Re: [Wikimediaau-l] Funding Query
well some that come to mind https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Freo - Freopedia only cost for WMAU has been Craig to Perth for the Launch, and from reports was well recieved at Wikimania in Hong Kong... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wikipedia_Takes_Waroona, prelude to a Wikitown there. then there 2 of us doign a workshop tomorrow in Toodyay, and 3 of us being part of the Shire of Toodyay demostrations on Saturday for a third WikiTown there -- WMAU approved $200 to cover some expenses but well below the true costs of running the two add to that, the work of SatuSuro https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wiki_Takes_Western_Australian_Wheatbelt_Railways_2013 and to that a larger Wheatbelt project... Its not talking about ideas thats going to change things it needs more people to get out there and do things, Gideon On 8 October 2013 10:39, Adam Jenkins adam.jenk...@gmail.com wrote: I realised one big mistake in the wording of my email. The question as to what projects we can put into place is not intended at the committee as such, but for everyone interested. I've started talking to people about some ideas, but I'm wondering how we, as WMAU, can work out some really good projects to put us into a position where we exceed the WMF's expectations, and what ideas to do so we can come up with. :) Adam. On 8 October 2013 11:50, Leigh Blackall leighblack...@gmail.com wrote: kickstarter? I think it now does Australian projects... On Tue, Oct 8, 2013 at 12:12 PM, Adam Jenkins adam.jenk...@gmail.com wrote: Hi! Thanks for explaining things. I need to say upfront that I'm not trying to raise doubts about the ARC linkage grant. But from reading the replies, we are currently in the process of committing $140k over three years based on existing funds of (at best) $75k. I disagree that we should be tackling this on the understanding that we can pull out in subsequent years - it would be very unusual for that to be permitted, as it would leave the university with insufficient funds to complete the research. If that happened, the university would have to convince another partner to cover the remaining funds, reduce the research scope, or cancel the project. If cancelled, we damage our reputation with partner institutions as well as losing any money previously invested. If a partner steps up, we damage our reputation. We need to go into this with the intent of being committed for the full amount, not with the belief that we are able to pull out if the funds don't materialise. So from what you are saying, we are in trouble. Not as much trouble as we would be if the $50k payment was still expected in 2014, but not in a nice place. We have only half the funds needed to meet existing (or at least in process) commitments over the next three years, (and are short of having enough funds to meet our commitments in the next two years), have no additional funds to spend on new projects unless we pull the money from the linkage grant commitment (which will increase the risk of defaulting) or pull out of that project (which we certainly do not want to do), and are being told that we would be unsuccessful in getting funds through the major funding body (the FDC) that has been providing grants to the Chapters. Going on the assumption that we should move forward with the linkage grant, (which we should do), we need to guarantee at least $10k from the WMF or the FDC to meet the 2015 commitment, assuming no additional expenditure, and $50k to meet 2016. This will be difficult, in that I gather there will not be a deliverable until 2017, so we need to present this as a three year program instead of focusing on the annual grant model, or we will need to show metrics which can be applied each year. This is especially problematic for us as the measuring tools linked to do not seem to work well for this sort of project. That said, I don't think that any of this is impossible. So back to my initial question, how do we tackle this? At worst, we need funding through Round 1 of the 2014/2015 FDC grants process, which means we need to be in a position to successfully request funding by September next year, or be assured that we can get funds for our needs through an alternative grants process by the end of 2015. Thus, what projects can we put in place that either require no funding or very limited funding, will be fully completed by September 2014, (including all reporting requirements and metrics), and will be impressive enough as a set to justify a large grant for an unusual project? And if we do need more funding for these projects, how much time do we need to factor in so as to go through the grants process with the WMF, or do we risk pulling funds from those currently committed? I should also add that I think that the committee and members have done some great work over the last year. I think part of the problem is that we haven't been informing the WMF of
[Wikimediaau-l] Fwd: Funding Query
Hi, I just want to endorse Gnangarra's final comment here as well - the best way to get projects going is to get out and do them. I was at a very interesting Wikimania presentation given by Asaf Bartov in Hong Kong where he posited that you needed at least five people involved in a project for it to have good prospects of success. The projects that Gnangarra is spearheading in WA meet that criteria, but I would really like to see more projects being offered up that everyone across the country could get excited about and make meaningful contributions to, preferably without needing to leave the comfort of their own home. On the flipside, if you sit around waiting for someone else to take the initiative and do the hard work on that project you think is really important, then you might just be waiting for a long time ;-). The primary constraint for Wikimedia Australia in the past couple of years has been volunteer time, not money. I expect that that will continue to be the case for the next twelve to eighteen months at least. Cheers, Craig On 8 October 2013 20:38, Gnangarra gnanga...@gmail.com wrote: well some that come to mind https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Freo - Freopedia only cost for WMAU has been Craig to Perth for the Launch, and from reports was well recieved at Wikimania in Hong Kong... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wikipedia_Takes_Waroona, prelude to a Wikitown there. then there 2 of us doign a workshop tomorrow in Toodyay, and 3 of us being part of the Shire of Toodyay demostrations on Saturday for a third WikiTown there -- WMAU approved $200 to cover some expenses but well below the true costs of running the two add to that, the work of SatuSuro https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wiki_Takes_Western_Australian_Wheatbelt_Railways_2013 and to that a larger Wheatbelt project... Its not talking about ideas thats going to change things it needs more people to get out there and do things, Gideon ___ Wikimediaau-l mailing list Wikimediaau-l@lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaau-l
[Wikimediaau-l] Other Projects from the West
Notification and FYI to mailing list As I am currently an applicant - please note that https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:IEG/Wiki_Takes_and_GLAM_in_reverse a rough to be edited proposal is in process at meta any comments, feedback etc - please contact satus...@gmail.com also for those who know me personally - please I would prefer to be known by my wikipedia user name for the moment also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wiki_Takes_Western_Australian_Wheatbelt_Railways_2013 is also under way cheers satus...@gmail.com ___ Wikimediaau-l mailing list Wikimediaau-l@lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaau-l
Re: [Wikimediaau-l] Fwd: Funding Query
The primary constraint for Wikimedia Australia in the past couple of years has been volunteer time, not money. I expect that that will continue to be the case for the next twelve to eighteen months at least. Perhaps part of the problem was that we did take that attitude, and it is true that an ongoing lack of volunteers has been a major problem with events. We need to address that. However, now that we are overcommitted on funds, we need to keep both volunteers and money in mind. Until we can secure funding, we need to focus heavily on value for money. The WA projects have been wonderful in this regard. On 8 October 2013 12:11, Craig Franklin cfrank...@halonetwork.net wrote: Hi, I just want to endorse Gnangarra's final comment here as well - the best way to get projects going is to get out and do them. I was at a very interesting Wikimania presentation given by Asaf Bartov in Hong Kong where he posited that you needed at least five people involved in a project for it to have good prospects of success. The projects that Gnangarra is spearheading in WA meet that criteria, but I would really like to see more projects being offered up that everyone across the country could get excited about and make meaningful contributions to, preferably without needing to leave the comfort of their own home. On the flipside, if you sit around waiting for someone else to take the initiative and do the hard work on that project you think is really important, then you might just be waiting for a long time ;-). The primary constraint for Wikimedia Australia in the past couple of years has been volunteer time, not money. I expect that that will continue to be the case for the next twelve to eighteen months at least. Cheers, Craig On 8 October 2013 20:38, Gnangarra gnanga...@gmail.com wrote: well some that come to mind https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Freo - Freopedia only cost for WMAU has been Craig to Perth for the Launch, and from reports was well recieved at Wikimania in Hong Kong... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wikipedia_Takes_Waroona, prelude to a Wikitown there. then there 2 of us doign a workshop tomorrow in Toodyay, and 3 of us being part of the Shire of Toodyay demostrations on Saturday for a third WikiTown there -- WMAU approved $200 to cover some expenses but well below the true costs of running the two add to that, the work of SatuSuro https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wiki_Takes_Western_Australian_Wheatbelt_Railways_2013 and to that a larger Wheatbelt project... Its not talking about ideas thats going to change things it needs more people to get out there and do things, Gideon ___ Wikimediaau-l mailing list Wikimediaau-l@lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaau-l ___ Wikimediaau-l mailing list Wikimediaau-l@lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaau-l
Re: [Wikimediaau-l] Funding Query
Hi Adam and All, We don't have a shortage of ideas for things to do - I organised all the current proposals herehttp://www.wikimedia.org.au/wiki/Proposal:List_of_proposals_for_2014_planning_processso that if we had spare resources or time (ha! is that likely?) we could prioritise them and plan, or at the very least, see where there were duplications. If we had resources, would need a planning process to prioritise and plan routinely. Otherwise, as people are saying, we get out there and do it. It helps if we use a good, reliable process and a known place on our website where we could see what people are doing so people can come along. On this subject, with some apology, I grab this opportunity to advertise our forthcoming backstage pass and edit-a-thon http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/World_War_I_edit-a-thons/Australiaat SLNSWhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:GLAM/State_Library_of_New_South_Waleson 23 November. Please put your name down (for catering purposes) and come along or participate! The curators want to meet you. The Evaluation and Grants teams are looking for data about programs and activities and we will need to plan to gather our data up front. I think their current spreadsheet is not user-friendly and will be sending send some feedback about it. Whiteghost.ink On 9 October 2013 05:23, Manuel Schneider manuel.schnei...@wikimedia.chwrote: Dear all, I hope nobody is surprised or worried by seeing a stranger speaking up on this list. I've been subscribed here since the inauguration of this list and been a silent observer for most of the time. My home is Germany, my fellow chapters are Austria and Switzerland. I understand well the concerns of already existing commitments and the bad outlooks towards FDC and the chapter's reputation. Maybe I can offer a compromise: The Wikimedia Grants program is great for funding projects and chapters not able or willing to cope with the FDC. WMAU could apply for individual grants for individual projects. So it won't be a global yes or no, either funding a huge budget you'd have to come up with 1,5 years beforehand or not funding anything, like in the past. It also saves you from the hassles of the FDC process and, by the way, may help to improve your chapter's reputation within the WMF! Small projects with planned inputs, outputs and outcomes as Whiteghost states it are doable with grants. Each successful project will represent a successful grant and create a positive track record, not only within your community, also with the WMF grantmaking team and also publicly on Meta. It also allows you to adjust your projects and commitments to your growth and possibilities. Maybe even the research project - or parts of it, if they can be divided into packages with outcomes - may be granted that way. FDC is meant for chapters with staff, even the FDC staff states so. AFAIK WMAU has no staff, so it would be really hard to deal with all the requirements of the FDC - design of programs with measurable results, evaluation of all programs, budgets, control systems, audit through WMF, reporting requirements etc. For bigger chapters with an existing infrastructure FDC is great, because most of the processes are already in place or need to be in place if you have staff anyway and FDC makes sure you can operate at full scale for a full year. For small chapters FDC is a nightmare and grants are much better to allow people to concentrate on certain projects and get them done well. There is one gap between the two programs though: Grants normally don't cover staff. We had grants approved with contractors, so to make the shift from grants to FDC one either manages to create programs including all the evaluation part, the budget and the FDC proposal with volunteers and hires staff right after approval, or one uses contractors or an exceptional grant, designed to bridge that gap and get the right person on board to help with the FDC process later. If it is clear to the GAC and the WMF grantmaking team that a chapter will manage a positive FDC proposal they are likely to approve such an exception as a grant. If someone - chapter or volunteers - need help with a Grant request or someone of you happen to be in Europe - please contact me. In case I help making a grant request please note that I will abstain from handling it at the GAC to avoid conflict of interest. Regards, Manuel -- Wikimedia CH - Verein zur Förderung Freien Wissens Lausanne, +41 (21) 34066-22 - www.wikimedia.ch ___ Wikimediaau-l mailing list Wikimediaau-l@lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaau-l ___ Wikimediaau-l mailing list Wikimediaau-l@lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaau-l
Re: [Wikimediaau-l] Fwd: Funding Query
I think to get more volunteers involved we need a way to communicate with more volunteers. There appear to be many people in the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Wikipedians_in_Australia and its various sub-categories, sub-sub-categories etc. Perhaps we should talk to them on-wiki and see if we can get them to join this mailing list. Then at least we might have a better way to communicate to them about events and projects, such as Freopedia. I won't go so far as to call it a membership drive, but at least let's try and recruit more sympathisers. Also, Adam mentioned using Meetup http://australia.meetup.com/cities/au/ as a way to perhaps attract new people to local events. If you are not familiar with Meetup, it sends people who are signed up a weekly (I think) email about events coming up that seem to match their interests based on past registration or that their friends (Facebook or whatever you've been been willing to share with it) are registered for. The site seems have a lot of geeky kinds of groups and events so this might be a good place to recruit. The other similar thing that we might use is EventBrite: http://www.eventbrite.com/ which is similar (probably a bit more focussed on ticketing) but it's used a lot by State Library of Queensland and other libraries, so again it might be a way to reach into communities who engage with libraries who might have some natural sympathies with Wikipedia. AFAIK, both of the above sites are free to use for free events (which fits pretty much everything we do). Of course, if we start recruiting from outside of WMF sites, we must remember that we are likely recruit people without editing skills so we must have a plan to address this. Kerry _ From: wikimediaau-l-boun...@lists.wikimedia.org [mailto:wikimediaau-l-boun...@lists.wikimedia.org] On Behalf Of Craig Franklin Sent: Tuesday, 8 October 2013 10:12 PM To: Wikimedia-au Subject: [Wikimediaau-l] Fwd: Funding Query Hi, I just want to endorse Gnangarra's final comment here as well - the best way to get projects going is to get out and do them. I was at a very interesting Wikimania presentation given by Asaf Bartov in Hong Kong where he posited that you needed at least five people involved in a project for it to have good prospects of success. The projects that Gnangarra is spearheading in WA meet that criteria, but I would really like to see more projects being offered up that everyone across the country could get excited about and make meaningful contributions to, preferably without needing to leave the comfort of their own home. On the flipside, if you sit around waiting for someone else to take the initiative and do the hard work on that project you think is really important, then you might just be waiting for a long time ;-). The primary constraint for Wikimedia Australia in the past couple of years has been volunteer time, not money. I expect that that will continue to be the case for the next twelve to eighteen months at least. Cheers, Craig On 8 October 2013 20:38, Gnangarra gnanga...@gmail.com wrote: well some that come to mind https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Freo - Freopedia only cost for WMAU has been Craig to Perth for the Launch, and from reports was well recieved at Wikimania in Hong Kong... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wikipedia_Takes_Waroona, prelude to a Wikitown there. then there 2 of us doign a workshop tomorrow in Toodyay, and 3 of us being part of the Shire of Toodyay demostrations on Saturday for a third WikiTown there -- WMAU approved $200 to cover some expenses but well below the true costs of running the two add to that, the work of SatuSuro https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wiki_Takes_Western_Australian_Wheatb elt_Railways_2013 and to that a larger Wheatbelt project... Its not talking about ideas thats going to change things it needs more people to get out there and do things, Gideon ___ Wikimediaau-l mailing list Wikimediaau-l@lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaau-l
