On 3/8/07, Alison Wheeler <wikimedia(a)alisonwheeler.com> wrote:
Over recent weeks I have tried to find an acceptable
way around this
impasse but now, regrettably, have concluded that one does not exist that
meets the requirements of Company Law alongside the expectations of the
wider group of editors who set this organisation in motion. It it thus the
case that as the leader of this organisation I must take responsibility
for that failure to progress and therefore must tender my resignation to
the Board.
Dear Alison,
this is disappointing news - and, without being fully aware of the
situation, it seems as if you are being unfair to yourself. Primarily,
I don't understand what the requirements of "company law" are, and how
they would prevent you from taking further action. However, I respect
your judgment and decision, and will accept whatever you decide to do.
From a peripheral perspective (which unfortunately I
have taken in
WER/WMUK over the past year or so), it looks to me as if the
non-activity here is of a more general nature - a lack of activity on
Meta, a lack of face to face or IRC meetings specifically about the
chapter, even a lack of ideas for activities etc on this list. I feel
every bit as much to blame for this as the next person.
However, I realise that what I'm saying does not relate directly to
the internal matters of organisation, incorporation, granting of
charity status etc. - this is simply a personal wish that we would
actually use the opportunity to do great things, of which we are more
than capable. But, unless I am mistaken, we already have the legal
structure to undertake projects - perhaps it would be good to have a
period of "taking stock" of where we are, what we have in place, what
is possible to do now, and what we need to do in the near future?
I also think that, in the meantime, we should recognise the great work
that Alison has put into WikimediaUK (amongst which, drafting and
honing the legal documents to get it incorporated, working on a
fantastic bid to host Wikimania), so, to Alison, regardless of what
you decide to do, I'd like to express my warm thanks so far.
Regards,
Cormac