunteer strategy
consultation [1]. Charles is going to speak a little on the subject at the
Volunteer Gathering [2] so I won't pre-empt the entirety of the discussion
there, but rather I wanted to share a couple of personal points that might
be helpful in prompting other thoughts that people can take with them on
the day (sadly I can't myself attend).
The first is that under the model proposed, it will be vital for working
groups to really take ownership of project proposals. Over the last two
years, IMHO TechComm (I can't profess to speak for other committees) has
been pretty good at saying 'Yes', but hasn't been so good at actively
supporting those proposals which it likes. By which I mean, it's been good
at providing (constructive) challenge, but a project based system has
overheads, and working groups will be vital in helping meet those overheads
(e.g. by actively filling out and developing project plans). This will
require a genuine (if not extensive) time commitment of a form that I think
will be quite unfamiliar to many wiki volunteers.
The second is that the model for project plans will also be an interesting
question to get right. On the one hand, it will be important to be able to
be able to compare projects in detail -- there has even been a suggestion
that projects should essentially bid into multiple flexible resource pools,
which will require quite precise assessment of needs. On the other, we do
not wish to put casual volunteers off, or to simply collapse under the
weight of paperwork. I have attempt to put up a quick sketch of a
hypothetical project plan at [3] so there's a tangible proof of concept out
there -- but equally people more knowledgeable than I will be familiar with
what other chapters/IEG/FDC ask for. Incidentally, the plan is hosted on
Launchpad, a microsite TechComm has been looking at developing to capture
former and future projects -- this may be of more general interest.
Just food for thought :)
Many thanks
Harry (User:Jarry1250)
[1] https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Volunteer_strategy_consultation_2015
[2] https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Volunteer_Strategy_Gathering/July_2015
[3] https://launchpad.wikimedia.org.uk/translatesvg/
--
Harry Burt
Not sure if this is the right forum to discuss this, but at least a UK
group will understand UK geography :)
Facebook is in a right mess as far as it's list of places that people
can select to use as location markers.
http://www.jasonfriend.me/facebookplaces/w/editing:incorrectlyspelledcities…
will give you some idea of the extent of the problem, and that is by no
means complete. You will notice that Wikipedia links are used to provide
background information and basically prove to US edtors that we know
what we are talking about, but the wikipedia page names are ow causing
problems as they are being taken 'literally'.
Example
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlington identifies three UK locations,
but uses 'London' rather than 'Hillingdon' to identify that page. As
soon as one is on the page the Hillingdon connection is listed, but
Facebook are making a meal out of things which is creating even more of
a mess.
While it is not a wikipedia problem, one tidy up that would make things
a little more consistent across several directories would be to replace
many of the ,London disambiguation with the correct borough and then the
crude Facebook processing would at least pick up the right cross link
without having to mess up the hierarchy in Facebook. Personally I'd
prefer it if Facebook used a better method of listing places, but many
of these problems go back several years and we have not been able to get
any movement, so fixing the other end first may finally prompt some
action :)
( And I do not have any problem undertaking the work. I've got most of
the problem links already documented as part of the 'fix Facebook'
campaign )
--
Lester Caine - G8HFL
-----------------------------
Contact - http://lsces.co.uk/wiki/?page=contact
L.S.Caine Electronic Services - http://lsces.co.uk
EnquirySolve - http://enquirysolve.com/
Model Engineers Digital Workshop - http://medw.co.uk
Rainbow Digital Media - http://rainbowdigitalmedia.co.uk
If anyone is at a loose end during the day today between 10am-3pm and would
like to provide virtual support, or is just interested in Peter Brook, I'm
running a session for V&A staff about Peter Brook:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:V%26A_Peter_Brook_editathon,_20_Jul…
shortcut: WP:Brook
Edward Hands
Edwardx
Hello everyone,
We have recently undergone a process of refocusing of our activities, we
are now entering an exciting new phase where we want to build on large
scale partnerships with external organisations. Strong reporting and
administration will be a key element of that.
We are looking for a permanent Administration and Programme Assistant to
join our staff team. The role will involve providing core administrative
and financial support for Wikimedia UK activities, with focus on its
programmes and reporting. You will also be the first port of contact for
the organisation and supporting the whole of the team in the administrative
work of the charity, making it a key role for Wikimedia UK.
Further details can be found here
<https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Administration_and_Programme_Assistant> and
the deadline for applications is 5pm BST on 20 July.
Regards,
Richard Nevell
--
Richard Nevell
Assistant Office Manager
Wikimedia UK
+44 (0) 20 7065 0753
Wikimedia UK is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and
Wales, Registered No. 6741827. Registered Charity No.1144513. Registered
Office 4th Floor, Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4LT.
United Kingdom. Wikimedia UK is the UK chapter of a global Wikimedia
movement. The Wikimedia projects are run by the Wikimedia Foundation (who
operate Wikipedia, amongst other projects).
*Wikimedia UK is an independent non-profit charity with no legal control
over Wikipedia nor responsibility for its contents.*
Hi all,
This Wednesday (15th July) I will be doing (with help from Andy Dingley) a
workshop at the University of Exeter for web and comms staff from several
universities - see https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Exeter_University_July_2015
for details.
I will try to add to that page the usernames of participants and any
articles edited during the day. If anyone had any time and could help to
monitor, advise and guide the participants remotely that would be great.
Rod
Dear all
I am very pleased to be able to announce today that Wikimedia UK has
been been fortunate enough to secure as our new CEO Lucy Crompton-Reid,
currently Director of the national live literature charity Apples and
Snakes. Lucy brings extensive experience in volunteer engagement,
organisational development, working with strategic partners, media,
education, and securing external fundraising from trusts and foundations.
Over the course of her career Lucy has worked in both the charitable and
public sectors, including most recently Head of Outreach at the House of
Lords where she was strategic and operational lead for education and
outreach activities. Before that, she worked at Arts Council England,
initially developing strategic partnerships before setting up a new area
office with local government and schools partnerships. As Refugee Week
National Co-ordinator for the British Refugee Council, Lucy chaired the
UK steering group of NGOs and charities, led on media activities, and
facilitated hundreds of volunteer cultural events each year. Lucy is
passionate about education and learning and is deeply committed to
ensuring open access to knowledge and information.
Lucy will be joining us in early October. In the meantime, our interim
CEO, D'Arcy Myers, will remain in post and will be working with Lucy to
ensure a smooth handover.
Please join me in offering Lucy a very warm welcome.
Lucy says
/I'm delighted to be joining Wikimedia UK this October as the charity's
new Chief Executive, and look forward to working with the staff team,
board and volunteer community -- as well as national and international
partners -- to develop the work of the organisation. This is a
significant time for Wikimedia and for the open knowledge sector more
broadly, with the potential to create unparalleled access to educational
content, coupled with threats to limit public access to information and
knowledge. With nearly 18 years' experience in the arts, charitable and
public sectors, I'm passionate about participation, and excited about
the opportunity to facilitate greater public engagement with online
content and information through Wikipedia and its sister projects, and
other Wikimedia UK initiatives./
____________
Michael Maggs
Chair, Wikimedia UK
[The Wiki version of this announcement can be found here:
https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Engine_room#Welcoming_Lucy_Crompton-Reid_as_C…]
Hello everyone,
There have been a few new candidates put themselves forward for the AGM
elections today. You can read their statements at
https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/2015_AGM/Elections/Statements. You can also
ask them questions at
https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/2015_AGM/Elections/Questions.
All the best,
Richard Symonds
Wikimedia UK
0207 065 0992
Wikimedia UK is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and
Wales, Registered No. 6741827. Registered Charity No.1144513. Registered
Office 4th Floor, Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4LT.
United Kingdom. Wikimedia UK is the UK chapter of a global Wikimedia
movement. The Wikimedia projects are run by the Wikimedia Foundation (who
operate Wikipedia, amongst other projects).
*Wikimedia UK is an independent non-profit charity with no legal control
over Wikipedia nor responsibility for its contents.*
All,
The first nomination for the board elections at the AGM has been received
and can be viewed at https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/2015_AGM/Elections.
Nominations are, therefore, officially "open" and the next few weeks will
hopefully reveal a plethora of candidates who are up to the task ahead of
us!
All the best,
Richard Symonds
Wikimedia UK
0207 065 0992
Wikimedia UK is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and
Wales, Registered No. 6741827. Registered Charity No.1144513. Registered
Office 4th Floor, Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4LT.
United Kingdom. Wikimedia UK is the UK chapter of a global Wikimedia
movement. The Wikimedia projects are run by the Wikimedia Foundation (who
operate Wikipedia, amongst other projects).
*Wikimedia UK is an independent non-profit charity with no legal control
over Wikipedia nor responsibility for its contents.*
> Of course, it’s not mandatory to drink while in a pub. ;)
>
> Joe
>
> --
> *Joe Sutherland*
> http://jossu.co.uk
Yes, but I had a birthday party in a pub and a Muslim friend refused to
join us.
Gordo
Hello all,
The Wikimedia UK AGM notice has gone out (or it did do at 5pm). Those of
you who are eligible to vote should have the email in their inboxes.
Check your spam folders too!
All the best,
Richard Symonds
Wikimedia UK
0207 065 0992
Wikimedia UK is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and
Wales, Registered No. 6741827. Registered Charity No.1144513. Registered
Office 4th Floor, Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4LT.
United Kingdom. Wikimedia UK is the UK chapter of a global Wikimedia
movement. The Wikimedia projects are run by the Wikimedia Foundation (who
operate Wikipedia, amongst other projects).
*Wikimedia UK is an independent non-profit charity with no legal control
over Wikipedia nor responsibility for its contents.*