[Imc-uk-features] Feb 08 Network gathering proposal

[maqui]

Hello, I am probably already mega late reacting to this (as usual :) 
but here we go anyway:

First: thanks a lot Mick for starting the ball rolling for next network 
meeting. Let's make sure we don't miss on this one!! :-)

Second: shall from now on only use the network list for this, and not 
duplicate mails to features and /or process lists?

As for the dates Mick mentions, personally I am available both weekends 
that have been proposed for February. So whichever is best for people, 
is also best for me.

As for the meeting's structure Mick's propose: I like the idea of 
splitting it up into thematic workshops / discussions, instead of 
trying to address every single important issue in a continuous, long 
plenary session(s) But having said that, stuff like editorial 
guidelines, trying to unblock antagonistic positions to specific issues 
(dunno, 911, antisemistism, etc...) and the future of indyuk (what 
Shiar calls 'rethinking/restructuring Indymedia UK') could probably be 
discussed in separate groups too, but then they would also need to have 
allocated some time in the plenary sessions, as these are the main 
issues that affect us all, as well as the health of the project. Maybe 
the sub-groups could discuss single issues more in depth for a set 
period of time, then re-convene as a plenary, see whether concrete 
proposals from the subgroups reach consensus in the plenary, if yes 
bingo! :-) and if not, split again and re-convene a bit later on with 
newer proposals from the subgroups, until consensus is possible in the 
plenary.

Actually, I do see this (next) network meeting as a gathering in two 
phases. The first one along the lines of what Mick has proposed, and 
the second a month and a half later or so (maybe in London) to finish 
discussions, to polish stuff up, etc. I think this network meeting is a 
sort of make o break for indy uk (without trying to sound melodramatic 
:-) But the truth is that serious issues need addressing / 
re-considering. I am positive that in spite of the harsh exchanges in 
the lists lately, we will be able to come up with consensued positions 
about the crucial issues.

If we started these discussions in Manchester or Notts in midd 
February, and then people had lets say 5 - 6 weeks to bring stuff back 
and discuss issues within their local kollectives at a more localised 
level, and then re-convene back as a network at the end of march / 
beginning of april (for example)  we would probably give us more scope 
to set something that we all agree with, and that would set the basis 
for this new imc-uk thing to flourish.

Also, last thing i'd like to comment upon is this idea of opening the 
meeting up to newcomers by having some sessions dedicated to them. 
Kool, no problem, but the concern I have is that this may take time / 
human resources away from the main discussions, which, in fact, by 
their very own nature, may be a bit boring for newcomers, or may even 
some new people off all together. So I am not sure how to do this.

Shiar proposes:

> So what i'd
> propose is to dedicate the first half day to welcome new comers and
> introduce them to Indymedia in a general session or two, which can 
> also be
> used to (re)define Indymedia by 'established members'. Then the rest of
> the day could be used for practical workshops for new/interested 
> people,
> while, at the same time, other people have two or more sessions about
> past/present/near future problems (e.g. editorial guidelines, servers
> etc.).
>
> Perhaps we could also somehow have in the first day a _concise and
> constructive_ political discussion in the broader sense.
>
> The second day, in my proposal, would be dedicated entirely to
> rethinking/restructuring Indymedia UK (my own proposals earlier, but 
> also
> other things like design, tech stuff, network-regions etc. etc.).
>
> What do people think?

Well, I think I actually would do the same but in the opposite order. 
Judging from the past network meetings, it is often the case that 
sunday is a lateish start, people begin to be a bit tired, and then 
most peeps need to start making their journeys back to whatever they 
came from in the early afternoon. It has been the case in the past that 
sunday has only given space for a longish plenary session, and that's 
about it. I think that we are in danger of not really fully addressing 
the 'important' stuff if we leave it for the sunday sessions.

Why don't we start saturday with all the crucial points when peple are 
fresh and have drunk less beer, and then leave sunday for an open 
session in the morning, and a plenary in the early afternoon?.

I don't know, my five pence anyway

Cheers
maqui

PD" Ah! .. last thing. Maybe it'd be good to have a couple of irc 
preparatory sessions in january, at least to try to set a specific 
agenda and timetable. By the way, from this weekend i'll be a bit quiet 
until after new year, but i'll keep an eye to developments. Happy 2008 
to everyone by the way!! :-)