[New-imc] to send: Introductory letter

[Jay]

Hello new IMC,

Hello and welcome to the process of becoming a local IMC!  This is a
message from new Indymedia working group, one that has formed recently to
address all the applications from around the world from groups like yours
that want to become an Independent Media Center.  The process of helping
new IMC groups has become quite overwhelming, and for the last few weeks we
haven't welcomed any new IMCs into the fold because we've been trying to
figure out the best process for doing that.  In order to get the ball
rolling again a group of volunteers from around the world have come
together to start communicating with the aspiring IMCs, helping them
develop their applications and technical capacity, working with them as
they put together their mission statement and editorial policy, etc.  This
group is calling itself the "new IMC working group" and has started to
communicate through the "new-imc at indymedia.org" e-mail list.  (you can view
the list archives through "http://lists.indymedia.org")

So, welcome to the new IMC process.  Every IMC is an important part of
Indymedia, a network that is, we believe, an increasingly essential
resource for people who have important things to say that the corporate
media won't dare broadcast.  As a local IMC you will get a lot from the
rest of the network -- advice, encouragement, offers to share resources and
almost every kind of help you can imagine.  As a local IMC you will also
have a responsibility to be an active part of the network by sharing your
wisdom, energy and any resources you may be able to spare, as well as by
participating in the global organizing working groups.  Being part of a
network as vibrant and ever-expanding as Indymedia is a real commitment.
It's also a lot of fun.  Usually.  Okay, almost always.  

We know you've sent in an application and have communicated so far with a
few people at Indymedia.  In order to get everyone on the same page we'd
like to start our new level of organization by sending you three documents
for you and your new IMC group to read.  Each will come in a separate
e-mail today:

1) "Global Indymedia Overview."  
This a list of most of the active global Indymedia e-mail organizing lists
in order to give you an idea of how global Indymedia operates.  

2) "IMC Membership Criteria":  
This is the most recent draft of a document that lists the requirements for
being part of the Indymedia network.  

3) "Draft Principles of Unity":
This is draft of the things upon which local IMCs agree so you can see if
you agree with them as well.  We should also soon be able to send a
proposed charter for the Indymedia network.  

Lots of things to read, we know, but all important information.  We will be
discussing all of these proposals and documents as they develop on the
"imc-process at indymedia.org" e-mail list.  We are hoping to reach
network-wide agreement on the Principles of Unity, the IMC Criteria and a
decision-making process by mid July.  Once you have become familiar with
Indymedia and would like to participate you can join the list by going to
"lists.indymedia.org", clicking on "imc-process" and following the
instructions.  You may also view the list archives through that same page.   

Please take a good look at the documents with your organizing group.
Especially pay attention to the draft of the new IMC requirements.  

**PLEASE RESPOND to "new-imc at indymedia.org", letting us know how many of
the new IMC requirements you have fulfilled and what kind of help you need
to fulfill the others.**  

Also let us know if you have any questions whatsoever, about the new IMC
process, about Indymedia, about anything.  We will use the
"new-imc at indymedia.org" e-mail list to communicate about your application;
you may participate in the development of your application by communicating
with the working group through by e-mailing us at "new-imc at indymedia.org"
and/or by following the discussion in the list archives, which you can view
through the "http://lists.indymedia.org" page (click on
"new-imc at indymedia.org").  Once you've fulfilled all the requirements for
becoming part of the Indymedia network the new IMC group and the general
Indymedia network will work together to quickly affirm your application.    

Thanks so much for being so patient and for working with us as we perfect
this system.  We're really looking forward to hearing from you, and of
course to working with you for a long time as part of this exciting,
inspring and sometimes exhausting experiment!

The new IMC working group
new-imc at indymedia.org

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