[CIMC-working] global funding issues, outlines ... Re: statements againts grants from capitalist funds by imcs

[Doug Morris]

Hi all,

I agree with Chris, with an addition of some of us preparing further 
analysis to share widely with a circle of imc locals.

See links and
***outline for further analysis*** and strategic discussions below.

Chris wrote:
http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/public/imc-chicago-working/2002-December/000334.html
"Given the facts and history of the situation, as framed by Doug in his 
emails of 12/15 to this list, I would move for Chicago Indymedia to 
consider and possibly approve the following action on behalf of Chicago 
Indymedia:

"A solely collective-to-collective dialogue among Chicago, 
Urbana-Champaign, and other IMCs on the (global) IMC-Finance list, 
translated into several languages. By this I mean that each and every 
statement in the dialogue would have to be approved by each respective IMC. 
The purpose would be to clarify UC-IMC's grant-pursuing actions to date, 
and to develop an IMC-Network-wide policy -- or principles, if you like -- 
describing parameters for all future pursuits of donations and funding. In 
lieu of a UC-IMC agreement to this dialogue, I would move to censure the 
UC-IMC on several global Indymedia listserves."

OK. Reasonable approach. How to go forward?  Do following first? Then write 
summary?

Add to this:
Last night, in a talk with Dick, Don, and Garth after the peace vigil and 
march, this Sunday night, yesterday:

We decided to do some analysis of imc's strategic situation now and share a 
note about that widely with the imc network.  In my understanding, we want 
to ask some questions about where we are as a network and share some of our 
views about that and where and how we can get there as a diverse grass 
roots network.

Further, in my understanding of the discussion wrap up and to specify it 
further, we think that it would be helpful to write something to summarize 
some of the current, existing studies of cooptation of the left, especially 
media, by the establisment.  And, it would be helpful to outline some 
strategic issues related to indymedia organizing, networking and funding in 
terms of the Tactical media fund, Soros Grant application (and ford app.), 
UC-imc generator role in this, and the development or not of indymedia network:

The following can be considered as drafts for revision and further 
development of some of these issues. There is an outline of new strategic 
piece at the end:

Key questions would include:
- what is the future of fundraising -- through grants, donations, etc. -- 
in imc, in particular in relation to the tactical media fund?
tactical media fund: possibilties & criticisms of start up problems
http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/public/imc-chicago-working/2002-December/000326.html

- what do various local imcs think of the seven statements on grants. what 
are their positions. see this:
statements againts grants from capitalist funds by imcs
http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/public/imc-chicago-working/2002-December/000327.html

- what are some of the serious dangers in working with foundations like 
Ford, Soros/OSI, McArthur, etc.:
Is a Soros grant like Ford grant? yes and no in this case
http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/public/imc-chicago-working/2002-December/000328.html
George Soros, Imperial Wizard - Covert Action Quarterly
http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/public/imc-chicago-working/2002-December/000332.html

-an new post analyzing imc's strategic and funding challenge and 
*opportunity* as a grass roots network:
Ask and explore...
How have grant making and organizing by elite activists lead to the 
cooptation of left projects?
How can grant making by grassroots projects lead to reformism, cooptation 
and/or failure or to successful extensive dialog and network 
diversification, fluid communication *and* cooperation?

Outline of topics:
Develop some of the above threads, noting specific cases of cooptation of
	left movements
	alternative media
And consider...
*what are factors that can lead to reformism. These could include:
		writing the plans of projects so as to sell them
		organizers working with each other in private
			and not with their locals and networks of activists
		pursuing meaningful dialog between center and left to justify radical 
projects
		establishing projects and offices with budgets and staff

Note: the above four reformism factors may be active in the UC-imc TMF 
proposal.

*what are factors in sharing the strategic development of power from below 
(and in avoiding reformism and failure in grassroots projects):
		co-develop projects from base with widespread participation
		participants working in public together to generate issues from struggles 
and principles
		pursuing meaningful dialog amongst and across grassroots activists
		being fluid and patient with project expectations and practices

Note:  The imc network is yet to successful engage in grassroots 
strategizing via extensive networks and circles of dialog, either online or 
off.  There have been some calls for this recently to start on the 
imc-strategies listserv.

Then post the above somewhere(s) and write a summary note/article or two.
Perhaps write an initial Chicago statement and query to UC-imc for approval 
Sunday.
Then, send to UC-imc and post that widely in imc listserves and newswires?

Timeline to do:  a week?  reach out now (with outline of above posts and a 
simple intro) to imc barcelona, melbourne, athens and other imcs with 
statements on grants.  ask for input and aprise of our looking at this 
issue.  Then, wrap this up by meeting time Sunday?

So, what next to enter into the above together? What else to do?
Comments?

Doug