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{{historical}}
A [[local Wikimedia chapter]] is proposed to cover [[Wikimedian]]s living in the UK. '''Help to create the [[Wikimedia UK/bylaws|bylaws]]!'''


{{Wikimedia UK}}


'''[http://www.wikimedia.org.uk/ Wikimedia UK]''' is the [[local Wikimedia chapter|Wikimedia chapter]] in the United Kingdom. The current incarnation of this chapter is [[Wikimedia UK v2.0]].
==Aim==
Something like: "To support education and learning projects in the UK and worldwide, linked with (but not limited to) projects of the Wikimedia Foundation.


An earlier attempt at a UK chapter was set up as '''Wiki Educational Resources Limited''', a company limited by guarantee. On 28 August 2008, it was announced that the Company was to be wound up immediately, as it had not got as far as it had hoped.
: The WMF's blurb reads:
:: A registered non-profit corporation dedicated to encouraging the growth and development of free-content, multi-lingual, wiki-based information and learning projects.
: How about using this with a slightly changed meaning (encouraging -> supporting to "allow" us to in-mission give grants to organisations such as, oh, perhaps the WMF):
:: A charity dedicated to supporting the growth and development of free-content, multi-lingual, wiki-based information and learning projects.
: ...?
: [[User:Jdforrester|James F.]] [[User_talk:Jdforrester|(talk)]] 17:12, 16 October 2005 (UTC)


==Objects==
Actually,
*to enable, assist, promote and promulgate wider participation in the creation, dissemination and expansion of information and educational resources covering the world's knowledge and languages to all persons, everywhere;

*to further the development of electronic, printed, and other resources required to support such participation;
: "[A charity dedicated to] supporting the growth and development of multi-lingual, free-content information and learning projects."
*to produce, publish and develop, or cause to be produced, published and developed, information resources, whether in printed, electronic, or other forms;

*to make use of or encourage the use of information resources for the advancement of education;
... removes "wiki-based" and so allows still more flexibility (we don't always necessarily need to use wikis).
*to encourage the adoption of practices and policies to widen education, participation and dissemination of information worldwide; and

*to undertake and carry on any other business which may seem to the Company capable of being conveniently carried on in connection with any of the above specified objects, or calculated directly or indirectly to enhance the value of or render profitable any of the Company's property or rights.
[[User:Jdforrester|James F.]] [[User_talk:Jdforrester|(talk)]] 17:34, 16 October 2005 (UTC)
{{Chapters}}

==Aims==
==Website==
The website for the chapter is located at http://www.wikimedia.org.uk/

Alternatively, we can try to enumerate them:

* <s>To support the Wikimedia Foundation, based in Florida USA.</s>
*: No, we can't have that as our aim under charity law. [[User:Jdforrester|James F.]] [[User_talk:Jdforrester|(talk)]] 17:01, 16 October 2005 (UTC)

* <s>Wikimedia Foundation remains our governing body</s>
*: ... or that.

* To encourage and support the use of Wikipedia in education, both in schools and higher education

* To promote literacy through projects that contribute to Wikipedia, both locally and a global level

==Board of trustees==
* Chair:
* Treasurer:
* Secretary:

==Points to consider==

*What effect would [[Wikimedia and UK charity law|UK charity law]] have on this?
*How should this fit in with a [[European Wikimedia chapter]] if such a thing comes into existence?
*What are the [[Possible projects of Wikimedia UK]]? - blue sky thinking

==Charitable aims and fundraising==

We need to consider what the point of it would be. Would it be fundraising? If so - would it be fundraising for local activity or for the foundation? Education is one of the "heads of charity" but things such as providing social events for British contributors wouldn't be. To fundraise we'd need to be a registered charity which has paperwork overheads and would need to have proper legal structures. We'd need to have accounts and have them approved by an independent examiner (we are unlikely to meet the threshold to require a full audit).

Basically - we would be running a not-for-profit business. Trustees would be liable for the appropriate spending of charitable funds. However this isn't as scary as it sounds.

The benefits are that we could do work in the UK that the foundation couldn't. We could bid for funds for UK specific projects such as work with schools. However projects need managing :(. I really don't see us to be at the level of employing staff at the moment but small projects could be managed by the trustees or a sub-committee.

If this is where we want to go then we'd need a charity to do it. We don't need to worry that we are not developed enough immediately - everyone starts off small. However we'd need to get agreement on what the overall aims would be.

==Related languages==
[[Image:Portal.png|thumb|300px|Example language portal]]

See [[w:en:Languages in the United Kingdom|languages in the United Kingdom]].

A page like the [http://wikimedia.org/ch-portal/ Swiss portal] could be set up related languages and [http://www.wikipedia.co.uk wikipedia.co.uk] could redirect there.

Languages native to the UK: [[kw:|Cornish]], [[en:|English]], [[ga:|Irish]], [[gd:|Scottish Gaelic]], [[cy:|Welsh]], [[sco:|Scots]], Ulster Scots, Shelta, British Sign Language, Irish Sign Language ''(not sure of progress on sign-language Wikipedias)''

Immigrant languages: [[bn:|Bengali]], [[gu:|Gujarati]], [[hi:|Hindi]], [[pa:|Punjabi]], [[ur:|Urdu]]

Historic languages: [[ang:|Old English]], [[la:|Latin]], [[br:|Breton]], Old Norse, Old Irish

Other relevant languages ([[w:en:Crown dependencies|Crown dependencies]] etc): [[gv:|Manx]], Dgèrnésiais, Jèrriais, [[fr:|French]], Yanito, Pitcairnese.

==Naming issue==

I was thinking the chapter should cover England and all the places round it, but it seems there is no non-controversial name for this place. It might be easier to do an England and Wales chapter since those two share the same charity law. However, it's going to be a while before Ireland, Scotland etc have enough Wikipedians to form their own chapter, so I think something combining those would be best, at least to begin with. I don't know if this would include the [[en:Channel Islands|Channel Islands]] which are [[en:British Islands|British Islands]] but not always seen as part of the [[en:British Isles|British Isles]].

The following articles show there is no sensible name for this chapter: [[en:England and Wales|England and Wales]], [[en:United Kingdom|United Kingdom]], [[en:United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland]], [[en:Britain|Britain]], [[en:Great Britain|Great Britain]], [[en:British Isles|British Isles]], [[en:British Islands|British Islands]], [[en:Ireland|Ireland]], [[en:Republic of Ireland|Republic of Ireland]], [[en:Britain and Ireland|Britain and Ireland]], [[en:Islands of the North Atlantic|Islands of the North Atlantic]], [[en:Channel Islands|Channel Islands]].

[[User:Angela|Angela]] 23:06, 1 Oct 2004 (UTC)

- It might be better to set the aims of the chapter before choosing the geography that it encompasses: boundry merging would be less difficult if a common purpose was shared. Or else there'd be the inevitable split. [[User:rroddy|rroddy]]

: It seems that Ireland isn't included, except for Northern Ireland. Certainly I would not advocate including the Republic of Ireland, as it has different laws, and we would have a transnational organisation to administer, which may be more difficult. I would go for Wikimedia UK. [[User:Matthew Platts|Matthew Platts]] 00:44, 1 September 2005 (UTC)

: Well... If we're going to at some point be a regional chapter of Wikimedia Europe, which itself is a regional chapter of the Wikimedia Foundation, I don't see the hugest problem in having Wikimedia Scotland, Wikimedia Republic of Ireland, Wikimedia Northern Ireland, Wikimedia British Dependencies, and, of course Wikimedia England & Wales, other than a bit more administrative hassle, if necessary. So, how about creating "Wikimedia England & Wales" at first, with a view to making Wikimedia British Isles (or something less unharmonious to some on the island of Ireland)?
: Of course, if all we end up doing is providing a channel for money back to the Wikimedia Foundation, we'd not be a charity, so...
: [[User:Jdforrester|James F.]] [[User_talk:Jdforrester|(talk)]] 18:37, 11 Oct 2004 (UTC)

::The chapter will be far more than just a money channel to the Foundation. We need to think about UK-specific projects that we could apply for funding for. Printing WikiReaders and distributing those here seems an obvious option, and running [[Wikimedia event stands]] is something the chapter could co-ordinate and provide funding for, but I'm sure there is a lot more we could do besides that. [[User:Angela|Angela]] 20:39, 22 Oct 2004 (UTC)

:As one of the purposes will be to be a fundraiser, and it is intended to be a charity, why not set the "boundary", such as it is, at the level of UK charity law? Whilst it is true that the law varies between Scotland, Northern Ireland and England and Wales, a charity registered in any one of those three is recognised as such within the whole of the UK (in terms of tax status etc) - so, why not just go for that? [[en:User:Scottkeir|Scott Keir]]

:I have a decade of experience as a local and national organiser for [[en:go (game)|go]], much of which is perhaps not directly relevant; but I have run stalls, produced newsletters and flyers, been on committees, done local and national publicity, and so on. It doesn't actually make me want to sign up for more of the same - but I think I can claim to know the territory. The point I'd like to make at this stage is that ''communication with our own folks'' is something basic, which can get overlooked. [[User:Charles Matthews|Charles Matthews]] 06:44, 28 Oct 2004 (UTC)

: A name must be legally established. If you have "UK" in a name no problem (e.g. '''Wikipedians UK'''). But something like '''WikiMedia Foundation of England and Wales''' would have to considered by the relevant authorities [http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/] before incorporation in UK law. [[User:LoopZilla|LoopZilla]] 13:12, 11 October 2005 (UTC)

==Roadmap==
A roadmap is used to begin envisaging the primary goals we need to fulfil to become a charity. This will hopefully inform us of short-term goals needed done. This roadmap is in very rough form, it is in no way official.

#Investigate certain issues of [[Wikimedia and UK charity law|charity law]]:
#*the criteria needed to be fulfilled to become a charity
#*whether we are responsible for content
#*relationship to the [[Wikimedia Foundation|non-UK foundation]]
#Establish the fundamentals of the organisation:
#*the functions and their legal viability
#*the Chapter's geographical coverage (likely dictated by law)
#*whether the Chapter legally represents the Foundation
#Write a governing document, [[Wikimedia UK/bylaws|by-laws]], &c.
#*translate into non-English UK languages
#Seek [[board]] approval for by-laws
#Arrange a contract with the Foundation for [[Logo and trademark policy|trademark use]]
#Registration


== Miscellany ==
== Miscellany ==

=== Domains ===
=== Domains ===
The chapter's domain, presently registered to James F., is '''http://wikimedia.org.uk/''' and all chapter email and websites are under this domain.


The following domains also exist but are '''''not''''' used nor controlled by the Chapter in any way.
* wikipedia.co.uk - owned by Bomis, redirect to the English Wikipedia
* wikipedia.org.uk - owned by Chris Brooking, redirect to the English Wikipedia
* http://wikipedia.co.uk - owned by Bomis, redirect to the English Wikipedia
* wikimedia.co.uk - owned by James F., currently (a somewhat basic) Wikipedia portal
* http://wikipedia.org.uk - owned by Chris Brooking, redirect to the English Wikipedia
* wikimedia.org.uk - owned by James F., currently (a somewhat basic) Wikipedia portal
* http://wikimedia.co.uk - owned by James F., non-responsive on port 80


=== Mailing list ===
=== Mailing list ===
*[https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l WikimediaUK-l]


Note this is for discussion of the Wikimedia in the UK - for general discussion of the English language Wikipedia, see [https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikien-l Wikien-l].
*[http://mail.wikipedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l WikimediaUK-l]


==People interested in helping to create a local chapter==
==People interested in supporting a local chapter==
Please see [[Wikimedia UK/People interested in supporting a local chapter]].
*[[User:Angela|Angela]]
*[[User:Constafrequent|Constafrequent]]
*[[User:Imran|Imran]]
*[[User:Sannse|sannse]]
*[[User:Jdforrester|James F.]]
*[[User:Nsh|nsh]]
*[[User:Nickshanks|Nicholas Shanks]]
*[[User:Charles Matthews|Charles Matthews]]
*[[User:Kwekubo|Kwekubo]]
*[[User:David Gerard|David Gerard]]
*[[User:Cfp|cfp]]
*[[User:Vampwillow|VampWillow]]
*[[en:User:ScottKeir|Scott Keir]]
*[[User:OldakQuill|Oldak Quill]]
*[[User:Stewartadcock|Stewart Adcock]]
*[[User:Payo|Paul Y]]
*[[User:LoopZilla|LoopZilla]]
*[[User:Dan100|Dan100]]
*[[User:TheoClarke|Theo Clarke]]
*[[User:Dazzles|Dazzles]]
*[[User:Francstwothousand|Francstwothousand]]
*[[User:The wub|The wub]]
*[[en:User:MrWeeble|MrWeeble]]
*[[User:ClareWhite|ClareWhite]]
*[[User:Cormaggio|Cormaggio]]
*[[User:Matthew Platts|Matthew Platts]]
*[[User:Craigy144|Craigy144]]
*[[User:Ce garcon|Ce garcon]]
*[[User:Secretlondon|Secretlondon]]
*[[User:Rich Farmbrough|Rich Farmbrough]]
*[[User:Notafish|notafish]] - Delphine. of course :-)
*[[User:Thryduulf|Thryduulf]]
*[[User:Andreww|Andreww]]


==Meetings==
==Meetings==
===Next meeting (post-incorporation)===
EGM in 2008. See also [[Future UK meetups]]


Directors meetings: happen regularly, both in person and online.
===This meeting===


===Past meetings (pre-incorporation)===
* Date: Sunday 16th October
* [[Wikimedia UK/October 9th meeting in London|9th October 2005: London]]
* Location: [[IRC]] @ #wikimedia-uk
* [[Wikimedia UK/October 16th meeting on IRC|16th October 2005: IRC]]
* Time: 18:00 BST (17:00 UTC)
* [[Wikimedia UK/November 13th meeting on IRC|13th November 2005: IRC]]
* [[Wikimedia UK/November 27th meeting in London|27th November 2005: London]]
* [[Wikimedia UK/January 15th meeting in London|15th January 2006: London]]
* [[Wikimedia_UK/Meetings/2006.i.29|29th January 2006: IRC]]


==See also==


*[[Wikimedia and UK charity law]]
====Apologies====
*[[Wikimedia UK/Gift Aid]]
* [[User:Francstwothousand|Francs2000]] 14:52, 16 October 2005 (UTC) (I have been called into work for 6.30)
*[[European Wikimedia chapter]]

*[[Possible projects of Wikimedia UK]]

===Next meeting===

* Date: Sunday 13th November
* Location: [[IRC]] @ #wikimedia-uk
* Time: 18:00 BST (17:00 UTC)

===Future meeting (proposal) ===

* Provisional plans for this meeting.
* Date: Sunday 27th November
* Location: London: Royal Oak - Lunch followed by a meeting
* Time: 12 noon to 6pm (formal meeting starting at 2pm?)
* Why 27th November? Jimbo is in town!

===Past meetings===

* [[Wikimedia UK/October 9th meeting in London|9th October 2005: London]]


[[Category:Wikimedia UK| ]]
[[Category:Wikimedia UK v1.0| ]]

Latest revision as of 07:21, 20 September 2023

Wikimedia UK v2.0
Legal
Constitution
Wikimedia and UK charity law
Organisation
Business Plan
Timeline
Board meetings
Membership
Newsletter
Mailing list
Facebook group
Wikimedia UK v1.0
MoA - AoA - Gift aid
People - Possible projects
Membership of Wikimedia UK
Future UK meetups
Website

Wikimedia UK is the Wikimedia chapter in the United Kingdom. The current incarnation of this chapter is Wikimedia UK v2.0.

An earlier attempt at a UK chapter was set up as Wiki Educational Resources Limited, a company limited by guarantee. On 28 August 2008, it was announced that the Company was to be wound up immediately, as it had not got as far as it had hoped.

Objects[edit]

  • to enable, assist, promote and promulgate wider participation in the creation, dissemination and expansion of information and educational resources covering the world's knowledge and languages to all persons, everywhere;
  • to further the development of electronic, printed, and other resources required to support such participation;
  • to produce, publish and develop, or cause to be produced, published and developed, information resources, whether in printed, electronic, or other forms;
  • to make use of or encourage the use of information resources for the advancement of education;
  • to encourage the adoption of practices and policies to widen education, participation and dissemination of information worldwide; and
  • to undertake and carry on any other business which may seem to the Company capable of being conveniently carried on in connection with any of the above specified objects, or calculated directly or indirectly to enhance the value of or render profitable any of the Company's property or rights.
Chapters (37)
Thematic organizations (2)
Wikimedia user groups (148)

Website[edit]

The website for the chapter is located at http://www.wikimedia.org.uk/

Miscellany[edit]

Domains[edit]

The chapter's domain, presently registered to James F., is http://wikimedia.org.uk/ and all chapter email and websites are under this domain.

The following domains also exist but are not used nor controlled by the Chapter in any way.

Mailing list[edit]

Note this is for discussion of the Wikimedia in the UK - for general discussion of the English language Wikipedia, see Wikien-l.

People interested in supporting a local chapter[edit]

Please see Wikimedia UK/People interested in supporting a local chapter.

Meetings[edit]

Next meeting (post-incorporation)[edit]

EGM in 2008. See also Future UK meetups

Directors meetings: happen regularly, both in person and online.

Past meetings (pre-incorporation)[edit]

See also[edit]

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