[Imc-bookkeeper] Re: [Community] Re: Socialist Forum Space Usage
Fees and Lock Changes
Mike Lehman
rebelmike at earthlink.net
Wed Apr 8 13:07:30 CDT 2009
I'll add my two cents here, although I believe that Danielle has pretty
clearly laid out the financial implications.
I think the Social Forum/Potluck is a great idea and am very glad it's
turning into a substantial and continuing success, even though my
workload currently prohibits my involvement, as well as in Socialist
Forum. In the past, I was usually in position to clarify such issues and
regret that multiple messages have resulted in misunderstandings.
The IMC Steering group ended up with responsibility for approving free
or vastly reduced cost events, in consultation with Finance -- or that
is what I remember from the outcome of various issues that Shows has
been trying to overcome recently. Shows has had an enormous amount of
turnover and is only now actually functioning effectively again.
Danielle has clearly laid out the costs that the IMC has to bear,
whether the space is rented for a specific event or not. Another factor
is that the free or reduced cost option was always intended to be on a
case-by-case basis. For any regularly recurring event, we really do need
to make arrangements for covering the costs. In part, this is because
any regularly scheduled event in the space will always have an
opportunity cost -- that slot in the schedule is no longer available for
use by a group or organization willing to cover the costs of maintaining
the space.
I know that many of those involved are IMC members and many have made
exceptional contributions in helping finance the building during and
after the purchase. Many probably don't know that even once the building
is paid off -- most likely in the next ten years -- there will always
remain substantial utility and overhead costs that will continue as part
of the cost structure we must cover in order for the IMC to continue to
exist as a brick-and-mortar entity. The current utility cost alone is
more than twice what the mortgage payment is every month -- and as we
know from paying our home utility bills, it will only go up from here.
As much as any IMC member, I have done a lot of work to make resources
and facilities available to the community on a no- or very low-cost
basis. This is an important part of what the IMC does.However, we must
also be realistic about the costs of maintaining even a reduced-cost
space. We'd be foolish to forgo asking for the financial support needed
to cover our costs for the space in the short run, because that means
that the space will eventually no longer be available for any of us in
the long run.
Mike Lehman
pengdust at aol.com wrote:
> Actually, we did have the Jar out Sunday and Ricky said we got $50,
> and each one has included a pitch for the IMC and it's resources to a
> large number of people who may have never been there before. Granted
> we could have made a harder sell on the donation, but then we were
> operating under a different paradigm. So especially since each one
> seems to be growing, which will I think continue as concrete projects
> get off the ground, a larger 'pass of the hat pool' will also
> increase. So, most likely an achievable solution. But, for now $50 is
> what we got.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Danielle Chynoweth <chyn at ojctech.com>
> To: Nicole Pion <nicole.pion at gmail.com>
> Cc: Ricky Baldwin <baldwinricky at yahoo.com>; Dave Powers
> <pengdust at aol.com>; unionyes <unionyes at ameritech.net>; Belden Fields
> <a-fields at uiuc.edu>; Bookkeeperlist
> <imc-bookkeeper at lists.chambana.net>; community at lists.chambana.net;
> Elizabeth Simpson <elizacorps at yahoo.com>
> Sent: Wed, 8 Apr 2009 11:07 am
> Subject: Re: [Imc-bookkeeper] Re: [Community] Re: Socialist Forum
> Space Usage Fees and Lock Changes
>
> First off - I am so glad to see the people's potlucks and regional
> social forum happening! Nowhere else in town do I see us as a
> community organizing to make sure we take care of each other through
> rough financial times.
>
> As for the space usage reimbursement cost - I think the simple answer
> to this is to collect donations at the potlucks. We=2 0only need $90 -
> how hard would it be to get one dollar a piece from 100 people?
>
> At finance group when I heard of this misunderstanding, I offered to
> go to the people's potluck and pass the hat, but I was sick. I apologize.
>
> A three hour potluck costs the IMC collective $135 (If the IMC first
> floor is used 40 hours a week then the costs per square foot of the
> space are $45 an hour.) The IMC asks members to contribute 2/3 of the
> cost of the space and the IMC collective picks up the other 1/3. So
> the IMC is already subsidizing all $30/hour events.
>
> What the IMC asks is so incredibly low compared to the civil center
> (which is tax supported) or other venues that it is designed not to be
> a barrier to use.
>
> I would also hope that groups understand that every time they use the
> IMC and contribute this small amount they are ensuring that this
> community resource survives. So, even though I compare it to other
> venues based on cost along, it can't be compared that way. We use and
> support the IMC so that it can continue.
>
> *Also, everyone reading this - please renew your membership at the IMC
> here: http://www.ucimc.org/content/donate-uc-imc* We have found that
> many people claiming membership have not renewed in 2-3 years and some
> never signed up. For those who are current or lifetime members, thank
> you!
>
> I support co-sponsorship, but I can't suppor t the collective
> subsidizing 100% of the cost of the potlucks. All it takes is one
> shout out amongst 100 to raise $90.
>
> - Danielle
>
> P.S. By the way, the people's potluck could apply for funding from
> the IDF Social Justice fund that they just started - asking for money
> to put on the social forum and potluck series.
>
>
>
> On Wed, Apr 8, 2009 at 10:28 AM, Nicole Pion <nicole.pion at gmail.com
> <mailto:nicole.pion at gmail.com>> wrote:
>
> Thanks, Ricky. I think that the IMC does see this as a worthwhile
> effort to co-sponsor - the request to co-sponsor went only to the
> Community Connections working group/Library groups which are both
> small and just getting started. Additionally, even IMC-sponsored
> events pay for space use, unless they are IMC fundraisers or an
> exceptional agreement has been made with finance/steering.
> I am exited to see the People's Potluck happening here and want to
> support it - and to this end I am very sorry that we have not been
> able to give the group a clear and coherent answer on the space
> use. The IMC financial reality is such that we do have costs
> associated with use of the space and we are striving to make this
> clear and consistent for all members. Unfortunately, it's not
> always easy with volunteer-based groups running the space. ;
>
> Nicole
>
> On Wed, Apr 8, 2009 at 9:08 AM, Ricky Baldwin
> <baldwinricky at yahoo.com <mailto:baldwinricky at yahoo.com>> wrote:
>
> Thanks for your help on this, Beth-
> Hopefully the IMC will see that this is a worthwhile effort to
> begin cosponsoring. We had about 100 people at the last one,
> many of whom had never been in the IMC before and most of whom
> took info and asked questions about the IMC.
>
> It's also a movement whose time has come, frankly, and more
> and more groups are getting behind it: unions, churches, the
> Muslim group MAS now and CU Citizens. I really think it's
> going to be something, and nobody who has an interest in doing
> social and economic justice work across our local community
> should be left out.
>
> Let me know what I can do to help, please! 328-3037 (sorry,
> email's intermittent at the moment)
>
> Ricky
>
> "Speak your mind even if your voice shakes." - Maggie Kuhn
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *From:* Elizabeth Simpson <elizacorps at yahoo.com
> <mailto:elizacorps at yahoo.com>>
> *To:* JOY <imcbooks at gmail.com <mailto:imcbooks at gmail.com>>;
> unionyes <unionyes at ameritech.net
> <mailto:unionyes at ameritech.net>>; Bookkeeperlist
> <imc-bookkeeper at lists.chambana.net
> <mailto:imc-bookkeeper at lists.chambana.net>>
> *Cc:* Belden Fields <a-fields at uiuc.edu
> <mailto:a-fields at uiuc.edu>>; Dave Powers <pengdust at aol.com
> <mailto:pengdust at aol.com>>; Ricky Baldwin
> <baldwinricky at yahoo.com <mailto:baldwinricky at yahoo.com>>;
> community at lists.chambana.net <mailto:community at lists.chambana.net>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, April 7, 2009 5:45:53 PM
>
> *Subject:* Re: Socialist Forum Space Usage Fees and Lock Changes
>
> Hi all,
>
> The scoop from my end was that I took the request to the
> community connections group via email, because we'd been
> talking about having a monthly time where we would direct new
> members to, perhaps in the form of a potluck.
>
> The thought was that these might overlap. However, the group
> has been only sporadically meeting, and hasn't had a full
> meeting since the Social Forum meeting to discuss this fully.
>
> There was support from the library group to sponsor the
> potluck in the library space- but they were misinformed about
> the size of the event.
>
> I still think it's viable that the IMC may want to be a
> co-sponsor of this at large (through community conenctions)
> but as of right now it hasn't happened.
>
> Sorry for the confusion- lots of cooks!
>
> Elizabeth
>
>
>
>
> A strong people need no leader
> - Zapata
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *From:* JOY <imcbooks at gmail.com <mailto:imcbooks at gmail.com>>
> *To:* unionyes <unionyes at ameritech.net
> <mailto:unionyes at ameritech.net>>; Bookkeeperlist
> <imc-bookkeeper at lists.chambana.net
> <mailto:imc-bookkeeper at lists.chambana.net>>
> *Cc:* Beth Simpson <elizacorps at yahoo.com
> <mailto:elizacorps at yahoo.com>>; Belden Fields <
> ;a-fields at uiuc.edu <mailto:a-fields at uiuc.edu>>; Dave Powers
> <pengdust at aol.com <mailto:pengdust at aol.com>>; Ricky Baldwin
> <baldwinricky at yahoo.com <mailto:baldwinricky at yahoo.com>>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, April 7, 2009 5:23:48 PM
> *Subject:* Re: Socialist Forum Space Usage Fees and Lock Changes
>
> Hi David,
>
> Thanks for getting back to me. At least now I understand what
> happened.
>
> Unfortunately, someone from the Shows Group misinformed Dave P
> and Beth. Reduced fees for the space must be approved by the
> Finance Working Group. We simply don't allow ANY free
> usage. This was confirmed at the Steering meeting last
> week. The IMC dramatically subsidizes the space as it is and
> is only charging the reduced rate.
>
> I have already discussed this with the Finance Group and it
> was determined that we cannot reduce the fees any lower than
> what has been stated.
>
> I'm sorry for any misunderstanding.
>
> Joy
>
>
>
> On Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 4:46 PM, unionyes
> <unionyes at ameritech.net <mailto:unionyes at ameritech.net>> wrote:
>
> =0 A
> Joy,
>
> From what I understand, there was an approval by the shows
> group for the potlucks, to use the space for free, as well
> as any related meetings, which is what the Socialist Forum
> meetings have been in regard to ( Potluck ).
> This can be confirmed by Dave Powers and Beth Simpson, who
> was at the 3/18/09 meeting in the family Roon, who stated
> that in addition to the shows group, that the IMC outreach
> coomittee ( that she is a representative of ) has also
> endorsed this.
>
> David Johnson
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* JOY <mailto:imcbooks at gmail.com>
> *To:* Gene.V anderport at ieanea.org
> <mailto:Gene.Vanderport at ieanea.org> ; unionyes
> <mailto:unionyes at ameritech.net> ; Marti Wilkinson
> <mailto:martiwilki at gmail.com> ; Belden Fields
> <mailto:a-fields at uiuc.edu>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, April 07, 2009 3:57 PM
> *Subject:* Socialist Forum Space Usage Fees and Lock
> Changes
>
> Hi All,
>
> I am contacting you to let you know that the IMC
> still has not received a signed space usage agreement
> (attached) for usage fees for People's Potluck in the
> Main Space or Socialist Forum Meetings in the Family Room.
>
> These are the past dates that we still need payment for:
>
> Potluck--
> 3/08/09 3 hours in the Main Space... $90
> 4/05/09 2.5 hours in the Main Space... $75
>
> Socialist Forum Meetings--
> 2/01/09 2 hours in the Family Room... $20
> 3/21/09 2 hours in the Family Room... $20
> 4/18/09 2 hours in the Family Room... $20
>
> This brings the current balance to $225. We need to
> get this agreement signed and payments received as
> soon as possible.
>
> Also this is to inform you that UCIMC will be changing
> the locks on Wednesday, April 29^th , as well as
> hi-lite the policies concerning keys and access to the
> building.
> Individual members will no longer be issued a key to
> access the building. We have several volunteer staff
> to keep the IMC open during public access hours, and
> we’re recruiting more! Keys will be issued for the
> following reasons:
> § Appointed key holder of an UC-IMC working group
> § Sustaining Funder ($10 monthly minimum) or a
> lifetime member ($1000. donation), given Steering
> approval of this policy on April 2^nd .
> § Designated key holder for a group that meets
> regularly in the UCIMC Community Center and
> contributes financially to the overhead
> § Staffing volunteer, keeping the UCIMC
> Community Center open during public access hours
> § Tenant
> *Keys will be issued and/or replaced on Wednesday,
> April 29^th from 12:00 – 5:00 p.m., Thursday, April
> 30^th from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. (during the Finance
> meeting), or by appointment May 1^st – 6^th with
> our Office Manager, Joy Davis (imcbooks at gmail.com
> <mailto:imcbooks at gmail.com>). *
> If you currently have a key, have paid a key deposit,
> and do not meet the above criteria, you may return
> your key and request a deposit refund, or
> alternatively request that your deposit be transferred
> to a donation in support of UC-IMC.
> I've also attached a copy of the Key Policy, which
> will need to be completed for Socialist Forum.
> Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
> Thanks,
> Joy
>
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>
> --
> Joy Davis
> UCIMC Office Manager
> 202 S. Broadway Av e., Suite 100
> Urbana, IL 61801
> imcbooks at gmail.com <mailto:imcbooks at gmail.com>
> 217.344.8820
> www.ucimc.org <http://www.ucimc.org/>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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> Community at lists.chambana.net <mailto:Community at lists.chambana.net>
> http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/community
>
>
>
>
> --
> Nicole Pion
> Outreach and Development Adviser
> AmeriCorps CTC VISTA
> Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center
>
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