For those that haven't seen it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wikipedia_Signpost/2008-09-08/Wikime…
Wikimedia UK disbands, but may form again
By Ral315, 8 September 2008
On Thursday, August 28, Wikimedia UK Chair Alison Wheeler announced the dissolution of
Wiki Educational Resources, Ltd. (the
legal name of Wikimedia's UK chapter), citing problems with respect to
their relationship with the Wikimedia Foundation, and issues with the
UK banking system, which had made the institution unable to set up
necessary bank accounts.
Concerns over Wiki Educational Resources (WER) were brought up in an August 13 e-mail to
the WikimediaUK-l mailing list by Delphine Ménard,
the Chapters Coordinator of the Wikimedia Foundation. In it, Ménard
expressed concern over the delays in getting the organization off the
ground, as well as an apparent lack of activity within the chapter,
beyond a few core members:
I must say that as we watch all other chapters develop, all at their
own pace, but definitely towards active and fruitful organisations, the
Wikimedia Foundation is growing a bit concerned about the lack of
development of Wikimedia UK. Although no-one in the Foundation is
versed in UK law, and although we are sympathetic to all the problems
that have been strewn on Wikimedia UK's way, we believe that it is time
to really make things happen and push Wikimedia UK forward. ... At this
stage, not having a functional Chapter in the UK is a fact that
deprives the Wikimedia projects from a very important potential source
of support, both financial and in various activities and partnerships.
It is not a situation that we can allow to go on for another two years.
... Note that in the case that this "extended" AGM does not happen and/or does
not come up with real proposals for
solutions, the Wikimedia Foundation will have to reassess the status of
WER in its current state as official Wikimedia Chapter, notably to be
consistent with the chapters requirements and guidelines, which demand
that chapters are supported by a group of active members of the
community and not just 4 or 5.
Discussion followed, and some users began to submit applications for
membership to the chapter, planning for the AGM. However, Wheeler
decided to disband the organization after some thought, and after the
immediate resignation of Director and Secretary Arkady Rose. She announced the decision in
a post to the list:
As I had previously noted I was not planning on remaining a Director
post the AGM and this change in your status now, rather than at the AGM
when you [Arkady] had indicated to the Board that you also would not
seek re-election, means that I must consider carefully what is in the
best interests of both Wiki Educational Resources Ltd and of the future
operations of Wikimedia UK.
Since WMUK was founded we have had one problem after another, some
with respect to the relationship with WMF, some with the closer to home
UK banking system that insists on basing judgements about a Corporation
on the personal details of the members of its Board. One delayed us a
year, the other all the way until now and with no immediate sight of a
resolution.
To date, Wiki Educational Resources Ltd has received little external
monies and these have been paid towards the expenses incurred in
setting up the Company and carrying out its proper activities. Monies
are still owed to various individuals however the Company has no assets
to cover them and is, presently, unlikely to have a suitable income
stream in the near future to do so.
I have been considering for some time what the best option for the
future of WMUK is and, regrettably, I feel that Wiki Educational
Resources Ltd, being the present holder of a contract with Wikimedia
Foundation Inc for the use of the relevant trademarks, is not likely to
be the best long-term holder of that contract in the current situation.
As such, I am proposing with immediate effect that Wiki Educational
Resources Ltd be wound up in accordance with Article 8 of the
Memorandum of Association and an EGM will be called to that end. The
contract with the Wikimedia Foundation Inc will thus fall aside (it is
not transferable) and there are not other assets or benefits to
distributed or passed on to other organisations. ... Any applications
received for membership are hereby declined. Thank you for your
interest.
In the wake of its dissolution, many UK-based community members suggested starting the
organization anew. A proposal, Wikimedia UK v2.0,
has been made on the Meta-Wiki, setting a timetable for its
reorganization and soliciting users to run for an initial board. As of
press time, 10 candidates had volunteered for membership on the board.
Discussion on the structure of the new organization continues on the mailing list, and on
the Wikimedia UK v2.0 talk page.
Andrew Turvey
Director
Andrew Turvey Solutions Limited
Registered Office: 23 Cartwright Way, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 1RL
Registered in England, Registration Number 5596974
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