Newsletter/May2009

Wikimedia UK Newsletter

May 2009 Issue

Summary:

In this month's newsletter:

1. HMRC Application Status
2. New Chapters' Agreement
3. Wikimania 2010 (and beyond!)
4. Initiatives
5. Wikipedia Loves Art
6. Other Chapters' Activities
7. Meet-ups
8. Press coverage

HMRC Application Status

As you are probably already aware, the UK Tax Authorities have rejected our application to be recognised as a charity for tax purposes, arguing that the production of an encyclopedia does not consist of "promoting education". The Board continue to believe that our purposes are charitable and are looking into ways of appealing this decision. We are currently in the process of drafting and sending a letter of appeal to the HMRC, along with seeking legal advice.

New Chapters' Agreement

The Wikimedia Foundation has released the latest version of the Chapters' Agreement, which binds all chapters of the WMF. The new version includes many changes, and WMUK wants to hear what it's membership thinks of the changes! Got any comments or ideas for the agreement? Let the Board know by emailing board@wikimedia.org.uk or the mailing list (wikimediauk-l), and we will put together a response not only from the Board, but the community at large!

Initiatives

Wikimedia UK is currently soliciting ideas for Initiatives for the chapter to pursue! Under the helm of our new Initiatives Director, Zeyi He, we are looking to develop and take forward as many initiatives as we can - and we need your input and assistance in making as many of these work as possible. The Board is looking at a minimum of 3 completed initiatives before the next AGM - so if you have any ideas, you can either list them on the Ideas page, develop them on the Proposals page, or contact our Initiatives Director at initiatives@wikimedia.org.uk!

Wikipedia Loves Art

The chapter supported the "Wikipedia Loves Art" photography contest in February and since then the participating museums have been hard at work checking each photograph for compliance with the copyright rules and awarding bonus points for particularly good images. They have now started to announce winners and we hope to be able to announce the winners from the Victoria & Albert museum shortly.

Other Chapters' Activities

• A mailing list has been started for Wikimedians in Ireland
• WMAR: Wikipedia invade el Museo de La Plata (2 May)
• WMNL: Wiki Loves Art (June)

Meet-ups

London 21 - 17th May 2009

See Wikipedia's Page on London 21 for more information on the topics discussed!

Upcoming UK Meetups

• London 22 - Sunday 14th June @ 13:00 - Penderel's Oak Pub, Holborn WC1

Press coverage

• AFP - Irish student's Wikipedia hoax dupes newspapers
• en:User:Stifle participated in a live radio debate on NewsTalk Radio (Ireland) on the 9 May