Wikimedia UK started out as Wiki Educational Resources Limited (WER), but due to financial difficulties and other problems the organisation dissolved, and was replaced by Wiki UK Limited. After its first attempt to gain charitable status in 2009 failed, the group subsequently made changes to its charter in order to satisfy the charity criteria, and was recognised as a registered charity in England and Wales in 2011. During the same year, WMUK added full-time staff and established a permanent office in London, England.
The chapter has several collaborations with museums and other institutions, and has organised events for volunteers aimed at adding content to Foundation projects. In its early years, several of the organisation's board members were involved in controversies related to their contributions to Wikipedia, including claims that the Gibraltarpedia collaboration organised by a trustee was being used for promotional purposes.
History
The first iteration of Wikimedia UK (WMUK) was founded as Wiki Educational Resources Limited (WER) and was incorporated on 14 February 2006, with Alison Wheeler serving as chair of the board and Chief Executive Officer of WER.[5][6][7] WER faced several problems during its time as a chapter organisation that included difficulty in its financing efforts and in its relationship with the Wikimedia Foundation (WMF). Its persistent financial difficulties left the organisation with debts it was unable to pay, and on 28 August 2008 Wheeler announced on the WMUK mailing list that she was planning to call an Extraordinary General Meeting to decide on a proposal to dissolve the group.[8] Wiki Educational Resources formally dissolved on 31 March 2009.[5]
Wiki UK Limited was incorporated as a private not-for-profit company under the Companies Act 2006 on 5 November 2008 and, after the WMF terminated recognition of its predecessor, the organisation was officially recognised as a chapter in January 2009.[9][10] It applied for official recognition of charitable status to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) the same year, but was denied. HMRC argued that WMUK's purpose of freely disseminating information through Wikipedia would not qualify as charitable unless it included teaching and education as part of its activities. Andrew Turvey, secretary of the WMUK, responded to the ruling by pledging to seek legal advice before appealing the decision.[11] Following the rejection of its registration-application by HMRC, Wikimedia UK amended its constitution by adopting new Articles of Association derived from an approved model for charitable status and applied to the Charity Commission for registration as a charity, which was granted in November 2011 once WMUK had met the commission's minimum income requirement of £5,000.[12] The Charity Commission had initially rejected WMUK's application as an educational charity, but ultimately was able with a little help from WMUK's legal advisers to register it as a library-resource charity.[13]
A year later, Wikimedia UK hosted the three-day Wikimedia Fundraising Summit in Bristol. Christopher Brown of Bristol 24-7 described this as the first time the group had "hosted an event of this importance to the global movement".[15] The following January, WMUK organised a celebration of the 10th anniversary of Wikipedia's founding at University of Bristol, together with other groups such as the Bristol City Council and Bristol Festival of Ideas. Co-founder Jimmy Wales gave a public lecture at the celebration.[16] During its 2011 annual conference, Wikimedia UK announced its plans to open a permanent office and hire full-time staff within a year.[17]
During its efforts to establish a full-time staff, Wikimedia UK was assisted by several groups and individuals such as the president of Wikimedia Deutschland and prospect-us, a recruitment agency specialising in non-profits, who helped vet candidates for the position of CEO.[18] After introducing the final three CEO candidates to the community at a London 'wikimeet' in September, WMUK announced on the 26th of that month that it had chosen Jon Davies, former CEO of Families Need Fathers, for the position.[19]
In a renewed effort to gain official recognition of charitable status, the board of WMUK had called an EGM to approve amended Objects and related charitable clauses in its Memorandum and Articles of Association pursuant to the advice of their legal team and the Charity Commission.[20] At the meeting, the proposed amendment was passed by a vote of 49 to none.[21] The Commission registered the company as a charity in November 2011, thereby allowing it to claim the Gift Aid tax incentive from HMRC on its donations from UK taxpayers. In its ruling, the Commission said that WMUK provided a "public resource" by supporting public access to information through Wikipedia. As it did not serve the charitable purposes specifically outlined in the 2006 Charities Act, the ruling referred to a provision of the act allowing for considerations based on case law. Jonathan Burchfield, a partner from the law firm that represented WMUK in its application, stated that the ruling was unprecedented in charity law. During the proceedings, the group had to prove to the Commission that there were tight controls over Wikipedia content to prevent abuse. Following the ruling, Wikimedia UK stated it would have a fundraising effort aimed at raising a million pounds to support Foundation projects.[13] The chapter opened its new offices in central London on 14 November, changing its registered address from its previous location in Nottingham.[22][23]
At its 2012 annual conference on 12 May, public relations experts gave a presentation on their efforts to collaborate with Wikimedia. Board member Steve Virgin described these efforts to work with the PR industry as "a positive first step" in establishing best practices to address concerns about the industry's work and conflict of interest editing on Wikipedia.[24] In response to the controversy surrounding Gibraltarpedia, the Wikimedia Foundation announced that it was taking control of UK-based donations to the organisation and was appointing an independent investigator to inquire into WMUK's governance standards and processes.[25][26] The review of WMUK's governance, jointly commissioned by the Wikimedia Foundation and WMUK in October 2012, was carried out by Compass Partnership. The report, released on 7 February 2013, found that the charity's reputation was damaged, and that trustees' conflicts of interest were poorly managed.[27]
Activities
Wikimedia UK has organised or supported many volunteer efforts to contribute to Foundation projects. One such effort was a month-long competition in February 2010 called 'Britain Loves Wikipedia' aimed at increasing the amount of freely licensed images available for use on Wikimedia Commons and Wikipedia. Participants photographed exhibits at participating museums in order to win cash and other prizes.[28] WMUK has sponsored similar events since then, as well as 'edit-a-thons' in order to generate content for Foundation projects.[29][30][31]
The organisation has collaborations with other institutions such as The National Archives and the British Museum, with event attendees given tours of the institutions so that content can be added to Wikipedia and its sister sites. Wikimedia UK has also worked with the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Coventry.[29]
Wikimedia UK also operates QRpedia, which uses QR codes in museums, archives, and other venues, so that people viewing exhibits and collections can instantly see related Wikipedia content on mobile devices, in their preferred language, where available.[17] Rights in QRpedia are owned by Cultural Outreach Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of WMUK. WMUK pledged in 2012 that it would provide support to a six-month programme establishing a full-time paid Wikipedian in Residence position at the British Library, the longest-lasting position of its kind.[32] Its efforts have included support for the Monmouthpedia and Gibraltarpedia projects.[24][33][34]
Controversies
After obtaining charitable status, Wikimedia UK was exposed to controversies that have received international attention.[35]
Chairman resigns
One such case concerned the group's previous chair, Ashley van Haeften. In July 2012, Wikipedia's Arbitration Committee ruled that they had violated policies regarding use of multiple accounts and had behaved in an uncivil manner when faced with concerns about sexually explicit material. Although the Committee stated that van Haeften had been subjected to harassment, it also found that they had not been separating harassment from legitimate criticism. The case resulted in them being banned from contributing to the English Wikipedia for an indefinite period.[36] Despite the results of the case, Wikimedia UK's board supported van Haeften remaining in their position as chair and praised their work with the group. The board's decision was met with criticism from some members of the organisation, who proposed an extraordinary general meeting that would discuss removing them from the board. CEO Jon Davies subsequently announced on 2 August 2012 that van Haeften was resigning from their position as chair to avoid creating division within the organisation.[37] They retained their position as a board member and remained chair of the Wikimedia Chapters Association. Chris Keating was subsequently elected to replace them as chairman of the board.[38][39]
Another member of Wikimedia UK's board of trustees, Roger Bamkin, was exposed to controversy in 2012 due to his involvement with Gibraltarpedia. During the month of August, material about Gibraltar appeared on the front page of Wikipedia 17 times in the "Did you know..." section as a result of the work on Gibraltarpedia. In several instances, Bamkin reviewed these entries and, as he was receiving payment from the government of Gibraltar in connection with his work on Gibraltarpedia, editors raised concerns that the project was using Wikipedia's front page to promote the territory of Gibraltar in exchange for financial compensation.[40][41] Gibraltar's government later stated on 21 September that their contract with Bamkin did not involve him being paid for work on Wikipedia but was limited to providing advice on the QR codes and training volunteers.[42]
Bamkin's involvement with Wikimedia UK as a board member while performing work on the project prompted further concerns about his position with the group. Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales stated on 17 September that, if the claims about paid editing were well-founded, it was inappropriate for Bamkin to sit on the board of Wikimedia UK given its charitable status. Wales then suggested he resign from the board of the organisation or end his work with the government of Gibraltar.[40][41] On 20 September, Bamkin resigned from the board of Wikimedia UK following a mutual decision by the board supporting the move in response to the concerns about Gibraltarpedia.[43][44]
The level of WMUK's participation was also brought into question regarding the situation with Gibraltarpedia.[41] While the organisation does not prohibit paid editing, its support of Bamkin's activities was criticised as potentially inconsistent with its charitable status.[40][45] In a press release following his resignation, the organisation stated that it had provided minimal material support for the effort, that Bamkin had disclosed his commercial interests, and that he had not been involved in the group's decisions regarding the project.[44]
Grant Shapps
In April 2015, a WMUK employee blocked an account on English Wikipedia he claimed was associated with then Chairman of the Conservative PartyGrant Shapps. The employee, a LibDem activist,[46][47] did so after discussing the accusations with The Guardian newspaper using his WMUK email. English Wikipedia's Arbitration Committee censured the editor for his actions, claiming there was "no significant evidence" linking the blocked account to Shapps.[48] In July Shapps filed a Data Protection Act request, asking for WMUK communications concerning him.[47] WMUK sent Shapps 80 pages of data, but claimed that most emails about the incident had been "deleted in the normal course of business". Schapps described the deletion as "highly suspect".[49] In one email released, a member of the WMUK board states "We should be glad that Shapps has a pretty safe seat, because if he lost his seat, we would be open to the accusation that the charity had acted in a partisan manner during an election period".[50] D'Arcy Myers, then interim Chief Executive of WMUK, refused to apologise to Shapps, stating that the charity was "not involved" in the controversy.[47]
Board of trustees
The current Board of Trustees for Wikimedia UK can be found on their site.
Pour les articles homonymes, voir Beslay. Charles Bernardin BeslayFonctionsDéputé d'Ille-et-Vilaine21 juin 1834 - 31 décembre 1838Député des Côtes-d'Armor27 mars 1802 - 25 mai 1834BiographieNaissance 1er septembre 1768DinanDécès 12 octobre 1839 (à 71 ans)DinanNationalité françaiseActivité Homme politiqueEnfant Charles Beslaymodifier - modifier le code - modifier Wikidata Charles Bernardin Beslay est un homme politique français né le 1er septembre 1768 à Dinan (Côtes-d'Armor)…
Questa voce o sezione sugli argomenti singoli R&B e singoli pop non cita le fonti necessarie o quelle presenti sono insufficienti. Puoi migliorare questa voce aggiungendo citazioni da fonti attendibili secondo le linee guida sull'uso delle fonti. Segui i suggerimenti del progetto di riferimento. Questa voce sugli argomenti singoli R&B e singoli pop è solo un abbozzo. Contribuisci a migliorarla secondo le convenzioni di Wikipedia. Segui i suggerimenti del progetto di riferiment…
Voce principale: Football Club Pro Vercelli 1892. Indice 1 Statistiche di squadra 1.1 Partecipazione ai campionati 1.2 Campionati regionali 2 Statistiche individuali 2.1 Lista dei capitani 2.2 Record di presenze 2.3 Record di reti 3 Note Statistiche di squadra Partecipazione ai campionati Livello Categoria Partecipazioni Debutto Ultima stagione Totale 1º Prima Categoria 10 1907-1908 1920-1921 24 Prima Divisione 5 1921-1922 1925-1926 Divisione Nazionale 3 1926-1927 1928-1929 Serie A 6 1929-1930 …
Malaysian politician In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Jahari is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Rosleli. The word bin or binti/binte means 'son of' or 'daughter of', respectively. HajiRosleli JahariKMNرسليلي جاهريMember of the Johor State Legislative Assemblyfor Johor LamaIn office28 June 2018 – 22 January 2022Preceded byAsiah Md AriffSucceeded byNorlizah Noh Personal detailsBornRosleli bin Jahar…
هذه المقالة عن المجموعة العرقية الأتراك وليس عن من يحملون جنسية الجمهورية التركية أتراكTürkler (بالتركية) التعداد الكليالتعداد 70~83 مليون نسمةمناطق الوجود المميزةالبلد القائمة ... تركياألمانياسورياالعراقبلغارياالولايات المتحدةفرنساالمملكة المتحدةهولنداالنمساأسترالياب…
Sports venue in Tallinn TalTech SpordihooneLocationMänniliiva 7, Tallinn, EstoniaCoordinates59°23′36.78″N 24°40′41.29″E / 59.3935500°N 24.6781361°E / 59.3935500; 24.6781361OwnerTallinn University of TechnologyOperatorOÜ TTÜ SPORTCapacityBasketball: 1,000Opened1975TenantsTalTech Basketball (KML) (1985–present) TTÜ VKWebsiteOfficial website The TalTech Sports Hall (Estonian: TalTech Spordihoone) is a multi-purpose indoor arena complex in Mustamäe, Tallinn…
LTC4 LTD4 LTE4 The slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis or SRS-A is a mixture of the leukotrienes LTC4, LTD4 and LTE4. Mast cells secrete it during the anaphylactic reaction, inducing inflammation.[1] It can be found in basophils. It induces prolonged, slow contraction of smooth muscle and has a major bronchoconstrictor role in asthma.[2] Compared to histamine, it is approximately 1000 times more potent and has a slower onset but longer duration of action.[citation needed…
Building at the center of Islam's most important mosque, the Masjid al-Haram This article is about the Islamic holy site in Mecca. For other uses, see Kaba (disambiguation). Kaab redirects here. For other uses, see Kaab (disambiguation). The Kaabaٱلْكَعْبَة (al-Kaʿba)The Kaaba in December 2020ReligionAffiliationIslamRegionMecca ProvinceRiteTawafLeadershipPresident of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques: Abdul Rahman Al-SudaisLocationLocationGreat Mosque of Mecca, Mecca, Hejaz, Saudi A…
Questa voce sull'argomento tennisti statunitensi è solo un abbozzo. Contribuisci a migliorarla secondo le convenzioni di Wikipedia. Frederick Hovey Nazionalità Stati Uniti Tennis Carriera Singolare1 Vittorie/sconfitte Titoli vinti 2 Miglior ranking Risultati nei tornei del Grande Slam Australian Open - Roland Garros - Wimbledon - US Open V (1895) Doppio1 Vittorie/sconfitte Titoli vinti 2 Miglior ranking Risultati nei tornei del Grande Slam Australian Op…
Language Orang SeletarNative toMalaysia, SingaporeEthnicityOrang SeletarNative speakers1,200 (2018)[1]Language familyAustronesian Malayo-PolynesianMalayicMalay?Orang SeletarWriting systemUnwrittenLanguage codesISO 639-3orsGlottologoran1259ELPOrang SeletarOrang Seletar is classified as Critically Endangered by the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger[2] Orang Seletar (Slitar) is a language of the Orang Laut of the south coast of the Malay Peninsula.[1]…
Pour les articles homonymes, voir Galerie nationale. Národní galerie v PrazeGalerie nationale de PragueEntrée du Veletržní palác, annexe des collections contemporaines de la Galerie nationale de Prague.Informations généralesNom local (cs) Národní galerie v PrazeType Musée d'art, structure de recherche (d), musée national (d)Ouverture 5 février 1796Surface 13 500 m2Visiteurs par an 282 800 (2020)Site web www.ngprague.cz/enCollectionsCollections AntiqueClassiqueImp…
American racing driver (born 1985) NASCAR driver Kyle BuschBusch at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2024BornKyle Thomas Busch (1985-05-02) May 2, 1985 (age 39)Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)Weight185 lb (84 kg)Achievements2015, 2019 NASCAR Cup Series Champion2018, 2019 NASCAR Cup Series Regular Season Champion2009 Xfinity Series Champion2008 Southern 500 Winner2015, 2016 Brickyard 400 Winner2018 Coca-Cola 600 Winner2017 Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Rac…
43°07′58″N 79°23′01″W / 43.132654°N 79.383538°W / 43.132654; -79.383538 Ball's Falls also known as Balls Mills, Louthe Mills and Glen Elgin, is a historical ghost town located in what is now a part of Jordan in the Niagara region, Ontario, Canada, which dates back to the early 19th century.[1] It is now preserved as a conservation area operated by the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority.[2] The namesake waterfall of Ball's Falls, Ontario H…
2012 film All God's ChildrenFilm posterDirected byAdrian PopoviciWritten byAdrian PopoviciStarringPaolo SegantiCinematographyVeaceslav CebotariRelease date 19 October 2012 (2012-10-19) (Romania) Running time90 minutesCountryMoldovaLanguagesRomanianItalian All God's Children (Romanian: Toti copiii domnului) is a 2012 Moldovan drama film directed by Adrian Popovici. The film was selected as the Moldovan entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 86th Academy Awards,[1…
Part of a series on theCulture of South Sudan History Anyanya First Sudanese Civil War Addis Ababa Agreement (1972) Second Sudanese Civil War Southern Sudan Autonomous Region 1972–83 2005–11 Comprehensive Peace Agreement 2011 independence referendum United Nations Mission Ethnic violence South Sudanese Civil War Famine (2017) People Languages Cuisine Religion Art Literature Music Media Radio Television Cinema Sport Symbols Flag Coat of arms National anthem vte The culture of South Sudan enco…
Luckau Entidad subnacional Escudo LuckauLocalización de Luckau en Alemania Coordenadas 51°51′00″N 13°43′00″E / 51.85, 13.716666666667Idioma oficial AlemánEntidad Municipio urbano de Alemania • País Alemania • Estado federado Brandeburgo • Distrito Dahme-SpreewaldDirigentes • Alcalde Harry MüllerSuperficie • Total 206,38 km²Altitud • Media 65 m s. n. m.Población (1-10-2006) • Total 10…
International athletics championship event2017 IAAF Diamond LeagueEdition8thDates5 May – 1 SeptemberEvents32Meetings14Individual Prize Money (US$)US$ 8 million← 2016 2018 → The 2017 IAAF Diamond League was the eighth season of the annual series of outdoor track and field meetings, organised by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). It is the first to feature the new championship-style system in which overall event winners are determined only by the results o…