1. Wikimedia UK – Governance Review
Chris Keating, Wikimedia UK Chair

2. Background
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Concerns about conflicts of interest in the
community and also reaching the media
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Wikimedia Foundation and Wikimedia UK
jointly commissioned a review
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Covered every aspect of governance. Conflict
of interest was covered – but only part of
the bigger picture

3. Key learnings from those problems
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Think about perceptions not just reality
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Raise problems early within the movement
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Listen to external advice and question your
own assumptions
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Safeguard the community and the Wikimedia
name

4. Process
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Consultants attended Board meetings
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Read all our policies, and had open access to our email
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They interviewed;
– All of the Board
– Some former Board members
– Senior staff inc some from WMF
– Open community call for comments (~10 responses)
–

5. Compass’s “Characteristics”
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Based on survey of 200 major UK charities, modified
for “medium-sized” organisation
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Organisations meet all characteristics gradually not
all in one
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How well does it internationalise...
– Let’s find out!
– Lessons for your chapter?
– Proposals for the future?

6. Compass’s “Characteristics”
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Green is “We fully meet this”
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Yellow is “This is in progress”
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Red is “This hasn’t happened yet”
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WMUK in Nov 2012: 11 Red, 27 Yellow, 20
Green

7. What are our next challenges?
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Increasing the diversity of the Board
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Focusing the Board on strategy and
governance
– Example:
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Better structures to report our impact
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More volunteers and more activity!
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8. What progress have we made?
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Actively recruiting Trustees
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Board has set up governance committees
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General Meeting last weekend said Yes to:
– Larger Board
– Co-opting Trustees with specialist skills
– Changing voting system
–
–

9. Key Learning Points
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Look outside of the movement for expertise and advice
(including for your Board)
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When you have staff, the Board focuses on strategy and
governance
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Policies are not enough: How do you implement them?
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Your relationships, your community and the Wikimedia
movement are your most important assets

10. More Info
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https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_UK/G
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“Good governance: a practical guide for
trustees, chairs and CEOs” – Dorothy
Dalton
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“Managing without Profit” – Mike Hudson
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Email me: chris.keating@wikimedia.org.uk
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