[Imc-finance] (was: question about funds) Calling an imc-finance liaisons IRC meeting

[Sheri Herndon]

hi everyone,

i appreciate jenka's encouragement and agree with her desire to move 
things forward.

however, as someone who has been on this list since the list was 
first created, i'm not sure we have discussed this issue inside and 
out actually at all.  for many reasons, but lately primarily because 
we've been waiting for adequate participation on this list (as 
empowered liaisons).  in fact, the list has been relatively quiet. 
anyone who reads the archive gets a clearer picture of how this list 
has been "operating".  lots of good ideas generated, time to pull 
them together.

i think many people assume that we're making decisions to sit on the 
money when in fact it more a decision that has been made due to 
inaction more than conscious intention to have reserves.  i think our 
inaction is more about our collective challenge to use the money in a 
good way.  well, we need to do our best and be willing to do things 
imperfectly and then learn from our possible mistakes.

in that spirit, i'd like to make a suggestion -- how about we 
schedule an irc meeting to sit down and talk about the various 
proposals that have been made which range from disbursing the funds 
to critical places as jenka points out, to the majority of it going 
to imcs in the global south. there have been a few others as well.  i 
think way back when there was mention of it all being divided up 
between all the imcs, but i don't think that is efficient or 
strategic.

if we could gather the various suggestions and ideas that have been 
made and create a brief summary (there really aren't that many), then 
call a meeting and discuss this, we might be able to make some 
headway.

i think for many people on this list, it is a big deal to think about 
how to equitably distribute these funds and it is a challenge.  i 
don't think we should take that responsibility lightly.  but we also 
should use the resources we have to help those parts of our network 
sooner than later.  we all know instinctively where the greatest need 
is.  i imagine there are some ideological differences about where the 
great priorities might be, but what i have heard more than anything 
else (whether on this list or on other lists or in meetings or phone 
calls or events) is that the south needs support.  and perhaps 
sometimes "global south" can be defined as within the limits of our 
large urban centers and in isolated rural environments (as some have 
more eloquently than i articulated).

at least let us begin a dialogue.  the call to action has been put 
out before.  we have most of the imcs participating on this list via 
liaisons (not representation but a voice in the mix).  let's make 
this happen.   i'm suggesting irc meeting because they are more 
dynamic than a list.  we can pull together the proposals and let the 
locals know (via the liaisons) that this is happening and to present 
ideas as well.  and get us talking and moving and sharing these 
resources in effective ways that represent our values.

what do others think?

sheri
seattle imc
(not official liaison person)

At 1:30 PM -0700 8/12/02, sing and dance! wrote:
>I understand that the IMC has about 40,000 that is still just sitting
>there?  I am sure that everyone has discussed this issue inside and out
>already, but I would like to add my 2 cents:
>
>-I think the money should not be held any longer, but should be donated for
>use.  I'm sure people have arguments for keeping some reserves, but to me
>it is the same argument for institutionalizing the IMC, making it an NGO,
>which to me always leads to mediocrity and absorbance into the existing
>system (which I am opposed to)
>
>--I think the money should be given to areas in crisis --
>--south africa, becaUSE they are needing to cover this really REALLY
>important event which is being wholly ignored by the US media;
>--palestine -- I just returned from palestine, and met a great group of
>independent media producers who run a local cable access station and radio
>station in their town (qalqilia) in the west bank.  they did NOT know about
>IMC before I got there, but once they heard they began uploading and etc.
>to the site.  the people who have been doing IMC in bethlehem there are
>apparently going through some politics and etc., and the curfew makes it
>really chaotic, but I want to let people know that there is this really
>cool group of palestinians who are working day and night in qalqilia to
>produce media about the daily killings, violence and home destructions, and
>they could really use our support.
>--why not give some to help ship the 500 computers down to ecuador and
>south america....(rabble's project) --apparently needs 3000 to ship the
>computers.
>
>So I think the money should be given away right away, without delay.  Why
>keep money in the bank when there are people in need?  That's like being a
>corporation!
>
>I mean, come on!  I remember hearing about this money a year ago!  Give it
>away already!
>
>love
>jenka
>
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