So, the word 'we' is rather innocuously dangerous. :-) To clarify Jon's comment that:

In our case we felt that SOPA/PIPA was relevant and went as far as to black out the English Wikipedia for a day.

'We' the editing community (all >1000 that !voted online) felt SOPA/PIPA was relevant, and blacked out the site. 'We' the charity communicated the decision and views of the community to the media. It's very much this communication role that we the charity can easily play here.

Thanks,
Mike

On 3 Aug 2012, at 06:02, Jon Davies wrote:

I understand your fear of appearing political but it is not political to respond to government consultations - that is a civic duty.

The Charity commission is very clear about this:

All charities are united by having a vision of a better society. They have many different purposes, and are focused on different needs. But in the main they are united by a desire to achieve change, whether for
a particular group of people in need, or for the wider common good. It is not surprising then that many charities wish to speak out, to use their voice and influence, and to campaign for the changes that would best help them achieve their purposes.

Have a look at the guidance in detail: http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/Charity_requirements_guidance/ccpubs3.aspx

So it is then up to a charity to decide 'what is relevant' In our case we felt that SOPA/PIPA was relevant and went as far as to black out the English Wikipedia for a day.

More recently we were consulted on copyright issues and with community support we were able to make our case

The board agreed that this would be a suitable issue to comment on.

Thanks for your input,

Jon Davies.

On 3 August 2012 13:54, Andreas Kolbe <jayen466@gmail.com> wrote:
I would be strongly opposed to endorsing political lobbying groups on this or any other issues. I would like Wikimedia UK to be an educational organisation that remains fastidiously neutral on these conflicts and does not take any political sides, whether it is the side of the Pirate Party (featured quite prominently on the ORG website) or any of the more mainstream parties.

Andreas

On Fri, Aug 3, 2012 at 1:43 PM, Jon Davies <jon.davies@wikimedia.org.uk> wrote:
I sent this around a while back.
The ORG would like our support.

Joscelyn Upendram is preparing a simple reponse on our behalf, if anyone wants to offer her ideas contact her directly

Jon Davies.
--------------------------------

From ORG:

'Peter, is preparing a CDB briefing for companies and holders of user comms data. This is pretty much where you are as an organisation, although you may wish to make broader points if you put evidence to the consultation.'

The deadline is August 23, and details are here:


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Jon Davies - Chief Executive Wikimedia UK.  Mobile (0044) 7803 505 169
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Wikimedia UK is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and Wales, Registered No. 6741827. Registered Charity No.1144513
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--
Jon Davies - Chief Executive Wikimedia UK.  Mobile (0044) 7803 505 169
tweet @jonatreesdavies

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.
Telephone (0044) 207 065 0990. 
Wikimedia UK is the UK 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/ and @wikimediauk

 _______________________________________________
Wikimedia UK mailing list
wikimediauk-l@wikimedia.org
http://mail.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l
WMUK: http://uk.wikimedia.org