[foundation-board] CEO Update for February 2016

Wed Feb 24 14:46:35 UTC 2016

Thanks for this Pavel. Very helpful.

On the fundraising side, what are the numbers involved in those grants?

Thanks
Karin
On 19 Feb 2016 15:31, "Pavel Richter" <pavel.richter at okfn.org> wrote:

> Dear all, please find below 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/1GrKJeH1WVHwBsSmaTZ0phldbZVSZ1eB1qggRU04pKJg/edit#>
> .
>
> Highlights from our projectsOpenSpending
>
> OpenSpending 'Next' is currently in private alpha-testing with local
> OpenSpending communities in Malaysia, Macedonia and Cameroon. Based on a
> new version of the lightweight Fiscal Data Package standard, we will
> release this radically new version of OpenSpending publicly by the end of
> February.
> OpenTrials
>
> OpenTrials is working on getting data released that can be included in the
> platform, having secured data on 5,000 clinical trials in Schizophrenia
> from Cochrane, and working with the Health Research Authority who have
> agreed to release some of their data to us. We have released the tech
> roadmap publicly on
> opentrials.net/2016/02/10/opentrials-technical-roadmap/.
> Frictionless Data
>
> Our technical vision on working with data is centered around the concept
> of Frictionless Data using Data Packages. We announced the grant we
> received from Google and are ramping up work on Data Packages in 2016
> blog.okfn.org/2016/02/01/google-funds-frictionless-data-initiative-at-open-knowledge/
> .
> GIFT
>
> I am meeting FiscalTransparency <http://www.fiscaltransparency.net/> to
> discuss the potential of aligning work between the two organisations.
>
> OperationsMark Gibbs joins as COO
>
> From more than 70 applications and a shortlist of four people, I am happy
> that we have found a great new COO, Mark Gibbs. He started on Tuesday 9th
> February, after being introduced to the staff on the Monday afternoon at
> our weekly call.
>
> Mark brings a wealth of experience gained in a global operations career.
> He has worked for a number of International blue-chip companies including
> Fujitsu in the role of Operations Director in Tokyo, Lucent Technologies in
> The Netherlands as Projects Director, and AT&T to name but a few.  Mark is
> a keen advocate of Open Source and has previously developed a number of
> open source solutions for both Government and Health care. Mark has
> previously delivered projects to British, Dutch and Russian Governments.
> Mark returned to England after 20 years abroad in 2015 with his wife
> Evgenia and two sons Gregory aged 13 and Nick aged 12 - they now live on
> the Isle of Wight.
>
> As COO, Mark will be responsible for all our operational processes: HR,
> Project Management, Finances, internal IT, administration and legal. He is
> reporting directly to me, and will, together with Sander, form my Senior
> Management Team. His annual salary is 60,000 GBP, plus a performance-based
> bonus of up to 5,000 GBP per year (starting after six months of
> employment). The first 6 months will be a probation period of an initial
> term of two years. Because Mark will play a vital role in our organisation,
> I have proposed that he joins the next Board meeting on 9th March 2016 in
> person in London. As part of his onboarding, Mark is setting-up 1:1 calls
> with all members of staff, in advance of meeting everyone present at the
> summit in Brighton later this month.
>
> It would be great if you would have any advice for me, or have any
> particular questions, or just some general feedback.
>
> I am really excited about this and I am looking forward to working with
> Mark!
> Viderum
>
> Viderum was officially launched to the public on Monday 15th February.
> Here's the blog post: blog.okfn.org/2016/02/15/introducing-viderum/.
>
> We've had some very good responses so far, some of which are likely to
> lead to future business.
>
> We're actively pursuing commercial opportunities in the UK and in Germany
> that will help create a stronger baseline of recurring revenues to sustain
> Viderum. We've signed about £50K of sales this year so far.
>
> Sebastian is currently working on a renewed business model & strategy
> document which will inform upcoming pitching to third-party investors in
> the Spring.
>
> Sebastian will join the next Board meeting to report back to the Board.
> Please highlight to him what areas you would like to know more about, so
> he can prepare a presentation tailored to this. Just drop a short mail to
> Naomi, and she will take care of it.
>
> FundingOmidyar
>
> Karin and I are meeting Marin next month to discuss the next phase of
> funding from Summer this year.
> Hewlett
>
> I am discussing a short-term bridging grant, to avoid any potential
> complications or delay regarding our charity application.
> Adessium
>
> This was a very broad meeting to discuss background and potential future
> collaboration. We explained how we are developing our theory of change and
> how we are going to work moving forward, and had a productive exchange
> about the various projects in our field. They were specifically interested
> in how we aligned with other 'public interest' initiatives. We will follow
> up with another conversation in a few months' time, to pursue a follow-up
> project grant and to build the relationship towards core funding which they
> also may consider in due course.
> Google
>
> We have announced the Google-funded Frictionless Data initiative (see
> projects section above).
> Avina
>
> Our Open Data Day ‘16 mini-grants are being co-funded by avina.net/avina/
> <http://www.avina.net/avina/> (this is where we give a maximum of 350 USD
> per person or group for community-led open data initiatives
> <http://blog.okfn.org/2016/01/29/open-data-day-2016-grant/>).
>
> As noted in the last update, I plan for a longer trip to the US in the
> first half of 2016, to deepen relationships with current funders as well as
> visiting potential new ones, and we will bid on at least two of the
> upcoming Horizon2020 initiatives of the European Union.
>
> HR / StaffCurrent live vacancies
>
> The following may be found at https://okfn.org/about/jobs/:
>
>    -
>
>    Portfolio Manager - Planting the Seeds
>    -
>
>    Portfolio Manager - Growing the Trees
>    -
>
>    Portfolio Manager - Harvesting the Fruits
>    -
>
>    HR Assistant
>    -
>
>    Also the Board Finance vacancy
>
> New staff
>
> James Gardner joined as Community Manager - OpenTrials (if you recognise
> the name - he used to be CKAN lead, about 4 years ago).
>
> Danny Lämmerhirt joined as Research Assistant with FutureTDM.
>
> James Hamilton will join this month as School of Data Fundraiser (note,
> this is zero-hours contract and James will not undertake duties elsewhere
> in the organisation).
> Departures
>
> Neal Bastek gave notice to leave at the end of this month, although will
> stay on for 10 hours per week to complete our website update.
> Changes
>
> The live role ‘Technical Trainer - School of Data’ has been closed without
> being filled, as School of Data Steering Committee decided a Fundraiser to
> support this sort of role is more important (see ‘new staff’ above).
> Daniela Mattern
>
> In January we received an offer to settle for £25,000, which we did not
> accept. Our lawyer spoke with the lawyer now leading the case on the
> claimant’s side, and discussed what might be reasonable. Mattern’s lawyer
> has now confirmed that Mattern will accept a settlement of £2,000 and a
> reference.
>
> In the meantime, AXA, our insurers, confirmed they were happy for us to
> proceed with the claim, and our legal team prepared a counter schedule of
> loss totalling £18,544.13 (this is not what we would be willing to pay, but
> simply what we consider a worst case scenario should the Claimant be
> successful)
>
> I decided to pursue the settlement of £2,000 because it saves preparing
> witness statements from Rufus, Fiona, Karin, Sander and Michelle, as well
> as attending X days of tribunal hearing. Given the fact that the claimant
> started out demanding £95,000, the £2,000 settlement will not be seen as a
> victory by the claimant.
>
> Financials
>
> The quarterly accounts to end February will be presented at the Board
> meeting on 9th March.
>
> Network
>
> Monthly calls with Chapter leads continue to go well.
>
> I continue my discussions with Open Knowledge Finland on their “Mydata”
> project and how we can support it from an international perspective
> OK Festival
>
> The current status of OKFestival is that we will likely have a smaller OK
> Festival around the IODC event in Madrid in October ‘16. I remain keen on a
> 2017 bigger OKFestival and am looking at Bangalore as an option for
> location.
>
> AOB
>
> The next in person meeting is on 9th March 2016 in London at Canonical.
>
> Our Charitable Status application continues - there has been hindrance in
> terms of information not being available or clear, and we are following up
> with Hewlett to ensure our UK application is suitable for our US plans.
>
> International employment: Mark and I are liaising with a
> Netherlands-based payroll company to set up both NL and DE employment.
>
> The Advisory Council met on 1st February where I joined to share the
> current status of the organisation as well as plans. Notes may be found
> here: https://pad.okfn.org/p/AdvisoryCouncil2015
>
> There is a tribute to Michael Bauer, our former colleague, here:
> http://mihi.lo-res.org/
>
>
> I will send the next CEO Update in the middle of April. Please do give
> feedback on these reports, so that I can provide you with the information
> that you require.
>
>
> --
> Kind regards
>
> Pavel Richter
> CEO
> Open Knowledge International
>
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