Re: Another perspective

Nathan wrote:
> Thanks Florence. I agree that the financial relationship, if there is a
> formal one, between the Foundation and Chapters should be clarified as soon
> as possible.
>
> I'll throw out a couple of reasons why the Chapters receive less attention
> to their finances, though:
>
> 1) the chapters have no assets other than donations, i.e. no control over
> Wikimedia projects

The only real assets from that perspective, are the trademarks. One
could envision a chapter becoming big enough to be able to host a sad
abandonned Wikipedia if the Foundation gets in trouble.
The moral control only go as far as the community wants to give control.

> 2) laws regulating the chapters are known only to those who are likely to be
> members, and may have no relation to what I at least am familiar with
> regarding US law

True, but that does not lessen the interest of controls... not counting
that we might have a US chapter in the future :-)
Also, even on this list, there are many who are more familiar, say, with
UK law than with US law (eg, frequent discussion over libel issues in UK).

> 3) discussions about controls and etc. are probably more likely to be found
> on chapter mailing lists, rather than Foundation-l.

Correct. I just launched a discussion over COI policy on the french
chapter list :-)
However, if we turn out to really be a global mouvement, might be worth
including such requirements in chapter approval.

> 4) If a Chapter crashes and burns and its founders go to jail, the effect on
> the Foundation will be in the area of public relations only, and then
> possibly not significant. (aside from any lost donation income from that
> chapter).

If a board member of Wikimedia Foundation (even Jimmy) goes to jail, the
effect on the Foundation will be only in the area of public relations...

> There are others, I'm sure. Still, I think clarifying the expectations of
> the community and Foundations regarding management issues is important. The
> power of the Foundation may be no more than formal disassociation and
> revoking, if possible, permission to use marks of Wikimedia. That, at least,
> will help with any PR fallout.

Nod

Ant

> Nathan
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