[imc-st.louis] IMC-StL_Minutes-ReBoot #2, 3/26

[scottie a.]

IMC-StL Re-Boot_Brainstorm ~ Session 2
	Monday, March 26 '07  @  8:30 Pm
	IMC Office ~ 3026 Cherokee St. (at Minnesota), St. Louis

		Meeting 'Moments'
		Scribes:  Ben West, Scottie Addison

Present: Scottie Addison, Ben West , Peter Jones, Digger (later)

SCA:  Minutes of Session 1 presented... apologies 
for late eM notice on this meeting.

	'TO DO' ITEMS ~  Following Up:

   [1]	Crew-Building:  

	How many core volunteers, optimal crews --
  -- Editorial = 6... suggest rotating crew, 
4-month stints w/ breaks, bring in new people
  -- Tech-Ops = 3... co-work on website workup & admin, IMC communications gear
  -- Co-Ops = 4... basic coordinating roles, 
variable for projects (to be resolved)

	START-UP MOVES:

Tech-Ops
- Website:  current "Dada" interface is clumsy, old, vulnerable to spam & hacks
- Ben is getting starting on new Drupal website: http://reboot.stlimc.org
Pilot site can also serve as medium for the 
current working group (like a 'wiki' site)
- Peter can assist soon... plan for migration of 
current site content;  Ben suggests tha old 
STLIMC site at stlimc.org be archived, deep links 
will be preserved
- Preferred to focus all efforts on building new 
site; don't bother too much with old stuff
- SCA:  Broader scope of media content is a 
challenge in design, topology of ideas... 
anticipate varying access privileges for 
different site functions - admin/user/subscriber
- Additional tech jobs:  Basic communications & 
studio facilities, e.g.: phone, fax, video, etc.?

Editorial
- Ben sent out queries for new Crew, 4 confirmed: 
Patrick Ritchey, Digger, Peter Jones, Ben West.
- Rotate the editorial crew... get solid 
commitments for short term of service (4 mos. = 
trimester), renewable & flexible so individuals 
don't burn out, build a broader pool of editorial 
skills
- Ben would like to move forward with Digger's 
suggested pilot project, i.e., editors turning 
out weekly features.
- Scottie stresses it would be problematic to 
burden editorial group, who will have a steady 
demanding job to do... don't make it too big. 
Set this up as a special IMC project at-large.
- Suggest penning 4 or 5 features to premiere with launch of the new site
- Issue:  Would the newswire be improved if 
validated eM registration were required, or would 
this subvert the IndyMedia principle of open 
publishing?  The newswire can be low-profile, but 
spams & flames still hurt the site.  Registering 
can preserve anonymity, encourage stories with 
real names.

Co-Ops
-  SCA syllogism re: General operations -- 
coordinating projects, core administrative & 
business tasks... need to define roles for 
near-term program plans, crew 'critical mass' for 
the work
- Ben suggests re-doing the IMC proposal process 
with indymedia.org, good faith w/ "Principles of 
Unity", not about organizing or bylaws:  Simple 
working agreements í IMC Manual/Charter.
- Draw upon research & outreach... see below.

   [2]	Targeted Outreach:
- Make a list of 20-25 regional media & advocate 
organizations, contacts & queries on public info 
needs, reportage, opportunities for 
cooperation... in turn this shapes IMC program 
planning
- Outreach strategy: count on gradual growth, 
patient in building familiarity & understanding, 
i.e. "hit them 3 times"... gear toward bigger 
public meeting as big splash, ripple out to 
further groups.
- A few org'ns should be in on formative Re-Boot work, invite to next meeting?

   [3]	Research IMC Strategies:
- Homework to do: Research how other IMC's do 
their operations, i.e.:  Do they always work as 
collectives, how have stronger groups adapted in 
structure?
- Good comparison @ Urbana-Champaign IMC, with 
own building & institutional ties to U. of 
Illinois, etc (although definitely too elaborate 
for us).  Ck info:
	http://www.ucimc.org/info/structure
	http://www.ucimc.org/info/documents
- Other sources, per Ben:
	occupationstl.net (St. Louis Occupation Project)
	worcester.indymedia.org (Worcester, Mass IMC)

   [4]	Public Event:
- This comes out of the 'Re-Boot' sessions, 
foreseen as a culmination of the plenary work... 
present new IMC site & operating model, pull in 
broader community involvement & cooperations.
- Anticipate a date in mid-May, afternoon 
workshop w/ space for 60-80 participants... 
details & timing to be discussed further, based 
on outreach & ideas in-progress.

  [5]	Journalism Training:
- SCA called KDHX, checked on changes in classes 
offered in '05, got contacts for followup... 
assess this and other local programs for best 
options. 
- There may be two separate types or tiers of 
training for local Indyjournalists - basic press 
techniques for reporting & writing, and more 
intensive training for multimedia production.
- Ben:  Start collecting tools, e.g. tape 
recorders, cameras, etc.  Poll volunteer 
reporters & personal resources on-hand.


	NEXT MEETING ~  Brainstorm, Session #3:
	Thurs., 5 April '07 -- 7 PM
	Location:   Typo Cafe or CAMP, tbd
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