Wikipedia:Education Board/Meetings/2013/1/Minutes

See Wikipedia:Wiki Education Foundation for more current information on the organization that these pages refer to.

Meeting info

• Date: Jan 28, 2013
• Time: 5:00pm PST
• Location: Google Hangout
• Attendees: Board Members:
  • Bob Cummings, Diana Strassmann, Mike Christie, PJ Tabit, Rebecca Burdette, Mike Cline, Pat Earley, Richard Knipel, Jami Mathewson
  • Wikimedia Foundation: Annie Lin

Update on status of current projects

• In person board meeting: Bob briefly described the status of arrangements for the in person meeting in Oxford. Details about shuttles from Memphis are still being worked out.

• Legal incorporation of WMEF-USCA: Diana reviewed the board’s options regarding engaging legal counsel: (i) using Douglas Varley of Caplin and Drysdale, Chartered or (ii) engaging pro bono legal counsel. Diana reported that Douglas Varley estimates fees of $14,500, which would include 6 hours of his time and 33 hours of an associate.
  • Potential timing issues were raised and it was agreed that pro bono counsel would be the best plan if the work can be completed within our timeline. Diana agreed to approach potential pro bono counsel once our timeline has been agreed to see if the firm can meet our deadlines. She pointed out potential advantages, including more board input into the bylaws, of using pro bono counsel. Richard mentioned that his chapter successfully used pro bono counsel from Simpson, Thatcher, and Bartlett. Mike Christie pointed out various complex timing issues and it was agreed that establishing a timeline of tasks was necessary and urgent for moving forward.

• Thematic Organization Proposal: Jami provided an update on the status of work on the affiliations proposal. While we wait for feedback from WMF, we are starting to clarify the details of proposing a thorg. Richard Knipel and Patrick Earley agreed to help, especially by discerning whether we can apply before having final, legal bylaws of incorporation.

• Budget Plan for Phase II: PJ reviewed his proposed budget and grant proposal for funds for Phase II. There was general consensus that he had done a terrific job with these. Discussion ensued on details and we agreed to continue discussions on wiki. Once the timeline has been agreed, we can establish a deadline for modifications and final approval by the board.

• On-wiki document re community member involvement in the development of WMEF-USCA: Mike Christie explained that it was not realistic to move forward with community member involvement until the Thorg was formally established as an organization.

• Board Communication: Jami said that we do not yet have an internal board wiki. We briefly discussed whether we will all agree to use a Wikimedia mailing list for future discussions (to have public records on-wiki), and we agreed we will decide in-person. We will also discuss the possibility of a separate wiki that is still public but useful for all program participants.

• Board member work, assignments, and collaboration: Discussion ensued regarding tasks, including creating a timeline, deciding on additional tasks, allocating board members to tasks, and reminders about work. It was agreed to postpone detailed decisions about how we work together to our in person meeting. However, we agreed to begin collaborating immediately regarding a timeline.

• Diana and Bob will work on an agenda for the in person meeting and will post it on-wiki for suggestions and input from board members.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 pm PST.