I hereby give notice of my resignation as both Secretary and as a Director of Wiki Educational Resources Ltd, effective immediately. I have come to this decision following much long thought and discussion with David.
My appointment to Director was only ever supposed to be a temporary matter as acting Treasurer until such time as someone with competence and experience could properly fill that role, and was not expected to continue in that role beyond the AGM in September 2007. I neither anticipated nor, indeed, desired to take on the role of Secretary which was basically forced upon me upon the resignation of James. It is a role for which I have neither the experience nor the competence for.
My position as unwilling Secretary has been a source of major stress to me and thus it is for reasons of ill health that I must resign. All outstanding paperwork with regards to changes of directorship - including notification of my resignation - will be sent off to Companies House tomorrow and all other paperwork regarding WMUK will be sent to you, Alison, by Recorded Delivery.
Yours sincerely,
Arkady Rose
On Thu, August 28, 2008 12:25, Arkady Rose wrote:
I hereby give notice of my resignation as both Secretary and as a Director of Wiki Educational Resources Ltd, effective immediately.
Arkady, may I thank you for all you have done for Wiki Educational Resources Ltd since you got involved with the organisation, and I fully accept and understand your reasons for declining to continue.
As I had previously noted I was not planning on remaining a Director post the AGM and this change in your status now, rather than at the AGM when you had indicated to the Board that you also would not seek re-election, means that I must consider carefully what is in the best interests of both Wiki Educational Resources Ltd and of the future operations of Wikmedia UK.
Since WMUK was founded we have had one problem after another, some with respect to the relationship with WMF, some with the closer to home UK banking system that insists on basing judgements about a Corporation on the personal details of the members of its Board. One delayed us a year, the other all the way until now and with no immediate sight of a resolution.
To date, Wiki Educational Resources Ltd has received little external monies and these have been paid towards the expenses incurred in setting up the Company and carrying out its proper activities. Monies are still owed to various individuals however the Company has no assets to cover them and is, presently, unlikely to have a suitable income stream in the near future to do so.
I have been considering for some time what the best option for the future of WMUK is and, regrettably, I feel that Wiki Educational Resources Ltd, being the present holder of a contract with Wikimedia Foundation Inc for the use of the relevant trademarks, is not likely to be the best long-term holder of that contract in the current situation.
As such, I am proposing with immediate effect that Wiki Educational Resources Ltd be wound up in accordance with Article 8 of the Memorandum of Association and an EGM will be called to that end. The contract with the Wikimedia Foundation Inc will thus fall aside (it is not transferable) and there are not other assets or benefits to distributed or passed on to other organisations. For myself I am willing to forego repayment of the outstanding expenses I have incurred on behalf of Wikimedia UK and Wiki Educational Resources Ltd, and hope that others will do so to in order to expedite the process.
Any applications received for membership are hereby declined. Thank you for your interest.
Papers requesting that Wiki Educational Resources Ltd be struck off the register of Companies will be filed with Companies House immediately after the EGM calling for the dissolution of the Company.
Thank you all,
Alison Wheeler for Wiki Educational Resources Ltd
Sorry it has come to this. Where does this leave the Oxford bid for Wikimania 2010?
On 8/28/08, Alison Wheeler wikimedia@alisonwheeler.com wrote:
On Thu, August 28, 2008 12:25, Arkady Rose wrote:
I hereby give notice of my resignation as both Secretary and as a Director of Wiki Educational Resources Ltd, effective immediately.
Arkady, may I thank you for all you have done for Wiki Educational Resources Ltd since you got involved with the organisation, and I fully accept and understand your reasons for declining to continue.
As I had previously noted I was not planning on remaining a Director post the AGM and this change in your status now, rather than at the AGM when you had indicated to the Board that you also would not seek re-election, means that I must consider carefully what is in the best interests of both Wiki Educational Resources Ltd and of the future operations of Wikmedia UK.
Since WMUK was founded we have had one problem after another, some with respect to the relationship with WMF, some with the closer to home UK banking system that insists on basing judgements about a Corporation on the personal details of the members of its Board. One delayed us a year, the other all the way until now and with no immediate sight of a resolution.
To date, Wiki Educational Resources Ltd has received little external monies and these have been paid towards the expenses incurred in setting up the Company and carrying out its proper activities. Monies are still owed to various individuals however the Company has no assets to cover them and is, presently, unlikely to have a suitable income stream in the near future to do so.
I have been considering for some time what the best option for the future of WMUK is and, regrettably, I feel that Wiki Educational Resources Ltd, being the present holder of a contract with Wikimedia Foundation Inc for the use of the relevant trademarks, is not likely to be the best long-term holder of that contract in the current situation.
As such, I am proposing with immediate effect that Wiki Educational Resources Ltd be wound up in accordance with Article 8 of the Memorandum of Association and an EGM will be called to that end. The contract with the Wikimedia Foundation Inc will thus fall aside (it is not transferable) and there are not other assets or benefits to distributed or passed on to other organisations. For myself I am willing to forego repayment of the outstanding expenses I have incurred on behalf of Wikimedia UK and Wiki Educational Resources Ltd, and hope that others will do so to in order to expedite the process.
Any applications received for membership are hereby declined. Thank you for your interest.
Papers requesting that Wiki Educational Resources Ltd be struck off the register of Companies will be filed with Companies House immediately after the EGM calling for the dissolution of the Company.
Thank you all,
Alison Wheeler for Wiki Educational Resources Ltd
Wikimedia UK mailing list wikimediauk-l@wikimedia.org http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_UK http://mail.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l
On Thu, August 28, 2008 13:35, Gary Kirk wrote:
Sorry it has come to this.
Ditto. *Very* ditto :-(
Where does this leave the Oxford bid for Wikimania 2010?
Same place it was beforehand, I guess. Wikimania is a self-organised group of people arranging the con, in the first instance, and I see nothing about this change in status which will affect that in the short term.
Alison
Is there anyway of keeping this company alive?
Date: Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:38:49 +0100> From: wikimedia@alisonwheeler.com> To: wikimediauk-l@lists.wikimedia.org> Subject: Re: [Wikimediauk-l] Dissolution of Wiki Educational Resources Ltd> > On Thu, August 28, 2008 13:35, Gary Kirk wrote:> > Sorry it has come to this.> > Ditto. *Very* ditto :-(> > > Where does this leave the Oxford bid for Wikimania 2010?> > Same place it was beforehand, I guess. Wikimania is a self-organised group> of people arranging the con, in the first instance, and I see nothing> about this change in status which will affect that in the short term.> > Alison> > > _______________________________________________> Wikimedia UK mailing list> wikimediauk-l@wikimedia.org> http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_UK%3E http://mail.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l
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2008/8/28 joseph seddon life_is_bitter_sweet@hotmail.co.uk:
Is there anyway of keeping this company alive?
Sure. Don't dissolve it, hold an AGM and hand over to a new board. I'm sure Alison has her reasons for wanting to do it this way, but I certainly don't know what they are.
If that is at all possible, it would be very helpful for the future of wikimedia uk
Date: Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:46:41 +0100> From: thomas.dalton@gmail.com> To: wikimediauk-l@lists.wikimedia.org> Subject: Re: [Wikimediauk-l] Dissolution of Wiki Educational Resources Ltd> > 2008/8/28 joseph seddon life_is_bitter_sweet@hotmail.co.uk:> >> > Is there anyway of keeping this company alive?> > Sure. Don't dissolve it, hold an AGM and hand over to a new board. I'm> sure Alison has her reasons for wanting to do it this way, but I> certainly don't know what they are.> > _______________________________________________> Wikimedia UK mailing list> wikimediauk-l@wikimedia.org> http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_UK%3E http://mail.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l
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At 18:46 +0100 28/8/08, Thomas Dalton wrote:
2008/8/28 joseph seddon life_is_bitter_sweet@hotmail.co.uk:
Is there anyway of keeping this company alive?
Sure. Don't dissolve it, hold an AGM and hand over to a new board. I'm sure Alison has her reasons for wanting to do it this way, but I certainly don't know what they are.
Alison will speak for herself.
But may I repeat that a new company can take advantage of the Charities Act 2006 which might help incorporation (e.g. becoming a charity and company limited by guarantee at the same time).
Gordo
But may I repeat that a new company can take advantage of the Charities Act 2006 which might help incorporation (e.g. becoming a charity and company limited by guarantee at the same time).
After an offline discussion....
Seems that this option is still not available currently.
http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/registration/charcio.asp
*****
When will the CIO structure be available for charities?
Although the Charities Act 2006 sets out part of the proposed legal framework for CIOs, more detail will be included in secondary legislation in the form of Regulations which will be made by the Minister for the Third Sector. These Regulations will set out how CIOs must be established and operate.
Before the Regulations are made, the Office of the Third Sector will issue draft Regulations for consultation. At the same time, the Commission will issue draft model constitutions for CIOs for consultation. It is important that we get these right and we expect the consultation will begin mid summer 2008. Further details about this and when the CIO will be available for charities to use will appear on our website.
*****
Having said that, there may be other advantages in the implementation Charities Act 2006 for the new charity/company.
Gordo
We have made enquiries about CIOs. I was told over the phone (to the charities commission) that they _may_ be available as soon as this autumn, but a rather more reputable doc Thomas Dalton found suggested it'd be more like next spring, so it's probably not worth the risk of waiting.
Tom
-----Original Message----- From: wikimediauk-l-bounces@lists.wikimedia.org [mailto:wikimediauk-l-bounces@lists.wikimedia.org] On Behalf Of Gordon Joly Sent: 30 August 2008 21:58 To: wikimediauk-l@lists.wikimedia.org Subject: Re: [Wikimediauk-l] Dissolution of Wiki Educational Resources Ltd
But may I repeat that a new company can take advantage of the Charities Act 2006 which might help incorporation (e.g. becoming a charity and company limited by guarantee at the same time).
After an offline discussion....
Seems that this option is still not available currently.
http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/registration/charcio.asp
*****
When will the CIO structure be available for charities?
Although the Charities Act 2006 sets out part of the proposed legal framework for CIOs, more detail will be included in secondary legislation in the form of Regulations which will be made by the Minister for the Third Sector. These Regulations will set out how CIOs must be established and operate.
Before the Regulations are made, the Office of the Third Sector will issue draft Regulations for consultation. At the same time, the Commission will issue draft model constitutions for CIOs for consultation. It is important that we get these right and we expect the consultation will begin mid summer 2008. Further details about this and when the CIO will be available for charities to use will appear on our website.
*****
Having said that, there may be other advantages in the implementation Charities Act 2006 for the new charity/company.
Gordo
As Michael Snow mentioned on foundation-l, given its history, it's probably best to start afresh. To be honest, I think that would be easiest as well.
I think it will do good if we make the upcoming London Meet containing a formal discussion on the creation of a new chapter (assuming WERL dissolution goes through), and precede immediately onwards with a proposal to WMF subsequently.
As such, I have put down my name on planning to go to the Meet on wiki.
KTC
2008/8/28 Gary Kirk gary.kirk@gmail.com:
Sorry it has come to this. Where does this leave the Oxford bid for Wikimania 2010?
About the only formal difference is that it now talks directly to the WMF to use wikimedia trademarks. Less formally it probably doesn't look to good but at least the issue is now resolved and we can work from a position of certainty.
On Thu, Aug 28, 2008 at 2:51 PM, geni geniice@gmail.com wrote:
2008/8/28 Gary Kirk gary.kirk@gmail.com:
Sorry it has come to this. Where does this leave the Oxford bid for Wikimania 2010?
About the only formal difference is that it now talks directly to the WMF to use wikimedia trademarks
As the Wikimania is in the end anyway an event of the Wikimedia Foundation (acting both through a local team as well as its own staff [Cary & Delphine usually]), this is really not an issue here...
Michael
Nonetheless UK charitable status would help keep our costs down for the bid. Perhaps we should just register the bid as a charity, unless people want to try and rush through the creation of a new WMUK... Thomas? Joseph?
2008/8/28 Michael Bimmler mbimmler@gmail.com:
On Thu, Aug 28, 2008 at 2:51 PM, geni geniice@gmail.com wrote:
2008/8/28 Gary Kirk gary.kirk@gmail.com:
Sorry it has come to this. Where does this leave the Oxford bid for Wikimania 2010?
About the only formal difference is that it now talks directly to the WMF to use wikimedia trademarks
As the Wikimania is in the end anyway an event of the Wikimedia Foundation (acting both through a local team as well as its own staff [Cary & Delphine usually]), this is really not an issue here...
Michael
-- Michael Bimmler mbimmler@gmail.com
Wikimedia UK mailing list wikimediauk-l@wikimedia.org http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_UK http://mail.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l
At 14:12 +0100 28/8/08, Tom Holden wrote:
Nonetheless UK charitable status would help keep our costs down for the bid. Perhaps we should just register the bid as a charity, unless people want to try and rush through the creation of a new WMUK... Thomas? Joseph?
Yes, an idea is to create a charity with a single aim, but the trouble is, what if the bid fails?
Gordon
2008/8/28 Tom Holden thomas.holden@gmail.com:
Nonetheless UK charitable status would help keep our costs down for the bid. Perhaps we should just register the bid as a charity, unless people want to try and rush through the creation of a new WMUK... Thomas? Joseph?
I doubt there would be much difference in level of effort required to create a charity for the bid compared to creating a new chapter. Next london meetup already has 11 people signed up. may be able to push that higher if you want to discuss forming a new chapter with people actually in meat space.
Well I'll be on a plane back from Scotland that afternoon so I won't be able to make it, but save a spot on the board of WMUK 2.0 for me...
-----Original Message----- From: wikimediauk-l-bounces@lists.wikimedia.org [mailto:wikimediauk-l-bounces@lists.wikimedia.org] On Behalf Of geni Sent: 28 August 2008 14:35 To: wikimediauk-l@lists.wikimedia.org Subject: Re: [Wikimediauk-l] Resignation of Arkady Rose
2008/8/28 Tom Holden thomas.holden@gmail.com:
Nonetheless UK charitable status would help keep our costs down for the bid. Perhaps we should just register the bid as a charity, unless people want to try and rush through the creation of a new WMUK... Thomas? Joseph?
I doubt there would be much difference in level of effort required to create a charity for the bid compared to creating a new chapter. Next london meetup already has 11 people signed up. may be able to push that higher if you want to discuss forming a new chapter with people actually in meat space.
There is an alternative to a Limited Company and a Charity in the UK now. It is called a Not-for-Profit organisation, I think. Would be simpler than a charity to set up.
Jenny
On Fri, August 29, 2008 09:34, Jennifer Gristock wrote:
There is an alternative to a Limited Company and a Charity in the UK now. It is called a Not-for-Profit organisation, I think. Would be simpler than a charity to set up.
At the risk of "statin' the bleeding obvious" but the standard way of creating a "Not for profit" is as a Company Limited by Guarantee.
WER were not idiots. We knew what we were doing and how to do it. We just had a credit scoring problem thanks to the UK banking system.
Alison
Without wanting to hack around on topics that are now not really of interest anymore, but a "credit scoring problem" was never mentioned in relation to opening the bank account.
Ian
On Fri, Aug 29, 2008 at 5:21 PM, Alison Wheeler <wikimedia@alisonwheeler.com
wrote:
On Fri, August 29, 2008 09:34, Jennifer Gristock wrote:
There is an alternative to a Limited Company and a Charity in the UK now. It is called a Not-for-Profit organisation, I think. Would be simpler than a charity to set up.
At the risk of "statin' the bleeding obvious" but the standard way of creating a "Not for profit" is as a Company Limited by Guarantee.
WER were not idiots. We knew what we were doing and how to do it. We just had a credit scoring problem thanks to the UK banking system.
Alison
Wikimedia UK mailing list wikimediauk-l@wikimedia.org http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_UK http://mail.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l
At 18:15 +0800 29/8/08, Ian A. Holton wrote:
Without wanting to hack around on topics that are now not really of interest anymore, but a "credit scoring problem" was never mentioned in relation to opening the bank account.
Ian
Indeed.
I thought one issue was that one of account holders was not UK national. I guess that amounts to the same thing.
Gordo
At 09:34 +0100 29/8/08, Jennifer Gristock wrote:
There is an alternative to a Limited Company and a Charity in the UK now. It is called a Not-for-Profit organisation, I think. Would be simpler than a charity to set up.
Jenny
The "not for profit" tag is an Americanism. WMUK has in part had to fit into that idea, and at the same time incorporate under UK law (as applied to England and Wales).
Gordo
2008/8/28 geni geniice@gmail.com:
2008/8/28 Tom Holden thomas.holden@gmail.com:
Nonetheless UK charitable status would help keep our costs down for the bid. Perhaps we should just register the bid as a charity, unless people want to try and rush through the creation of a new WMUK... Thomas? Joseph?
I doubt there would be much difference in level of effort required to create a charity for the bid compared to creating a new chapter. Next london meetup already has 11 people signed up. may be able to push that higher if you want to discuss forming a new chapter with people actually in meat space.
Some of the difficulties suffered with WMUK were due to in being incorporated, which is very useful what we eventually wanted it to be, but is more difficult to set up. A bid could be run through an incorporated charity, I expect, which would be much quicker. It would involve more liability to the trustees, though, along with other issues (I haven't researched non-incorporated charities much, they weren't relevant). I'll see if I can make it to the next London meetup and we can discuss options (and report back here for the benefit of those that can't make it).
wikimediauk-l@lists.wikimedia.org