[Community] [IMC] [Imc-bookkeeper] Phone and Services Policy

Mon Mar 15 17:27:54 CDT 2010

Josh King wrote:
I think that Josh makes good points, I think in Chris Evan's case if he 
is using the phone to do journalism, is that personal use? In regards to 
charging for services, I assume if IMC resources are used, then any 
money charged would either cover equipment expenses, or go to the IMC 
and not individuals involved in the activity. If someone learns 
something at the IMC that they then apply in their jobs, I would not 
consider that profiting directly from IMC resources. However if someone 
brings people in, and then charges them for doing a recording session, 
without paying anything to the IMC for use of those resources, then that 
would be profiting from IMC resources. At least the way I see it.

Ed
> Hi all,
>
> While I support having a posted phone policy, I do have some comments on
> this policy as written, just random thoughts about some of the language
> and related things.
>
> 1. There are a number of factors to take into consideration as far as
> our priorities with phone usage since the phone service was switched
> over to Comcast. One is that as far as I know we pay a flat rate for all
> local and long distance, so it isn't costing us anything extra for how
> much the phone is used. Two is that we theoretically have features like
> a voicemail box and call-waiting, which we could utilize to make sure
> that we are able to answer or get a message from every call even when
> the phone is in use.
>
> 2. While the phone should definitely not be used for personal stuff
> (except for the aforementioned individual cases), are we sure that's
> what's going on in this case? When I've heard Chris Evans talking on the
> phone, he's usually talking about local politics and issues. If it's
> just idle conversation tying up the phone, that's not cool. But he's one
> of our more prolific citizen journalists, and if he's engaged in
> independent journalism than that is something that is most emphatically
> within our mission and shouldn't be idly discouraged.
>
> 3. About the 'working for the IMC' statement, I just thought that I
> should mention that I routinely characterize myself as working for the
> IMC, even though I am no longer paid, when interacting with outside
> businesses like Comcast, writing grants, etc. Since people who aren't
> part of the IMC have a radically different idea about authority than we
> do, I think that there are plenty of times where you need to
> characterize yourself as such even to get someone like a helpdesk
> operator at a large corporation to give you the time of day. Maybe this
> isn't something I should be doing, though.
>
> 4. I also agree that people shouldn't be monetarily profiting directly
> off of the IMC while the IMC gets nothing in return, but I think there
> are a huge number of borderline use cases that we deal with routinely
> and that we should make sure all of them fit under this policy. For
> instance: the computer help desk is deciding on a pay model for some
> services; artists sell work that they display in the space; people come
> in for media production training and services that we sometimes have
> charged for and that they then probably sometimes use in their jobs; the
> Makerspace may be looking at charging for some workshops and I believe
> is meant to function partly as an incubation space for ideas and
> entrepreneurship. Could all of these be shoehorned under working group
> projects or shows? Probably. I just think we should be clear on that.
>
> So I guess I'm in favor of the policy, but just as long as we're all
> clear on the implications.
>
> Btw, here's what I'd like to see as far as displaying the phone policy:
>
> Over the phone there should be the general one-line IMC phone policy as
> written here. We should also have a phone-script for answering on behalf
> of the IMC, a pen and paper, and an email address to send all phone
> messages to. We should also make clear what the priorities are (if you
> hear the call waiting beep or whatever, you should switch over and
> answer it if your current call is interruptable) and have instructions
> on the phone features (before you ask I don't know how to use them, but
> I believe there are instructions left by Comcast in the Finance office
> somewhere).
>
> So, thanks for letting me ramble.
>
>
> On 03/14/2010 02:09 PM, Elizabeth Simpson wrote:
>   
>> Hi all-
>>
>> I think Belden's point is well taken. The purpose is to provide general policy, not to be wardens about one-time instances like he and Bob mentioned (needing to call for a ride, emergencies, etc). 
>>
>> I'm asking for approval on the proposal's offered. Please respond by saying 'ok' or by re-writing it to reflect the changes you'd like to see. Again- this is to function temporarily until we can address it in person at steering. We REALLY need a unified front on this so that mixed messages aren't being sent, which has happened in the past and makes everyone unhappy. 
>>
>> The proposal is this:
>> GENERAL POLICIES:
>> The IMC phone is for IMC-related business only, and is not available for incoming or outgoing personal calls.
>> Individuals
>> or groups who do not have an explicit agreement (e.g. lease) with the
>> IMC may not charge for services performed at or through the IMC. This
>> policy does not affect Shows Group, other events organized by working
>> groups, or people renting the space.  
>>
>> Only people who are paid by the IMC can represent themselves as working for the IMC. 
>>
>> Thanks for your help!
>> elizaBeth
>>
>>
>>
>> I freed a thousand slaves. I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.
>> -Harriet Tubman
>>
>>   
>>
>> --- On Fri, 3/12/10, Belden Fields <a-fields at uiuc.edu> wrote:
>>
>> From: Belden Fields <a-fields at uiuc.edu>
>> Subject: Re: [IMC] Phone and Services Policy
>> To: "Elizabeth Simpson" <elizacorps at yahoo.com>
>> Date: Friday, March 12, 2010, 9:31 PM
>>
>>
>> Fine.  Except if someone in a working group has a cell phone that is not working, I do thin that use of an IMC phone to deliver a message, e.g., sorry I'm going to be late because the layout is taking us more time than I thought, ought to be accepted as a justifiable exception.  But this is a very outside contingency, I admit.  In oether words, enforcement hs to be combined with common sense.  But the general policy s a good one.Belden
>>
>> On Mar 12, 2010, at 6:40 PM, Elizabeth Simpson wrote:
>> Hi all, 
>>
>> There has been some lack of clarity around phone use, keys, and also about charging for services performed while at the IMC. 
>>
>> Carly, Brian, Meme, Chris R. and I have met to draft a policy we'd like to see go into effect immediately. If you (spokes) agree, we propose that the membership would be notified of the policy as being in effect until the next steering meeting, at which time we'll address and confirm it. 
>>
>> It's like this:
>>
>> The IMC phone is for IMC-related business only, and is not available for incoming or outgoing personal calls.
>> Individuals or groups who do not have an explicit agreement (e.g. lease) with the IMC may not charge for services performed at or through the IMC. This policy does not affect Shows Group, other events organized by working groups, or people renting the space.  
>>
>> Only people who are paid by the IMC can represent themselves as working for the IMC. 
>>
>> (The technical language for the next piece exists somewhere as the key policy- Joy, can you provide it as a reminder to us?)
>> Only certain members of working groups and tenants have keys. Keys are not transferable. You may not give your key to another person.  If you no longer want your key, turn it in to the bookkeeper. 
>>
>> Thoughts?
>>
>> There are a few individuals, including Derrik, who were not aware of these types of things, and Meme and Brian are going to speak to them about it. 
>>
>> We continue to work towards clarifying our policies so that everyone can have a healthy and fruitful IMC experience. Go IMC!
>>
>> -Elizabeth 
>> Community Connections
>>
>>
>>
>> I freed a thousand slaves. I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.
>> -Harriet Tubman
>>
>>   
>>  
>>        
>>
>>
>>
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>> Imc-bookkeeper at lists.chambana.net
>> http://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/imc-bookkeeper
>>     
>
>   

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