Hello everyone!
I've worked for Wikimedia UK since just before we hired our first Chief Executive, but it's time for me to hang up my "staff" hat. At the end of August, I'll be leaving Wikimedia UK for a new role - still in London, but doing something rather different, and with a fair bit more responsibility. Those of you who are my friends will know what this new job entails - I'd ask you to keep it to yourselves. To those of you who don't, you're free to ask me on Facebook!
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Wikimedia UK under both Jon and Lucy. It's really something to see how the charity has changed over the years - from a small, absurdly hopeful organisation with limitless opportunities, to a larger, but more stable and more focused charity with a solid track record of events and partnerships, and with what I firmly believe to now be (post-governance-review) the best governance in the movement.
I have full confidence in the team of staff and volunteers here to keep things moving forward, even if Richard Nevell does get overly focused on castles from time to time. I'll be staying on as a volunteer, of course, and I will probably focus my initial efforts on sending Richard Nevell pictures of castles while he's working, which I'm pretty sure counts towards our metrics.
On a more productive note, highlights of my time here include:
- Learning to cycle in London (pictures not on Commons, although there might be a video) - Our "Finance and Fundraising communal pickled onion jar", relabelled "pickled fox" after went on the NHM Spirits Tour (pictures not on Commons, except perhaps in the background) - The "Wikimedia UK does WLM" tour of an unlit Grade II listed Victorian Public Convenience (pictures on Commons) - Driving Katherine Bavage to despair by uploading pictures of her to Commons, and only then explaining what Commons is (I await the inevitable deletion request from someone who takes this too seriously) - Participating in the Chutney Making from Waste Fruit and Vegetables World Record Attempt, a World record attempt for amount of people making chutney simultaneously (pictures not taken, too busy eating chutney) - Wikimania 2014, which only those who served can *truly* understand (pictures on Commons, I imagine, although I tried to avoid them)
I wish everyone at Wikimedia UK - volunteers and staff - all the best, especially Daria, who now holds the crown for "longest serving staff member". Working at Wikimedia UK has been an enlightening experience, but also a privilege, and something which I will never forget.
{{Template:Witty sign-off}},
Richard Symonds Wikimedia UK 0207 065 0992
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. Wikimedia UK is the UK chapter of a global Wikimedia movement. The Wikimedia projects are run by the Wikimedia Foundation (who operate Wikipedia, amongst other projects).
*Wikimedia UK is an independent non-profit charity with no legal control over Wikipedia nor responsibility for its contents.*
Congratulations on the new job Richard - it feels like quite a long time ago since I interviewed you for the role of "providing poorly specified but vital help in the 2011 fundraiser until we actually get our act together and have an office and so on" ;)
Thank you for all your hard work and commitment over the last 5 years!
Chris
On Wed, Aug 3, 2016 at 3:32 PM, Richard Symonds < richard.symonds@wikimedia.org.uk> wrote:
Hello everyone!
I've worked for Wikimedia UK since just before we hired our first Chief Executive, but it's time for me to hang up my "staff" hat. At the end of August, I'll be leaving Wikimedia UK for a new role - still in London, but doing something rather different, and with a fair bit more responsibility. Those of you who are my friends will know what this new job entails - I'd ask you to keep it to yourselves. To those of you who don't, you're free to ask me on Facebook!
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Wikimedia UK under both Jon and Lucy. It's really something to see how the charity has changed over the years - from a small, absurdly hopeful organisation with limitless opportunities, to a larger, but more stable and more focused charity with a solid track record of events and partnerships, and with what I firmly believe to now be (post-governance-review) the best governance in the movement.
I have full confidence in the team of staff and volunteers here to keep things moving forward, even if Richard Nevell does get overly focused on castles from time to time. I'll be staying on as a volunteer, of course, and I will probably focus my initial efforts on sending Richard Nevell pictures of castles while he's working, which I'm pretty sure counts towards our metrics.
On a more productive note, highlights of my time here include:
- Learning to cycle in London (pictures not on Commons, although there
might be a video)
- Our "Finance and Fundraising communal pickled onion jar", relabelled
"pickled fox" after went on the NHM Spirits Tour (pictures not on Commons, except perhaps in the background)
- The "Wikimedia UK does WLM" tour of an unlit Grade II listed
Victorian Public Convenience (pictures on Commons)
- Driving Katherine Bavage to despair by uploading pictures of her to
Commons, and only then explaining what Commons is (I await the inevitable deletion request from someone who takes this too seriously)
- Participating in the Chutney Making from Waste Fruit and Vegetables
World Record Attempt, a World record attempt for amount of people making chutney simultaneously (pictures not taken, too busy eating chutney)
- Wikimania 2014, which only those who served can *truly* understand (pictures
on Commons, I imagine, although I tried to avoid them)
I wish everyone at Wikimedia UK - volunteers and staff - all the best, especially Daria, who now holds the crown for "longest serving staff member". Working at Wikimedia UK has been an enlightening experience, but also a privilege, and something which I will never forget.
{{Template:Witty sign-off}},
Richard Symonds Wikimedia UK 0207 065 0992
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. Wikimedia UK is the UK chapter of a global Wikimedia movement. The Wikimedia projects are run by the Wikimedia Foundation (who operate Wikipedia, amongst other projects).
*Wikimedia UK is an independent non-profit charity with no legal control over Wikipedia nor responsibility for its contents.*
Wikimedia UK mailing list wikimediauk-l@wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l WMUK: https://wikimedia.org.uk
It was a pleasure working with you Richard. Thank you for all your hard work with Wikimedia UK over the years. Best wishes in your new job, and looking forward to seeing you around as a volunteer in future Wikimedia events.
Katie
On 03/08/2016 15:32, Richard Symonds wrote:
Hello everyone!
I've worked for Wikimedia UK since just before we hired our first Chief Executive, but it's time for me to hang up my "staff" hat. At the end of August, I'll be leaving Wikimedia UK for a new role - still in London, but doing something rather different, and with a fair bit more responsibility. Those of you who are my friends will know what this new job entails - I'd ask you to keep it to yourselves. To those of you who don't, you're free to ask me on Facebook!
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Wikimedia UK under both Jon and Lucy. It's really something to see how the charity has changed over the years - from a small, absurdly hopeful organisation with limitless opportunities, to a larger, but more stable and more focused charity with a solid track record of events and partnerships, and with what I firmly believe to now be (post-governance-review) the best governance in the movement.
I have full confidence in the team of staff and volunteers here to keep things moving forward, even if Richard Nevell does get overly focused on castles from time to time. I'll be staying on as a volunteer, of course, and I will probably focus my initial efforts on sending Richard Nevell pictures of castles while he's working, which I'm pretty sure counts towards our metrics.
On a more productive note, highlights of my time here include:
- Learning to cycle in London (pictures not on Commons, although there might be a video)
- Our "Finance and Fundraising communal pickled onion jar", relabelled "pickled fox" after went on the NHM Spirits Tour (pictures not on Commons, except perhaps in the background)
- The "Wikimedia UK does WLM" tour of an unlit Grade II listed Victorian Public Convenience (pictures on Commons)
- Driving Katherine Bavage to despair by uploading pictures of her to Commons, and only then explaining what Commons is (I await the inevitable deletion request from someone who takes this too seriously)
- Participating in the Chutney Making from Waste Fruit and Vegetables World Record Attempt, a World record attempt for amount of people making chutney simultaneously (pictures not taken, too busy eating chutney)
- Wikimania 2014, which only those who served can /truly/ understand (pictures on Commons, I imagine, although I tried to avoid them)
I wish everyone at Wikimedia UK - volunteers and staff - all the best, especially Daria, who now holds the crown for "longest serving staff member". Working at Wikimedia UK has been an enlightening experience, but also a privilege, and something which I will never forget.
{{Template:Witty sign-off}},
Richard Symonds Wikimedia UK 0207 065 0992
We'll always have incredibly unflattering photos of me making courgette kebabs for the Development House Barbeque...
I would say 'you will be missed' but you won't because I full intend to keep turning up at your flat for American national holidays/on your facebook page with memes that cause Liam Wyatt to despair.
So I will say GOOD LUCK (not to your new employers who are clearly already very lucky - boo hiss etc) and to offer to chip in to any collection to buy you a jar of pickled fox as a parting pressie...
On Wed, 3 Aug 2016 at 15:57 Katie Chan ktc@ktchan.info wrote:
It was a pleasure working with you Richard. Thank you for all your hard work with Wikimedia UK over the years. Best wishes in your new job, and looking forward to seeing you around as a volunteer in future Wikimedia events.
Katie
On 03/08/2016 15:32, Richard Symonds wrote:
Hello everyone!
I've worked for Wikimedia UK since just before we hired our first Chief Executive, but it's time for me to hang up my "staff" hat. At the end of August, I'll be leaving Wikimedia UK for a new role - still in London, but doing something rather different, and with a fair bit more responsibility. Those of you who are my friends will know what this new job entails - I'd ask you to keep it to yourselves. To those of you who don't, you're free to ask me on Facebook!
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Wikimedia UK under both Jon and Lucy. It's really something to see how the charity has changed over the years - from a small, absurdly hopeful organisation with limitless opportunities, to a larger, but more stable and more focused charity with a solid track record of events and partnerships, and with what I firmly believe to now be (post-governance-review) the best governance in the movement.
I have full confidence in the team of staff and volunteers here to keep things moving forward, even if Richard Nevell does get overly focused on castles from time to time. I'll be staying on as a volunteer, of course, and I will probably focus my initial efforts on sending Richard Nevell pictures of castles while he's working, which I'm pretty sure counts towards our metrics.
On a more productive note, highlights of my time here include:
- Learning to cycle in London (pictures not on Commons, although there might be a video)
- Our "Finance and Fundraising communal pickled onion jar", relabelled "pickled fox" after went on the NHM Spirits Tour (pictures not on Commons, except perhaps in the background)
- The "Wikimedia UK does WLM" tour of an unlit Grade II listed Victorian Public Convenience (pictures on Commons)
- Driving Katherine Bavage to despair by uploading pictures of her to Commons, and only then explaining what Commons is (I await the inevitable deletion request from someone who takes this too
seriously)
- Participating in the Chutney Making from Waste Fruit and Vegetables World Record Attempt, a World record attempt for amount of people making chutney simultaneously (pictures not taken, too busy eating chutney)
- Wikimania 2014, which only those who served can /truly/ understand (pictures on Commons, I imagine, although I tried to avoid them)
I wish everyone at Wikimedia UK - volunteers and staff - all the best, especially Daria, who now holds the crown for "longest serving staff member". Working at Wikimedia UK has been an enlightening experience, but also a privilege, and something which I will never forget.
{{Template:Witty sign-off}},
Richard Symonds Wikimedia UK 0207 065 0992
-- Katie Chan Any views or opinions presented in this e-mail are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the view of any organisation the author is associated with or employed by.
Experience is a good school but the fees are high. - Heinrich Heine
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus
Wikimedia UK mailing list wikimediauk-l@wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l WMUK: https://wikimedia.org.uk
And its welcome back to volunteerdom from me too.
I was a pleasure to work with you, your new employers have gained more than they might realise.
Jonathan
On 3 August 2016 at 15:57, Katie Chan ktc@ktchan.info wrote:
It was a pleasure working with you Richard. Thank you for all your hard work with Wikimedia UK over the years. Best wishes in your new job, and looking forward to seeing you around as a volunteer in future Wikimedia events.
Katie
On 03/08/2016 15:32, Richard Symonds wrote:
Hello everyone!
I've worked for Wikimedia UK since just before we hired our first Chief Executive, but it's time for me to hang up my "staff" hat. At the end of August, I'll be leaving Wikimedia UK for a new role - still in London, but doing something rather different, and with a fair bit more responsibility. Those of you who are my friends will know what this new job entails - I'd ask you to keep it to yourselves. To those of you who don't, you're free to ask me on Facebook!
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Wikimedia UK under both Jon and Lucy. It's really something to see how the charity has changed over the years - from a small, absurdly hopeful organisation with limitless opportunities, to a larger, but more stable and more focused charity with a solid track record of events and partnerships, and with what I firmly believe to now be (post-governance-review) the best governance in the movement.
I have full confidence in the team of staff and volunteers here to keep things moving forward, even if Richard Nevell does get overly focused on castles from time to time. I'll be staying on as a volunteer, of course, and I will probably focus my initial efforts on sending Richard Nevell pictures of castles while he's working, which I'm pretty sure counts towards our metrics.
On a more productive note, highlights of my time here include:
- Learning to cycle in London (pictures not on Commons, although there might be a video)
- Our "Finance and Fundraising communal pickled onion jar", relabelled "pickled fox" after went on the NHM Spirits Tour (pictures not on Commons, except perhaps in the background)
- The "Wikimedia UK does WLM" tour of an unlit Grade II listed Victorian Public Convenience (pictures on Commons)
- Driving Katherine Bavage to despair by uploading pictures of her to Commons, and only then explaining what Commons is (I await the inevitable deletion request from someone who takes this too seriously)
- Participating in the Chutney Making from Waste Fruit and Vegetables World Record Attempt, a World record attempt for amount of people making chutney simultaneously (pictures not taken, too busy eating chutney)
- Wikimania 2014, which only those who served can /truly/ understand (pictures on Commons, I imagine, although I tried to avoid them)
I wish everyone at Wikimedia UK - volunteers and staff - all the best, especially Daria, who now holds the crown for "longest serving staff member". Working at Wikimedia UK has been an enlightening experience, but also a privilege, and something which I will never forget.
{{Template:Witty sign-off}},
Richard Symonds Wikimedia UK 0207 065 0992
-- Katie Chan Any views or opinions presented in this e-mail are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the view of any organisation the author is associated with or employed by.
Experience is a good school but the fees are high. - Heinrich Heine
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus
Wikimedia UK mailing list wikimediauk-l@wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l WMUK: https://wikimedia.org.uk
Hi Richard
I was really pleased to hear that your new role has worked out for you. I know it's taken a lot of work and commitment. Well done for achieving it, and many congratulations!
All the very best to you and to F. We'll miss you.
Michael
Richard Symonds wrote:
Hello everyone!
I've worked for Wikimedia UK since just before we hired our first Chief Executive, but it's time for me to hang up my "staff" hat. At the end of August, I'll be leaving Wikimedia UK for a new role - still in London, but doing something rather different, and with a fair bit more responsibility. Those of you who are my friends will know what this new job entails - I'd ask you to keep it to yourselves. To those of you who don't, you're free to ask me on Facebook!
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Wikimedia UK under both Jon and Lucy. It's really something to see how the charity has changed over the years - from a small, absurdly hopeful organisation with limitless opportunities, to a larger, but more stable and more focused charity with a solid track record of events and partnerships, and with what I firmly believe to now be (post-governance-review) the best governance in the movement.
I have full confidence in the team of staff and volunteers here to keep things moving forward, even if Richard Nevell does get overly focused on castles from time to time. I'll be staying on as a volunteer, of course, and I will probably focus my initial efforts on sending Richard Nevell pictures of castles while he's working, which I'm pretty sure counts towards our metrics.
On a more productive note, highlights of my time here include:
- Learning to cycle in London (pictures not on Commons, although there might be a video)
- Our "Finance and Fundraising communal pickled onion jar", relabelled "pickled fox" after went on the NHM Spirits Tour (pictures not on Commons, except perhaps in the background)
- The "Wikimedia UK does WLM" tour of an unlit Grade II listed Victorian Public Convenience (pictures on Commons)
- Driving Katherine Bavage to despair by uploading pictures of her to Commons, and only then explaining what Commons is (I await the inevitable deletion request from someone who takes this too seriously)
- Participating in the Chutney Making from Waste Fruit and Vegetables World Record Attempt, a World record attempt for amount of people making chutney simultaneously (pictures not taken, too busy eating chutney)
- Wikimania 2014, which only those who served can /truly/ understand (pictures on Commons, I imagine, although I tried to avoid them)
I wish everyone at Wikimedia UK - volunteers and staff - all the best, especially Daria, who now holds the crown for "longest serving staff member". Working at Wikimedia UK has been an enlightening experience, but also a privilege, and something which I will never forget.
{{Template:Witty sign-off}},
Richard Symonds Wikimedia UK 0207 065 0992
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. Wikimedia UK is the UK chapter of a global Wikimedia movement. The Wikimedia projects are run by the Wikimedia Foundation (who operate Wikipedia, amongst other projects).
*Wikimedia UK is an independent non-profit charity with no legal control over Wikipedia nor responsibility for its contents.*
Wikimedia UK mailing list wikimediauk-l@wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l WMUK: https://wikimedia.org.uk
On 3 August 2016 at 15:32, Richard Symonds richard.symonds@wikimedia.org.uk wrote:
it's time for me to hang up my "staff" hat
Good riddance.
No, seriously, thanks for all you've done for the chapter, the movement, and to help me as a Wikimedian and WMUK volunteer.
I'm sure your next job will be much less stressful ;-)
Thank you for all your work for WMUK over the last five years, Richard.
I'm sure you'll find fresh friendships and new challenges in your new job, but please don't forget your old friends as you go forward.
Keep in touch, and all my best wishes to you and Fi. You'll always be "Richard the First" to me.
Having worked with you for quite a while, I know how much you'll be missed. You did an excellent job, sometimes in very difficult circumstances.
I think all I can really say is you made everyone's work both easier and more enjoyable. Best of luck in the new job, but you won't need it because I know you'll be superb at it.
Stevie
On Wed, Aug 3, 2016 at 4:46 PM, Rex X rexx@blueyonder.co.uk wrote:
Thank you for all your work for WMUK over the last five years, Richard.
I'm sure you'll find fresh friendships and new challenges in your new job, but please don't forget your old friends as you go forward.
Keep in touch, and all my best wishes to you and Fi. You'll always be "Richard the First" to me. -- Doug
On 03 August 2016 at 15:32 Richard Symonds <
richard.symonds@wikimedia.org.uk>
wrote:
Hello everyone!
I've worked for Wikimedia UK since just before we hired our first Chief Executive, but it's time for me to hang up my "staff" hat. At the end of August, I'll be leaving Wikimedia UK for a new role - still in London,
but
doing something rather different, and with a fair bit more
responsibility.
Those of you who are my friends will know what this new job entails - I'd ask you to keep it to yourselves. To those of you who don't, you're free
to
ask me on Facebook!
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Wikimedia UK under both Jon and
Lucy.
It's really something to see how the charity has changed over the years - from a small, absurdly hopeful organisation with limitless opportunities, to a larger, but more stable and more focused charity with a solid track record of events and partnerships, and with what I firmly believe to now
be
(post-governance-review) the best governance in the movement.
I have full confidence in the team of staff and volunteers here to keep things moving forward, even if Richard Nevell does get overly focused on castles from time to time. I'll be staying on as a volunteer, of course, and I will probably focus my initial efforts on sending Richard Nevell pictures of castles while he's working, which I'm pretty sure counts towards our metrics.
On a more productive note, highlights of my time here include:
- Learning to cycle in London (pictures not on Commons, although there
might be a video)
- Our "Finance and Fundraising communal pickled onion jar", relabelled
"pickled fox" after went on the NHM Spirits Tour (pictures not on
Commons,
except perhaps in the background)
- The "Wikimedia UK does WLM" tour of an unlit Grade II listed
Victorian
Public Convenience (pictures on Commons)
- Driving Katherine Bavage to despair by uploading pictures of her to
Commons, and only then explaining what Commons is (I await the
inevitable
deletion request from someone who takes this too seriously)
- Participating in the Chutney Making from Waste Fruit and Vegetables
World Record Attempt, a World record attempt for amount of people
making
chutney simultaneously (pictures not taken, too busy eating chutney)
- Wikimania 2014, which only those who served can *truly*
understand (pictures on Commons, I imagine, although I tried to avoid them)
I wish everyone at Wikimedia UK - volunteers and staff - all the best, especially Daria, who now holds the crown for "longest serving staff member". Working at Wikimedia UK has been an enlightening experience, but also a privilege, and something which I will never forget.
{{Template:Witty sign-off}},
Richard Symonds Wikimedia UK 0207 065 0992
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. Wikimedia UK is the UK chapter of a global Wikimedia movement. The Wikimedia projects are run by the Wikimedia Foundation (who operate Wikipedia, amongst other projects).
*Wikimedia UK is an independent non-profit charity with no legal control over Wikipedia nor responsibility for its contents.* _______________________________________________ Wikimedia UK mailing list wikimediauk-l@wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l WMUK: https://wikimedia.org.uk
Wikimedia UK mailing list wikimediauk-l@wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l WMUK: https://wikimedia.org.uk
Aw maaaaate. Thank you for all the help you gave me over the course of the residency, & all the very best for the future!
Sara/lirazelf
Sent from my iPhone
On 3 Aug 2016, at 18:26, Stevie Benton <stevie.d.benton@gmail.commailto:stevie.d.benton@gmail.com> wrote:
Having worked with you for quite a while, I know how much you'll be missed. You did an excellent job, sometimes in very difficult circumstances.
I think all I can really say is you made everyone's work both easier and more enjoyable. Best of luck in the new job, but you won't need it because I know you'll be superb at it.
Stevie
On Wed, Aug 3, 2016 at 4:46 PM, Rex X <rexx@blueyonder.co.ukmailto:rexx@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote: Thank you for all your work for WMUK over the last five years, Richard.
I'm sure you'll find fresh friendships and new challenges in your new job, but please don't forget your old friends as you go forward.
Keep in touch, and all my best wishes to you and Fi. You'll always be "Richard the First" to me. -- Doug
On 03 August 2016 at 15:32 Richard Symonds <richard.symonds@wikimedia.org.ukmailto:richard.symonds@wikimedia.org.uk> wrote:
Hello everyone!
I've worked for Wikimedia UK since just before we hired our first Chief Executive, but it's time for me to hang up my "staff" hat. At the end of August, I'll be leaving Wikimedia UK for a new role - still in London, but doing something rather different, and with a fair bit more responsibility. Those of you who are my friends will know what this new job entails - I'd ask you to keep it to yourselves. To those of you who don't, you're free to ask me on Facebook!
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Wikimedia UK under both Jon and Lucy. It's really something to see how the charity has changed over the years - from a small, absurdly hopeful organisation with limitless opportunities, to a larger, but more stable and more focused charity with a solid track record of events and partnerships, and with what I firmly believe to now be (post-governance-review) the best governance in the movement.
I have full confidence in the team of staff and volunteers here to keep things moving forward, even if Richard Nevell does get overly focused on castles from time to time. I'll be staying on as a volunteer, of course, and I will probably focus my initial efforts on sending Richard Nevell pictures of castles while he's working, which I'm pretty sure counts towards our metrics.
On a more productive note, highlights of my time here include:
- Learning to cycle in London (pictures not on Commons, although there
might be a video)
- Our "Finance and Fundraising communal pickled onion jar", relabelled
"pickled fox" after went on the NHM Spirits Tour (pictures not on Commons, except perhaps in the background)
- The "Wikimedia UK does WLM" tour of an unlit Grade II listed Victorian
Public Convenience (pictures on Commons)
- Driving Katherine Bavage to despair by uploading pictures of her to
Commons, and only then explaining what Commons is (I await the inevitable deletion request from someone who takes this too seriously)
- Participating in the Chutney Making from Waste Fruit and Vegetables
World Record Attempt, a World record attempt for amount of people making chutney simultaneously (pictures not taken, too busy eating chutney)
- Wikimania 2014, which only those who served can *truly*
understand (pictures on Commons, I imagine, although I tried to avoid them)
I wish everyone at Wikimedia UK - volunteers and staff - all the best, especially Daria, who now holds the crown for "longest serving staff member". Working at Wikimedia UK has been an enlightening experience, but also a privilege, and something which I will never forget.
{{Template:Witty sign-off}},
Richard Symonds Wikimedia UK 0207 065 0992
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. Wikimedia UK is the UK chapter of a global Wikimedia movement. The Wikimedia projects are run by the Wikimedia Foundation (who operate Wikipedia, amongst other projects).
*Wikimedia UK is an independent non-profit charity with no legal control over Wikipedia nor responsibility for its contents.* _______________________________________________ Wikimedia UK mailing list wikimediauk-l@wikimedia.orgmailto:wikimediauk-l@wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l WMUK: https://wikimedia.org.uk
_______________________________________________ Wikimedia UK mailing list wikimediauk-l@wikimedia.orgmailto:wikimediauk-l@wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l WMUK: https://wikimedia.org.uk
_______________________________________________ Wikimedia UK mailing list wikimediauk-l@wikimedia.orgmailto:wikimediauk-l@wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l WMUK: https://wikimedia.org.uk
Richard,
As someone who's been around since those "absurdly hopeful" days, before WMUK had an office or full-time staff, I think it's fair to say that WMUK would not be what it is today without you. You've essentially given several years of your life to it, and I'm sure you'll be much missed by your colleagues. Hopefully you won't be too far away in your volunteer capacity, and of course you know how to get hold of me if you want to.
In the meantime ... be careful out there.
Harry Mitchell http://enwp.org/User:HJ +44 (0) 7507 536 971 Skype: harry_j_mitchell
On Wed, Aug 3, 2016 at 3:32 PM, Richard Symonds < richard.symonds@wikimedia.org.uk> wrote:
Hello everyone!
I've worked for Wikimedia UK since just before we hired our first Chief Executive, but it's time for me to hang up my "staff" hat. At the end of August, I'll be leaving Wikimedia UK for a new role - still in London, but doing something rather different, and with a fair bit more responsibility. Those of you who are my friends will know what this new job entails - I'd ask you to keep it to yourselves. To those of you who don't, you're free to ask me on Facebook!
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Wikimedia UK under both Jon and Lucy. It's really something to see how the charity has changed over the years - from a small, absurdly hopeful organisation with limitless opportunities, to a larger, but more stable and more focused charity with a solid track record of events and partnerships, and with what I firmly believe to now be (post-governance-review) the best governance in the movement.
I have full confidence in the team of staff and volunteers here to keep things moving forward, even if Richard Nevell does get overly focused on castles from time to time. I'll be staying on as a volunteer, of course, and I will probably focus my initial efforts on sending Richard Nevell pictures of castles while he's working, which I'm pretty sure counts towards our metrics.
On a more productive note, highlights of my time here include:
- Learning to cycle in London (pictures not on Commons, although there
might be a video)
- Our "Finance and Fundraising communal pickled onion jar", relabelled
"pickled fox" after went on the NHM Spirits Tour (pictures not on Commons, except perhaps in the background)
- The "Wikimedia UK does WLM" tour of an unlit Grade II listed
Victorian Public Convenience (pictures on Commons)
- Driving Katherine Bavage to despair by uploading pictures of her to
Commons, and only then explaining what Commons is (I await the inevitable deletion request from someone who takes this too seriously)
- Participating in the Chutney Making from Waste Fruit and Vegetables
World Record Attempt, a World record attempt for amount of people making chutney simultaneously (pictures not taken, too busy eating chutney)
- Wikimania 2014, which only those who served can *truly* understand (pictures
on Commons, I imagine, although I tried to avoid them)
I wish everyone at Wikimedia UK - volunteers and staff - all the best, especially Daria, who now holds the crown for "longest serving staff member". Working at Wikimedia UK has been an enlightening experience, but also a privilege, and something which I will never forget.
{{Template:Witty sign-off}},
Richard Symonds Wikimedia UK 0207 065 0992
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. Wikimedia UK is the UK chapter of a global Wikimedia movement. The Wikimedia projects are run by the Wikimedia Foundation (who operate Wikipedia, amongst other projects).
*Wikimedia UK is an independent non-profit charity with no legal control over Wikipedia nor responsibility for its contents.*
Wikimedia UK mailing list wikimediauk-l@wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l WMUK: https://wikimedia.org.uk
Thank you Richard for the huge amount you've done for Wikimedia UK and the movement. Congratulations on the new role, I'm sure you'll do a great job! Best wishes to you and Fiona, and I hope to see you around on- and off-line.
Peter / the wub
On 4 August 2016 at 22:47, Harry Mitchell hjmwiki@gmail.com wrote:
Richard,
As someone who's been around since those "absurdly hopeful" days, before WMUK had an office or full-time staff, I think it's fair to say that WMUK would not be what it is today without you. You've essentially given several years of your life to it, and I'm sure you'll be much missed by your colleagues. Hopefully you won't be too far away in your volunteer capacity, and of course you know how to get hold of me if you want to.
In the meantime ... be careful out there.
Harry Mitchell http://enwp.org/User:HJ +44 (0) 7507 536 971 Skype: harry_j_mitchell
On Wed, Aug 3, 2016 at 3:32 PM, Richard Symonds < richard.symonds@wikimedia.org.uk> wrote:
Hello everyone!
I've worked for Wikimedia UK since just before we hired our first Chief Executive, but it's time for me to hang up my "staff" hat. At the end of August, I'll be leaving Wikimedia UK for a new role - still in London, but doing something rather different, and with a fair bit more responsibility. Those of you who are my friends will know what this new job entails - I'd ask you to keep it to yourselves. To those of you who don't, you're free to ask me on Facebook!
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Wikimedia UK under both Jon and Lucy. It's really something to see how the charity has changed over the years - from a small, absurdly hopeful organisation with limitless opportunities, to a larger, but more stable and more focused charity with a solid track record of events and partnerships, and with what I firmly believe to now be (post-governance-review) the best governance in the movement.
I have full confidence in the team of staff and volunteers here to keep things moving forward, even if Richard Nevell does get overly focused on castles from time to time. I'll be staying on as a volunteer, of course, and I will probably focus my initial efforts on sending Richard Nevell pictures of castles while he's working, which I'm pretty sure counts towards our metrics.
On a more productive note, highlights of my time here include:
- Learning to cycle in London (pictures not on Commons, although
there might be a video)
- Our "Finance and Fundraising communal pickled onion jar",
relabelled "pickled fox" after went on the NHM Spirits Tour (pictures not on Commons, except perhaps in the background)
- The "Wikimedia UK does WLM" tour of an unlit Grade II listed
Victorian Public Convenience (pictures on Commons)
- Driving Katherine Bavage to despair by uploading pictures of her to
Commons, and only then explaining what Commons is (I await the inevitable deletion request from someone who takes this too seriously)
- Participating in the Chutney Making from Waste Fruit and Vegetables
World Record Attempt, a World record attempt for amount of people making chutney simultaneously (pictures not taken, too busy eating chutney)
- Wikimania 2014, which only those who served can *truly* understand (pictures
on Commons, I imagine, although I tried to avoid them)
I wish everyone at Wikimedia UK - volunteers and staff - all the best, especially Daria, who now holds the crown for "longest serving staff member". Working at Wikimedia UK has been an enlightening experience, but also a privilege, and something which I will never forget.
{{Template:Witty sign-off}},
Richard Symonds Wikimedia UK 0207 065 0992
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. Wikimedia UK is the UK chapter of a global Wikimedia movement. The Wikimedia projects are run by the Wikimedia Foundation (who operate Wikipedia, amongst other projects).
*Wikimedia UK is an independent non-profit charity with no legal control over Wikipedia nor responsibility for its contents.*
Wikimedia UK mailing list wikimediauk-l@wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l WMUK: https://wikimedia.org.uk
Wikimedia UK mailing list wikimediauk-l@wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l WMUK: https://wikimedia.org.uk
wikimediauk-l@lists.wikimedia.org