[Imcamericorps] [IMC] Dedicated Meeting Room 15 was Re: Steering meeting 4/7/11 minutes

Fri Apr 29 15:40:05 CDT 2011

Chris:

These are all good, legitimate questions.

I would also like to put in a plug for the new space as not just *available
*but even *desirable*. We could do it up deluxe. We could make it really
nice, and we could have it represent our work beautifully; we could make it
so reinvigorating to our work that we'd *prefer *to meet down there. That's
how I feel. It needn't be like, "I suppose we can meet in the sewer if
there's a rap concert upstairs" -- we might *want* to meet down in the
UC-IMC History Museum/Clubhouse/Meeting Room/Party Loft/Coach
Section/whatever we want to call it ...

Best,
Austin

On Fri, Apr 29, 2011 at 3:29 PM, Chris Ritzo <chris.ritzo at gmail.com> wrote:

> elizaBeth is correct. I suggested a block re: the library materials, not
> re: using room 15 as a common meeting space. I am wholly in favor of using
> 15 and support the steering decision. Also, I believe Austin's comments have
> answered my questions initially about the library materials.
>
> The issue of WG meetings upstairs conflicting with space rentals I think
> can be resolved also. For instance, the librarians have a standing meeting
> on Saturday afternoons. If there's a show or something being rented, there's
> no issue with us using a different space fora meeting. We should forming a
> clear understanding between working groups that when common spaces on the
> first floor are rented out that this pre-empts and we should use the space
> downstairs. I think communicating about space conflicts of this nature would
> be good, and should increase. Also, it should be made clear what spaces are
> being rented and which are not. For instance, if the Sun Room is rented can
> the library and computer labs be used by WGs? How are we to know if an
> activity is happening in one area if that group has rented all first floor
> spaces? What notices are placed/emails sent when a common space is being
> rented out during times when the IMC is "open to the public"? How are we to
> know when common spaces are being used by others?
>
> I look forward to engaging with others in answering these questions. -CR
>
>
> On Fri, Apr 29, 2011 at 1:01 PM, Mike Lehman <rebelmike at earthlink.net>wrote:
>
>>  Brian,
>> The meeting room is available. There is no requirement to use it, except
>> in cases when the main space has been rented. Then meetings must move
>> downstairs.
>>
>> While the bustling space is great, there are limits. Users who've paid for
>> the space generally tend to expect that someone else won't be using it at
>> the same time. We could restrict renting the main space to just those users
>> willing to tolerate someone else using the room and the interruptions that
>> entails, but this just isn't practical. And since we do have a contract,
>> we'd really need to write that into the contract. Just doesn't work, if you
>> think about it.
>>
>> Moving meetings downstairs helps us most on Thursdays. Thursday night is
>> one where we've foregone considerable potential income, because of the
>> conflicts with so many IMC meetings. Now that night is open and even if we
>> only partially fill it during the year, it will offset the cost of the room
>> downstairs. We can also rent the meeting room itself out.
>>
>> We could also use some more of that bustling in the basement, as that
>> would further discourage some of the issues we've had down there.
>> Mike Lehman
>>
>>
>> On 4/29/2011 12:30 PM, Brian Dolinar wrote:
>>
>> Hey all,
>>
>> I wasn't at the last Steering, but admit to being one of those grumbling
>> when I heard about the proposal to move meetings downstairs.
>> One of the greatest compliments I have heard from folks over the last year
>> or two since getting Americorps is that when they come in the IMC it is
>> bustling with activity. I think holding meetings in the main space and
>> having a meeting area contributes to this bustling.
>>
>> Is it possible to retain some library/meeting space in the main public
>> space and move more valuable library items down to the old Makerspace room?
>> And as a compromise could folks still meet in the main space and have the
>> downstairs room as a dedicated meeting room / back up space?
>>
>> BD
>>
>> And thanks to finance for holding down the books so the rest of us can
>> make media.
>>
>> On Fri, Apr 29, 2011 at 12:22 PM, Mike Lehman <rebelmike at earthlink.net>wrote:
>>
>>>  Chris,
>>> Near as I can tell, we're just getting to the point of organizing
>>> implementing this, so that's why moving things was brought up. Of course
>>> you've got your hands full with things at the zine fest this weekend and
>>> there's no point in moving a resources that's in the process of being used,
>>> either. I don't believe anyone planned to move that fast, but maybe I missed
>>> something?
>>>
>>> We want to get at least the meeting aspect of things up, because then the
>>> room can be marketed and rented when it's not being used for IMC purposes,
>>> as well as freeing up the main space for rental without conflicts with IMC
>>> meetings. With several empty studios and the summer coming up, letting
>>> spaces sit empty that can generate income until we decide to wander back to
>>> actually implementing a decision already made is not a good idea.
>>>
>>> Everyone,
>>> So the conversation to do that has to start sometime, so it has. It
>>> shouldn't need another meeting, just coordination over email. Please folks,
>>> let's use email properly, I've changed the subject line so that we can
>>> organize this here with everyone's input, and move forward with working
>>> this out so we can make the changes we've already agreed to come to pass, as
>>> well as doing it in a way that is respectful of everyone's concerns.
>>> Mike Lehman
>>>
>>> On 4/29/2011 11:19 AM, Chris Ritzo wrote:
>>>
>>> Mike,
>>> Here is a link to my list post:
>>> http://lists.chambana.net/pipermail/imc/2011-April/009959.html
>>>
>>> I meant to say that I'd sent this after the April steering meeting, not
>>> March. I think it's important to state that I'm not blocking anything at
>>> this point. I'm totally open to using the room downstairs as a meeting
>>> room.  I also think that the first floor provides more access than what we'd
>>> be able to provide downstairs. There are some materials that would be better
>>> suited to be in a less public space also.
>>>
>>> So just to be clear, the issue here isn't that we don't want to move
>>> stuff, it's more about how people are going about it. No discussion on this
>>> (until now) has happened in public on lists, or been reflected in meeting
>>> minute notes, and the general tone of steering has been to limit discussion
>>> in favor of getting through agenda items quickly. This is needed, but the
>>> discussion has to happen somewhere and the listservs are the place that is
>>> supposed to happen. Conversations off-list still need to happen- that's how
>>> this topic of moving the library got started.
>>>
>>> We can talk about it more next week at steering, or on this thread if
>>> anyone else wants to do so.
>>>
>>> CR
>>>
>>> On Fri, Apr 29, 2011 at 10:57 AM, Mike Lehman <rebelmike at earthlink.net>wrote:
>>>
>>>>  Chris,
>>>> Could you resend the email referencing the questions raised after the
>>>> March Steering meeting you needed answers about, please? I can't find it in
>>>> my saved email and I don't recall the message. That would be helpful to have
>>>> so everyone is on the same page here, especially for those of us who weren't
>>>> at the March meeting. And that would facilitate having a discussion on the
>>>> list.
>>>>
>>>> I do know that implementation of the move was left somewhat up in the
>>>> air after April's Steering meeting when the decision was made to set-up and
>>>> use the meeting room. Several people have asked me about it and I've
>>>> encouraged them to start reaching out to people to organize things, get the
>>>> room cleaned up, and get some furniture in there so it can be used.
>>>> Mike Lehman
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 4/28/2011 10:25 PM, Chris Ritzo wrote:
>>>>
>>>>  Since it's been nearly a month since I sent this email to ask for
>>>> clarification about the space discussion at March's steering meeting
>>>> regarding the moving of the library materials and access to the new shared
>>>> meeting space.
>>>>
>>>> While I've had a couple off-list conversations about this with some
>>>> americorps members, the library group has not consensed to move our
>>>> materials because these questions remain unanswered and people seem to
>>>> refuse to have discussions on list.
>>>>
>>>> The library group remains open to this possibility, but I want to
>>>> reiterate publicly that we have not agreed to moving any materials yet. I've
>>>> hear rumors that moving the library is a potential "project" for Americorps
>>>> week. This is unacceptable unless the group responsible for maintaining
>>>> those materials is first consulted. Anything else will result in our issuing
>>>> a block officially. I will be at steering next week if this is something
>>>> that other groups wish to discuss.
>>>>
>>>> Chris
>>>>
>>>> On Sat, Apr 9, 2011 at 5:13 PM, Chris Ritzo <chris.ritzo at gmail.com>wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> RE: consensus on Rm 15 becoming common meeting space.
>>>>>
>>>>> I missed this portion of the meeting and wanted to ask if there were
>>>>> more specific discussions on organizing the space, what would be moved
>>>>> there, etc. Was a timeline discussed? Is there a sub-group of
>>>>> interested folks who are helping with this endeavor? How can one get
>>>>> involved to help? If anyone would add clarifying details that would be
>>>>> great.
>>>>>
>>>>> Two items of interest to working groups I am involved in:
>>>>> - I'll inform the Makerspace about moving any items still in Room 15.
>>>>> - Library relocation. I don't know if this was discussed at Steering
>>>>> specifically, but Austin did approach me about this.
>>>>>
>>>>> >From conversations I've had with others, it seems there is interest in
>>>>> relocating library materials there, and I believe the Librarians group
>>>>> would be open to that, we'll just need to consense on that the next
>>>>> time we all meet.
>>>>> More ideas/discussion to add to moving/relocation planning are below:
>>>>>
>>>>> The librarians group is hosting a zine fest April 30th, and May 1st,
>>>>> so any relocation would not be able to happen until after that time. I
>>>>> can meet with whomever is planning the new space layout to talk about
>>>>> what space needs, shelving locations, etc. I don't know what people's
>>>>> ideas are currently about a timeline for this, but moving the library
>>>>> materials, building/moving shelves, etc. is a big job. We'll need some
>>>>> help, which I'm sure won't be a problem. I'd say that given everyone's
>>>>> schedules and other commitments this could easily happen by the end of
>>>>> summer.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks for listening.... :)
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Thu, Apr 7, 2011 at 10:15 PM, Jacob Barton <udderbot at gmail.com>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>> > Steering meeting April 7, 2011
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Action items:
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Marya will draft a statement of support for Indymedia Egypt by next
>>>>> Friday
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Mike will invite interested parties to a caucus meeting on Security
>>>>> issues,
>>>>> > including Key changing policy.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Leon & Barry will post no-nonsense, reasonably-merciful
>>>>> stuff-in-halls
>>>>> > policy.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Consensuses:
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Room 15 (the old Makerspace room) will become a dedicated, primary
>>>>> meeting
>>>>> > space for working groups who currently meet in the main space.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > IMC fridge will become Shows fridge, mini-fridge will become IMC
>>>>> fridge.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Introductions
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Present: ((Isak shows, Leon buiding, Austin finance, Jacob
>>>>> oddmusic/RFU,
>>>>> > Marya print, Bob print, Todd shows, Ed shows, Mike finance, Chris
>>>>> tech, Durl
>>>>> > treasurer, Barry bikeproject, Larry shows, …Sally finance))
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Tech clarification (Chris)
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Tech group has a specific role that has started having some scope
>>>>> creep.
>>>>> > The role of the Tech group is to provide infrastructure, service
>>>>> support.
>>>>> > Regarding equipment, we maintain our servers, the public computer
>>>>> lab,
>>>>> > support on specific workstations if there are needs.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Requests for monitors, additional computers, wireless access points,
>>>>> laptops
>>>>> > are beyond our current capacity.  Tech will help you set things up,
>>>>> but not
>>>>> > for ongoing support, upgrades, equipment -- that's the responsibility
>>>>> of
>>>>> > working groups.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Q's for Chris/Tech
>>>>> >
>>>>> > How are requests made?  Use the email list (imc-tech at ucimc.org)
>>>>> >
>>>>> > How about adding printers, wireless nodes to the network?  We will
>>>>> > collaborate on a case by case basis.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Round of applause!
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Can you formulate what exactly you don't do?  We've talked about
>>>>> that.  The
>>>>> > Help Desk has become the place for handling more general issues.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Resolution of support for Indy Media in Egypt (re Mike's email)
>>>>> >
>>>>> > It's a good idea!  Maybe an email to send to global IMC
>>>>> communications list.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Marya is willing to draft a statement of support.  Will write email
>>>>> by next
>>>>> > Friday (April 15)
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Mike and the government
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Be prepared for a government shutdown.  If shutdown, Americorps will
>>>>> be
>>>>> > legally prohibited from working.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Fire re-inspection Monday. We're on the right track. The big deal:
>>>>> extension
>>>>> > cords!  See Mike's email.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > We spend a lot of time coordinating with city officials. This was the
>>>>> first
>>>>> > fire inspection in 6 years because they just realized we own the
>>>>> building,
>>>>> > not the feds!
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Touched base with police regarding recent kidshow incident.  We have
>>>>> an open
>>>>> > line of communication with them.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Security (Mike)
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Security issue has been raised; as an employer organization, we must
>>>>> > address!
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Mike will email-invite interested folks to a meeting two weeks from
>>>>> today
>>>>> > (April 21st, 8PM)
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Key Changes
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Larry proposes that key issues, unless an absolute safety issue,
>>>>> should come
>>>>> > before Steering.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > The specific issue?  Maintenance room - The day after last steering,
>>>>> the
>>>>> > door on the maintenance closet was changed, to the surprise of many.
>>>>> > (crosstalk, mayhem, apologies)  This was an issue of
>>>>> miscommunication.  Key
>>>>> > issues coming before Steering has been the general rule, though keys
>>>>> are
>>>>> > just the beginning.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Move the question of key changes into the security caucus discussion.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Joke (Austin)
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Just a quick thing, I ran into ex-mayor Schweighart the other day,
>>>>> and he
>>>>> > said "Hey Austin, your hair is getting pretty thin!" And I said "It's
>>>>> okay,
>>>>> > who wants fat hair?"
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Meta comment (Chris)
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Moving the meeting along is good, so long as it doesn't close off
>>>>> dialogue.
>>>>> > Steering is the place to have that dialogue & consensus.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Building cleanup (Leon)
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Hallways are not a good place to store stuff that doesn't fit in your
>>>>> > space.  We don't have a choice in some cases because of fire safety
>>>>> issues.
>>>>> > We're working on a system.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Barry: Bikeproj has similar issues.  It's great to come up with a
>>>>> *rule*,
>>>>> > tell people once, then be able to point to them when you enforce
>>>>> them. The
>>>>> > step of putting something in the hallway should be the tremendous
>>>>> deal, not
>>>>> > the act of removing something.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > There are non-IMC-directly-afiliated groups who feel at home here,
>>>>> who don't
>>>>> > have space.  Maybe we need a designated storage space or archive.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Leon and Barry will work together to create a policy and post it.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Proposal to De-Conflict Main Space Usage, Create Dedicated Meeting
>>>>> Room
>>>>> >
>>>>> > See email from Mike for context.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Working groups would not have to pay to have meeting.  Dedicated
>>>>> space would
>>>>> > become the first choice for meetings.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > We'd need to schedule that space, post it on the door.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Isak: The conflicts are happening several times a week, every week.
>>>>> > Eliminate that, and recurring users of main space will increase.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Computer lab?  Grant fell through.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Opportunity cost of $3600 room rental.  Finance is confident we'll
>>>>> make up
>>>>> > more than that if Thursday nights become rentable.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > CONSENSUS achieved.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Long-term stuff
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Set date for Fall GMM - Let's do this by the next Steering meeting..
>>>>> >
>>>>> > There has been a suggestion for retreat at Kalyx Center.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Alice Tang of Cupertino, CA, who passed a year ago today, left a
>>>>> > considerable sum to UC-IMC.  We should invest/spend it wisely.  Let's
>>>>> start
>>>>> > thinking & proposing.  Ideas raised:
>>>>> >
>>>>> > - Close off, adding separate entrance to Sun Room
>>>>> >
>>>>> > - Real accessibility
>>>>> >
>>>>> > - Accessibility for downstairs
>>>>> >
>>>>> > - Key card system
>>>>> >
>>>>> > - Paying off mortgage
>>>>> >
>>>>> > - Upgrade heating-cooling system (our energy bill is twice our
>>>>> mortgage
>>>>> > payments)
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Odds & Ends (Todd)
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Shows bought a small refrigerator.  The big fridge is practically
>>>>> empty.
>>>>> > Can shows use the big fridge & IMC use the new small one?  No
>>>>> concerns
>>>>> > raised = CONSENSUS.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > It gets really hot on 1st floor!  Opening window makes the people
>>>>> near the
>>>>> > window cold.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Mike: When it's between 30°-50° outside, system mayhem results..
>>>>> There's no
>>>>> > simple turn-it-down solution, but there are expensive solutions.
>>>>> >
>>>>>   > _______________________________________________
>>>>> > IMC mailing list
>>>>> > IMC at lists.chambana.net
>>>>> > http://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/imc
>>>>> >
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>
>>>
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>>> IMC at lists.chambana.net
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>>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Brian Dolinar, Ph.D.
>> 303 W. Locust St.
>> Urbana, IL 61801
>> briandolinar at gmail.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
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Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center <http://www.ucimc.org>
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