Chuck Smith wrote:
Some problems; What are we going to do with all that money? If we can't spend it, would that jeopardize our nonprofit status? I think it would be a step backwards for Wikimedia to become a for-profit organization.
I think we should hire full-time editors especially for the non-English Wikipedias.
Until we are very clear about the function of such an editor, this is definitely something to be avoided. It often means that editorial policy is then centralized in one person. That needs to remain in the community. Some short term (say 3 months) editorial contracts might be worthwhile when we want to give a boost to a particular language which has had very limited activity. Sometimes, a person to manage and organize the transition between Wikipedia and paper could be worthwhile in making the paper contents less random. There are certainly strong arguments for a technical person.
The English Wikipedia had a full-time Larry Sanger to help jump-start the Wikipedia, but the other languages (to my knowledge) never had such luxuries. As I said before, I would propose Brion Vibber (technical support, non-English wikis) and Arno Lagrange (Esperanto Wikipedia editor) as full-time employees. Arno is now trying to start a Wikipedia organization in France to be able to legally work full-time for the Esperanto Wikipedia.
I would avoid speaking of particular individuals, until the general issue is settled.
Also, I've never heard of having too much money as being a problem. I mean, we're a foundation! Lots of foundations have millions of dollars... We could use the money to hold Wikipedia seminars and conferences. We could also use the money to finance other worthy educational projects like other foundations do. "Sponsored by Wikimedia"
Too much money can be a bigger problem than not enough. Money completely changes the social dynamics.
Ec