Also, if anyone's interested in the latest news on Wikimedia UK's governance, do have a look at our most recent governance audit - further info here:
https://blog.wikimedia.org.uk/2014/11/final-report-on-wikimedia-uk-governance-released/ Some quotes include; *“The charity has very largely addressed the 50 recommendations found within the original review. WMUK has developed very quickly, and the charity has clearly put a lot of effort into ensuring that its governance now meets best practice expectations. It has a cohesive, skilled and experienced board in place. They have a clear understanding of the charity’s vision and mission”.* *“For the stage that Wikimedia is in its life cycle it compares well with similar UK charities. Its transparency about its procedures is a beacon of best practice, and its conflicts of interest procedures are robust and well-tested”.* Regards, Chris On Fri, Dec 5, 2014 at 6:22 PM, Michael Maggs <mich...@maggs.name> wrote: > Hi Nick > > Over the last few years the Foundation has decisively moved away from > allowing local chapters to take part in the on-screen fundraiser, > preferring to centralise the work in spite of the loss of the available > local tax reliefs (such as Gift Aid in the UK). Many chapters, including > the UK, would have liked to have been part of the fundraiser, but the > previous ED, Sue Gardner, determined that that would not be permitted. > WMUK regretted that decision, and we responded to it here: > https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Open_letter_to_Sue_Gardner. > > We accept that decisions such as these are entirely within the WMF's > remit, and we are now actively working on improving our ability - as > recommended by the Foundation and the FDC - to seek charitable funds > directly from local sources, on which we can reclaim Gift Aid. > > Best regards > > Michael > > ____________ > Michael Maggs > Chair, Wikimedia UK > > Nick Birse <mailto:w...@nbir.se> >> 5 December 2014 17:28 >> >> I don't want to be seen to be taking sides and don't intend to become >> embroiled in WMUK internal politics (which is why I've never joined the >> chapter). >> >> I've never received an explanation as to why around $500,000 of Gift Aid >> is >> out of reach and unavailable to either WMUK or WMF, despite asking this be >> dealt with at Wikimania 2014. >> >> Are there easily explainable circumstances, legislation changes or new >> rules which prevent donations to WMF to be processed in such a way as to >> be >> eligible to collect Gift Aid ? >> >> If not, why hasn't WMF set up a British office to collect this money in >> the >> UK and/or why isn't WMUK processing payments and collecting Gift Aid this >> year ? This is a significant portion of what WMF will spend in the UK (via >> WMUK's request from the FDC) and would have made up to $500,000 available >> to spend elsewhere, either UK and/or globally. >> >> The Institute of Fundraising suggests overseas charities fundraising in >> the >> UK should find a British charity that can act as a strategic partner, or >> have a local office (see >> http://www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk/guidance/ >> about-fundraising/raising-money-for-charities-abroad/ >> ). I understand the structure is quite different, but Greenpeace does this >> through the UK based "Greenpeace Environmental Trust" which is a >> registered >> charity and which can collect Gift Aid. The donations + Gift Aid are then >> passed to "Greenpeace International" in Amsterdam, and that funds things >> like the "Rainbow Warrior". >> >> I would also appreciate analysis being conducted to see if the loss of >> Gift >> Aid has deterred people in the UK from donating, because not collecting >> Gift Aid is bad enough, but also losing donations would be entirely >> unforgivable. >> >> Kind Regards, >> Nick >> _______________________________________________ >> Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/ >> wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines >> Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org >> Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, >> <mailto:wikimedia-l-requ...@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe> >> > _______________________________________________ > Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/ > wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines > Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org > Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, > <mailto:wikimedia-l-requ...@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe> > _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, <mailto:wikimedia-l-requ...@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe>
