[Imcfest-volunteers] Initial Intros and Quick Status...

[Rory Durkin]

Hey, Rory here. I'll be working with sound, and other technical types of
things.

On 8/14/07, Mike Lehman <rebelmike at earthlink.net> wrote:
>
> I will be able to help the weekend of the event (Nov. 9-11). Everyone
> should note that IMCfest will also be just before RFU second birthday on
> Nov. 13, so can also serve as a celebration for that.
>
> I can also help in consulting on the planning and outlining RFU's needs
> for IMCfest. However, this is a project that will require the active
> participation and leadership on RFU and the other IMCistas involved. My
> time to contribute will be very limited, except for the weekend of
> IMCfest. So I've copied this reply to RFU and RFU-Finance lists, as they
> need to keep in touch with and coordinate with IMCfest planning.
>
> Some of you may have seen Lynsee's useful reflections on fundraising,
> which she wrote in response to my alarming report on the sorry state of
> RFU finances. I think she made an important point about how difficult it
> is to raise multiple thousands of dollars in one event, no matter how
> hard we work to make it happen. This insight, which I agree with based
> on my own experiences and those of others I am familiar with, leads me
> to three suggestions. These aren't necessarily set out to constrain
> whatever planning the IMCfest planning group does, but they are worth
> thinking about.
>
> One, we should minimize our actual out of pocket costs to put IMCfest on
> by relying on donations to the maximum events possible, whether it's
> band contributing their part of the door back to the event, food from
> vendors in exchange for recognition of their underwriting at the event
> and prior to it, etc. I think we need to avoid the mistake of thinking
> we'll invest $X$ into this and hoping to make a profit. We are simply
> not at the level where we can afford to finance this out of the RFU
> treasury, having done that at least once before with a significant loss
> and considering that our accounts are already nearly empty.
>
> Two, although we want this to be an IMC-wide event, it going to be
> difficult to raise the tower and studio equipment funding, plus any
> substantial sums for other IMC needs, with this single event. This can
> be handled in several ways. We can use it as a wrap-up celebration for
> the tower fund, topping it off (see point three) and bringing in some
> funds for other IMC needs that are more modest. Or we could establish a
> precedent of doing one big IMCfest fundraiser for a different major IMC
> project each year, which would be devoted to a different major IMC
> working group or building projects, i.e. this year, it is the RFU tower
> and studio gear, next year it might be a total revamp/upgrade of the
> production room, the year after it might be to finish the mezzanine,
> etc, etc. But I don't know what other projects Dan was hoping to support
> with what we raise from IMCfest and I don't want to exclude them. I just
> want us to be both realistic and successful in raising what we need to
> deal with RFU's desperate financial needs. If we can help other IMC
> needs, that's cool, but we run the risk of not having a clear goal and
> not raising enough to meet RFU needs if we try to solve a lot of
> different funding issues all at once and end up generating just a small
> amount for every one.
>
> Third, there needs to be ongoing efforts prior to the IMCfest to bring
> in pledges, get matching funds, get donations actually in the bank, etc
> for the RFU needs. When we did the IMC building capital campaign, we had
> a fund-o-meter, like a thermometer, that kept in front of everyone who
> entered the old IMC space exactly where we were at in fundraising. I'd
> suggest we put one for the tower/studio equipment fundraising drive in
> the RFU studio window as the first step and keep it regularly updated.
> We need a group actively working between now and the IMCfest to get us
> as close as possible to our goal and keep this progress in front of
> everyone. As far as RFU goes, this should be the RFU-Finance group,
> which needs to start working on this fund drive ASAP.
>
> I think Lynsee is probably right. Trying to rely on only one big event
> to raise the $8000 or more that RFU needs is not going to work. Treating
> it as the big celebration at the end of a longer fundraising campaign is
> much more likely to be a success.
> Mike Lehman
>
>
> dan blah wrote:
> > Hey all,
> > You are getting this email because at some point in the last week since
> > it was decided to do the IMCfest 2007 you offered up you willingness to
> > support this event in one way or another.  Please reply to this email
> > with who you are and how you can help out.
> >
> > This list will be used to handle coordination of the event and will also
> > be used for status updates.
> >
> > As it is now the single biggest area I am lacking is getting bands to
> > get back to me.  I may not even be contacting the right ones. If you
> > have a good list of bands and contact info in your head please send that
> > list to this list by emailing imcfest-volunteers at lists.ucimc.org.
> >
> > I am fairly certain we someone who will completely manage the art side
> > and turn the back Sun Room.  She has good connection with the Illinois
> > Arts Council (which is good I guess) and is hunting down local artists
> > and working on a floor design.  I will be posting her email address here
> > soon for people who are interested in working with her.
> >
> > We also have the electronic after party performers mostly locked down.
> > I have got several DJs who are willing to help out and spin whenever we
> > need them.
> >
> > We could also use a couple people to work on the film showing side.  I
> > have been talking with Jason Pankoke and need to get a hold of Jenny
> > Southlynn and Paul Riismandel who are all good resources for this kind
> > of stuff.  Also, you can check out http://www.videoactivism.org/ for
> > some good resources.  Please reply if you are able and wanting to help
> here.
> >
> > We could also use some help finding activist speakers who want to
> > participate.  Anyone know where to go finding suck people?  Again, if
> > you are able and wanting help here reply.
> >
> > Sound guys are locked down as well.  As it is we are at least 3 or 4
> > people who will be able to handle the sound system.  We could use a
> > couple more though.  Please reply if you are able and wanting to help
> here.
> >
> > We definitely need a good 10 to 15 people who are willing to staff the
> > space for the event.  These people will be at the entrances, taking
> > money, and wandering around making sure things are cool.  If you are
> > able to do that please reply and ask around if people are interested.
> >
> > Also, does anyone know the process of getting a temporary liquor license
> > like the Boneyard late night space did?  I think this would be
> fantastic.
> >
> > Most importantly, start talking about this event.  In one breath you can
> > say:
> > Its the IMCfest 2007 happening (Nov. 9-11th) at the Urbana-Champaign
> > Independent Media Center in downtown Urbana and will be a celebration of
> > almost a decade (over 7 years) of Independent Media in the twin cities.
> >  The event will be composed of 15 to 20 of the areas favorite musical
> > groups/bands ranging from folk to rock to punk to electronic, feature
> > length independent films, and activist speakers.
> >
> > Lastly, if people want to help out or are wanting to play (for free?)
> > have them jump on this list at
> > http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/imcfest-volunteers or send an
> > email to imcfest-volunteers at ucimc.org.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > --
> > Daniel
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > IMCfest-Volunteers mailing list
> > IMCfest-Volunteers at lists.ucimc.org
> > http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/imcfest-volunteers
> >
> >
>
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>
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