WikiConference UK 2013/Elections/Questions/Michael N Maggs: Difference between revisions
< WikiConference UK 2013 | Elections | Questions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
MichaelMaggs (talk | contribs) m (→Answers: c) |
MichaelMaggs (talk | contribs) (→Answers: Reply to Q 3) |
||
| Line 10: | Line 10: | ||
# WMUK's main challenge over the next couple of years will be to establish its position as a substantial national charity having a respected and leading position both within the UK charity sector and also within the international Wikimedia movement. Building reputation requires an effective board operating to the highest standards of probity that works well with the staff while avoiding the temptation to micromanage the charity's day to day operations. Building a substantial national organization requires focus on enunciating and disseminating both our vision and the benefits of membership throughout all areas of the UK, including the encouragement and support of local groups. --[[User:MichaelMaggs|MichaelMaggs]] ([[User talk:MichaelMaggs|talk]]) 12:40, 23 May 2013 (UTC) | # WMUK's main challenge over the next couple of years will be to establish its position as a substantial national charity having a respected and leading position both within the UK charity sector and also within the international Wikimedia movement. Building reputation requires an effective board operating to the highest standards of probity that works well with the staff while avoiding the temptation to micromanage the charity's day to day operations. Building a substantial national organization requires focus on enunciating and disseminating both our vision and the benefits of membership throughout all areas of the UK, including the encouragement and support of local groups. --[[User:MichaelMaggs|MichaelMaggs]] ([[User talk:MichaelMaggs|talk]]) 12:40, 23 May 2013 (UTC) | ||
# I agree that this is likely to pose an an ongoing challenge, and I think it important that the board maintains a very active brief in keeping an eye on the developing relationships between volunteers, board and WMUK staff, and on their respective areas of activity/responsibility. There is currently only a very rudimentary policy in this crucial area, and I would like to see the board give consideration to the development of some general (and obviously flexible) principles that could guide the organization going forward. The board can and should provide a lead where necessary, while being very clear that the purpose of WMUK is to support the community and not vice versa. My experience as a Commons bureaucrat of developing and drafting general principles for community discussion and agreement could well be useful, as could my experience of helping to guide and manage the inevitable changes that were needed in my law firm as it grew from 30 people to around 150. --[[User:MichaelMaggs|MichaelMaggs]] ([[User talk:MichaelMaggs|talk]]) 08:30, 27 May 2013 (UTC) | # I agree that this is likely to pose an an ongoing challenge, and I think it important that the board maintains a very active brief in keeping an eye on the developing relationships between volunteers, board and WMUK staff, and on their respective areas of activity/responsibility. There is currently only a very rudimentary policy in this crucial area, and I would like to see the board give consideration to the development of some general (and obviously flexible) principles that could guide the organization going forward. The board can and should provide a lead where necessary, while being very clear that the purpose of WMUK is to support the community and not vice versa. My experience as a Commons bureaucrat of developing and drafting general principles for community discussion and agreement could well be useful, as could my experience of helping to guide and manage the inevitable changes that were needed in my law firm as it grew from 30 people to around 150. --[[User:MichaelMaggs|MichaelMaggs]] ([[User talk:MichaelMaggs|talk]]) 08:30, 27 May 2013 (UTC) | ||
#If forced to choose I would prefer the latter, definitely. I've no idea what the actual statistics are, but I'd venture a wild guess that 10% of the members in any volunteer organization make 90% of the contributions. Given that our aim is to make free content available to all, spending time encouraging potentially active members who can truly help us achieve that is a more efficient use of limited resources than just trying to make up numbers. On the other hand, we should not ignore numbers entirely, as a large membership provides at the very least a pool of supporters who can spread the word, some of whom might well become active when they see something that grabs their interest. Also, a large membership helps to boost the standing of the charity, its income, and its overall clout. --[[User:MichaelMaggs|MichaelMaggs]] ([[User talk:MichaelMaggs|talk]]) 09:44, 31 May 2013 (UTC) | |||
Revision as of 10:44, 31 May 2013
 |
Hi there! This is the page for you to answer questions posed to you by the members of Wikimedia UK. Press the [edit] button above and then answer the questions in the box below by putting the number of the question and then your answer. |
|
Answers
- WMUK's main challenge over the next couple of years will be to establish its position as a substantial national charity having a respected and leading position both within the UK charity sector and also within the international Wikimedia movement. Building reputation requires an effective board operating to the highest standards of probity that works well with the staff while avoiding the temptation to micromanage the charity's day to day operations. Building a substantial national organization requires focus on enunciating and disseminating both our vision and the benefits of membership throughout all areas of the UK, including the encouragement and support of local groups. --MichaelMaggs (talk) 12:40, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
- I agree that this is likely to pose an an ongoing challenge, and I think it important that the board maintains a very active brief in keeping an eye on the developing relationships between volunteers, board and WMUK staff, and on their respective areas of activity/responsibility. There is currently only a very rudimentary policy in this crucial area, and I would like to see the board give consideration to the development of some general (and obviously flexible) principles that could guide the organization going forward. The board can and should provide a lead where necessary, while being very clear that the purpose of WMUK is to support the community and not vice versa. My experience as a Commons bureaucrat of developing and drafting general principles for community discussion and agreement could well be useful, as could my experience of helping to guide and manage the inevitable changes that were needed in my law firm as it grew from 30 people to around 150. --MichaelMaggs (talk) 08:30, 27 May 2013 (UTC)
- If forced to choose I would prefer the latter, definitely. I've no idea what the actual statistics are, but I'd venture a wild guess that 10% of the members in any volunteer organization make 90% of the contributions. Given that our aim is to make free content available to all, spending time encouraging potentially active members who can truly help us achieve that is a more efficient use of limited resources than just trying to make up numbers. On the other hand, we should not ignore numbers entirely, as a large membership provides at the very least a pool of supporters who can spread the word, some of whom might well become active when they see something that grabs their interest. Also, a large membership helps to boost the standing of the charity, its income, and its overall clout. --MichaelMaggs (talk) 09:44, 31 May 2013 (UTC)