[CIMC-work] block and counterproposal regarding Jon's proposal

[Thomas Yun]

Hello, collective,

most of you are aware of the block that I raised regarding a proposal by
Jon Groot to request a regular time slot from CAN-TV.  I wish to take this
opportunity to do the following: 1) elaborate further upon exactly what my
block is 2) offer a counter-proposal 3) solicit input from the larger
collective.

As it stands now, this issue is coming to a head with Jon actively seeking
a way to override my block; which I want to point out, is reasonable for
him to do.

1.  Elaboration of my block.  My block specifically is to the timing of
requesting a regular time slot from CAN-TV.  I would like to see this
*delayed* until a couple of things happen.  (Refer to my counter-proposal
to for an elaboration of what those things are.)  My basic point is that
video is not quite ready as a group to pursue a regular time slot at
CAN-TV, one of the reasons being that if we are locked into a regular time
slot at CAN-TV the consequences of being behind schedule are much more
dire than how we currently exist.  Namely, if we as "Chicago Independent
Television" miss a deadline we are banned as "Chicago Independent
Television" from ever having a regular time slot on CAN-TV.

2.  Counterproposal.
     First, I would like to suggest that Jon delay his attempt to override
my block until after Alloy's BBQ so that the video collective has had
an opportunity to consense on our decision-making process and how
such overrides are to take place.  I hope the rationale for such a
delay is self-evident.  In fact once the video collective has
consensed on decision-making process that will erase one of the
reasons for my block.  I must point out this would require all
interested parties to attend Alloy's BBQ or else for us to commit to
some other time to all meet and hash out our decision-making process.
     Second, I would like to suggest that the video collective consense on
a common mission statement.  The rationale for this is that working
towards a regular time slot will require us to be more efficient,
which to my thinking means we need to agree on our basic goals. 
Having agreed on a mission statement will also provide a proper
context for blocks and overrides insofar as they have to be framed in
terms of our mission statement.
     Third, we need to reprioritize.  Right now, video collective is being
consumed by a debate about our interface with CAN-TV, which is just
one form of distribution amongst many other including internet,
workshops, screenings, and DVD sales.  The discussion about a TV slot
yesterday took up the majority of our meeting time.  As a video
collective, that's simply too much time to spend on that one form of
distribution.  We need to devote more time to our internet
distribution efforts, workshops, DVD distribution, screenings, and
general outreach.  We need a diversity of distributions and
interfaces with the public.  This will allow for more diversity
within our collective.
     Fourth, I would propose that we agree on a more respectful tone for
our interactions in a collective.  Frankly, there was a lot of
scolding going on last night as if we were all little children that
had misbehaved.  That has to stop immediately.

3.  Input from general collective.  This is the most difficult challenge I
think we have to deal with as video collective.  Any input the whole
collective would have would be appreciated.

4.  sort of notes from last night.  Okay, so there was no official
notetaker last night.  Here's what I remember happening.

In attendance: Chris Bravo, Jon Groot, Gisela Insuaste, Andrew McAvinchey,
Jessica P

First we discussed Episode 5 for about forty five minutes.  There was a
great deal of confusion and consternation about whether we were supposed
to have screened Episode 5 at the meeting.  Concerns were raised about not
being able to view the Episode before it was submitted to CAN-TV.
     We segued into a discussion about the pursuing a regular time slot
(probably another forty-five minutes).  This naturally led into a
discussion about my block and the rationale for it and how to
override it.  There was some confusion about what a consensus was,
what a block was, and how to override a block.  The point was raised
that at one of video's earliest meetings, we had agreed about a 3/4
majority overrule of a block once all efforts had been made to meet
the concerns raised in the block.  The importance of Alloy's BBQ for
discussing these issues was raised.
     Earlier and later in the meeting we also heard from Gisela, who was
new to the collective, expressing a desire for Indymedia to do a
workshop with the youth at Asoociation House.
     There was a brief recap of the May Day Party.
     There was some discussion of the spine, specifically pertaining to
Chris and Andrew's work on creating titles.

paz,
t
y


-- 
http://tigger.uic.edu/~tyun/mayday
created on May Day 1973.