[Community] Re: [Imc-bookkeeper] Re: Communication and decisions structure proposal (ideas wanted!)

Mon Jul 27 18:16:37 CDT 2009

Totally agree with Beth.

We have said many times we will make a spokes + staff listserv, but it never
happens.  If it does happen, that would be the better place to post staff
updates.  I did not want to just post to finance because we have been
criticized for centralizing too much - a criticism I agree with.

Signed the loan docs today - yea!

- Danielle

On Mon, Jul 27, 2009 at 4:59 PM, Nicole Pion <nicole.pion at gmail.com> wrote:

> Beth,
> I think this is a great idea.  I often struggle with the IMC's
> communication strategies because we are non-hierarchical, so, all members
> have equal access to information.  However, there are some people who don't
> want all the info!  And, now that we are employing people, the dynamic is
> changing.  For fundraising purposes, we need to have a "public face"  list
> but for day-to-day work, we need an internal operations list...all without
> subjecting people to being on too many lists.
>
> I propose that we keep the IMC at ucimc.org list as the public face, since
> there are so many people already signed up for this and it is already on a
> lot of the materials that we have floating around in the community.
>
> We can have core-spoke/steering list made up easily.  I believe that was a
> community connections project anyhow?  I'm sure it will be easy to create.
> Let's put it on our to-do list for the next meeting.  Speaking of, do we
> meet this Wednesday at 11?
>
> Finally, we will have a stewardship-type list in place shortly.  I have
> asked all working groups with AmeriCorps to designate someone to be part of
> this list (this should cover all the groups).  I can put it together within
> the next week or so.
>
> Other thoughts and ideas?  I'm glad that we are having this broader
> conversation about communication at the IMC.  It is important for our growth
> and will also help with how we matriculate people into the IMC community.
>
> Nicole
>
>
>
> On Mon, Jul 27, 2009 at 3:16 PM, Elizabeth Simpson <elizacorps at yahoo.com>wrote:
>
>>  Hi Finance crew, Community Connections, and the staff-type folks,
>>
>> It makes sense that someone who isn't Nicole would be aware of what Isaac,
>> Chris, Tim. and Jacob are doing, but I don't think the main list is the
>> right place. That list is problematic already because it's the dump all.
>> People can't sign up for notices without also getting all the guts, many
>> folks just ignore most of the messages, no one knows who is responding to
>> what, etc.  It also opens up what they are doing to interrogation and
>> comment by random folks who have no connection to them. I'd feel weird about
>> that if I were them, but that's me.
>>
>> I've been thinking about this anyway, with regard to outreach- my proposal
>> is that we have multiple lists:
>>
>> imc at ucimc.org
>> for decision-making, that is, steering. It's for when decisions need to be
>> made, problems arise, questions are asked by people from other projects,
>> etc. This group functions like a general membership meeting.
>>
>> public at ucimc.org
>> a general IMC info list for events and happenings, our 'general public'
>> list. This functions like an outreach list.
>>
>> stewardship at ucimc.org
>> Finally there would be a steward list, which would be for spokes and
>> anyone who elects to be on it, and THIS is where the report backs would get
>> sent. Developing such a thing is key because of upcoming VISTAS. People on
>> this would commit to reading it and addressing it as needed. It would be a
>> formalized place for what already happens informally, which is teeny groups
>> of people address issues outside of steering. This functions sort of like a
>> board does, except that it doesn't hold decision-making power, it is a
>> concerted, rotating, group that is keeping an eye on the whole. It is, in a
>> way what I'm doing now- addressing things in a small group with people most
>> involved, before throwing it out to the vague big group.
>>
>> Thoughts?
>>
>> elizaBeth
>>
>> A strong people need no leader
>> - Zapata
>>
>>
>>
>> --- On *Mon, 7/27/09, Tim Pawlowski <tpaw2880 at hotmail.com>* wrote:
>>
>>
>> From: Tim Pawlowski <tpaw2880 at hotmail.com>
>> Subject: [Imc] RE: Supervision of consortium workers - response needed
>> from Chris, Isaac, Tim, and Jacob
>> To: imc at ucimc.org
>> Cc: imc-bookkeeper at lists.chambana.net
>> Date: Monday, July 27, 2009, 12:02 PM
>>
>> So today I met with Fred of Kobel Plumbing at 8....I cleared the main shut
>> off valve area and closed both hot and cold for them...they got there at
>> 8:22...finished up at 10:45 and switched out four valves.  He will be coming
>> in later this week to replcae three valves in the downstairs bathroom.
>> Called Jon of Comfort Mechanical to see if there would be an issue with the
>> A/C system if the water would be off for some time as well as planned for
>> him to come in later this week and finish up charging the lines (putting in
>> coolant).  Cleaned up and organized the building, placed an order with CDC
>> for black bags, paper towels, latex gloves, bleach and dust
>> masks....measured the window of 206 to replace missing pane, cleaned and
>> organized outside area, including bikes/tires/wheels that are constantly
>> being abandoned all over the place.  This week I'm planning to finish up
>> priming the hallway and going to ACE and this other place Chris H. mentioned
>> to get donated paint/mistints and begin working on final coat next week or
>> so.  I also have to chop a junk couch in half and fit it in the
>> dumpster,...mop downstairs bathrooms, take down water shut off signs, take
>> out recycle for wednesday, find flourecent ballasts that work, replace dead
>> bulbs from upstairs/handicapp entrance, take pics of units and list
>> individually on Craigslist now that they are cleaner and brighter since the
>> summer "help" girls cleaned windows and such last week. I want to hang the
>> paintings/pictures that old manager Chris placed in one of the stairwells,
>> try and fix the other light post out front that is not lighting up, replace
>> ductwork by the stage, as well as a million other things that you can come
>> in and see for yourself...I feel slightly irritated from being 'supervised'
>> via online, but understand your concerns for structure and accountability.
>> As far as barriers and concerns, I feel like I have been handed over alot of
>> reposibilities and duties that require me to be in at all times of the week
>> (last sat potential tenant, two sundays ago at noon)...as well as performing
>> tasks that far exceed my compensation...it was a worthy effort to bring in
>> the summer help, but it did not solve the original problem of having someone
>> to help me out(without constant supervision and training).  You can't always
>> get what you want,... back at square one.  --Tim
>>
>> ------------------------------
>> From: chyn at ojctech.com
>> Date: Sun, 26 Jul 2009 11:56:22 -0500
>> Subject: Supervision of consortium workers - response needed from Chris,
>> Isaac, Tim, and Jacob
>> To: imc-bookkeeper at lists.chambana.net
>> CC: miburges at gmail.com; hampson2 at gmail.com; tpaw2880 at hotmail.com;
>> udderbot at gmail.com
>>
>> Hello finance folks -
>>
>> I want to reiterate my request to have Isaac, Tim, Jacob, and Chris H
>> providing weekly email reports about what they did last week, what they plan
>> for next week, and what barriers or concerns they have that stand in the
>> way.  Any overall picture of goals would be helpful too.
>>
>> Can each of you 4 reply that you can provide this to imc at ucimc.org<http://mc/compose?to=imc@ucimc.org>cced to
>> imc-bookkeeper at lists.chambana.net<http://mc/compose?to=imc-bookkeeper@lists.chambana.net>on a weekly basis?
>>
>> I am concerned that too much of the management work is falling to Nicole
>> and the steering and finance groups needs to play a greater role in this.
>> The problem is that the group does not know what the consortium workers are
>> engaged with.
>>
>> I also have concerns that consortium workers may be spinning their wheels
>> or not keeping regular hours, etc as well as concerns that they are not
>> getting the support and structure they need to do their jobs.
>>
>> thanks,
>> Danielle
>>
>>
>> -----Inline Attachment Follows-----
>>
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>>
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> Nicole Pion
> Outreach and Development Adviser
> AmeriCorps CTC VISTA
> Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center
>
> _______________________________________________
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> http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/imc-bookkeeper
>
>
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