[Imc] (Please Read) Semesterly IMC research disclaimer and invitation:

[Sascha Meinrath]

Hi everyone,

It's been awhile since I last announced that I am indeed in graduate school 
and am conducting research about the IMC movement generally and the UCIMC 
in particular.  The research paradigm I ascribe to is participatory in 
nature and I do not obfuscate any of my work or goals.  Over the next 
couple years I will be writing several papers about both the organization 
and the work that we do.  I hope that many of you will be willing to read 
over and provide feedback on what I write and that my research will remain 
a collaborative project at each stage of the process.

Currently I am in the midst of writing a paper integrating community 
empowerment and communications theory as a way to critique the rise and 
fall of the Underground Press movement in the 1960s & early 70s and 
explicate the parallels between the Underground Press movement and 
contemporary Indymedia activism and organizing.  If you are interested in 
reading over this draft, I'd welcome the feedback -- just let me know.

As always, if anyone has any questions, comments, or concerns, I encourage 
you to contact me.

--Sascha

P.S.  There have been several discussions at the UCIMC over the last few 
weeks concerning what our mission and scope of the organization is.  As 
some of you recall, when we applied for federal non-profit status we had to 
answer several questions about what we do. I thought the answers we gave 
might help spur further discussion and clarify what our "legal" (though 
never explicitly, officially adopted) mission is:

4.      Your By Laws state that membership shall be open to all individuals 
and organizations interested in creating independent media and pursuing 
social justice goals in keeping with the mission of the Urbana Champaign 
Independent Media Center Foundation.

a)      Please describe the "social justice" goals of the Foundation.

The Foundation defines "social justice" as an interactive process whereby 
members of a community work to protect the equality and human rights of 
all, without regard to race, culture or nationality; sex, sexuality or 
gender identification; religious or political belief; social or economic 
status; age; physical or mental ability; and other criteria.  We generally 
support the principles established in the United Nation's Universal 
Declaration of Human Rights.

b)      Please describe the "mission" of the Foundation.

The Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center's mission is to provide the 
tools, training, and support for:
         --Production: the creation of news, programs, art and narratives 
that may not otherwise be produced.
         --Distribution: the use of existing media outlets to publish 
independently-produced materials and the development of new avenues of 
distribution;
         --Education: the development of a forum where individuals can be a 
teacher, student and collaborator in their own learning and the education 
of their communities.

c)      Describe what criteria you will use in deciding if an individual's 
or an organization's views are "in keeping" with the mission of the Foundation.

The Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center Foundation is a venue for 
individuals to create media.  We will presume that all individuals and 
organizations are in accordance with both our mission and social justice 
goals unless they actively advocate restricting the human rights of any 
person.

d)      Will you allow individuals or organizations that may share the same 
"social justice goals" as the Foundation, but whose proposed solutions are 
different, to become members?  Please discuss.

The Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center Foundation is dedicated to 
human rights and equality but does not propose solutions, respecting the 
rights of all people to determine their own solutions.  Membership is open 
to all who respect the human rights of all people.

5)      Will the Foundation encourage, either directly or indirectly, civil 
disobedience to attain its "social justice goals"?  If so, please describe 
the type and character of the activities you encourage.

The Foundation is a venue for individuals to create their own media and 
does not encourage civil disobedience either directly or indirectly.

6)      Will the Foundation encourage, either directly or indirectly, 
unlawful acts to achieve its "social justice goals"?  If so, please 
describe what specific activities you encourage.

The Foundation is a venue for individuals to create their own media and 
does not encourage unlawful acts.