[foundation-board] CEO Update for August 2016
Karin Christiansen
karin at karinchristiansen.org
Fri Aug 12 19:42:09 UTC 2016
Thanks Pavel, much appreciated.
Karin
On 12 August 2016 at 17:17, Pavel Richter <pavel.richter at okfn.org> wrote:
> Dear All,
>
> Please find below and attached an update on important developments here at
> Open Knowledge International. You can find the text as a Google Document
> here
> <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E4WG87JgcWCAo-Hgcg8SCGFFssrI3QTxEE2LOd1jRng/edit#>
>
> Highlights from our Projects
>
> -
>
> In Frictionless Data, we have increased communications through
> publishing and promoting blog posts regularly as part of Frictionless data
> on http://okfnlabs.org/. This includes detailed walkthroughs and
> tutorials. We have also produced a series of case studies designed to
> highlight other groups and organisations who are using Frictionless Data
> specs in interesting or unusual ways. We have made huge progress in
> formalizing new formal working relationships with the following groups:
> -
>
> University of Pittsburgh
> -
>
> Pacific NorthWest National Laboratory
> -
>
> University of Bath
> -
>
> TEDDINET
> -
>
> UK Data Service
> -
>
> Government of Northern Ireland
> -
>
> Open Data Institute
> -
>
> CODATA
> -
>
> A substantial amount of work has been committed to revising the budget
> of OpenTrials as we were underspent in year one (due to delays in
> hiring). The Arnold foundation agreed for the underspend in Year 1 to be
> carried over to Year 2 in full except for the events underspend (but we can
> apply on a case by case budget for this). Pavel gave a pitch for Phase II
> funding in Houston, Texas with the Arnold Foundation, pitch can be found
> here
> <https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1y-bUEFJiVrI-D2_QtdOeyJ91HdZaZQfTrRqHFb0Sy6M/edit#slide=id.p3>
> .
> The launch date for OpenTrials is set for 10th October, 2016 in Berlin
> at the World Health Summit. Also, sessions has been accepted for IODC,
> Madrid in October, and Cochrane Colloquium, Seoul also in October.
> We have started work on OpenTrialsFDA prototype for the Open Science
> Prize and have extracted the approval history for drugs from Drug at FDA
> website (initial part of OpenTrialsFDA project)
> Work on normalizing the trials locations’ names, so we can have a
> better view on where they have been conducted in have started. Also, we
> have set up a webapp (re:dash) where researchers can query our database
> directly. This has been used extensively by the team in Oxford and they’re
> starting to write a paper with what they’ve found. User testing has been
> set up to start in mid-August with doctors and researchers. We are also in
> conversation with AllTrials looking at ways we can work together.
> -
>
> We have received comments from the EC for the first FutureTDM project
> review meeting, and we are happy to inform the board that the project thus
> far has fully achieved its objectives and milestones for the period. The
> project is in a very good shape and it already shows promising results of a
> high quality. Furthermore, it seems realistic that the project through its
> careful analysis and stakeholder engagement will contribute to the
> reduction of legal and technological barriers resulting in increased uptake
> of TDM in Europe.
> -
>
> Technical development and design work have begun on the new platform
> for Global Open Data Index (GODI). We are in discussions with the Web
> Foundation (WF) regarding convergence of our methodologies. WF have begun
> data collection for 2016 and will therefore not use our data. The plan is
> to be better prepared to converge in 2017. Research on GODI’s methodology
> is complete and dataset research and partnership building is starting (with
> the National Democratic Institute and the Open Contracting Partnership on
> board). Internal research has also begun. Community planning is starting
> and will kick into high gear next week
> -
>
> Regarding AODC & Direct Support, one project, HeHe Labs has been
> completed and submitted its outputs from the initial contract.
> -
>
> The network voted during the 2016 Summer Camp to explore several
> options for School of Data (ScoDa) to become independent from Open
> Knowledge International. We’re working with the Steering Committee and Open
> Knowledge to explore in detail the process which will lead ScoDa to become
> its own organisation, and the relationship with Open Knowledge
> International going forward. More will be shared on this topic when
> information becomes available.
> We are working on a new branding and revamping ScoDa’s website with
> the aim of professionalising ScoDa’s visual identity ahead of IODC. We have
> been invited to take part in the Data Literacy Conference that will take
> place in Aix, France, on September 23-24. Meg and Dirk will run a keynote,
> while Cédric will run a workshop.
> -
>
> There is no update on OpenSpending at the moment. The main activity is
> a handover process between Cecile LeGuen and Diana Krebs who is taking
> over the management of OpenSpending.
>
> Viderum
>
> -
>
> Business has picked up again with about £100k of work signed for the
> next three months. This should allow us to accumulate some profits to
> balance previous month's poor performance. We've reduced our fixed costs by
> reducing team size. Also, we've created a 30 day free trial CKAN program
> with 17 signups so far. We will work further to automate CKAN deployment
> and provisioning to get to a fully self-serve offering. There has been
> increasing interest in CKAN as tool for internal data management and
> sharing inside organizations. The WWF will be one of the first customers
> testing out that use case.
> -
>
> Viderum's financial situation remains tight due to the last few slow
> months. I will prepare a financial report before the September
> in-person meeting.
> -
>
> Regarding transition, all former OKI customers except for two have now
> had their contracts novated to Viderum.
>
> Operations
>
> -
>
> The reversal of unrestricted Grant allocations has given us a year end
> saving of £150,000;
> -
>
> There is reduced profit level from £430,000 down to £40,000 giving a corporation
> Tax exposure of £8,000 as opposed to £86,000 (this is part of the
> unrestricted grant reversal);
> -
>
> We are working with a new travel partner (agency) who is helping us to
> identify better rates for NGO’s which will in effect, reduce our travel
> costs;
> -
>
> We have developed and released an accurate Timekeeping and Staff
> Forecasting Tool;
> -
>
> We delivered the Forecasting and Budgeting Tool and it is now been
> utilised by project and line managers;
> -
>
> A new onboarding and offboarding process was also delivered;
> -
>
> We conducted an appraisal revenue and are also ready for next phase in
> November;
> -
>
> The End of Year Accounts in progress;
> -
>
> The Month end accounts is delayed due to team illness. We should be
> back on track next week.
>
> Funding Omidyar Network
>
> We have submitted a revised proposal for a renewal funding. We are seeking
> £570K for 2017 which we think is a realistic number after conversations
> with Andrew and Martin. Pavel will go before Investment Committee of
> Omidyar and defend the proposal on 28th September, 2016.
> Hewlett Foundation
>
> The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation has authorized a grant in the
> amount of $500,000 for the Global Open Data Index ( GODI), Community
> support and Organisational capacity building.
> Arnold Foundation
>
> We currently have funding from the Arnold Foundation for OpenTrials
> project until March 2017. We are seeking for long term funding for
> OpenTrials and possibly other projects. Pavel visited Houston to build a
> relationship with the foundation.
> Ford foundation
>
> We have identified Ford as a key perspective funder for OKI. We are set to
> approach them about funding the Tax Justice project as they are very
> interested in such programs.
> StaffCurrent live vacancies
>
> The following may be found at https://okfn.org/about/jobs/:
>
> -
>
> Developer Advocate - Portfolios Team
> -
>
> Junior Designer - Technical Team
> -
>
> Project manager - Portfolio Team
>
> New Staff
>
> -
>
> Anastasia Kalashnikova joined OKI on 1st July as Operations Assistant.
> She is a versatile member of the Operations Team, working part time as
> Personal Assistant for Mark Gibbs while dividing her remaining hours
> between supporting the Finance and HR teams.
> -
>
> Yotam Manor joined OKI on 27th July as Web Developer for Frictionless
> Data project on a contractual basis.
> -
>
> Sierra Williams started formally at OKI on 8th August as
> Communications Manager. Sierra will help shape OKI’s strategy around
> community relations and facilitate an ongoing exchange of ideas between
> volunteers, Network partners, and the Open Knowledge International staff
> and management.
> -
>
> Diana Krebs will formally start on 22nd August as Project Manager
> (General). She will take over the management of OpenSpending project with
> Cecile’s resignation.
>
> Departures
>
> -
>
> Cecile LeGuen has resigned from OKI. Cecile's last working day at Open
> Knowledge was on 8th August, 2016.
>
> Changes in Staff role
>
> -
>
> Paul Walsh has joined the Leadership team permanently as Head of
> Technical Product. Paul’s addition was expedited due to Sander’s temporary
> departure. His presence completes the Leadership Team and will ensure that
> the technical elements of projects are included in planning. He will also
> offer input around the future of this crucial area of the organisation.
> -
>
> Mor Rubinstein will be supporting Pavel in running the newly named
> “Capacity Team” (formerly known as “Office of the CEO) by taking over line
> management responsibilities for all current employees (Oscar, Lieke,
> Danny, Sierra), as well as anyone who will hired in the future. She will
> not only help with the more formal parts of line management (such as
> granting holiday requests or signing off on sick leave), but also support
> the Capacity Team in terms of reporting, budgeting and planning. In
> addition, Mor will be managing the Community & Network work within the
> Capacity Team.
>
> Network
>
> Sweden and Japan has signed OKI’s Chapter MOU and are own their way to
> becoming OKI’s 10th & 11th chapter! Mor, Katelyn and Oscar are also working
> on the Unconference for IODC in Madrid in October.
> AOB
>
> The next in person meeting of the Board is on 14th September, 2016; venue
> is yet to be confirmed.
> Autumn Summit is taking place on 21-23 November, 2016 in Thessaloniki.
>
> I will send the next CEO Update in the middle of October. Please do give
> feedback on these reports, so that I can provide you with the information
> that you require.
> What I have been thinking about / what’s concerning me this month
>
> (I add this section to the CEO update based on a recommendation by Helen)
>
> -
>
> The negotiations with Omidyar were very central for me this month; not
> only because Omidyar is an important funder, but also because it is the
> second time I used our overall strategy and project approach with a funder
> (the other one was Hewlett, of course). So it's been a very important
> learning for me, and I will use them to tweak my presentation / delivery.
> -
>
> The handling of Cecile leaving the organisation was a useful
> experience; I think every organisation needs to be able to let staff go in
> a regular and constructive way, and I am happy that we have Mark on board
> to help with this.
> -
>
> My major concern this month was the ongoing struggle to get the
> project managers to a point where they are able to take over full planning
> and execution responsibilities for their projects. That is something that
> will be ongoing for a while, but currently, the resistance to change is
> bigger than the willingness to learn new ways. So this is something we
> (Mark, Paul and I) will need to work on a lot.
> -
>
> And I was planning for and looking forward to my trip to the Arnold
> Foundation (I am in Texas while I write this - and it is HOT out there),
> because they are the only of our funders I have not really been able to
> build a relationship with. So this trip is not only about the future
> funding for OpenTrials, but also to build a long-term relationship with the
> Arnold Foundation.
> - And I am looking forward to my upcoming holidays!!
>
>
> --
> Kind regards
>
> Pavel Richter
> CEO
> Open Knowledge International
>
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>
--
*--------*
Karin Christiansen
karin at karinchristiansen.org
07816839533
@_karin_c
Karin16b
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