The only way I can think of for verifying identities like this is a credit check. For example, this service offered by Experian:
http://www.experian.co.uk/qas/qas-authenticate.html I'm not sure what that would cost or what data protection restrictions there are on its use. On Nov 19, 2012 4:32 PM, "Katherine Bavage" < [email protected]> wrote: > Hey Harry, > > I'm not sure if ii) *is* easier. Compare the work of verifying members > before every AGM and EGM or merely at the point of joining. > > We don't really have formal check on membership at the moment - no > applicant is asked to prove their residency at their address of that they > have provided their real name. > > In terms of Wikimedia U.K. as a company it is required to keep an accurate > list of members addresses and names ( > http://www.companylawsolutions.co.uk/topics/statutory_registers.shtml#Ins) > (apologies if you knew that already) I don't think it's *required* to > check validity of address. While, the legal view (on whether in creating a > false membership invalidates any voting rights) will be informative, I'm > still not seeing how that is material unless we have a mechanism for ID'ing > false applications. > > Therefore, I still think the key question is one of 'How should we check > those members' names and addresses are valid' in a way that isn't too > invasive, expensive or time consuming. No suggestions yet... > > Kat > > On 19 November 2012 15:19, Harry Burt <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Aren't there really two points here: >> (i) Should we enforce more checks on prospective members? >> (ii) Should we enforce more checks on members before we let them vote at >> AGMs, whether in person or by proxy? >> >> I think the legal question is a good one. Are charities required to do >> neither/either/both? Legal issues aside, surely (ii) but not (i) is the >> easiest by quite a margin. >> >> Harry >> >> -- >> Harry Burt (User:Jarry1250) >> >> >> On Mon, Nov 19, 2012 at 10:54 AM, Katherine Bavage < >> [email protected]> wrote: >> >>> Hi All, >>> >>> At the board meeting on Saturday a valid point was made that currently >>> the verification process for membership applications doesn't really prove a >>> barrier to fraudulent or duplicate applications. >>> >>> I'd like to look at ways of improving this, so as we aim to expand our >>> membership numbers we're also making sure fairness is enshrined in a >>> checking process that means people can only have one vote. >>> >>> If people pay their membership fee with Paypal, this isn't so much of a >>> problem, as having a verified paypal account has already required this >>> person to link their identity to their postal address - but we want to be >>> as open as possible and so there will be people who give us 'a form and a >>> fiver'. >>> >>> What checking processes do we think would be acceptable without being >>> invasive/onerous? At a basic level, we should be confirming that the >>> applicant is the named person at the address given. >>> >>> Please flag up concerns, suggestions for services or resources we can >>> use, and so on. It may be that we can't completely eliminate the risk of >>> fraudulent applications, but we can make it more difficult and provide a >>> measure or reassurance that no individual has more power than any other by >>> being able to vote twice etc . >>> >>> Thanks! >>> >>> -- >>> *Katherine Bavage * >>> *Fundraising Manager * >>> *Wikimedia UK* >>> +44 20 7065 0949 >>> >>> Wikimedia UK is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and >>> Wales, Registered No. 6741827. Registered Charity No.1144513. Registered >>> Office 4th Floor, Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4LT. >>> United Kingdom. Wikimedia UK is the UK chapter of a global Wikimedia >>> movement. The Wikimedia projects are run by the Wikimedia Foundation (who >>> operate Wikipedia, amongst other projects). >>> >>> *Wikimedia UK is an independent non-profit charity with no legal >>> control over Wikipedia nor responsibility for its contents.* >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Wikimedia UK mailing list >>> [email protected] >>> http://mail.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l >>> WMUK: http://uk.wikimedia.org >>> >>> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Wikimedia UK mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://mail.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l >> WMUK: http://uk.wikimedia.org >> >> > > > -- > *Katherine Bavage * > *Fundraising Manager * > *Wikimedia UK* > +44 20 7065 0949 > > Wikimedia UK is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and > Wales, Registered No. 6741827. Registered Charity No.1144513. Registered > Office 4th Floor, Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4LT. > United Kingdom. Wikimedia UK is the UK chapter of a global Wikimedia > movement. The Wikimedia projects are run by the Wikimedia Foundation (who > operate Wikipedia, amongst other projects). > > *Wikimedia UK is an independent non-profit charity with no legal control > over Wikipedia nor responsibility for its contents.* > > > _______________________________________________ > Wikimedia UK mailing list > [email protected] > http://mail.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l > WMUK: http://uk.wikimedia.org > >
_______________________________________________ Wikimedia UK mailing list [email protected] http://mail.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l WMUK: http://uk.wikimedia.org
