Microgrants/2011 process revision: Difference between revisions
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The aim of microgrants is to provide an easy and transparent way for UK Wikimedians to obtain funds for small-scale activities; and more strategically, it aims to foster the UK community, and encourage them to innovate and come up with new approaches to Wikimedia outreach and increasing free content, with the incidental result of increased interest in, and knowledge of, Wikimedia UK amongst the UK community. Organisationally, a microgrants committee was set up in June 2010, consisting of MP and TD. Microgrant applicants need to be WMUK members. | The aim of microgrants is to provide an easy and transparent way for UK Wikimedians to obtain funds for small-scale activities; and more strategically, it aims to foster the UK community, and encourage them to innovate and come up with new approaches to Wikimedia outreach and increasing free content, with the incidental result of increased interest in, and knowledge of, Wikimedia UK amongst the UK community. Organisationally, a microgrants committee was set up in June 2010, consisting of MP and TD. Microgrant applicants need to be WMUK members. | ||
Thus far, there have been 8 microgrant applications. | Thus far, there have been 8 microgrant applications, of which 3 have been accepted, 2 are pending and 3 unapproved and now archived. The microgrants process is currently stalled on a procedural basis. | ||
== Recommended changes == | == Recommended changes == | ||
* Bring the microgrants budget in line with [[2011 Budget/Controls]]; i.e. dissolve the current microgrants committee and replace it with a single budget holder. | * Bring the microgrants budget in line with [[2011 Budget/Controls]]; i.e. dissolve the current microgrants committee and replace it with a single budget holder. | ||
* Have a single board member approving ( | * Have a single board member approving (Mike Peel for now?), with any two board members combined also being able to approve in that board member's known absence or when a conflict of interest exists | ||
* Increase the maximum amount for an individual microgrant to £250, in line with the amount specified in the controls, to broaden the range of possible grant purposes. | * Increase the maximum amount for an individual microgrant to £250, in line with the amount specified in the controls, to broaden the range of possible grant purposes. | ||
* Where applications overlap with with other budget lines, the appropriate budget holder should approve the applications from their budget if they are to be funded, unless they have devolved the small-scale spending to the microgrants budget. | * Where applications overlap with with other budget lines, the appropriate budget holder should approve the applications from their budget if they are to be funded, unless they have devolved the small-scale spending to the microgrants budget. This would currently apply to the GLAM and education budgets. | ||
* Funds will ideally be spent by WMUK directly; expense claims are the second choice; advances can be provided if necessary (from second grant onwards). | * Funds will ideally be spent by WMUK directly; expense claims are the second choice; advances can be provided if necessary (from the second grant provided to an individual onwards). | ||
* Introduce volunteer Microgrant Coordinators to assist in the microgrants process (see below) | * Introduce volunteer Microgrant Coordinators to assist in the microgrants process (see below) | ||
== Microgrant Coordinators == | == Microgrant Coordinators == | ||
Microgrant | The role of a Microgrant Coordinator will be a named volunteer position with the responsibilities of: | ||
* Identifying and encouraging potential microgrants in on-wiki editing activities and offline chapter activities | * Identifying and encouraging potential microgrants in on-wiki editing activities and offline chapter activities | ||
* Assisting members during the application process | * Assisting members during the application process | ||
* Ensuring that applications have all | * Ensuring that applications have provided all of the necessary information | ||
* Checking that applications are valid, and don't fall under any known problem areas | * Checking that applications are valid, and don't fall under any known problem areas | ||
* reports are | * Ensuring that all microgrant applications are respond to in a timely manner | ||
* Chasing reports, and ensuring that filed reports are complete and contain all of the necessary information. | |||
The aim is to get more community members directly involved in highlighting opportunities to support other wikimedians, and to take the burden off the responsible board member, whilst retaining board-level control of the budget. | The aim of these named volunteer positions is to get more community members directly involved in highlighting opportunities to support other wikimedians, and to take the burden off the responsible board member, whilst retaining board-level control of the budget. Applications to become a Microgrant Coordinator will be approved by the Board. | ||
[[Category:Microgrants]] | |||
Revision as of 18:51, 6 August 2011
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Project grants (£5–250) or Partnership Funding (£250 and upwards) |
Background
The aim of microgrants is to provide an easy and transparent way for UK Wikimedians to obtain funds for small-scale activities; and more strategically, it aims to foster the UK community, and encourage them to innovate and come up with new approaches to Wikimedia outreach and increasing free content, with the incidental result of increased interest in, and knowledge of, Wikimedia UK amongst the UK community. Organisationally, a microgrants committee was set up in June 2010, consisting of MP and TD. Microgrant applicants need to be WMUK members.
Thus far, there have been 8 microgrant applications, of which 3 have been accepted, 2 are pending and 3 unapproved and now archived. The microgrants process is currently stalled on a procedural basis.
Recommended changes
- Bring the microgrants budget in line with 2011 Budget/Controls; i.e. dissolve the current microgrants committee and replace it with a single budget holder.
- Have a single board member approving (Mike Peel for now?), with any two board members combined also being able to approve in that board member's known absence or when a conflict of interest exists
- Increase the maximum amount for an individual microgrant to £250, in line with the amount specified in the controls, to broaden the range of possible grant purposes.
- Where applications overlap with with other budget lines, the appropriate budget holder should approve the applications from their budget if they are to be funded, unless they have devolved the small-scale spending to the microgrants budget. This would currently apply to the GLAM and education budgets.
- Funds will ideally be spent by WMUK directly; expense claims are the second choice; advances can be provided if necessary (from the second grant provided to an individual onwards).
- Introduce volunteer Microgrant Coordinators to assist in the microgrants process (see below)
Microgrant Coordinators
The role of a Microgrant Coordinator will be a named volunteer position with the responsibilities of:
- Identifying and encouraging potential microgrants in on-wiki editing activities and offline chapter activities
- Assisting members during the application process
- Ensuring that applications have provided all of the necessary information
- Checking that applications are valid, and don't fall under any known problem areas
- Ensuring that all microgrant applications are respond to in a timely manner
- Chasing reports, and ensuring that filed reports are complete and contain all of the necessary information.
The aim of these named volunteer positions is to get more community members directly involved in highlighting opportunities to support other wikimedians, and to take the burden off the responsible board member, whilst retaining board-level control of the budget. Applications to become a Microgrant Coordinator will be approved by the Board.