My fellow Wiki-Americans,

I'd like to suggest that we think about Wiknic 2019 now, and wanted to share some possible preparations for doing so.

The Wikimedia Foundation is funding "Strategy Salons" for the summer (deadline to apply is May 31!), and it might be an excellent opportunity to expand the scope of your local Wiknic.  The grants are $500-$1,500, and can cover either a general or a youth salon.

I have done some outreach to the WMF and they say they like the idea of combining a Strategy Salon with a Wiknic!

https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Strategy/Wikimedia_movement/2018-20/2019_Community_Conversations/Strategy_Salons/Announcement

Intro video to Strategy Salons:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1erKTu04NQjyTB2PFNY8W5ejCU8Fz09xM/view

General salon application:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1mI3Sj1d_BRKuKyfh5ySN3XpBy5wEzjRvSn4LbcjaSgQ/viewform?edit_requested=true

Youth salon application:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YPmPNyzAjczKAE16cBMixLENQMtcsxxVuR1ALUjXI_g/viewform?edit_requested=true

Since Wikimania this year will be in August, we'lll probably want to plan the various Wiknics for June and July, with the local date of course dependent on local circumstances and preferences.

Like for Wikipedia Day this year, we can probably use the fundraising-style super banner to attract more Wiknic participants this summer.  Also, if you used Eventbrite or a similar RSVP system for Wikipedia Day, it might be good to reach out to those folks again.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wiknic

Let me know if you have any questions or ideas, and feel free to reach out individually!

Thanks,
Richard
(User:Pharos)