Wikimedia UK/October 9th 2005 meeting in London

A meeting was held in London to discuss the setting up of Wikimedia UK on Sunday, 9th October, 2005 at The Royal Oak, 44, Tabard Street, London SE1 4JU (Near Borough Tube station, close to London Bridge. (Streetmap pointer)).

Meeting

Attendees

Issues discussed

Whether we need to set up a charity or another form of company or a combination of these.
What the structure of this organisation should be
What possible projects it could engage in

Decisions taken and actions agreed

Probably tripartite structure of charity, company and board of trustees to be set up - LoopZilla to ring Charity Commission helpline to get further insight into what is recommended for our needs.
Aims of the chapter to be defined by next meeting (on IRC)
Bylaws to be written (in a more compact form than they presently are), by November meeting
Board of trustees to be decided, possibly by November meeting - all present agreed to take part in the board, though no roles have formally been agreed
Date set for further meetings - October 16th on IRC, November 27th in London

Prior to meeting

Agenda

Everything on Wikimedia UK (and more) could form part of the discussion, but just to delineate some points.

The creation of Wikimedia UK
The exact form of incorporation (e.g. limited company)
Date and venue for follow up meeting (real or virtual)
Grant opportunities - see Possible projects of Wikimedia UK
Charitable status - pros and cons http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/

Non-attendees

David Gerard 11:03, 6 October 2005 (UTC) - I'm already firmly booked out for Sunday, I'm afraid. Buggre![reply]
The wub, I'd like to attend but I'm just starting at university, so more than a little busy with work and drinking!
Thryduulf I'm visiting relatives in Newcastle all weekend. Would like to have been able to make it :(
:-( Stewartadcock 12:39, 7 October 2005 (UTC)[reply]
Rich Farmbrough Rich Farmbrough 12:47, 7 October 2005 (UTC) Unfortunately not[reply]
notafish }<';> 13:31, 8 October 2005 (UTC) well, London *is* a bit far ;-)[reply]
Scott Keir: regret unable to attend. Recommend company limited by guarantee to start with, where the memo and articles of association are of a chairitable type. Formal registration as a charity takes time, and may require proof that the organisation has been undertaking activities that qualify as charitable - ie it would have to operate for a bit before gaining charity status.

Noted!

Theo (Talk) 09:56, 9 October 2005 (UTC) - Prior engagement from which I have been unable to escape. Agree with Scott although there is no formal need to demonstrate activities. The more important requirement is demonstrated annual income exceeding £1000. The Charities Commission provides model documents. The model MemArts that I have is dated June 2003. There may be a more recent version.[reply]
I won't be able to make it now alas. Agree with what is written above - company limited by guarantee. The only other alternative would be some sort of industrial and provident society. We can get model mems and arts [1] from the charity commission. The last ones do seem to be June 2003. Secretlondon 13:11, 9 October 2005 (UTC)[reply]
VampWillow - Sorry! Will be 'at' follow-up IRC meeting today though.