That's how I understand it, and I did a decent about of research into the subject.

Having followed the recent discussions about status of this and that, let me clarify a few things if I may. The group of editors which founded the Chapter a few years' ago now decided on a structure of a registered Company (limited by Guarantee, ie non profit-making) and that Company - Wiki Educational Resources Ltd - negotiated an agreement (ie Contract) with the Wikimedia Foundation for the right to use the Wikimedia/Wikipedia/etc trademarks for project-related activities in the UK. When WER Ltd was set up it was envisaged that it would both act as the UK chapter but also be able to do other charitable activities unconnected with the projects directly. The legal documents setting up the Company are linked from the WMUK website. A 'normal' (profit-making) company has shareholders who pay a one-off charge to buy shares in that company. In our case this doesn't apply as there are no shares per se, instead <members of the company> sign a statement to the effect that in the case of the winding-up of the company they will pay towards that cost. In neither case is there a mechanism for 'pay to play' involved, ie being a <member of the company> cannot be a chargeable status, either one-off nor recurrent. The form to register as a <member of the company> is, again, on the WMUK website and has been since the foundation. I would point out though that I haven't received any applications for this status in over a year ("Guarantor Member of Wiki Educational Resources Ltd"). Therefore there is, sortof, a secondary body - Wikimedia UK - which is a non-incorporated group of people (who will usually happen to be editors!) which can accept regular payments (such as membership fees) etc. It is coterminous with the Company (though, strictly, doesn't have to be). The Constitution of the Chapter is - again - on the WMUK website, as is the form to become a <member of the Chapter>. As many people will be aware though, other than payments in cash we haven't been able to accept cheques and it is probably for that reason we haven't had many applications for people seeking to become <members of the Chapter> ("Supporting Membership of Wikimedia UK"). Because of extensive discussions prior to the setting up of all this and worries about security (cf. Paul) and younger editors wanting to be involved (one cannot be a Guarantor or a company if you are under 18) then you will have noted that whilst <members of the company> have to give some information about themselves this does not include their project handle because this list is public domain. The list of <members of the Chapter>, however, is not public at all so does include handle but not necessarily all the rest. The latter members can be of any age. The AGM required by Company law is that of Wiki Educational Resources Ltd and those entitled to attend are, therefore, the registered <members of the company>. It is, has been, and always will be open to recipients of this list and others to request to register themselves as such members and, should people be interested in standing for election to the WER Ltd Board then they need to be so registered. There is no mechanism in law for people not so registered to stand for a position. The AGM / next meeting of the Chapter (ie for <members of the Chapter> who may or may not be <members of the company>) is a separate thing and we'd been waiting - as you all have been - for external things to get sorted in order to get that side of things moving. But they haven't, or at least not in a way which makes us (or you) happy. The company AGM will be arranged shortly by the Company Secretary and, I hope, will be in a location which will enable any newer <members of the company> to attend and have their voices heard and include elections for the vacant posts. On that point, I indicated some months ago that I was minded to stand down this year, Arkady (as Company Secretary/Secretary) has recently indicated she also wishes to not stand for re-election, and Paul (as CFO/Treasurer) was appointed during the year so will need to be elected. David will not need to stand for election. As such we *need* people to apply to become members of the Company if this is to move on. If you are interested in getting involved in this way (and I can tell you that it takes commitment!) feel free to contact us about what is involved. Regards Alison Wheeler ====================================================== Alison Wheeler Chief Executive Officer, Wikimedia UK Wikimedia UK is the operating name of Wiki Educational Resources Ltd, company limited by guarantee #05708269 Imagine a world in which every person can have free access to the sum of all human knowledge We're making it happen. Will you help us?