Wikimedia Chapters Agreement

We've received word today from Mike Godwin, chief legal council of the WMF, that the first draft of the new Wikimedia Chapters agreement is nearing completion, and parts have been posted on the internal wiki to solicit feedback from the existing chapters.

I haven't read the new agreement yet myself (I will soon) and I probably don't feel comfortable talking about the details until we get closer to an "official" version of it, but I can say that from what I've heard it's going to be a huge step forward in the way the WMF and the chapters interact. I hear tell that the document is longer and more legally precise, which is going to help immensely with many of the common questions and uncertaintys that were present in the old "classic" chapters agreement.

I don't currently know how the new agreement is to be rolled out, whether existing chapters will have to sign the new agreement or not. Again, I haven't read it and probably won't give out any details till it's time.

So things are moving forward in the world of WMF chapters, and that's always a good thing.

Wikimedia UK Pictures

Short update to my post from yesterday about WM UK. Apparently some pictures of the meeting have been posted on Flickr. Very cool stuff, and it's good to see so many people getting involved.

As a general note: If you have chapters-related news that you want me to post here on this blog, please send it to me and I'll be happy to post it.

Wikimedia UK in 2009

Just received word that Wikimedia UK has elected a new board of directors:

• Zeyi He
• Thomas Holden
• Michael Peel
• Joseph Seddon
• Andrew Turvey
• Steve Virgin
• Paul Williams

There has been some bad news this week too with their legal situation, apparently there have been some setbacks in becoming a registered charity. Hopefully it's just a small delay however, and I'll post more details as I get them.

Wikipedia Invades La Plata Natural History Museum

Heard a press release today about Wikimedia Argentina participating in a photo scavenger hunt, similar to the "Wiki Loves Art" event that WM NYC has done in the past. More evidence that the activity is really a great idea, and there is so much potential for Wikimedia chapters to get involved with local museums to benefit the open-content movement.

Wikimedia Argentina is the same group that's working hard to organize Wikimania 2009, so they're a busy little group. I'm looking forward to seeing what kinds of events and activities they organize in the future.

Wikimedia Portugal

We've received notice today that Wikimedia Portugal has posted an English-language translation of their new bylaws on Meta, and have submitted them to Chapcom for initial review. I'll post more information about this as the situation progresses.

WM Denmark

Earlier today the Chapcom received bylaws from a new group in Denmark. Check out their bylaws on Meta. We're waiting on some more information from them before we start a formal review. I'll post more information as we have it.

Wikimedia Ukraine

I've just received word that a new group from Ukraine has posted their bylaws on Meta. The Chapcom has just gotten them, so I can't say what the committee will say, but it's possible that we could have a new WM Ukraine chapter in 2009.