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

[sing and dance!]

ok I think there should be a meeting on irc
but it doesn't help south africa's dilemma, which is that they need money
now for the Rio+10 coverage!

I guess we should just resign ourselves to the fact that we let South
Africa down, and try to reimburse them what we can after the fact.

I don't know what time to suggest for a meeting that will be acceptable for
a bunch of time zones.....how about Tuesday at 10:00 EST?

love
jenka

> 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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