On Sun, March 9, 2008 21:59, Ian A Holton wrote:
a) When does the foundation plan to become a charitable organisation?
We apply five minutes after a bank believes we are not in the money laundering business. The AoA/MoA were designed with becoming a Charity in mind and we do not envisage any big problems, but a requirement of the form is details of our bank account and this has become our difficulty to date. As you can imagine we are very annoyed at this delay as much as you all are.
b) Will the charitable organisation hold annual general meetings with elections, as is custom in other countries or will it run more along the foundation style appointment. Basically: Democracy or not?
Both. Yes, there will be an AGM for the Chapter and for the Company (which may well be held on the same day); they are similar but slightly different. Because of the legal requirements upon the Company it is likely to be 'democracy with experience'.
c) What events and other activities will the charitable organisation be involved in?
Fund-raising, conciousness-raising (about Wikis generally and their benefit to education), profile-raising. Some of this we are already doing but a lack of banking facilities has meant that it is mostly small-scale at present.
d) What is the current financial situation with not having a bank account?
A damn nuisance. We have been unable to accept donations except where made in cash. Full accounts are, of course, held and will be published as per the law regarding companies, etc.
I ask this because Wikimedia UK at the moment, at least to me and this is meant with no offence, seems rather inactive. However, I could imagine getting involved in certain areas in the future.
We are like the proverbial duck paddling with all our might but under the water where you can't see the effort. We've had in principle plans for a big launch event in place now for over a year and lots of ideas for where we want to see things happen (and certainly welcome more). Most of our activities to date have been in the areas of press / media response and of supplying speakers (er, usually me) to conferences, panels. Indeed I am talking at one this Friday and another at the end of the month.
Hope that helps; as soon as we have something really positive to pass on we will be making a big fuss of it! (and we hope it won't be too much longer)
Alison