[Bookstoprisoners] June 7th Steering Meeting notes

[wmullins at insightbb.com]

Notes from the 6-7-07 Steering Meeting
 
In attendance:  Mike, Jason, Niloofar, Bob, Noah, April, Bill (notes), Brian
 
GROUP REPORTS
 
Finance -- Jason reported that the '06 audit is upcoming.  Work on internal reconciliation of working group finances is a Finance priority and is in progress.  Of note: The IMC is running a deficet mostly due to power bills and space vacancies.  Finance continues to explore ways to increase revenue, e.g., better uses of the space, renting parking spaces et cetera.  Brian volunteered to coordinate with Finance regarding advertisements of space and parking rentals with Print.  An open reminder was given encouraging all to recruit/contact people who might be interested in renting the space or using it for events.
 
Books to Prisoners -- Niloofar proposed that Books to Prisoners be given official use of the anteroom space adjoining the Books to Prisoners room for relocating BtP packaging, computer work stations, and so forth.  Mike, speaking for Finance, proposed an increase in BtP rent from $200/mo to $250/mo for the offical use of the extra space.  BtP should discuss this proposal at their monthly meeting, June 9th, and will followup with Finance.  BtP and Finance will continue working on questions of rent and bookkeeping.
 
Print -- Bob reported that the June issue of the Public i is in progress.  It will likely be a double June/July issue.  Submissions are still welcome, so anyone interested in contributing an article should contact the Public i.
 
WRFU -- No particular news to report.  
 
ANNOUNCEMENT: Sunday, June 9th, there will be a police exercise at the courthouse.  Sections of Elm and Broadway will be closed to traffic from noon until 8pm.  Any groups planning Sunday meetings or events should be aware of this and have alternative parking plans.
 
 
AGENDA ITEMS
 
1.  There will be a Web Group meeting Wednesday, June 13th, at 7pm to address issues of IMC web site editorial policy and practices.  An updated editorial policy will be posted to the IMC website.
 
2.  The permanent ban of the IMC forum poster "Xander" was discussed and "Xander" will be banned from the forum due to a pattern of abusive postings and attempts at intimidation.
 
3.  New Shows policies are under revision.  Of note: IMC member(s) will now be present at shows and events to staff the shows, oversee security, and insure that IMC show policy is followed.
 
4.  The IMC's BYOB policy is being reviewed.  Mike will meet with the appropriate city government folks to discuss recent city complaints regarding alcohol at IMC events.  While there is a need to strike a balance between attracting shows to the space vs. the troubles that BYOB can cause, more restrictions on alcohol at IMC events are likely.  Currently there is a moratorium on BYOB events.
 
5.  The Production Room renovation is ongoing.  More multi-use workstations should be in place soon.  Access to the Production Room will be via the new keylist only.  Please see signage on the Production Room door for procedure.  Issues of mailboxes and phone use for the Public i are being addressed.  
 
6.  Security issues and new key policy.  Mike presented Danielle's proposal that the IMC re-key the two basement entrances and the front entrance, also placing a combination lock on the front entrance.  New keys and access to the combination code will be restricted to a more carefully tracked list of active IMC members.  This change in the locks, along with the recent recoding of the USPS combination code locks on the building, should eliminate most of the security concerns that have arisen recently regarding the basement.  
 
Jason argued that the stairwells to the basement should also be re-keyed to make the basement more secure.  Mike argued that re-keying all entries into the building should be sufficient.  If safety concerns about the basement persist after the three external locks are changed, the issue of re-keying the stairwells can be revisited.
 
Within the next few weeks, or sooner, a combination lock will be installed on the main IMC entrance.  Re-keying of the three entrances will take place at the same time or follow shortly afterwards.  Details of the process for obtaining a new key will be posted to the IMC list by Mike Lehman.  New key recipients will need to be put on a keystaff list by their respective working groups, presumably should be active, dues-paying IMC members, and will need to contact Mike to receive the new key and combination code.  Current holders of a #4 key will not need to pay an additional key deposit to receive the new key.  
 
7.  Club Freestyle has been banned from the IMC after an act of vandalism in which the combination code locks on the southern side of the building were destroyed.  At a meeting between Chris, Jason, Tanya from Habari Connection, and the Club Freestyle members, an invitation was extended to Club Freestyle to remain active at the IMC if they would be accountable for the broken lock and the costs of replacing it.  This attempt at reconciliation failed.  Chris requested banning Club Freestyle from the IMC.  At Steering, Mike suggested that the ban be temporary pending further information and further efforts at reconciliation with the group.  
 
 
--bill
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