Activity report (Q1 2012–2013)

This report describes the activities of Wikimedia District of Columbia from October 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012.

Wiki Loves Monuments 2012

In September we conducted the Wiki Loves Monuments 2012 contest for the United States. During this time, over 22,000 photographs from the United States were contributed to Wikimedia Commons, of which three became finalists for the worldwide contest.

These three finalists were showcased at a reception for the top three finalists at the National Press Club on Friday, December 14, 2012. This reception was part of the National Press Club Young Member Committee's holiday get-together, co-sponsored by 100Reporters, Investigative Reporters and Editors and the Fund for Investigative Journalism. This reception featured high-quality prints of the finalists, as well as informational displays about the contest and the value of using free media in news media. Planning Wikimedia DC's participation in the event took around two weeks. Around five representatives from Wikimedia DC attended, along with over 50 journalists from the DC area. We discovered that Wikipedians and the young journalists group have a great time together, with many complementary skills and interests to share. During this event, we also had productive discussions with a fellow who is working towards development of a local wiki for Washington DC, to serve as a clearinghouse for information about social services. The Young Members Committee enjoyed the event, and they are looking to work with Wikimedia DC in the future.

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  First Place: The Cabin Creek Historic District, Kittitas County, Washington

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  Second Place: Wupatki National Monument, near Flagstaff, Arizona

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  Third Place: Al Mac's Diner-Restaurant, Fall River, Massachusetts

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  "What is Wiki Loves Monuments" display featured at the National Press Club.

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  "Use Free Media In Your Publications" display featured at the National Press Club.

Academic and educational outreach

October:

• Wikipedia Loves Libraries: Backstage at the Smithsonian Libraries 2012
• Wikipedia Loves Libraries: George Washington University, Global Resources Center
• Wikipedia Loves Libraries: George Washington University Labor History Research Center
• Remote participation in the Ada Lovelace Day Editathon

December:

• 2 Wikipedia Workshops at the Baltimore Free School

International and diplomatic outreach

Kristin Anderson attended Choctaw Days at the National Museum of the American Indian to confer with tribal members about the current state of the Choctaw Language Wikipedia, and started a Mohegan Language Wikipedia in consultation with a Mohegan speaker at Wikimania 2012. She has also received e-mails from linguists expressing interest in the Shoshoni and Pipil language Wikipedias, and discovered a Cheyenne language translation of Martin Luther's Small Catechism for Wikimedia Commons. The Library of Congress "Native by Native" events, which showcased rare books and Native American flutes in honor of Native American Month, provided several uploads for Commons. Kristin thanks WLL staffer Amir Ahironi, LC staffer Bodhan Kantor, Amqui of Wikimedia Canada, and Paulette of the Missoula Public Library for their assistance with Native American fonts, especially Cheyenne and Salish. And a big shoutout to Dthomsen8, a new friend from Wikimania, who pitched in to help clear the 1800 article assessment backlog at WikiProject Indigenous peoples of North America! Now all those little kids in Kenya reading the Kiwix offline Wikipedia will get to read about the Native Americans.