Hello all,
I have been following with interest in the past two years, but
especially in the past few weeks, the different threads on the
development of Wiki Educational Resources / Wikimedia UK.
I must say that as we watch all other chapters develop, all at their
own pace, but definitely towards active and fruitful organisations,
the Wikimedia Foundation is growing a bit concerned about the lack of
development of Wikimedia UK.
Although no-one in the Foundation is versed in UK law, and although we
are sympathetic to all the problems that have been strewn on Wikimedia
UK's way, we believe that it is time to really make things happen and
push Wikimedia UK forward.
Lately, we have received a follow-up by Paul Sinclair telling us
another would be forthcoming, which gave us a pretty clear vision of
the situation and of the problems that WER faces (bank, charity status
etc.), this following the help Cary proposed from the Wikimedia
Foundation earlier on this list. We have answered Paul with questions
and considerations, about two weeks ago. Our questions and proposals
have not been answered or commented upon since.
In the light of our experience with other chapters, and although we
are aware of the minimal legal requirements for an AGM in the UK, we
strongly believe that the community of Wikimedia UK contributors has a
right, and even a duty, to make sure that they bring all the help they
can to Wikimedia UK.
As such, I strongly urge the existing board to hold the next AGM as
soon as possible (apparently it should happen before the 23rd of
September) and with as many interested people as possible (potential
members), in order to draw an accurate picture of the support that
WIkimedia UK can count on in its further developments. as well as to
make sure that all interested people have had a chance to voice their
opinion and propose their help.
At this stage, not having a functional Chapter in the UK is a fact
that deprives the Wikimedia projects from a very important potential
source of support, both financial and in various activities and
partnerships. It is not a situation that we can allow to go on for
another two years. We therefore need to have this AGM happen, and
happen quickly. As Cary pointed out, the Wikimedia Foundation is ready
to help Wikimedia UK get started, as long as the requests are
reasonable and make sense, of course :-). We believe an AGM with as
many people as possible will provide the necessary feedback for us to
give our support where it is needed.
Note that in the case that this "extended" AGM does not happen and/or
does not come up with real proposals for solutions, the Wikimedia
Foundation will have to reassess the status of WER in its current
state as official Wikimedia Chapter, notably to be consistent with the
chapters requirements and guidelines, which demand that chapters are
supported by a group of active members of the community and not just 4
or 5,
The Foundation staff and myself are of course at your disposal for
any question or concerns, both on this list and privately
(dmenardATwikimediaPUNTOorg).
Best,
Delphine
--
Delphine Ménard
Chapters coordinator
Wikimedia Foundation