Talk:Conference Committee/Planning meeting 5

Treasurer?

I'm rather confused about why this committee would need a treasurer - what exactly would they be doing that couldn't be dealt with by the Office for finances, and Johnbod as WMUK treasurer? Are you meaning more budget management (as distinct from project management) or similar here? Thanks. Mike Peel (talk) 01:25, 31 July 2012 (UTC)

Comments

I'm not going to make it to this meeting (again, sorry!) due to family circumstances. However just a couple of comments:

• I don't think we need a PCO at all at this stage - it is a waste of money prior to actually obtaining a bid
• £70,000 is way, way, too much for what is being provided. Better to hire a staff member to work on the bid full time at significantly less cost. We have the capability to cover other things (media etc.)
• The main cost we should look at is contracting connectivity at the conference. With that nailed most of the organisation can be done by volunteers nearer the time. This will probably appeal more to the bid judges.
• If we do need a PCO there is plenty of time after the bid is won to contract one. Paying anything before that is no-no.
• We should aim for a mix of proffessional and "chaotic" at the conference. This is a conference for Wikipedians, not a media event. We should use professional approaches to address infrastructure (technology, accomodation, venue, food etc.) as these are things that have suffered from "volunteerism" in the past. But use the usual madcap approach to the conference itself; so as not to lose the feel :)

Cheers --ErrantX (talk) 12:07, 26 August 2012 (UTC)