[CIMC-work] Re: [Imc-chicago-video] process and over-process proposal

[nscchicago]

Tom Baker here. The level of discussion must be
humored and positive. Rather than attacking and
defending, we need working together.

What we are creating is what we create. We have
minds and energy and the question often is, is the
schedule wagging the dog

We are very beginning and finding out.
Every one is responsible

Besides the Indymedia mission of a peoples media
we are also alternative relationship social structure
we are beginning and finding out

One aspect I have identified about use of English
when problem solving is the comparative
better, wiser, more, less
two sides
yes or no
For me becomes too weighty with value

>From language being a tool we use,
language becomes the judge using us.

I have two anecdotes from Nicaragua
Ray Hooker is a natural leader from the indigenous
communities on the Atlantic side of Nicaragua who
went through the revolution, a Sandinista working
to make the new way real. He would say, and it
struck me, We have never done this before.

We have never done this before.

To me that means that it may seem familiar but it
is not to be confined or defined by precedent.
Kinda like each day is its own day.
That means definitions and precedents are tools
but not rulers.

The second is the coffee cooperative union in
Matagalpa. They have been a cooperatives union for
25 years and they tell you they are still learning
what it is to be a cooperative.

So, I think that we are consciously experimenting and
developing social structures, patterns of relating with
one another and process, the process, the process,
the next show

I think not just us in this collective Indymedia are
seeking new norms, I think it is going on globally






----- Original Message ----- 
From: "donald goldhamer" <dhgo at midway.uchicago.edu>
To: "Thomas Yun" <mayday at riseup.net>
Cc: <ginsuaste at associationhouse.org>; <jongroot at aol.com>; "Chicago
Indymedia" <imc-chicago-working at lists.indymedia.org>; "Chicago Independent
Television" <imc-chicago-video at lists.indymedia.org>
Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2004 4:20 PM
Subject: Re: [Imc-chicago-video] process and over-process proposal


> Hi all,
>
> While I'm not a videographer and am not active in the video collective,
> I've observed a few things which might be worth considering:
>
> 1. Making videos, like any creative process, needs to be a satisfying
>    activity.  Too much focus on process can so dampen that satisfaction
>    that it could damage the productivity and enthusiasm of even the most
>    dedicated people.
>
> 2. Invoking a "block" on a decision is an extreme and (hopefully) rare
>    action, and must be accompanied by clear reasons for doing so.  The
>    differing points must be put in writing (which forces one to be clear),
>    for transparency, and so that people who miss a meeting are not
>    excluded.
>
>    And a "block" doesn't normally get "overridden"; when the process works
>    the "block" gets voluntarily lifted!  EITHER the concerns are addressed
>    and the persons blocking the decision either are persuaded, or at least
>    willing to be neutral; OR the folks making the proposal are persuaded
to
>    include solutions to the strong concerns.
>
>    In either case, the issues get examined and a wiser, cooperative
>    decision is reached.  The process is usually not contentious and
builds,
>    rather than lowers, trust levels.  And no one person is "in charge" of
>    the process.
>
> 3. Regarding the CAN-TV issue, so far I've seen only two of these points
>    stated on this list (by Tom concerning (a) the consequences of missing
a
>    deadline and being "banned as "Chicago Independent Television" from
ever
>    having a regular time slot on CAN-TV; and (b) the capacity of the video
>    collective to fulfill a monthly schedule).
>
>    I'm sure there are other perspectives on that point, but have no idea
>    what they may be.  And I'd really like to learn what reasons there are
>    for committing C-IMC immediately -- will the opportunity pass, etc.?
>
>    Have all of the members of the video collective had the opportunity to
>    consider all the relevant issues?
>
> 4. Regarding a "decision-making" process, as soon as someone can locate
the
>    very good materials C-IMC worked with originally, and they get posted,
>    I'll put links to them onto the website.  We're not the first group to
>    need to work through this stuff.
>
> 5. Goals are needed, but does this constitute a "mission statement"
>    separate from that of C-IMC?  Some simple, quantifiable objectives
would
>    allow you to assess your progress and process.
>
> 6. I, personally, believe that broadcast media reach MANY more people than
>    all the individual showings C-IMC can organize.  It also, however,
lacks
>    the interactivity which is the essence of learning and re-thinking
one's
>    position.  The strength of a volunteer organization like C-IMC is that
>    individuals can pursue those paths (distribution, media, etc.) which
>    attract them, so long as there is communication among all.  It's better
>    to recruit new participants in an effort than to attempt to distract
>    others from their preferred activities.
>
> Just my opinions...
>
> --Don
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