[New-imc] NORTH TEXAS (question about criteria document)

Thu Sep 5 03:40:03 PDT 2002

Hi Martin,

Sorry for taking so long to respond, and I'm glad to
see things coming together so nicely.  The web site,
mission statement, editorial policy etc. look really
good!  You and your rabble rousing cohorts in North
Texas have most certainly put a lot of work into this.
 I only have a couple questions, after which I'll very
happily put your information in front of the new-imc
working group, and then imc-process, to bring the
North Texas IMC into the network.

These questions aren't meant to challenge what you're
doing, just to encourage reflection where there hasn't
been, or, assuming there has, to bring out some of
your goals and ideas so everyone else on the new-imc
list, and eventually on imc-process, can see the
direction you're taking as you join the network.

One question has to do with outreach.  I know you've
been organizing for a while.  What kind of outreach
has been done to various parts of the community in
order to bring people into the IMC?  Are most of the
core members from one particular part of town, or
ethnic group, etc.?  If so, what has been done, or
what do you plan to do, to get the word out past that
group?  Since you've chosen to call yourselves "North
Texas," what kind of outreach has gone on outside of
urban areas?  

The other question has to do with your thoughts about
the group's association with the greens.  Not that
there can't be members of a particular party or group
involved in an IMC, but every IMC has the
responsibility to not become affiliated closely with a
specific organization.  I'm sure you've talked about
this, I just want to make sure there has been good
discussion about the site being a venue for many
shades of opinion, and won't operate as a de facto
organizing outlet for the local Greens.  (just taking
the cue from the top feature on your test site, about
"meet the greens.")

One more thing -- I'm sure people in the network would
get a kick out of "meeting" the other members of the
group too.  You've given a great personal
introduction, and I'm sure everyone on the new-imc
would be excited to get to know the rest of the group
as well.  

Again, please don't take these questions as
criticisms.  As you know from being on this list for a
while, one of our roles is to try to get a group to
really fill out its membership criteria by answering
all the questions people are bound to ask, such as
outreach issues, before your information goes to
imc-process.  Some "applications" are rockier than
others.  As far as north texas is concerned, you seem
to be going the right direction.  

Good stuff,

Jay

--- Martin Wallace <mwallace at library.unt.edu> wrote:
> a. Agree in spirit to the NIMC Mission Statement and
> Principles of
> Unity, 
> 
> We agree. View our Mission statement here:
>
http://ntimc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=111
> 
> b. Have a committed membership substantial enough to
> sustain a
> functional 
> IMC, 
> 
> This is done. Although it is difficult to say
> exactly how many members
> we have, there are a core group of 5 of us who have
> enough resources to
> keep it running. 
> 
> c. Have open and public meetings (no one group can
> have exclusionary 
> "ownership" of an IMC), 
> 
> All of our meetings are open and public.
> 
> d. Work toward developing a local Mission Statement
> or Statement of
> Purpose. 
> Network Mission Statement may be adopted or used on
> an interim basis, 
> 
> Done:
>
http://ntimc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=111
> 
> e. Establish and publish an editorial policy which
> is developed and 
> functions through democratic process, and with full
> transparency, 
> 
> Done:
>
http://ntimc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=112
> 
> 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.
> 
> g. Adopt a decision-making policy that is in
> alignment with consensus 
> principles which include open, transparent and
> egalitarian processes, 
> 
> Done:
>
http://ntimc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=113
> 
> 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, 
> 
> Done: I have been on the communications mailing list
> for some time, and
> am familiar with the processes used.
> 
> 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, 
> 
> Done: I have been on the communications mailing list
> for some time, and
> am familiar with the processes used.
> 
> 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), 
> 
> Agreed.
> 
> 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.] 
> 
> Agreed.
> 
> l. Display a ³local version² of the IMC ³i² logo on
> your website and 
> literature. 
> 
> In the works...
> 
> m. Include the IMC Network current ³Cities List² on
> your site,
> preferably on 
> the front page.
> 
> Done.
> 
> Martin K. Wallace
> Willis Library Circulation Desk
> (940) 565-2413
> 
> ------------------------------------
> 
> Contributing to:
> http://www.ntimc.org
> http://www.worldunrest.org
> 
> There is no way to peace; Peace must be the Way.
> 
> - A.J. Muste
> 
> _______________________________________________
> New-imc mailing list
> New-imc at lists.indymedia.org
> http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/listinfo/new-imc

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