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

[Ian Bicking]

Regarding funding:

I would like it to be clear that Indymedia receives a great deal of 
support in the way of network and computer services, largely donated by 
corporations or the occasional individual.  Network services in 
particular are generally donated on an ongoing basis -- i.e., they imply 
an ongoing relationship.  There are no proposals to change this that I 
know of, and certainly no practical alternatives presented.

In light of this I see no way we could consider rejecting support from 
corporations or capitalist interests.  Any proposal should address how 
to come to terms with this support, not whether to accept it.

It would not be impossible for IMCs, individually or in collaboration, 
to pay for their own hosting services -- the costs aren't prohibitive.  
But that requires a consistency of fundraising that I don't think we 
have yet seen, and any lapse in funding would be catastrophic for the 
IMC.

It is not difficult to imagine an environment where corporations that 
are sympathetic to Indymedia would not be willing to donate because of 
coercive influences.  But that's not the case right now.  The first step 
to protecting ourselves from that situation would be to develop the 
ongoing resources so that we could fund tech needs if necessary.

On Monday, December 16, 2002, at 10:49 AM, Doug Morris wrote:
> 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
>
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