[Bookstoprisoners] Notes from the February 1st IMC Steering Committee Meeting

[Sandra Ahten]

Clarifying the info about the trading 5% of our income for bookkeeping
services. The actual situation is that
it is improper accounting practice for BtP to be maintaining it's own
account (especially since it is actually a personal account in my
name). Because we are a working group of the IMC we must have all of
our income and expenses variviable through the IMC accounting system.
In the eyes of the IRS, BtP does not exists... we are simply the IMC.
Because of the added burden on the IMC accountant and bookeeper to
conduct all BtP transactions, we need to financially support this. I'm
estimating our income at $10,000 this year. 5% of that would be $500.
This seems a fair amount to me. But, I did specify that it was subject
to approval by BtP membership and that we would want to renegotiate if
we got any grant that would have a limited number of transactions
involved in it. I have also worked out details with the IMC to ensure
timely and accurate accounting and access to information about our
accounts. I'll share all of that with you at our next meeting, when we
can either approve the 5% -- or try to come up with another solution.

Sandra

On 2/3/07, Jay Schubert <jay.schubert at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: wmullins at insightbb.com
> To: bookstoprisoners-bounces at lists.chambana.net
> Date: Sat, 03 Feb 2007 13:41:12 -0600
> Subject: Notes from the Feb 1st Steering Committee meeting
>
>
> Notes from the February 1st IMC Steering Committee Meeting
>
> [ Apology: I didn't get everybody's last name. Next time! –bill ]
>
> THE PUBLIC I. Brian and Bob from The Public I reported that the February
> issue will focus on Black History Month. They are considering either Women's
> History Month or Iraq and Iran as themes for the March issue. The Public I
> is also considering running a series of interviews with the older generation
> of local activists. If you have any ideas for people who ought to be
> interviewed or if you have any interest in conducting and writing up those
> interviews, contact The Public I. Brian also expressed interest in any
> poetry, fiction, or articles written by prisoners that we might be able to
> pass on for publication.
>
> STAFFING. Brian reported that there is a general shortage of staffing and a
> need for volunteers to staff the IMC during its open hours. Volunteers are
> needed to take charge of organizing and cleaning the main office/staff room,
> including the time-consuming job of deleting messages from the excessively
> backed up voicemail. The need for a better message system and the
> possibility of a better phone system with more lines and voicemail boxes for
> each working group was discussed.
>
> SPACE. Christopher reported that work on the Kid's Art Space is progressing
> nicely. A decision has been made to commission a sign for the front of the
> building more clearly identifying us as The Independent Media Center. A
> general reminder was given to be a little more security conscious, e.g.,
> making sure doors are locked after hours.
>
> WRFU. Dan reported that WRFU is planning a Capital Campaign to raise at
> least $7000 before November for the erection of a new 100 foot radio tower
> to replace the current 65-75 foot tower, significantly increasing the
> broadcast range of the station. There was general discussion for some form
> of cross-promotion between the WRFU campaign and the Books2Prisoners book
> sale and other events, but no clear plans or ideas were proposed. Dan also
> reported that new studio monitors are being installed. As always, anyone
> interested in becoming an air shifter or proposing a show should attend WRFU
> meetings. WRFU continues to fill several time slots with automated content,
> and new show ideas are welcome.
>
> TECH. Dan reported that various projects are in progress, particularly work
> on increasing the bandwidth for the IMC web site and other upgrades.
>
> SHOWS. Rory reported that there is almost no involvement in the Shows
> meetings and people are strongly encouraged to show up 7pm Thursdays and get
> involved in finding ways to book more events, to find groups to use the
> space, and to boost our PR and event attendance. The ongoing classes early
> in the week are doing well. There have been very few events booked for
> Thursdays, Fridays, and weekends—except for Habari Connection. A WRFU
> Capital Campaign kick-off event is coming soon—please check their web site
> for info. The Boneyard Arts Festival is coming April 20-22, and will include
> The Prisoner Arts Festival April 21 and swing dancing from midnight 'til 6am
> April 20 th and 21st.
>
> FINANCE. Danielle reported that the 2005 audit is almost complete and went
> well. The 2007 budget is currently being planned. There was discussion of
> ideas for lowering the IMC's utility bills, including exploring the purchase
> of energy from a power co-op, and research grants for solar panels and other
> ways to "green" the building. Anybody interested in doing research to find
> and/or write those types of grants should come to a Finance meeting (5:30
> Thursdays). Danielle also reported that Books2Prisoners has traded 5% of our
> income for bookkeeping services. Also, there are parking spaces for sale
> ($30-40/month), and two spaces currently available, one for $550/month and a
> studio space for $175/month. A Draw Down The Debt campaign is also being
> planned to pay down the IMC mortgage.
>
> BONEYARD ARTS FESTIVAL. A guest coordinator from the Boneyard Arts Festival
> attended to learn more about the IMC and to provide information about
> various community art projects. The Urbana Public Arts program is currently
> taking applications for serving on a 6-month committee that will make
> brainstorm and make decisions about what kinds of public art the program
> will sponsor in Urbana. The program hopes to focus on local and
> multicultural themes, but the types and content of the art is completely
> wide open at this point. Anna also discussed the benefits of having the IMC
> registered with 40/North as an official venue for the Boneyard Arts
> Festival, i.e., it would increase attendance at our events. (The IMC still
> has space and time slots available for planning Boneyard events. If anyone
> is interested, come to a Shows meeting.)
>
> RESOLUTIONS. The Steering Committee passed a resolution for the IMC to be
> listed as a co-sponsor of the Illinois Disciples Foundation's spring film
> series. A resolution was also passed to co-sponsor AWARE's "Oaxaca—Witness
> For Peace" presentation (February 13 th, 7pm, at the Urbana City Council).
> Danielle reported on her trip to the World Social Forum in Kenya and
> introduced a proposal for helping fund a sister Indymedia radio station in
> Nairobi, Kenya. No decision was made, but there seemed to be general support
> in the Steering Group in favor of the proposal.
>
> (P.S.  I plan to attend Steering Committee meetings as regularly as I can.
> I'm not sure who else in Books2Prisoners will be attending, but I'm happy to
> volunteer to take any questions you e-mail me and try to find out the
> answers.  For the next few months, I'm hoping to learn as much about the IMC
> as I can and the Thursday night meeting seems a good place to start.
> --Bill Mullins)
>
>
>
>
> --
> Jay
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>
>


-- 
Sandra Ahten
The Reasonable Diet
Group Facilitator / Program Author/
Professional Diet Motivation Expert
http://www.reasonablediet.com
217-367-6345