IT Development/Technology committee meetings/Minutes 2015-06-08
Attendees
- Harry Burt (HB) (chair)
- Michael Maggs (MM)
- Charles Matthews (CM)
- Richard Nevell (RN)
- Richard Symonds (RS)
- Doug Taylor (DT)
Apologies
Emmanuel Engelhart and Mike Peel sent their apologies
Meeting began at 16.17
Chair of the meeting
It was agreed that HB would chair the meeting
Minutes of the previous meeting
There were no objections to the minutes
Matters arising from the previous minutes, not otherwise covered on this agenda
The matter of purchasing wikimedia.uk raised at the previous meeting was discussed. RS explained that the handover of domain management accounts has led to a delay in carrying out the action. HB proposed buying it, seconded by CM. Approved nem com. Action carried over from the previous meeting.
DECISION: to purchase wikimedia.org.uk domain
ACTION: RS to action
Volunteer strategy consultation
The information circulated about working groups would mean that the committee was changed into a working group. MM explained that the motivation was to build cooperation between staff and volunteers. The hope is that groups will be formulated by volunteers and move in the direction they are inclined, rather than through top-down management where the charity creates committees and seeks membership. The working groups would not make formal decisions, but would be expected to work on projects to a stage where they could be approved.
DT felt that this would introduce bureaucracy to the process of volunteering, which might disincentive participation. Introducing an approval committee to oversee recommendations would create a delay in implementation of activities. Current non-board committees can recommend spending, but not approve it. CM felt that a more dynamic purpose for the work groups might lead to more activity and progress.
CM had previously volunteered to speak about technology at the volunteer strategy day, and will facilitate the part of the day about project incubation.
DT suggested updating the out-of-date description of the committee's key roles on https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Technology_Committee ahead of the volunteer strategy gathering.
Launchpad
Since the last meeting https://launchpad.wikimedia.org.uk/ has been set up; content pending. HB suggested it could be used to showcase the work of UK developers which didn't necessarily involve WMUK as a way of demonstrating what could be done and improving relations with contacts.
ACTION: HB to work on the content of Launchpad and then to involve the committee in the process
Moodle
The issue of self-enrolment was discussed. CM will switch on the ability for people to self-enrol. The next step after that is to set up a training portal on the WUMK wiki to build the VLE into trainer workflow.
ACTION: CM to enable self-enrolment on Moodle
RN suggested contacting people who had been to editathons in the last six to eight moths to drive VLE participation. CM said this might produce a small amount of maintenance but it is up to the office how to use the VLE.
Date and chair of next meeting
A meeting ahead of the volunteer strategy gathering was mooted. DT suggested that te role of the committee or its successor should be a matter of consideration for the committee. Review of the committee's activity could be covered in the next meeting.
ACTION: RN to circulate a poll to establish date (between 6th and 15th July)
DECISION: HB to chair the next meeting
AOB
Moving to Skype for the next meeting.
DECISION: Skype will be used as the platform for the next meeting
Meeting closed at 17.28