[IMC-Seattle] RE: [imc-seattle-announce] Critical Meeting, Saturday at 1pm - Three Proposals enclosed

[Eric Leuschner]

brandon is a homeland security plant.



>From: brandon <brandon at faloona.net>
>To: 
>imc-seattle-announce at lists.indymedia.org,imc-seattle at lists.indymedia.org, 
>seattletech at lists.indymedia.org,seattle-editorial at lists.indymedia.org
>Subject: [imc-seattle-announce] Critical Meeting,Saturday at 1pm - Three 
>Proposals enclosed
>Date: Tue, 16 Nov 2004 18:54:25 -0800
>
>All-
>
>Please consider attending this Saturday's facilitated meeting, announced
>several weeks ago:
>http://lists.indymedia.org/pipermail/imc-seattle/2004-October/1029-ar.html
>
>If you cannot attend, please consider reviewing the three proposals
>below and sending your feedback beforehand to
>imc-seattle at lists.indymedia.org.
>
>Below you will find:
>
>- Meeting info
>
>- Proposal one - brandon
>"Stop web publishing until there is a collective"
>
>- Proposal two - brandon, devin, laury and rick
>"Adopt new organizational structure and apply as a New IMC"
>
>- Proposal three - laury
>"Editorial policy"
>
>peace,
>brandon
>
>
>+++++++++++++++++++
>+++ Meeting Info ++
>+++++++++++++++++++
>
>When: Saturday November 20th at 1pm
>Where: Meeting Room in Rick's apartment building. 7 story building just
>north of Northgate Way, east of the mall, across from the Northgate Park
>and Ride.
>Address: 11050 8th Ave. NE.
>Buses: 5, 16, 41, 66, 67, 75, 242
>Map: http://tinyurl.com/58eya
>Facilitator: TBD
>
>
>++++++++++++++++++++++
>+++ Proposal one +++
>++++++++++++++++++++++
>
>Stop web publishing until there is a collective
>
>The Seattle IMC, as of November 2004, even considering the hard work of
>specific individuals, is not a functional organization.
>
>Open-publishing and editorial feature publishing on the website will be
>halted immediately and resumed when, and only if, a functional
>collective emerges that meets the standards of the IMC global new-imc
>working group.
>
>Membership Criteria:
>http://archives.lists.indymedia.org/new-imc/2001-May/000155.html
>http://newimc.indymedia.org/
>
>++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>+++ End Proposal one +++
>++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
>
>++++++++++++++++++++
>+++ Proposal two +++
>++++++++++++++++++++
>
>New Seattle IMC Organizational Structure
>
>Mission Statement
>
>The Seattle Independent Media Center (hereafter SEAIMC) is a democratic
>media outlet for the creation of radical, accurate, and passionate
>tellings of truth. The organization is dedicated to using media
>production and distribution as tools for promotion of social and
>economic justice in the Seattle area and the state of Washington. Our
>aim is to empower people to "become the media" by providing access to
>available technologies and information.
>
>We do not conceal our politics behind a false objectivity. With an
>emphasis on local issues, we will seek connections to global systems. We
>intend to illuminate and analyze issues that are affected by the
>increasing corporate domination of society and the subsequent erosion of
>democracy and equal protection under the law. We seek to generate
>alternatives to the current biases inherent in profit-based and
>corporate media and to contribute to the development of an equitable and
>sustainable society.
>
>Operating Principles
>
>1) We hereby abandon all prior governance structures, policies and
>affiliations.
>
>2) SEAIMC organizational structure shall here fore be replaced by the
>structure outlined in this document.
>
>3) SEAIMC structure is not derived from a centralized bureaucratic
>process, but from the self-organization of autonomous working groups
>that recognize the importance in developing a unified approach. These
>groups can be centered around a set of tasks (e.g., web design, tech,
>editorial), a type of media (e.g., video, print, web radio), an activity
>(e.g., promotion/outreach, reporting), or some other project.
>
>4) A working group shall be defined as 1 or more people engaged in work.
>SEAIMC working groups can organize in whatever fashion they find most
>appropriate to their needs (e.g., frequency of meetings, method of
>communication, open or closed listservs, work or skill requirements,
>renewal obligations, etc.) as long as they stick to the SEAIMC
>Principles of Unity (see item #6).
>
>5) SEAIMC collective membership is granted to volunteers that are
>members of one or more working groups,
>
>- Collective membership allows participation in SEAIMC organizational
>meetings. This includes:
>
>+ Signaling approval in tests for consensus
>
>+ Raising "blocking" concerns
>
>+ Requesting a super-majority vote
>
>+ Voting in a super-majority vote
>
>- Collective membership requires:
>
>+ Active participation.
>
>+ Taking responsibility for words and actions.
>
>+ Willingness to participate in conflict resolution if requested by
>another member.
>
>6) SEAIMC Principles of Unity
>
>a) An open exchange of and open access to information is a prerequisite
>to the building of a more free and just society.
>
>b) The goal of all working groups is to provide an information
>infrastructure for people and opinions that do not have access to the
>airwaves, tools, and resources of corporate media. This includes audio,
>video, photography, internet distribution, and any other communication
>medium. We support open media making by creating forums for individuals,
>groups and organizations to express their views, anonymously if desired.
>
>c) SEAIMC is a non-commercial, anti-capitalist democratic collective.
>
>d) All working groups recognize the importance of process to social
>change and are committed to the development of non-hierarchical and
>anti-authoritarian relationships, from interpersonal relationships to
>group dynamics. Therefore, they shall organize themselves collectively
>and be committed to the principle of consensus decision-making and the
>development of a direct, participatory democratic process that is
>transparent to those involved.
>
>e) All working groups recognize that the contribution of an individual's
>labor is a prerequisite for participation in the decision making process
>of a working group or at SEAIMC general meeting. Individuals who are not
>committing tangible labor to a SEAIMC working group are encouraged to
>share their views but may not "block" a consensus.
>
>f) SEAIMC members and working groups are committed to caring for one
>another and our respective communities both collectively and as
>individuals and will promote the sharing of resources including
>knowledge, skills and equipment.
>
>g) SEAIMC shall be committed to the use of free source code, whenever
>possible, in order to develop the digital infrastructure, and to
>increase the independence of the network by not relying on proprietary
>software.
>
>h) All working groups shall be committed to the principle of human
>equality, and shall not discriminate based upon race, spiritual belief,
>gender, age, class or sexual identity. Working groups are committed to
>the ideal of building diversity within their activities. Bigotry of any
>kind will not be tolerated.
>
>i) Consensus among members shall be the standard method of decision
>making, but a super-majority of 85% can be used to resolve intractable
>conflicts.
>
>- Consensus shall be explicit rather than implied.
>
>- Consensus decisions shall be made with a quorum of 60% of membership,
>OR at least 8 members.
>
>- WITHIN a working group, a different approach is acceptable if
>
>+ The working group creates a new policy using explicit consensus.
>
>+ The policy is written
>
>+ The policy is distributed to all members
>
>- A super-majority should not be used unless an intractable conflict 
>exists.
>
>- An intractable conflict is one that threatens the core values of the
>group, or severely delays reasonable progress toward our mission.
>
>j) Individuals and working groups agree to use Conflict Resolution
>process to resolve conflicts.
>
>- Members have a right to safety and dignity within the SEAIMC. Sexual
>harassment, intimidation, threats of violence, and acts of violence
>against other members will not be tolerated and will result in immediate
>expulsion from the organization.
>
>- Members are expected to address concerns about individuals or groups
>of individuals respectfully and in a venue that is appropriately public
>and appropriately safe.
>
>- Member concerns that have been respectfully raised and continue to be
>un-addressed are priority business for the collective.
>
>- Members uninvolved with the conflict at hand have a responsibility to
>volunteer to help mediate conflicts.
>
>7) Any individual or working group that agrees with this document is
>asked to participate in the SEAIMC.
>
>8) Membership will be revoked in cases of severe conduct violations of
>the SEAIMC Principles of Unity.
>
>9) Finances and Assets
>
>a) SEAIMC corporate officers must be active in one or more working
>groups. The authority of the corporate officers of the Washington State
>Non-Profit Corporation Independent Media Center is limited to renewing
>the Incorporation.
>
>b) All finances shall be handled within the working groups and members.
>SEAIMC has no need for any financial dealings other the cost of renewing
>yearly the incorporation. The corporate officers will request member
>contributions to pay for the incorporation fees. If the membership is
>unable or unwilling to donate the fee, the corporation will be dissolved.
>
>c) The SEAIMC will continue to operate the space at SCAN as long as the
>arrangement is mutually beneficial. During the tenancy, all members and
>working groups must abide by the access rules established by SCAN.
>
>d) When SEAIMC relocates, it will be the responsibility of the working
>group or groups to acquire and maintain any space they may need. If more
>than one working group needs a space at that time, they would be
>encouraged to work together.
>
>e) Any property not claimed by a working group 30 days prior to the end
>of the SCAN tenancy will be disposed of. To be able to claim property, a
>working group must have shown tangible work towards a defined goal for a
>minimum of 60 days during the past 12 months.
>
>10) Once this document has been approved, consensus cannot alter the
>mission, focus or operational structure of the organization without the
>following extraordinary measures:
>
>- A proposal and meeting notice must be available two weeks prior
>
>- A super-quorum of 75% or 20 members should be present at the final vote
>
>++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>+++ End Proposal two +++
>++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
>
>++++++++++++++++++++++
>+++ Proposal three +++
>++++++++++++++++++++++
>
>Editorial Policy
>
>The Seattle Independent Media Center (here after SEAIMC) is an open
>collective of grassroots journalists dedicated to providing an open
>outlet for non-corporate news and analysis.
>
>Anybody may participate in the organization by attending our public
>meetings, joining a working group, or participating in an email listserv.
>
>The SEAIMC is an organization that strives to work with all mediums,
>including print, audio, video, and internet. The website at
>http://seattle.indymedia.org is the online outlet of the organization's
>reporting.
>
>The SEAIMC is affiliated with the global Indymedia movement. This
>network works to foster media creation based upon the principles of free
>participation and association, mutual aid, open-source software, open
>publishing, and transparent decision-making. As an affiliate of the
>Indymedia network, the SEAIMC remains committed to these principles.
>
>The website operates two basic media dissemination structures: feature
>stories and the open newswire.
>
>Feature stories, which are found in the center column of the website,
>are written and/or selected by members of the SEAIMC collective. These
>features represent the organization's daily output of news and editorial
>content. Seattle-area and Washington stories and issues are the focus of
>features, although regional and global stories are published as well.
>Features are typically based on content published on the open publishing
>newswire.
>
>The open publishing newswire appears in the right-hand column of the
>website, and works as the basic means through which any participant can
>contribute news and editorial content to the SEAIMC website. Text,
>photo, audio, video, and several other types of files are publishable on
>the newswire.
>
>The online newswire is designed to empower individuals to become
>independent and civic journalists by providing a direct, unmoderated
>forum for presenting media, including text articles, audio and video
>recordings, and photographs, to the public via the Internet. Within that
>general framework, we specifically encourage individuals to publish:
>
>- Well-researched, timely articles
>- Investigative reports exposing injustice
>- Coverage of Seattle-area and Washington state issues
>- Stories on events affecting underrepresented groups
>- Media produced from within underrepresented groups
>- Stories on issues ignored by the mainstream media
>- Stories on people or projects working towards social and economic 
>justice.
>- Eyewitness accounts of progressive actions and demonstrations
>- Media analysis
>
>The newswire is a democratic forum designed to make available important
>stories, news, and opinions with local relevance. The newswire operates
>on the principle of "open publishing" meaning that anyone with access to
>the Internet can post articles, photographs, audio and video to the
>newswire without prior editorial approval. SEAIMC is dedicated to
>maintaining the newswire as a completely open forum. However, the
>editorial collective regularly watches the newswire, intervening on rare
>occasions to maintain its usefulness as a media resource and as a
>welcoming community space.
>
>Content published on the newswire is not endorsed by the SEAIMC, and is
>subject to a basic editorial policy designed to facilitate open
>media-making while preventing obfuscation of the newswire as a media
>dissemination device.
>
>The intent of the newswire is to enable independent reporters to publish
>news and commentary on contemporary social and political issues.
>Published material that abuses the editorial policy is liable to be
>hidden. Published content may also be grouped together if their subject
>matter is related. Hidden content is not visible on the front newswire
>archives, and is not included in the website search function. The
>decision to hide is made by individual SEAIMC collective members who are
>empowered to implement the editorial policy.
>
>The SEAIMC reserves the right to hide newswire posts that:
>
>1) Advertise commercial services or products
>
>2) Are repetitive or duplicates
>
>3) Contain or link to pornographic content
>
>4) Publicize or advocate actions that actively endanger human or animal
>safety
>
>5) Use language, imagery or other forms of communication that promote
>bigotry and/or hatred based upon gender, ethnicity, race, sexual
>orientation, religion, class, age, physical or developmental ability, or
>national origin.
>
>6) Contain content that has been published on multiple IMC newswires
>
>7) Repostings of corporate media content that is available elsewhere on
>the internet, or excerpts of previously published material.
>
>8) Appear in an unreadable format (e.g., posts posted as test) or are
>titled “test”
>
>9) Are obviously false or misleading in terms of author, location, time,
>or actors. This includes attempts to spread disinformation or
>impersonate another individual.
>
>10) Are unintelligible (e.g., containing numerous spelling or
>grammatical errors).
>
>11) Are off-topic or are not news.
>
>12) Are flamebaits made with the intention of provoking argument and/or
>limiting constructive dialog.
>
>13) Are otherwise inconsistent with the general mission of this website,
>which is to use media production and distribution as tools for promoting
>social and economic justice in the Seattle-area and Washington State.
>
>Published content that is included in any of the above categories may be
>hidden at the discretion of the SEAIMC. The hiding of articles, however,
>does not indicate that unhidden articles are endorsed by the SEAIMC.
>
>The newswire is a tool intended to facilitate grassroots media
>dissemination, and the SEAIMC will actively strive to work as a
>community-based participatory media organization.
>
>++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>+++ End Proposal three +++
>++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
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