[Imc] steering group minutes 1/6/02

[Mark Enslin]

IMC Steering Group minutes 1/6/02
Sascha, Mark, Michael F., Jenny, Paul R, Selena, Ellen, Mike L, Brian ,
Amy 

Working group reports

News
Feb 9, noon-4pm  presentation by Norm Stockwell and several others from
WORT Madison-email exchange between Stockwell and Al Kagin.
Still undecided about whether newshour should remain a full hour (thus
preempting Monday Free Speech Radio News on WEFT) or produce a half hour
show for Mondays 5:30-6pm.

Outreach
Open mic Jan 19 
Anniversaryparty Jan 26
Meet every other wed 7:30

Space
Building landlords willing to sell to us for $349,000
We can be here at least till 2003
Back room available to us end of month - Sascha working on work exchange
agreement; lanlord donated two futons; there's more furniture upstairs we
can use
Mike buying building makes sense if back room is viable operation - we
could make an argument to a lender for buying the building. Sascha figures
if imc owned building, it wouldn't cost more than we pay now

Librarians
Will meet Tuesday 8th at 8pm (normal meeting) started a new arrivals
shelf;

Tech
There are new recording kits-new headphones, cables etc. Please don't
separate equipment-kits have lists of contents. Working on proposal for
fines for late return--$1 a day (flexible about when you propose to return
the equipment, but should be strict about returning when you say). Normal
kits, a long-distance kit with power adapters, 2 photo bags (there are 2
digital still cameras now). Meet this wed at 6.
Video: we now have an SVHS machine now.


Print
About two thirds of routes have been delivered. For next issue, still
working on financing. Belden working on underwriters (at $250/month).
Working toward mid-Feb for next publication date. Paul: did you discuss
presenting underwriting idea to readers. Not yet; Belden has a few
commitment from orgs right now.

Jenny
Psa's for cabaret; will have cds from bands playing at imc in next months;
octopus free tickets offer?

Old biz
Website: end of bobby tracking plan: summary: believe he is posting from a
kinkos in Ithaca, so is not a local threat; second spammer larabee has
gone against an agreement to post no more than once a week-Paul has given
a final warning to him. Brian is against blocking one person-has been
reading Larabee's posts and doesn't consider time limits as being useful.
Paul: taking up space on newswire which has limited space. Larabee is
posting to every imc. Mike L: he has been advertising. Ellen: if Ralph
Nader was posting everyday ranting, I'd raise the same issue. It's
different from someone 
Brian-then we should change our description on the website-this isn't open
publishing. Sascha-this isn't a change. Paul-posting every two days isn't
respecting the commons; it becomes a monopoly. Brian it seems silly to say
we're open publishing and putting time limits. Mike L: none of it has been
news. Paul-if he wanted to be an active engaged party it would be
different from exploitation. Sascha-we made an agreement with him; he has
violated it; now what do we do? Proposal? Brian; I don't see that as a
problem. Sascha would you be willing to stand aside? Brian: what will
happen with the next person? Ellen speaks of effect of quality of posts on
the openness whether people feel encouraged to post-some compromise is
necessary. Brian: what are we comprising? We're providing a voice to the
voiceless. Paul; Larabee has his own site and publishes books-he's not
voiceless.  Brian: I haven't seen him being disrespectful. Paul: it's
disrespectful to go against the agreement; it's disrespectful to
monopolize. Brian: I don't see his posts as monopolize. Mike L maybe we
should move on if we can't get consensus. It seems you're saying Brian
that we can't make an abuse policy. Brian: what's the current proposal.
Paul to send a final warning, and if he violates it again, his future
posts will be hidden. To change this he have to proactively approaches and
state his intention to adhere to the policy. GL will be notified that if
he doesn't adhere to the once-per-week posting that he agreed to, his
posts will be hidden. TO rescind this, has to make contact with us. Brian:
I see this as detrimental to our mission. Paul: if you're blocking, then I
call for caucus. Paul & Brian will set a date for further public
discussion.

Mike F will help with Wort visit publicity

Anniversay party - there are no details besides date (jan 26th). Ellen we
had agreed that a general membership meeting, notices should go out a
month beforehand, or at least now. Or simply have a party that's not a
party. Mike L speaks in favor having a membership meeting later and have
party simply a party.

New Biz
Structure: Our structure document expires in Feb; the document calls on
membership to decide to keep it; modify it or replace it. Sascha proposes
to start planning a membership meeting for mid-late February and put copy
of it on the website. 

2002 budget-Sascha presents budget on paper. The main changes from last
year: founding funders will probably drop off - make up for it with
fundraising
working groups (instead of $100 a month) instead allocate an initial $200
to each group and an allotment of $50 per month. (last year we gave money
that people couldn't really use)
Donor drive
Grants , with working groups that could apply (including a paid imc
coordinator)

Paul - wiser to have a technology budget rather than a tech group
budget-the tech group doesn't need a budget - if news group gets a camera
for instance, the tech does work on compatibility. Sascha-the idea is that
groups have more expertise in these areas. 
Paul : divorce line items from specific groups 
(Currently groups purchase don't have to be cleared with steering group)
Ellen-maybe if we agree that tech purchases are done with consultation of
tech group.
Paul withdraws proposal.
Ellen any item for general expense decided by steering group?
Sascha: Yes-- "Capital fund" (renaming of endowment)
Mike F-have a time in April to see about redecide allotments?
Sascha we could decide next month to throw out this budget

Budget approved as presented.

Avram request from Religious Peace Organizations of cu to co-sponsor a six
part video series on non-violent responses to repression; panel
discussions. Would take place at Channing-Murray. Approved.

Mother Jones concerns from Mike F: Peter Miller was trying to follow cords
and said this is a disincentive to producing. Paul R: I have spent so much
time on that machine, I'm not touching it again. Paul R we would need a
new sound card and a mixer. If news group were to buy a mixer, Paul would
consider. (Mixer was taken out and wires were taken out over the winter
break) Ellen we should spend money to make it a usable machine. Proposal:
Paul: $500 for a new professional sound card and mixer.
Action item: news group discuss expenditure on new mixer.
Action: Brian will look again at soundcard. .

Facilitation: Pauline next week?