News from the Office/Posts

News from the Office Posts

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November 2011

24 November 2011 - Office and the Foundation (Jon Davies, CE)

15 November 2011 - November (Jon Davies, CE)

2 November 2011 - My October (Jon Davies, CE)

11th November 2011 - November

• Almost half way through and a lot more has happened.
• On the 14th the fund raiser started. First reports are good despite the world's stock markets crashing in flames all around us. In difficult times people obviously need us even more.
• And a UK office opens at last that is more than a few cardboard boxes in someone's front room.
• Small first steps but we have four desks, four phones and four ethernet cables plus a large supply of tea and coffee. Wireless router imminent.
• Over the next three months this will become the dynamo for all the WMUK activities, supporting volunteers and making the 2012 programme reality.
• Visitors are welcome but email before you want to come in as I am often in other places meeting people.
• And today I am meeting Sue for the first time in a week of activities that should see me completely exhausted by Sunday night.
• Meanwhile in Coventry Richard is holding the fort in the face of the piles of work generated by the fundraiser. Not sure he will be able to sleep for a while.

— Jon Davies, CE, WMUK

24th November 2011 - November

A very busy week. Te office has attracted quite a few visitors already and Arne Klempert dropped by today. But it isn't all glamour - have spent two weeks on and off ensuring that we are completely insured for any probability. As of 4.30 today we are, just in time for a visit to the Foundation tomorrow. Arriving the day after Thanksgiving so expect lots of Turkey soup and sandwiches. Will report back from the mother ship.

2 November 2011 - My October

I have now been in post a whole month and wanted to share with you some of the highlights and bring you up to date with our plans and activities:

• Met loads of you at The Herbert in Coventry and also helped Fiona and Richard retain their sanity by running the Wikipedia stall at the Warwick University Fresher's Fair for a while.

• Have met all the trustees and a few ex-trustees to talk about our hopes and plans for 2012. Trip to Brisle next Monday.

• Found us four desks in a charity sharing office from November 14th. Working from home is all very well but my family want their living room back! The address will be:

Wikimedia UK,

Development House,

56-64 Leonard Street,

London

EC2A 4LT

• There will be wireless and hopefully room for people to drop in. Watch this space.

• Enjoyed the EGM - thanks to the stranger who bought me a drink - I owe you.

• Witnessed John training curators at the British Museum

• Spent three days in Berlin being looked after by Wikimedia Deutschland. A lot to learn from them. They have 20 staff and have already outgrown their offices. In their next one they hope to have space for the community with technical resources to help.

• Now planning for budgets, the fundraiser, the next board meeting and Sue Gardner's visit to London.

• ...and spent a few days as a guest of our wonderful NHS - no details but not riding my bike for another week!

— Jon Davies, CE, WMUK