Grants:Project/Rapid/Wikipedia Day, Los Angeles/Report

Report accepted

This report for a Rapid Grant approved in FY 2016-17 has been reviewed and accepted by the Wikimedia Foundation.

To read the approved grant submission describing the plan for this project, please visit Grants:Project/Rapid/Wikipedia Day, Los Angeles.
You may still comment on this report on its discussion page, or visit the discussion page to read the discussion about this report.
You are welcome to Email rapidgrants at wikimedia dot org at any time if you have questions or concerns about this report.

Project: Wikipedia Day LA (February 18, 1017)

Planning and activities

Wikipedia Day LA was a six hour event. It opened with a presentation by Peter Lunenfeld, a professor at UCLA, who spoke about truth and narrative history. It was followed by a panel discussion on alternative facts and Wikipedia in a post-truth era. Led by Jana Gallus, the discussion was provocative and insightful; journalists Jessica Yellin, Juliet Lapidos, and Evelyn McDonnell were engaging (and engaged). There was a Q&A following the panel - we could have gone on for another hour - we didn't have time to get to all of the questions and comments from attendees. The afternoon panel on Art + Feminism was particularly enlightening, in large part because the participants had differing opinions.

There were three flash talks. Rosie Stephenson-Goodnight spoke about the manner in which truth is dictated by the authors of history books; Phyllis Hansen spoke about the influence of Adrienne Wadewitz, and Antoinette LaFarge spoke about the Out of the Archives project. We also had an impromptu conversation about the challenges of celebrity BLPs with Jen Cardules and manager Katie Diamond.

And cake!

The planning was smooth. Stryker Matthews, at the Ace Hotel, was incredibly accomodating and easy to work with, and Wikipedians Richard Knipel, Andrew Lih, Rosie Stephenson Goodnight, John Francis, Howard Cheng and Peter Meyer offered advice and expertise.

Goals

Did you meet your goals? Are you happy with how the project went?

Our goals were met! Socialize with community members, and mobilize a California User Group: Yes
Facilitate discussions about Wikipedia and the role we play in creating a factual narrative in the post-truth world of "alternative facts." Yes
Educate new and veteran editors on Art + Feminism on Wikipedia: Yes

We were able to identify an active group of Wikipedians in LA, which didn't seem likely prior to the event, and an LA User group began to develop. Unfortunately (and entirely my fault), people signed in for the event, but didn't leave contact information, and it will be difficult to follow up with attendees who do not have Wikipedia accounts.

Outcome

We projected 25-50 attendees and exceeded that goal; by my count approximately 60 people were in and out over the course of the day.

Learning

Projects do not always go according to plan. Sharing what you learned can help you and others plan similar projects in the future. Help the movement learn from your experience by answering the following questions:

What worked well? The panels and the logistics (thanks to the Ace Hotel). We wanted the day to feel like a celebration of Wikipedia, and it did.
What did not work so well? There were volunteers who had committed to tasks who flaked; there was some confusion at check in.
What would you do differently next time? I'll have a plan B to allow for the flake factor and I'll be better prepared to collect information at check-in.

Finances

Grant funds spent

Cake and cupcakes: $130.
Transportation (for panelist Jana Gallus (Uber) ($29.63 and $4.95); personal (Uber for site visit ($14.87, 4.89) return from event ($4.99) pick up and deliver cake ($4.99 and $4.99) and Kai Alexis Smith (mileage reimbursement):$33.80 = $103.11
Parking $45.00
Materials/Supplies: $66.74, $18.45 $85.19 (Leftover supplies and Wikipedia swag were given to Kai Alexis Smith for an upcoming edit-a-thon at Cal Poly Pomona.
Gratuity for three Ace employees: (stayed late, above and beyond): $45.

Total: $409.00

Remaining funds

Do you have any remaining grant funds? Yes: $643.40 We would like to use this to fund future meetups currently in the planning stages; the Ace has offered us gratis use of the meeting room!

The funds remaining from this grant in the amount of US$643.40 were deducted from another grant payment for Grants:Project/Rapid/Wikipedia_Day_LA,_2018.

Anything else

Anything else you want to share about your project? It was a great foundation to build a Wikipedia LA User Group.