Wikipedia talk:Meetup/DC 6

March 7
Aude had previously suggested March 7 as our meetup date on Wikipedia talk:Meetup/DC 5. I don't foresee any particular problem with the date right offhand for me. Anyone else? SchuminWeb (Talk) 00:52, 23 January 2009 (UTC)
 * I'll just be coming back from college, but it should suit me. -- Der Wohltemperierte Fuchs ( talk ) 01:24, 23 January 2009 (UTC)
 * I may have a conflict but I dont think so. &rArr;   SWAT Jester    Son of the Defender  16:23, 23 January 2009 (UTC)


 * Mar. 7 is good for me--FeanorStar7 (talk) 18:07, 24 January 2009 (UTC)

So Mar. 7 conflicts with when I was planning on going to Vegas, but no other date in March works for me, and I don't care that much about the con in Vegas anyway so I'll probably just cancel that and go to the meeting instead. &rArr;  SWAT Jester    Son of the Defender  18:17, 24 January 2009 (UTC)

A location suggestion
No, I'm not coming. But a suggestion. You might want to choose another location. Something hipper, more interesting, more vibrant, more stimulating. With better, more healthful food. Try this:

http://www.busboysandpoets.com/

I think Tony Shallal and the group would be pleased to host Wikipedia's D.C. meet-up. Call them and check them out.

As far as transportation, public transportation or a cab will do. DC is tiny, and getting around is easy.

Ditch the pizza joint. Be adventurous. Be bold. ;) Peace. deeceevoice (talk) 00:11, 1 February 2009 (UTC)

Wikipedia Loves Art museum photo events at Smithsonian
Check it out, folks!--Pharos (talk) 21:52, 5 February 2009 (UTC)
 * The museum event is Friday, February 27: details here--Pharos (talk) 20:40, 14 February 2009 (UTC)

Notification?
Have the organizers notified interested area users of this event, using a bot or whatever? If not, that should probably be done fairly soon. Newyorkbrad (talk) 20:38, 11 February 2009 (UTC)


 * Yeah, this needs to happen. I haven't seen it pop into the watchlist like was done for Meetup 2, nor have I gotten a message to that effect yet.  SchuminWeb (Talk) 20:40, 11 February 2009 (UTC)
 * Cbrown1023 has a bot that has done the notifications for a number of other meet-ups. If there's a list of interested area users that he can be pointed to, someone can ask him to send out the notices. Newyorkbrad (talk) 20:46, 11 February 2009 (UTC)
 * I'm still unsure if I can come, and have limited wikitime now to take the lead on things like this. If someone would take the lead in organizing the meetup, that would be appreciated.  All that needs to happen is have the meetup notices sent out (see Meetup/DC/Invite) and someone call Pizzeria Uno to make a reservation.  I'm okay with the Busboys & Poets idea too, though maybe we can aim to do that not this meetup, but the next one. --Aude (talk) 02:40, 12 February 2009 (UTC)
 * I saw that a notice went out of this on the foot of another event, but it would be good to re-send it. I'll leave a note for Cbrown1023. Newyorkbrad (talk) 00:08, 2 March 2009 (UTC)
 * Cbrown1023 advises (see User talk:Cbrown1023) that he's sent the notice to everyone on the list he was furnished; however, I know of at least a couple of people who have been at past meet-ups who aren't on that list and don't seen to have been notified. Since I'm not from the area and don't know that many of the prospective attendees, could someone look into this ASAP, if we want to maximize the turnout? Thanks. Newyorkbrad (talk) 22:35, 2 March 2009 (UTC)

Reservations
Reservations have been made for Uno's. --Aude (talk) 00:00, 19 February 2009 (UTC)

Lightning Talk on Wikimedia DC
I propose that at some point that evening, we put our forks down briefly, and open up the floor to a 5-minute Lightning Talk on Wikimedia DC issues. This can be led by some of the folks who have been organizing that project, and can focus on plans for future activities.--Pharos (talk) 22:03, 24 February 2009 (UTC)

How'd the meetup go?
Sorry I couldn't join you folks. I hope everything turned out well. Was there any Wikimedia DC chapter discussion?--Pharos (talk) 23:36, 8 March 2009 (UTC)
 * It was a lot of fun, but I don't recall much direct discussion on chapter matters. I'll try to make sure it's addressed next time if I am there and there is interest. Newyorkbrad (talk) 21:03, 21 March 2009 (UTC)
 * Yeah, we had a blast, but no Wikimedia discussion other than just talking shop. SchuminWeb (Talk) 22:59, 21 March 2009 (UTC)

There seems to be a shortage of people willing to organize DC meetups, which simply involve picking a date, making reservations at a restaurant, and getting bot invitations sent out. Despite me saying above, "I'm not sure I can come" and "I have limited wikitime", I ended up organizing the meetup (it's only a few simple steps, so didn't mind so much doing it). But, organizing and running a chapter is another thing, and obviously a lot more involved and demanding of time. In order for a chapter to work, we need many more people willing to step up, with the time and willingness to get things done. I certainly don't have the time to take on yet another wiki role, nor the willingness to duplicate what the NYC chapter has done.

My opinion all along is that there is enough overlap and ability for Wikipedians in NYC and DC (and Philly and probably other parts of the Northeast U.S.) to work together. I would be all in favor of the NYC chapter being expanded to cover Philadelphia and DC, and being made into a regional chapter. That would expand the benefits of what a chapter can bring, while minimizing duplicated efforts. This doesn't mean that DC people have to come to all the NYC meetups or vice versa, but there could be an annual mini-conference (or unconference or barcamp) type event that could draw more Wikipedians from the region.

Now, I probably can't come to the NYC meetup next weekend, but may come to the NYC event in April. And, will be in Berlin for the developers/chapters meeting (mostly or only at the developers meeting, but could probably make some time to talk about chapters). So, there might be an opportunity to discuss further. --Aude (talk) 01:20, 22 March 2009 (UTC)


 * Wikimedia NYC officially covers areas in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. At this stage, we are working with 2 other meetup groups, in Philly and Hartford, to set up 'regional committees' in those cities that can operate under the aegis of the chapter.  In the future, I hope we will be able to expand to cover DC and Boston as well (if you folks want to join us), and then perhaps get a new name and more regionally mature structure for the chapter.


 * In the meantime, there is no bright line that prevents the chapter from helping DC with whatever may be needed. I think the groundwork for a future 'regional committee' in DC can be lain now by just getting a discussion group started, and trying to meet every other month or so.  And if you ever have a good project that could use the help of our (forthcoming) non-profit status, we can help with that as well.


 * Also, the annual mini-conference idea is one that appeals to us as well, and we're currently planning something in NYC for this July or August. I hope we can talk about this more in Berlin and at Open Everything.--Pharos (talk) 13:55, 22 March 2009 (UTC)

A Proposal For Another Meetup
How about Saturday, June 6 in the late afternoon/early evening at that Union Station pizzeria? --NBahn (talk) 19:07, 13 April 2009 (UTC)
 * I'll actually be in town then, so it's possible... -- Der Wohltempierte Fuchs ( talk ) 20:07, 13 April 2009 (UTC)
 * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Meetup/DC_7 --NBahn (talk) 20:43, 13 April 2009 (UTC)

I set up the page and talk page. Unos is okay with me, but I'm opening the page up for other suggested locations. --Aude (talk) 23:33, 13 April 2009 (UTC)


 * Wikipedia talk:Meetup/DC 7 --Aude (talk) 23:34, 13 April 2009 (UTC)