This is a message in two parts. Take a look at the video made by Wikimedia UK’s staff, then read the text from Jon Davies, Wikimedia UK Chief Executive.
2013 is set to be an important year for Wikimedia UK. Having opened our office we are maturing into a leading chapter in the global Wikimedia family.
Thanks to our amazing community we have greatly expanded our range of activities, including Train the Trainers courses, themed editathons, a major education conference and an inspiring Glamcamp at the British Library. Our plans for this year are equally ambitious and include:
- Developing even more partnerships with galleries, libraries, archives and museums,
- Delivering two conferences, one for GLAM topics and one addressing the use of our work at schools and further education.
- Training more volunteers to become trainers themselves
- Supporting a range of Wikipedians in residence developing wiki content in association with a broad range of UK institutions
- …and most of all inspiring people to become editors for the first time.
Our principal aim must be to support and grow our volunteer community – only in that way can we carry out all the work we need to do.
There will be challenges ahead. Delivering our ambitious programme will take a lot of energy.
We also await the report of the independent governance review we commissioned with the Foundation, which is likely to recommend changes to the way we operate.
It is important that we learn from this, but also vital that we do not throw away our commitment to openness and transparency.
And in 2013 we must become direct fundraisers again, so that we can effectively participate in the annual fundraiser appeal. This is vital if we are to take advantage of the gift aid we can gain from donations and build close contacts with our donor community.
If you are in London you will always find a welcome in our offices and staff look forward to attending events all over the country.
In the meantime on behalf of everyone at Wikimedia UK have a prosperous and peaceful new year.