Of course, it was just a few minutes after I sent my email that I saw that what we posted for 2014-2015 <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Cascadia_Wikimedians/4Q_2014_and_CY_2015_report#Finance_report> .
Peaceray On Wed, Mar 14, 2018 at 6:17 PM, Raymond Leonard < [email protected]> wrote: > Folks, > > First I apologize for the delay in the financial report. I have sent to > the Cascadia Wikimedians board a spreadsheet detailing the activity on our > three BECU accounts & a balance sheet. It requires some tweaking. There are > some two deposits for $210 & a check for $20 for which I was unable to > glean their source / destination. I am hoping our Treasurer can fill the > board in on those items on that email thread. If anyone wants to see the > spreadsheet, let me know & I can forward it to them as well. > > I am somewhat flummoxed that an internal matter to the board & the > Cascadia Wikimedians membership has been discussed on this much broader > list. I am all for transparency, but I think a delayed report got far more > attention than was warranted. It is certainly absurd to contemplate the > dissolution of the organization because of it. > > As far as the comment that I "lack the time and interest to continue with > the Cascadia organization", I would point to my recent activities on behalf > of Cascadia Wikimedians: my presence at the Art+Feminism edit-a-thon at the > Jacob Lawrence Gallery & my attendance at a UW class that Amanda Menking > teaches, both in late February, plus online attendance & support earlier > this month at the Portland Art+Feminism edit-a-thon concentrating on Jewish > women artists (although I ended up helping other edit-a-thons; it was > International Women's Day, after all). I am also attending the Wikimedia > Conference 2018 in Berlin as one of the two Cascadia Wikimedians > representatives. > > I may have different view as to the criteria & priorities about how a user > group functions than some, & am certainly flexible about adjusting those in > concert with anyone who is part of the team actively supporting Cascadia > Wikimedians. > > Now, I need some help in determining where to put the report when finally > finished. I do not see where Wikimedia NYC puts their financial reports (I > don't think it is on meta). I see that Wikimedia DC had put some on meta > several years back. What repositories are other user groups using for > spreadsheets? I am thinking that it would be appropriate to place a more > general balance sheet on meta. > > Yours, > Peaceray > > On Wed, Mar 14, 2018 at 2:25 PM, <[email protected]> wrote: > >> I'm familiar with user groups that operate on $0 funding levels. Here in >> Portland there is the Portland Linux/UNIX Group (aka PLUG), which has >> operated for years with no real source of money -- just volunteer labor & >> donated server resources & using public spaces to meet in. For years it was >> vital to more than the few of us interested in Linux & UNIX, because it was >> one of the venues people interested in technology could meet & exchange >> ideas. PLUG was one reason O'Reilly held their Open Source Conferences in >> Portland for several years. (One restaurant in downtown Portland liked to >> host our meetings because it brought in more customers than their Monday >> Night Football specials.) Nevertheless, the man who led PLUG, David >> Mandell, was well informed about how important being an incorporated >> non-profit was, & had ownership of the incorporation papers for another, >> now defunct, non-profit for the time it made sense that PLUG become a more >> formal organization. >> >> My concern in my previous email was that all of the labor & money to >> become a non-profit was about to be wasted because someone had decided to >> drop out without completing the paperwork to keep the Cascadia UG in good >> standing, both with the Foundation & the State of Washington. Maybe at the >> moment the Cascadia UG doesn't need to be a formal group; that's fine. >> However, there are certain benefits to being a formal organization. Saying >> that one is a member of a formal group opens certain doors that saying, >> "I'm a Wikimedian & I make edits to this Wiki" doesn't. Another benefit is >> that if one needs money to do something, having a formal organization to >> handle the grants or contributions makes life much less complex. >> >> Lane, so if missing a report this year isn't going to sabotage the >> Cascadia UG, that relieves a lot of worry on everyone's part. Although I >> believe it would be good for all in the long run if someone from the >> Foundation were to explain to the person involved that while a volunteer >> can walk away from any of the projects at any time with very little effort, >> there are certain responsibilities in life that when assumed one cannot >> just walk away from before they are done. And the financial reporting is >> one of them. Especially when, in your words, it requires a couple of hours >> a year of work. >> >> One reason I want a Cascadia UG -- or a US Wikimedia Chapter, or some >> kind of formal group in North America -- is that it provides a sense of >> community that an online Wiki fails to provide. For one thing, it's been >> documented that a healthy online community flourishes when there are a lot >> of off-line back-channels. Another is that IMHO a lot of Wikipedians would >> be more interested in advocacy or partnering with outside groups if they >> knew of similar work being done near them; not everyone is eager to be a >> solo pioneer setting off into unexplored territory with no one to support >> or even be aware of their work. Sometimes we simply want to share one of >> the minor successes in making a contribution to Wikipedia (or a similar >> Wikimedia project). The other week I shared with my wife a success in >> getting one of my articles on Roman consuls figured out, only to have her >> blandly reply, "So?" And there's a large amount of unwritten knowledge >> around the Wikimedia projects that either is not documented online, or will >> never be documented online, that each of us knows; sharing it would only >> benefit us all. >> >> I'd also like to hear more about what my fellow Wikimedians are doing. >> Even if it's unrelated to outreach or advocacy. Boast a little on this >> mailing list. Especially since there's no good place on any of the Wikis to >> do this, & we all need to brag a little once in a while. IMHO, doing that >> can inspire others to take on tasks that need doing. >> >> In other words, anyone who spends more than a little time away from the >> computer working on a Wikimedia project knows that such activity is >> socially isolating. This UG could address that issue to some degree. And >> this is why I find watching the Cascadia UG fall apart over a trivial >> matter discouraging. >> >> P.S. To Jason -- Pete Forsyth & I met the other week & were discussing >> ideas about outreach & how to support Wikimedians in ways the Foundation >> either won't do, or is unwilling to do. You should join us in our next >> discussion. One reason I'd like to restart Wikimeetups here in Portland. >> >> Geoff Burling >> en: llywrch >> >> >> On 2018-03-14 09:11, Jonathan Morgan wrote: >> >> Agree with Lane and Joe that we should keep this going since it's easy and >>> valuable. I know I'm not that active, but as long as we're talking about >>> doing what's necessary to keep the organization afloat, rather than >>> active >>> program management and administration, I am happy to use my convenient >>> dual >>> staff/volunteer role to attempt to expedite any necessary communication >>> or >>> coordination stuff between Cascadia and WMF. Let me know. >>> >>> - J >>> >>> On Wed, Mar 14, 2018 at 8:24 AM, Lane Rasberry <[email protected]> >>> wrote: >>> >>> Hello, >>> >>> Pine, I think that you have much higher personal standards for Wiki >>> Cascadia than the Washington Secretary of State has for organizations or >>> than the Wiki Affiliations Committee has for official partner >>> organizations. When you were on the board you set ambitious goals for >>> Wiki >>> Cascadia. Even now with its challenges it ranks favorably against other >>> registered wiki groups, being easily among the top 50%, likely in the top >>> 25%, and perhaps in the top 10%. Most wiki user groups are casual >>> operations and I feel that Wiki Cascadia already accomplishes beyond the >>> norm. I am happy with the ongoing activities of Wiki Cascadia. >>> >>> llywrch - typical Cascadia group events are organized by committees of >>> 2-4 >>> people. The board does not centrally review programs, and instead >>> provides >>> a centralized project space for announcing and reporting any events which >>> are aligned with typical wiki community interests. Wiki Cascadia teams >>> have >>> done some interesting and innovative projects but nothing that I would >>> call >>> radical and in need of thorough oversight. Almost anyone engaged in any >>> wiki project in the region can affiliate with Wiki Cascadia if they like. >>> This governance format is usual for wiki user groups at the ~$0 funding >>> level. >>> >>> If there is any winding down ever, then probably winding down WMF >>> affiliation would come before disbanding as a nonprofit because the WMF >>> has >>> higher standards for reporting than the state government. If Wiki >>> Cascadia >>> stays in good standing with the WMF then it can meet the lower >>> expectations >>> of the state government. >>> >>> The administrative burden for an organization with near 0 budget is >>> about 2 >>> hours/year from the perspective of the Washington Secretary of state. If >>> there are challenges with this then the answer is to pass the work on >>> through the network of Wiki Cascadia supporters. While I personally have >>> been hands-off for administration, I see a lot of value in the >>> organization, and am here to help sustain the organization and identify >>> other board members if there is a crisis and the organization needs some >>> support. There are other people like me who care and would support if >>> asked. >>> >>> I anticipate being in Seattle in mid-April and would meet with anyone to >>> talk about next steps. My schedule is not yet firm, but to the extent >>> that >>> I am able I would show support. There are always ways that I and others >>> would support remotely. >>> >>> Thanks, >>> >>> On Tue, Mar 13, 2018 at 3:46 PM, Pine W <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> Hi Joe, >>> >>> I haven't heard anything from Peacray about this in awhile. However, he >>> appears to be active on English Wikipedia (see >>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Contributions/Peaceray), so I >>> suggest >>> that you ask him on his talk page. >>> >>> The impression that I get is that he and Brian lack the time and interest >>> to continue with the Cascadia organization, and if that is the case and >>> no one else is interested and willing to keep the organization alive, then >>> the organization should be wound down and any remaining assets (like the >>> camera and camcorder) should be handled in the manner that's specified in >>> the >>> bylaws: >>> >>> "ARTICLE XIV - DISSOLUTION >>> "Vote Required. The Corporation may be dissolved by a two-thirds vote of >>> the Board. >>> "Donation of Remaining Assets. Upon the termination, dissolution or final >>> liquidation of the Corporation in any manner or for any reason, its >>> assets, if any, remaining after payment (or provision for payment) of all >>> liabilities of the Corporation, shall be distributed to, and only to, one >>> or more organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable >>> or educational purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt >>> organization or organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code as the >>> Board shall >>> determine by majority vote. Such distribution of assets shall be >>> calculated to carry out the objectives and purposes stated in the Articles >>> of >>> Incorporation. In no event shall any of such assets or property be >>> distributed to any member, Director or Officer, or any private >>> individual." >>> I wish that I had better news. :( >>> >>> Pine >>> ( https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Pine ) >>> >>> On Sun, Mar 11, 2018 at 10:14 AM, Joe Mabel <[email protected]> >>> wrote: >>> It's mid-March. Has something been filed without the Board having a >>> chance to review? Or has nothing been filed? >>> >>> JM >>> >>> On 1/30/2018 8:16 AM, Joe Mabel wrote: >>> >>> Is anything happening on this? >>> >>> JM >>> >>> On 12/29/2017 9:40 AM, Raymond Leonard wrote: >>> >>> Joe & all, >>> >>> I am still working on this. Right now I have a $16.49 discrepancy >>> >> that >> >> I need to figure out before it will balance. >>> >>> Yours, >>> Peaceray >>> -- >>> [email protected] >>> >>> On Wed, Dec 27, 2017 at 11:34 AM, Raymond Leonard < >>> [email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> Joe & all, >>> I've been preoccupied with holiday activities w/family & friends >>> >> since >> >> the annual meeting, & I am currently in Portland. I will be >>> >> returning >> >> to Seattle this afternoon & will work on this, hoping to complete by >>> tomorrow >>> morning at the latest. >>> >>> Peaceray >>> -- >>> >>> [email protected] >>> >>> On Tue, Dec 26, 2017 at 9:56 PM Joe Mabel <[email protected]> >>> >> wrote: >> >> At the annual meeting we were told that the financial statement >>> >> would >> >> be available in time for Board members to review it before the end of >>> >> the >> >> year and sign off. I realize we are just coming out of a holiday, >>> >> but >> >> there are only 5 days remaining in the year, 2 of which are another >>> holiday weekend. If the report has been posted, I don't see where. >>> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Cascadia_Wikimedians/2017_report >>> >> still >> >> says "To be posted." >>> >>> JM >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Wikimedia-Cascadia mailing list >>> [email protected] >>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-cascadia >>> >>> -- Sent from Gmail Mobile >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> >> Wikimedia-Cascadia mailing list >> [email protected] >> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-cascadia >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Wikimedia-Cascadia mailing list >> [email protected] >> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-cascadia >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Wikimedia-Cascadia mailing list >> [email protected] >> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-cascadia >> >> -- >> Lane Rasberry >> user:bluerasberry on Wikipedia >> 206.801.0814 >> [email protected] >> _______________________________________________ >> Wikimedia-Cascadia mailing list >> [email protected] >> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-cascadia >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Wikimedia-Cascadia mailing list >> [email protected] >> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-cascadia >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Wikimedia-Cascadia mailing list >> [email protected] >> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-cascadia >> > > _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-Cascadia mailing list [email protected] https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-cascadia
