Frequently asked questions

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'''Wikimedia Australia Inc.''' (also known as WMAU) is the Australian chapter of the [[wikimedia:Main Page|Wikimedia Foundation]]. The Wikimedia Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation which provides several online collaborative ''wiki'' projects, most notably [[wikipedia:Main Page|Wikipedia]], an internet-based encyclopaedia which is the largest and most popular reference website and one of the top ten most-visited websites worldwide.
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'''Wikimedia Australia Inc.''' (also known as WMAu) is the Australian chapter of the [[wikimedia:Main Page|Wikimedia Foundation]]. The foundation is a non-profit organisation that provides almost 300 online collaborative ''wiki'' projects, most notably [[wikipedia:Main Page|Wikipedia]], an internet-based encyclopaedia which is the world's largest and most popular reference website and one of the top 10 most visited websites globally. Together, the foundation's sites are visited about 15,000 times a second.


'''[[w:Australian Business Number|ABN]]:''' 74 761 792 996<br />'''[[w:Consumer Affairs Victoria|Consumer Affairs Victoria]] Registration No.:''' A0051923E
'''[[w:Australian Business Number|ABN]]:''' [http://www.abr.business.gov.au/SearchByAbn.aspx?SearchText=74761792996 74 761 792 996]<br />'''[[w:Consumer Affairs Victoria|Consumer Affairs Victoria]] Registration No.:''' A0051923E


== What is the mission of the Chapter ? ==
==So, what's your mission? ==
We have three main aims:
* to organise, support and participate in educational and social events that promote the development of [[w:Free content|free cultural works]] and related open-source software systems, in particular, wikis;
* to increase public awareness, support and participation in the projects hosted by the [[foundation:|''Wikimedia Foundation'']] (WMF);
* to develop resources to assist Australians to create and maintain free cultural works.


The purpose of the organisation is to:
WMAu is recognised by the foundation as a [[foundation:Local chapters|official chapter]]; so we provide our members with an official voice in the global Wikimedia community, whose aim is to create no less than the sum of human knowledge, and to make available ''gratis'' related free resources for use by anyone throughout the world.
* Organise, support and participate in educational and social events that promote development of Free Cultural Works and related open source software systems, in particular ''wikis''.
* Increase public awareness, support and participation in the projects hosted by the [[wikimedia:Main Page|''Wikimedia Foundation'']] (WMF).
* Develop resources to assist Australians in the creation and maintenance of Free Cultural Works.


Wikimedia Australia is recognised by the Wikimedia Foundation as a 'official chapter' and as such will offer members an official voice in the global Wikimedia community, whose aim is to create unencumbered resources for use throughout the world.
There are now around 40 local chapters of the foundation. All are self-dependent organisations that share the goals of the foundation and support them within a specified geographical region. They support the foundation, its communities, and its projects in different ways – by collecting donations, organising local events and projects, and spreading the word of Wikimedia and free culture. They provide the volunteer community and potential partners and supporters with a point of contact capable of fulfilling specific local needs.


==Are you a charity?==
==Are you a charity?==
WMAU is a registered [[wikipedia:charitable organization|charitable organisation]], as well as being a not-for-profit association incorporated under the laws of the state of Victoria. While your donations are greatly appreciated, Wikimedia Australia does not currently have tax-deductible status for donations.


Wikimedia is a [[wikipedia:non-profit|non-profit]] association incorporated under the laws of [[wikipedia:Victoria, Australia|Victoria]], [[wikipedia:Australia|Australia]].
==What is the difference between Wikimedia Australia and the Wikimedia Foundation?==
WMAu is a non-profit association incorporated in the state of [[w:Victoria, Australia|Victoria, Australia]]. The foundation is the US non-profit charitable organisation that operates Wikipedia and other sites. Please read the foundation's [[foundation:Frequently Asked Questions|FAQs]] for more information.


==Which projects do you support?==
==Which projects does WMAu support?==
We support all projects run by the foundation; most of our members actively contribute to one or more of these projects, often as editors of the English Wikipedia.


WMAU supports all projects run by the Wikimedia Foundation, and our members are actively contributing to these projects.
{{wikimedia projects}}


==How is the chapter run? ==
==How is the chapter run? ==
WMAu is administered by a [[committee]]; members vote in an annual election for their representatives on the committee. This site includes a complete list of [[meetings|committee meetings]] and [[resolutions]].


The Wikimedia Australia chapter is currently being organised by an [[Committee|Interim Committee]], charged with the task of establishing the organisation and holding the initial AGM.
Most of the interaction between committee members, other members and the community happens online through wikis, mailing lists and electronic chat ([[IRC]]). Face-to-face meetings, known as ''wiki meetups'', occasionally occur around Australia. These meetups are generally organised locally by members in their capital city. Project participants and new people are ''always'' welcome to attend.


This site also includes a complete list of [[meetings|committee meetings]] and [[resolutions]].
WMAu has a [[Statement of Purpose|statement of purpose]] and [[rules]].


Most of the interaction between committee members, members and the community happens online, on our wikis, on mailing lists, and through electronic chat (IRC). Face-to-face meetings, known as "wiki meetups", occasionally occur around Australia. These meetups are generally organised locally by members and project participants and new people are always welcome to attend.
==Is WMAu responsible for content on Wikipedia?==
Well, no. Wikipedia is run by the Wikipedia editing community, and the chapters have no particular power over content. However, as many of our members are Wikipedia editors, as individuals we can attempt to persuade others – like anyone else at Wikipedia. If you'd like to contribute to Wikipedia, we encourage you to become an editor (as well as joining WMAu!); that way, you can contribute online to the biggest repository of information in the world, ''and'' can work with other Australians to support the creation and uploading of free cultural content. These two aims neatly complement each other.


The chapter also has a [[Statement of Purpose]] and [[rules]].
== How can I contact WMAu? ==


== How can I contact the Chapter? ==
Please see the [[contact]] page for information on contacting us. We look forward to hearing from you!
 
[[Category:Wikimedia Australia organisation‎]]
See the [[Contact]] page for information on contacting Wikimedia Australia.

Revision as of 11:09, 11 June 2015

Wikimedia Australia Inc. (also known as WMAu) is the Australian chapter of the Wikimedia Foundation. The foundation is a non-profit organisation that provides almost 300 online collaborative wiki projects, most notably Wikipedia, an internet-based encyclopaedia which is the world's largest and most popular reference website and one of the top 10 most visited websites globally. Together, the foundation's sites are visited about 15,000 times a second.

ABN: 74 761 792 996
Consumer Affairs Victoria Registration No.: A0051923E

So, what's your mission?

We have three main aims:

  • to organise, support and participate in educational and social events that promote the development of free cultural works and related open-source software systems, in particular, wikis;
  • to increase public awareness, support and participation in the projects hosted by the Wikimedia Foundation (WMF);
  • to develop resources to assist Australians to create and maintain free cultural works.

WMAu is recognised by the foundation as a official chapter; so we provide our members with an official voice in the global Wikimedia community, whose aim is to create no less than the sum of human knowledge, and to make available gratis related free resources for use by anyone throughout the world.

There are now around 40 local chapters of the foundation. All are self-dependent organisations that share the goals of the foundation and support them within a specified geographical region. They support the foundation, its communities, and its projects in different ways – by collecting donations, organising local events and projects, and spreading the word of Wikimedia and free culture. They provide the volunteer community and potential partners and supporters with a point of contact capable of fulfilling specific local needs.

Are you a charity?

WMAU is a registered charitable organisation, as well as being a not-for-profit association incorporated under the laws of the state of Victoria. While your donations are greatly appreciated, Wikimedia Australia does not currently have tax-deductible status for donations.

What is the difference between Wikimedia Australia and the Wikimedia Foundation?

WMAu is a non-profit association incorporated in the state of Victoria, Australia. The foundation is the US non-profit charitable organisation that operates Wikipedia and other sites. Please read the foundation's FAQs for more information.

Which projects does WMAu support?

We support all projects run by the foundation; most of our members actively contribute to one or more of these projects, often as editors of the English Wikipedia.

The following projects fall under the Wikimedia Foundation umbrella:

How is the chapter run?

WMAu is administered by a committee; members vote in an annual election for their representatives on the committee. This site includes a complete list of committee meetings and resolutions.

Most of the interaction between committee members, other members and the community happens online through wikis, mailing lists and electronic chat (IRC). Face-to-face meetings, known as wiki meetups, occasionally occur around Australia. These meetups are generally organised locally by members in their capital city. Project participants and new people are always welcome to attend.

WMAu has a statement of purpose and rules.

Is WMAu responsible for content on Wikipedia?

Well, no. Wikipedia is run by the Wikipedia editing community, and the chapters have no particular power over content. However, as many of our members are Wikipedia editors, as individuals we can attempt to persuade others – like anyone else at Wikipedia. If you'd like to contribute to Wikipedia, we encourage you to become an editor (as well as joining WMAu!); that way, you can contribute online to the biggest repository of information in the world, and can work with other Australians to support the creation and uploading of free cultural content. These two aims neatly complement each other.

How can I contact WMAu?

Please see the contact page for information on contacting us. We look forward to hearing from you!

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