[indymediapr] IMC-Puerto Rico Membership Criteria acordance (english translation)

[Freddie Marrero]

[This is the English translation to our application to the global IMC. The
original application was submitted in Spanish on May 4, 2003]
http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/public/new-imc/2003-May/003831.html



IMC MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA - DRAFT
Each IMC and Global Working Group is expected to:

a. Agree in spirit to the NIMC Mission Statement and Principles of Unity,

We agree with the NIMC Mission Statement and Principles of Unity and that's
reflected in our own guiding documents.


b. Have a committed membership substantial enough to sustain a functional
IMC,

Currently our collective is capable and highly motivated to sustain the IMC
and we are looking forward to continue our growth and expansion.


c. Have open and public meetings (no one group can have exclusionary
"ownership" of an IMC),

For the last 5 months we have held open and public meetings at different
places of Puerto Rico's Metropolitan Area.


d. Work toward developing a local Mission Statement or Statement of Purpose.
Network Mission Statement may be adopted or used on an interim basis,

We have developed a founding document that contains our Mission and
Principles of Unity. It was discussed at several meetings and consented upon
on February 22, 2003. It has been published on:
[English]
http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/public/cmi-pr/2003-May/000044.html

[Spanish]
http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/public/cmi-pr/2003-April/000034.html


e. Establish and publish an editorial policy which is developed and
functions through democratic process, and with full transparency,

We have established a detailed Editorial Policy that was discussed at
several meetings and consented upon on April 14, 2003. It has been published
on:
[English]
http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/public/cmi-pr/2003-May/000045.html

[Spanish]
http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/public/cmi-pr/2003-April/000035.html


f. Agree to the use of Open Publishing as described in the NIMC Editorial
Policy [editorial collective comments: "We did agree that the term "Open
Publishing" was one that is still being defined by the Global Network
Collective, and we would wait and see what the results were before rewriting
this criteria],

We agree to the use of Open Publishing, as clearly stated on our editorial
policy.


g. Adopt a decision-making policy that is in alignment with consensus
principles which include open, transparent and egalitarian processes,

We operate in a non-hierarchical fashion, following a consensus model in our
meetings.


h. Have a spokesperson(s) willing and capable of participating in the global
decision-making process and meetings as a rotating liaison/representative,
with a clear understanding of the responsibilities that come with this role,

Currently, the collective has assigned two people to fulfill those roles.
Some contacts have already been established with other IMCs.


i. Participate in the key IMC Network Communication Methods that pertain to
the health and vitality of the Network and that contribute to the work of
the IMC. Assure that at least one person from your local IMC participates at
any given time on the IMC-Communications list,

We accord to participate on the IMC-Communications list. The collective will
select volunteers to serve as liaisons in a rotating fashion.


j. (NOT FINALIZED): Have no official affiliation with any political party,
state or candidate for office (comments: but individual producers have
freedom to do whatever they like and local IMCs can "feature" stories about
various political parties and initiatives),

We agree with this item and it is emphasized in our Principles of Unity.


k. IMCs shall in no way engage in commercial for-profit enterprises. [We
could add: The IMCN is committed to the decommercialization of information
and will disassociate from any local IMC that decides to become a for profit
media corporation.]

We agree with this item and it is emphasized in our Principles of Unity.


l. Display a ³local version² of the IMC ³i² logo on your website and
literature.

Our logo is published on:
http://www.viequeslibre.addr.com/indymediapr/logoIMCPR.jpg


m. Include the IMC Network current ³Cities List² on your site, preferably on
the front page.

We will do so.