[Foundation-l] [Wikinews-l] Proposal for the creation of a Wikinews foundation

[Craig Spurrier]

Brian McNeil wrote:
> Wikinews Reporters' Association?
>
> Wikinews Reporters' Union? (preferred choice as per UK's NUJ).
>   
The problem with each of these names is that it puts the person roughly 
in the same spot as far as claiming to come from a news organization vs 
a reporters membership organization/ the community. There are several 
reporter membership organizations that we can join, these however offer 
no benefit when trying to get into an event. I believe names like the 
Wikinews foundation or Wikinews Association would serve us best.
> Per my name suggestions above, and from writing this before catching up on
> foundation-l, I'd say we don't just want to look at the possibility of a
> non-profit. I am aware there is some stigma attached to the word "union" in
> some circles, particularly in the U.S., but how does such an organisation
> differ from a non-profit? My thoughts are that a union is more meant to
> represent its members - and that is what we want.
>   
A union at least in the US has a very different sort of meaning then a 
non-profit. Unions are primarily focused on collective bargaining and 
providing benefits to members such as unemployment and health insurance. 
While the foundation I proposed certainly is designed to represent its 
members, for it to be useful it must be seen as a organization in its 
self. Unions do also as you pointed out have a stigma in the US. We can 
completely avoid this stigma as what I am proposing only very loosely 
meets the definition of a union.
-Craig Spurrier
[[n:Craig Spurrier]]