[imc-st.louis] Next IMC-StL Reboot Meeting, Mon 3/26 8:30pm, @ CAMP

[Ben]

Ben wrote:
> 
> Next Meeting @ CAMP, 8:30pm
> 3026 Cherokee, 2nd Floor
> 
>                 Contact:        eM:  sca at free-assembly.org
>                         Ph:  Ben (314.401.6985)
> 
> Selected minutes from prior meeting...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> IMC-StL Re-Boot_Brainstorm ~ Session 1
> 
> 	      Thursday, March 15  @  7 Pm
> 	      Typo Cafe ~ 3159 Cherokee St. (at Compton), St. Louis
> 
> 
> Scoping Agenda
> 
> ~ IMC Status, Ops, Logistics... IndyMedia operations, logistics,  crew
> process -- essential partipation & skills;
> ~ IMC Structure & Editorial Policy... updates, building quality & continuity
> ~ Media Connections ~ IMC connections with Confluence & other media re:
> news content & coverage;
> ~ IndyJournalists ~ openings for investigative reportage, putting local
> skills to work;
> ~ Regional Media Resource ~ making IMC-StL a resource for regional
> journalism & media issues;
> 
> 	___________________	
> 
> 	GOALS -- Visioning IMC-StL in future action...
> 
> ¥ Inclusive Reportage -
> 
> ¥ IMC as 'Media Organization' -
> 
> ¥ Investigative Journalism -
> 
> ¥ KDHX, TV & Radio Cahoots -
> 
> ¥ Media Training - bringing in facts & stories...
> 
> 
> 	STRUCTURE ~ How IMC's are set up...
> 
>       The "Collective"	------------->
> 
>       In Indymedia's inception and emergent local groups, the
> "Collective" has been the operating body  -- comprising and running the
> IMC as volunteers.  This is still recognized as the common unit of
> organization, reflecting principles of equal cooperation and
> decision-making.  It has worked remarkably well in support of political
> events, and some strong chapters have maintained and grown in this form.
> 
>       However Collectives are also vulnerable to skill gaps, personnel
> attrition, personality conflicts, and lack of funds.  Many chapters have
> struggled with such issues, IMC-StL among them.  This structure is good
> for ad hoc collaboration, agility in event coverage, grassroots access,
> & community values... it's bad for stability, continuity, and public
> business.
> 
>       . Status:  founding Collective dispersed, support & news input
> dissipated since 2005, Editorial group mostly disbanded.  Ben West has
> been carrying the operation, keeping the site up and communicating to
> the eM list,.  He has plans to set up a new program & interface for the
> website -- based on the directions IMC-StL takes, and the able
> participation it pulls in.
> 
> 		-------------->    an "Unincorporated Association"
> 
>       The Collective is 'almost' an "Unincorporated Association" -- the
> minimal group entity recognized by law, a fitting & logical evolution.
> It is still composed of volunteers plugging in, but sets up a viable
> legal framework for inside work, outside business, & public
> interactions.  It operates on simple bylaws and agreed process for
> decisions & projects.
>        - Nevertheless, is there use in some sort of "branding" or
> "trademarking" of IMC
> 
>       [advantages as a public-interest organization] ........  [autonomy
> and clear authority in IMC actions]
> 
>       Potential for offering incentive to contributing writers
> (financial would of course be nice)?  Writer's fellowship?
> 
> 	ORGANIZING ~ Setting up the Re-Boot
> 
>      Now;	Constituting a Working Group... Enabling via agreed Guidelines...
> 
>      Next:	Defining a Working Process... restore monthly meetings...
> 
>      Later:	Strategic Planning...
> 
> 
> 	TO DO ~  First Steps
> 
>   [1]	Crew-Building:    3 major areas -- Editorial, Tech-Ops, Programs
> 
>   [2]	Targeted Outreach:
> 
>   [3]	Research IMC Strategies:  IndyMedia raps & resources
> 
>   [4]	Public Event:  bigger plenary powwow...
> 
>   [5]	Journalism Training:  ...South Side U.?  ... KDHX?
>    - 6 week workshop
>    - workshops on interviewing techniques
>    - how to get a story
>    - regular staffing?
> 
>       MISC Comments (added by Ben)
> 
> 	Immediate steps
> 	- Have editors contribute stories to put up *one new feature per week*
> 	- Very important to limit the burden on the folks involved
> 	- Work on timelines
> 	
>     Patrick:
>      -IMC is by nature an online site
> 	 -Newspapers are by nature top-heavy, difficulty managing presentation
> of broad content
> 	 -Suggest experimentation w/ web interface
> 	
> 	 Patrick:
> 	 - Recent corporate acquisition of independent media, e.g. RFT, Village
> Voice
> 	 - Tim: IMC can provide (as it has in limited ways) coverage where
> mainstream media leaves off
> 	 - Different playing field nationwide
> 	 - "Democracy Now" has filled a breach, but shouldn't be the only show
> doing such.  Better accountability for the public $$$ spent on DN?		
> 	
> 	Jonathan
> 	- Build up "little black book," i.e. contacts and know-out to share
> with other writers
> 	- Business cards
> 
> 	Suggested Homework: Research how other orgs have dealt with these problems


-- 
Ben West
westbywest at riseup.net
http://savetheinternet.org