Dear all

Wikimedia UK's 2021 AGM and community day will be taking place on Saturday 10th July. After some consideration, we have decided that this year's event will again be held online. 

We are starting to plan the day and would very much welcome your input into this. Previous days have included some or all of the following:

• Keynote talks from people working within open knowledge, or related fields

• Breakout groups to discuss/workshop specific ideas or issues

• Skills development training (for example, Wikidata workshops)

• Editing sessions

• Lightning talks

• Briefing/consultation on issues relating to Wikimedia UK or the wider global movement

• Wikimedia UK Annual Awards 

• Informal socialising/networking

We would love for volunteers and members to help shape the day. Please do email our Communications and Governance Co-ordinator katie.crampton@wikimedia.org.uk if you have ideas for the day and/or would like to contribute to the programme yourself.

What we have to cover during the AGM itself is more circumscribed, and includes reports from key people (Chair, Treasurer and CEO), and questions on the Reports; as well as voting on resolutions and the board elections. Please bear in mind that any member of the charity is welcome to propose a resolution for the AGM. Katie or I will send details about how to do this a little nearer the time.

This year we will have three vacancies for elected trustees, with two board members having to retire in accordance with our articles, and one who has come to the end of their current elected term but has indicated that they will stand again. I would like to strongly encourage community members to consider standing for election this year. 

Alongside community experience, we would be keen for people to stand with any of the following skills or experience:

External relations

Charity or copyright law

Charity governance

Working with or in the cultural sector

However this is not essential. What is more important is a commitment to open knowledge and the work of Wikimedia UK, and a willingness to take on the responsibility of being a charity trustee and board director of a limited company. There is more information about what this means here. 

We strongly value diversity in Wikimedia UK's board of trustees and this year, would particularly encourage younger people (aged under 40) to stand. 

If you would like an informal conversation with me or one of the trustees about what being on the board involves, and potentially standing for election, please do send me an email (to the address above) and I will set up a call. We will send out details of the formal process for standing for election nearer the time.

Finally, please do consider becoming a member of Wikimedia UK if you are not already. Whilst we value community attendees for the day, only members are entitled to vote. Membership costs just £5 a year, although we welcome additional donations. 

With best wishes

Lucy