At 13:49 +1100 21/1/06, Angela wrote:
On 1/20/06, Andrew Walker keggers@gmail.com wrote:
One thing I am not clear about is exactly what a chapter is. Is it just a group of people who edit wikipedia and who live in close(ish) proximity to each other, or is it a legal entity of some kind?
I think it can be either, but http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Local_chapter_FAQ has more info on this.
What are the formal links between the foundation and the chapters?
One formal link is the licensing of the trademarks, so the Foundation can allow you to call yourselves Wikimedia UK. Other links would depend on the chapter.
Angela
Looking at:
http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Local_chapter_FAQ
We find
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What legal form should a local chapter have?
In country where the status is applicable, the local chapter should have a non-profit status. It should follow the local legislation for such organisations. Existing chapters (as of January 2006) are member organisations, allowing interested individuals to join the chapter as voting members, but the final legal form should be chosen in the view of best fulfilling the goals of Wikimedia.
What bylaws should a chapter have?
While you can inspire yourself from existing bylaws of other chapters, it is not advised to try and adapt those to your local laws, but rather do the opposite. The best way to think about the bylaws of a chapter is to start with looking at standard bylaws for a non-profit in your country and adapt those to the goals of a Wikimedia Organisation. Chapter bylaws should at all times comply with the law of the country they are based in.
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We aim to start up a body that will be a charity within a few months. But the model structures for UK (England and Wales) are a long way away from "existing bylaws of existing chapters".
Our proposed bylaws are the MoA (Memorandum_of_Association ) and AoA (Articles_of_Association) are here:
http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_UK/Memorandum_of_Association
http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_UK/Articles_of_Association
We have had several meetings to try to get an agreement so that we can sign documents. Theses documents have been kept close the standard model from the Charities Commission (UK). The objects (objectives) are place to make clear what the charity actually aims to do. Keep the model set by the Charities Commission speeds up the process on incorporation. Diane Cabell has been providing legal advice, free of charge.
Her website is http://www.mama-tech.com/
Looking at
http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_UK we find past meetings listed as follows:
* 9th October 2005: London * 16th October 2005: IRC * 13th November 2005: IRC * 27th November 2005: London * 15th January 2006: London
Note also that Wikimédia France
http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikim%C3%A9dia_France_%28statuts%29
uses the trademark "WIKIMEDIA" in their bylaws, which we have avoided!