[Foundation-l] A new proposal regarding US chapters

[Dan Rosenthal]

Exactly what I've been thinking Anthony.

-dan
On May 6, 2008, at 11:30 AM, Anthony wrote:

> On Mon, May 5, 2008 at 7:33 PM, Pharos  
> <pharosofalexandria at gmail.com> wrote:
>> On Fri, May 2, 2008 at 6:20 PM, Pharos  
>> <pharosofalexandria at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> I propose that we promote Cary Bass to "Wikimedia US Affiliates
>>> Coordinator", as an adjunct position to "Volunteer Coordinator" of  
>>> the
>>> WMF.
>>
>> I'd like to table this specific idea for now.  It was built on the
>> presumption that a "group exemption" would necessitate much closer
>> cooperation of US chapters with the WMF.
>>
> Here's my current thoughts on the matter, after talking with you about
> it privately.  It's an attempt at a grassroots bottom-up strategy
> (which both the WMF and the chapters-to-be seem to want) which at the
> same time attempts to avoid constantly reinventing the wheel.
>
> Since you have 15 months before you have to file for a determination
> letter, go ahead and set up the organization and get running, but hold
> off on the Form 1023.
>
> Then, let's say 6 months down the road, hopefully there will be at
> least 4 or 5 local US chapters in some process of forming, but without
> a determination letter.  At this point, each local chapter-to-be can
> appoint one member to the board of a national organization (unless
> there are too many, in which case some other election process can be
> determined).  The WMF will also appoint one or more board members
> (presumably with the rule that these people cannot be employees or
> board members of the WMF).  The national organization will exist with
> a mission solely to help form and oversee local US chapters.  It will
> approve bylaws and articles of association/incorporation (there can be
> templates for this), it will act as a liason with chap com, etc.  It
> will *not* participate in any direct volunteer efforts, but would act
> in a general supervisory capacity.  This organization can then apply
> as the parent organization and get a group exemption for all the local
> organizations.
>
> Individual local chapters will get their trademark permissions
> directly from the WMF.  The national organization will have no rights
> to give these permissions directly, though it will of course assist in
> communications between the local organizations and the WMF.  Meetings
> of the national organization will be held online and/or through
> teleconferencing, to keep the costs down to a minimum.  Each local
> organization will be responsible to keep its own set of books, and
> will submit financial statements to the national organization on a
> regular basis (at least quarterly).  Local organizations will report
> their activities to the national organization.  Local chapters will be
> responsible for their own federal, state, and local taxes/tax returns.
>
> Local chapters will kick up a small portion of their membership dues
> to the national organization.  The national organization will use this
> for any administrative costs, and, optionally to help subsidize new
> local chapters just getting started up.  Any payments from the local
> chapters to the WMF will go direct, not through the national
> organization.  Every attempt will be made to keep the national
> organization bare-bones as to expenses and revenues.  No Wikimania USA
> funded by the national organization, if the chapters want that they
> can get the WMF to do it or can form a Wikimania USA Inc.  No travel
> expenses.  No servers.  No public relations staff or consultants.
> Members of the local chapters should be the first point of contact for
> any necessary expertise.  Any national press inquiries will be
> directed to the WMF.
>
> What does everyone think?
>
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