[Imc] Membership Meeting Notes

[Ellen Knutson]

IMC General Membership Meeting 
March 30, 2002 3pm

Working Group Reports:

--Finance (Sascha Meinrath): We are now officially fiscal sponsors of the 
global IMC network. That means that all moneys (grants
) for the global 
network come through the Urbana-Champaign IMC due to our being the only 
official 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Sascha passed out copies of the 
IMC budget including income and outlays. We have been able to stay afloat 
financially, but individual funders are needed in order to keep doing what 
we've been doing. Questions, comments, volunteers to help out with finances 
should contact Sascha at finance at ucimc.org. Finance group meets 1st  and 3rd 
Wednesdays at 7:30pm.

--Technology (Paul Riismandel): The tech group has been able to keep the U-C 
IMC web site (http://ucimc.org) up and running, a difficult task due to the 
sometimes unstable software that is currently being used. The group is also in 
charge of network administration for the space and upkeep of the public 
computers and workstations used for production of media. Along with computers, 
video and audio infrastructure is designed and kept up by the tech. Group. The 
group has been successful in their undertakings but would always like new 
members. You don't need to be a geek to be in the tech. Group. Questions, 
concerns, ideas? Contact the tech group at imc-tech at ucimc.org. Tech group 
meets Wednesdays at 6pm.

--Print group (Brent McDonald): 8 issues of the public i, the newspaper of the 
U-C IMC, have been produced to date. 5000 papers per issue are produced and 
delivered around the community at a cost of about $260/issue in printing costs 
and much time and energy of volunteers. They have started to list sustaining 
contributers (organizations or individuals that have given $240/year).The 
public i is also online at http://publici.ucimc.org/. There has been steadily 
growing positive response from the community. The largest concerns for the 
group revolve around distribution and volunteer writers. Contact the group at 
imc-print at ucimc.org to get involved. The print group meets Sundays at 3pm.

--Library group (James Jacobs): The library's collection has doubled over the 
last 6 months and continues to grow. The number of journal subscriptions has 
remained constant at about 25. The library's web site has grown to include 
research guides in various subjects, virtual access to the collection and 
media archive, and links to government information and statistics. The media 
archive is a work in progress. Another project in the works is a community 
online catalog where the library/reading room collections of community 
organizations can be held within one database. There are two organizations so 
far interested in the project (IMC and Illinois Student Environmental 
Network). A software package has been downloaded but we are waiting for a 
newer iteration that is more stable. Donations of books, video, audio, 
magazine subscriptions are needed and welcome. Volunteers are also needed to 
help with data entry into the media archive database. Meetings are every 2nd 
and 4th Tuesdays at 8pm. We start with a "shhhhhhh" but similarities to 
traditional librarian stereotypes end there! Contact us at 
imc-librarians at ucimc.org.

--Outreach (Brian Hagy): Outreach handles membership and outreach to community 
organizations. They also have responsibility for the fun and successful Friday 
night open mic cabaret (soon to be moved to Thursday nights). This group needs 
more volunteers because the members of the group are also involved in other 
working groups and projects. Contact them at imc-outreach at ucimc.org. Outreach 
meets 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 8pm.

--Space (Mike Lehman): There have been lots of improvements in the IMC space 
over the last 6 months: new library shelves built, production room 
improvements including fan and minidisk shelves, and the conversion of the 
back space from a warehouse into a large performance space. A continuing issue 
for space is the recruitment of space staffing volunteers. The IMC could 
expand hours of operation if more people would be willing to volunteer. A big 
project on the horizon for space (and the IMC as a whole) is a capital drive 
to raise funds for the purchase of the entire building. This would be feasible 
because the rent earned from the upstairs apartments would essentially cover 
costs of the building. A large down-payment will be needed though. Stay tuned. 
Questions, comments, concerns, volunteer for staffing? Contact 
imc-space at ucimc.org. Space group meets 1st and 3rd Mondays at 6:30pm.

--Radio News (Avram): The news group focuses primarily on radio news. The 
group heads up a weekly show on WEFT (5:30pm on Mondays) as well as several 
other IMCstas having shows or spots. In addition, pieces are produced for the 
nationally syndicated show, "Free Speech Radio News". Avram sets aside Mondays 
from 6 - 8 PM as audio training sessions. More reporters and volunteers are 
needed to continue the good work. Contact imc-newsroom at ucimc.org. Radio News 
meets Sundays at 1:15pm.

--Shows (Sascha Meinrath): The number of shows booked at the IMC has increased 
with the opening of the 1200 sq.' performance space (the IMC Ballroom!). These 
shows have proven to be popular with the community and an important resource 
for generating funds. Volunteers are needed for flyering, staffing and sound 
engineering, all of which are easily picked up with a minimum of training. 
Contact space at ucimc.org. Shows meets Wednesdays at 9pm.

Angels of Public Interest
Amy Aidman gave a report on the recent protests of the Federal Communications 
Commission (FCC) in Washington.

Structure discussion:

After what turned out to be a much longer process than anticipated, (thanks to 
all who stayed), a revised structure document was created. The revised 
document showing all the changes is posted at the IMC.

The following concerns were raised at the General Membership Meeting about 
structure and culture of the U-C IMC. These concerns will be addressed by a 
meeting called by Ellen and Becca within a month from the membership meeting.

--Membership a necessity for Working Group participation? [Addressed in 
revised structure document]
--Space for posting IMC minutes, info
--Conflict resolution system
--Issue with irresolvable clock clause [Addressed in revised structure 
document]
--Definition: what is work of IMC?  --Incorporating acknowledgement of 
appreciation
--Easy way for structural issues to be brought up
--Transparency for suggestions
--Public comment periods during meeting
--Suggestion boxes for Working Groups
--Explicit understanding that spokes are for one working group only [Addressed 
in revised structure document]
--Membership process is transparent
--Outreach primary goal for next 6 months
--Regular updates on outreach by working groups
--IMC Handbook
--IMC need energy and focus on training as a part of outreach
--Greater signage
--Transparency on production room, keys (Who gets them and why and how)
--Invitations to specific projects
--Core people should take a sabbaticals (Get the hell out of the IMC)
--Presentations into African-American community (Douglas Center, Boys and 
Girls Club)
--Culture what can we do??

Respectfully submitted
James Jacobs and Ellen Knutson