[Imc-finance] some notes re funding/ford/network autonomy
Sheri Herndon
sheri at indymedia.org
Thu Oct 3 14:59:03 2002
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hi everyone,
here are some notes that might prove useful for our ongoing
discussions and irc meeting. i wanted to write something
specifically about the irc chat channels, but hopefully these notes
might move that topic along. i think jay has made a great start, i'd
just like to add a few more and clarify a bit.
the notes are long, i apologize. i'm still getting feedback from
folks so i don't want to send them out to the world yet, just a few
more days; and then some of the sections might be good to have on the
wiki for people to add to. this is of course not comprehensive, but
it is notes from numerous collective discussions, looking forward to
more.
thanks everyone,
sheri
INDYMEDIA FUNDING AND NETWORK ISSUES
Summary:
List of Fears/concerns
Autonomy and the Network
Issues Facing Us
Survey to Local IMCs
List of what has been funded thus far in indymedia for network projects
Have we ever received funds with strings attached? No.
Develop a list of "authentic progressive funding sources"
Network grantwriting group proposal
List of groups who have been funded by Ford and who haven't "sold out"
=46ord FAQ - needs to be written
These are rough notes drawn from a number of conversations with
people. I hope some of this information will be useful as we move
forward in our network discussions. Many of us recognize that the
outcome of this current situation/crisis/opportunity will be setting
a precedent. Because of that, we also must be aware of all the
related issues, concerns and possibilities that must be addressed for
us to struggle with these questions as an international network.
In the current discussion about Ford and process and funding for the
network in general, there are a few issues that should be addressed
separately in order to get the most out of the conversation:
1. What does a consensus process for the network look like? Do we
want to follow it? And if so, how do we do formal consensus (no one
can block unless the issue goes against core mission/values). Out of
this question arises a second question which gets at the heart of the
current debate:
2. How can disagreement function in the network? Can we still be in
solidarity, be in the network, but agree that we will probably have
differences that come up along the way? The Open Publishing Proposal
was a lengthy process that took several months for each local IMC to
weigh in on. We got very close to making a decision as a network
about one critical issue. How can we do that for the funding
question?
3. What is appropriate funding for the network?
4. Let's ask ourselves what we'd like to have the Network look like
in 10 years.
List of Fears/concerns - all of these must be addressed as we design
and develop any guidelines for dealing with funding, autonomy,
fundraising, economic sustainability, because they are all valid and
we don't want to see any of these things happen.
Slippery slope
Reliant on foundations
Compromise values
Lack of transparent process and communication
Being coopted
Becoming an NGO
Losing our revolutionary nature
Being seen as being in alignment with devil
Losing credibility
Others....
Autonomy and the Network
Core issue: what is the relationship between autonomy and being
connected to the network? Autonomy in relation to connectedness; a
lot of people feel we are operating on a consensus basis as a
network although we've never agreed on a process.
Is it possible to have consensus at a network level apart from the
current principles of unity? How do we reconcile the relationship
between solidarity, consensus, unanimity, and global approval?
Each IMC has to make their own decisions about funding because locals
are autonomous; they can be held accountable based on the principles
of unity; they could be called accountable with regard to these
issues but they would have to be in violation of a core principle.
Do we need a new principles of unity that discusses funding or do we
create some guidelines for how to make sure all of our fears/concerns
are addressed?
What is the line crossed in terms of this needs global approval
because it "affects the global network"? Is this a good criteria and
how do we realistically implement it when many things affect the
global network (tech decisions for one).
IMC Tech Collective - "running code/rough consensus" as a motto; how
does tech function autonomously that is different or similar to other
working groups? What can we learn from their example?
Affinity groups & working groups - what are empowered working groups
in the network? How do we start new ones and allow for initiative
and differences of opinion?
Centralization v. coordination - there's a difference between needing
to communicate the actions of a working group and getting approval
from the general collective. Do we have criteria for the difference?
Recognizing the critical role that perceptions play in how people see
the situation or evaluate the pros and cons of the current funding
discussion. For example, there was the strong perception that
Resist.org was an "authentic progressive funding source." However,
they also receive funding from Ford.
There are many different ways of defining who is indymedia; how do we
find our common ground in this discussion?
People make leaps in logic with regard to indymedia=8Ait's anti-money,
anti-capitalist, therefore anti-grants and anti seeking funding from
certain sources even when there are no strings attached.
We're not going to agree on funding/grants - how to resolve this?
Issues Facing Us
Taking money from foundations
Paying stipends
Process of seeking funds
Long term sustainability
Priorities - local and network
What are local fundraising opportunities
How to continue our value of transparency at all levels and in all
working groups (keep the information flowing). There's a line
between communication and approval; people need to find out about
projects sooner than later so they can weigh in on them, also needs
to be a transparent process.
Recognizing the reality that things cost money: Gandhian independent
movement was funded by an industrialist; How is Infoshop paid for?
How much does it cost to keep Indymedia running as a network, let
alone each local IMC.
Others....
Survey to Local IMCs - let's send out a list of questions for each
IMC to answer over the course of 2-3 months and do a kind of
sustainability assessment for the network.
What are your needs and expenses?
How do you sustain your local?
What do you think are some global funding priorities?
What perimeters would you place on money being raised and used?
What money would you be willing to accept? what conditions?
This could include local priorities for funding, their own local
projects and needs and any grants they've received, their ideas for
global network priorities (this was discussed a long time ago on
IMC-Finance as something we needed to do to get an assessment of the
global network).
Others....
List of what has been funded thus far in indymedia for network projects:
1. Seattle IMC spent $15K no strings attached on:
-travel for key tech person to travel to indymedia Europe meeting;
-money to IMC Brasil for their FTAA paper;
-critical funds to Argentina during a crisis (before current crisis);
-several thousand dollars to pay for stipends for people in the
network to fly to San Francisco;
-money for South Africa IMC to get set up for the World Conference
Against Racism;
-money for someone from Italy and Argentina to travel to DC for last
year's protests and to network with people from the States;
-money to NYC's paper right after 911 so that they could put out
10,000 copies onto the street the next week;
-funds to Urbana IMC for last year's Midwest regional gathering.
2. IMC Tech Collective
3. IMC Urbana
4. Others....
Where do we currently get "money" from, indirectly or directly?
Loudeye is one example - a corporate structure that has provided
hundreds of thousands of dollars to provide our rich media streaming
needs.
Speakeasy Caf=E9 - collocating Stallman for the first 2 years for free
Individual and anonymous donors
Chumbawamba
Glaser Family Foundation
New World Foundation
Others....
Have we ever received funds with strings attached? No. Other than
donors making designations (travel stipends, global network support,
computers to south America, etc.)
Develop a list of "authentic progressive funding sources".
Develop a network grantwriting group proposal. This is for folks and
local IMCs and network working groups who want to work on grants for
projects, locals, etc. can do this together.
List of groups who have been funded by Ford and who haven't "sold out".
=46ord FAQ - needs to be written
Correcting misinformation/establishing a common ground/clarifying
confusion about the Ford grant:
=85 What was the original intention behind the grant?
=85 What's the history of encuentros and wanting to do a global conference?
=85 Who was involved and what was the process
=85 How did the idea come up
=85 How did we "meet" the ford foundation/who approached who?
=85 Original proposal vs. travel stipend proposal - what's the difference
=85 Original proposal was just a letter of intent
=85 Why the list/ford proposal idea wasn't brought to the larger
finance list sooner
=85 What are general concerns with foundation funding?
=85 What are specific concerns with ford foundation?
=85 How is this grant different from others? No strings/minimal reporting
=85 What is an ideal grant receiving situation (no strings, no
burdensome lengthy reports unless it serves our own documentation
purposes; clean money/authentic progressive funding sources;
transparent process on imc-grantwriting list; keep our name out of
their public reports if we want anonymity)
=85 What are personal experiences of working with funders/grantors?
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--></style><title>some notes re funding/ford/network
autonomy</title></head><body>
<div>hi everyone,</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>here are some notes that might prove useful for our ongoing
discussions and irc meeting. i wanted to write something
specifically about the irc chat channels, but hopefully these notes
might move that topic along. i think jay has made a great start,
i'd just like to add a few more and clarify a bit.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>the notes are long, i apologize. i'm still getting feedback
from folks so i don't want to send them out to the world yet, just a
few more days; and then some of the sections might be good to have on
the wiki for people to add to. this is of course not
comprehensive, but it is notes from numerous collective discussions,
looking forward to more.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>thanks everyone,</div>
<div>sheri</div>
<div><br></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><b>INDYMEDIA FUNDING
AND NETWORK ISSUES</b></font><br>
<font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><b></b></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1"
color=3D"#000000"><b>Summary:</b></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1"
color=3D"#000000"><b><br></b></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><b>List of
=46ears/concerns</b></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><b>Autonomy and the
Network</b></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><b>Issues Facing
Us</b></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><b>Survey to Local
IMCs</b></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><b>List of what has
been funded thus far in indymedia for network
projects</b></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><b>Have we ever
received funds with strings attached? No</b>.</font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><b>Develop a list of
"authentic progressive funding sources"</b></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><b>Network
grantwriting group proposal</b></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><b>List of groups
who have been funded by Ford and who haven't "sold
out"</b></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><b>Ford FAQ -
needs to be written</b></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1"
color=3D"#000000"><b><br></b></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><b><br>
</b>These are rough notes drawn from a number of conversations with
people. I hope some of this information will be useful as we
move forward in our network discussions. Many of us
recognize that the outcome of this current
situation/crisis/opportunity will be setting a precedent.
Because of that, we also must be aware of all the related issues,
concerns and possibilities that must be addressed for us to struggle
with these questions as an international network.</font><br>
<font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><b>In the current
discussion about Ford and process and funding for the network in
general, there are a few issues that should be addressed separately in
order to get the most out of the conversation:</b></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><b><br>
</b>1. What does a consensus process for the network look like?
Do we want to follow it? And if so, how do we do formal
consensus (no one can block unless the issue goes against core
mission/values). Out of this question arises a second question
which gets at the heart of the current debate:<br>
2. How can disagreement function in the network? Can we still be
in solidarity, be in the network, but agree that we will probably have
differences that come up along the way? The Open Publishing
Proposal was a lengthy process that took several months for each local
IMC to weigh in on. We got very close to making a decision as a
network about one critical issue. How can we do that for the
funding question?<br>
3. What is appropriate funding for the network?<br>
4. Let's ask ourselves what we'd like to have the Network look like in
10 years.<br>
</font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><b>List of
=46ears/concerns -</b> all of these must be addressed as we design and
develop any guidelines for dealing with funding, autonomy,
fundraising, economic sustainability, because they are all valid and
we don't want to see any of these things happen.</font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><b><br>
</b>Slippery slope<br>
Reliant on foundations<br>
Compromise values<br>
Lack of transparent process and communication<br>
Being coopted<br>
Becoming an NGO<br>
Losing our revolutionary nature<br>
Being seen as being in alignment with devil<br>
Losing credibility</font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000">Others....<br>
</font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><b>Autonomy and the
Network<br>
<br>
</b>Core issue: what is the relationship between autonomy and
being connected to the network? Autonomy in relation to
connectedness; a lot of people feel we are operating on a
consensus basis as a network although we've never agreed on a
process. </font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><br>
Is it possible to have consensus at a network level apart from the
current principles of unity? How do we reconcile the
relationship between solidarity, consensus, unanimity, and global
approval?</font><br>
<font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000">Each IMC has to make
their own decisions about funding because locals are autonomous; they
can be held accountable based on the principles of unity; they
could be called accountable with regard to these issues but they
would have to be in violation of a core principle.</font><br>
<font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000">Do we need a new
principles of unity that discusses funding or do we create some
guidelines for how to make sure all of our fears/concerns are
addressed?</font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><br></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000">What is the line
crossed in terms of this needs global approval because it "affects
the global network"? Is this a good criteria and how do we
realistically implement it when many things affect the global network
(tech decisions for one).<br>
IMC Tech Collective - "running code/rough consensus" as a motto;
how does tech function autonomously that is different or similar to
other working groups? What can we learn from their
example?</font><br>
<font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000">Affinity groups &=
;
working groups - what are empowered working groups in the network?
How do we start new ones and allow for initiative and differences of
opinion?</font><br>
<font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000">Centralization v.
coordination - there's a difference between needing to communicate the
actions of a working group and getting approval from the general
collective. Do we have criteria for the difference?</font><br>
<font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000">Recognizing the
critical role that perceptions play in how people see the situation or
evaluate the pros and cons of the current funding discussion.
=46or example, there was the strong perception that Resist.org was an
"authentic progressive funding source." However, they also
receive funding from Ford.</font><br>
<font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000">There are many
different ways of defining who is indymedia; how do we find our common
ground in this discussion?<br>
People make leaps in logic with regard to indymedia=8Ait's anti-money,
anti-capitalist, therefore anti-grants and anti seeking funding from
certain sources even when there are no strings attached.</font><br>
<font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000">We're not going to
agree on funding/grants - how to resolve this?<br>
</font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><b>Issues Facing
Us</b></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><b><br>
</b>Taking money from foundations<br>
Paying stipends<br>
Process of seeking funds<br>
Long term sustainability<br>
Priorities - local and network<br>
What are local fundraising opportunities<br>
How to continue our value of transparency at all levels and in all
working groups (keep the information flowing). There's a line
between communication and approval; people need to find out about
projects sooner than later so they can weigh in on them, also
needs<br>
to be a transparent process.<br>
Recognizing the reality that things cost money: Gandhian independent
movement was funded by an industrialist; How is Infoshop paid for?<br>
How much does it cost to keep Indymedia running as a network, let
alone each local IMC.<br>
Others....</font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><br>
<br>
</font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><b>Survey to Local
IMCs - let's send out a list of questions for each IMC to answer over
the course of 2-3 months and do a kind of sustainability assessment
for the network.</b></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><b><br>
</b>What are your needs and expenses?<br>
How do you sustain your local?<br>
What do you think are some global funding priorities?<br>
What perimeters would you place on money being raised and used?<br>
What money would you be willing to accept? what conditions?<br>
This could include local priorities for funding, their own local
projects and needs and any grants they've received, their ideas for
global network priorities (this was discussed a long time ago on
IMC-Finance as something we needed to do to get an assessment of
the<br>
global network).<br>
Others....<br>
</font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><b>List of what has
been funded thus far in indymedia for network
projects:</b></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1"
color=3D"#000000"><b><br></b></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><b>1. Seattle
IMC spent $15K no strings attached on:<br>
</b>-travel for key tech person to travel to indymedia Europe
meeting;<br>
-money to IMC Brasil for their FTAA paper;<br>
-critical funds to Argentina during a crisis (before current
crisis);<br>
-several thousand dollars to pay for stipends for people in the
network to fly to San Francisco;<br>
-money for South Africa IMC to get set up for the World Conference
Against Racism;<br>
-money for someone from Italy and Argentina to travel to DC for last
year's protests and to network with people from the States;<br>
-money to NYC's paper right after 911 so that they could put out
10,000 copies onto the street the next week;</font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000">-funds to Urbana IMC
for last year's Midwest regional gathering.</font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><b>2. IMC Tech
Collective</b></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><b>3. IMC
Urbana</b></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><b>4.
Others....</b></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><br>
<br>
<b>Where do we currently get "money" from, indirectly or
directly?<br>
<br>
</b>Loudeye is one example - a corporate structure that has provided
hundreds of thousands of dollars to provide our rich media streaming
needs.<br>
Speakeasy Caf=E9 - collocating Stallman for the first 2 years for
free<br>
Individual and anonymous donors<br>
Chumbawamba<br>
Glaser Family Foundation</font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000">New World
=46oundation</font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1"
color=3D"#000000">Others....</font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><br></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><br></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><b>Have we ever
received funds with strings attached? No</b>. Other than
donors making designations (travel stipends, global network support,
computers to south America, etc.)<br>
</font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><br></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><b>Develop a list of
"authentic progressive funding sources".<br>
<br>
</b></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><b>Develop a network
grantwriting group proposal. </b> This is for folks and local
IMCs and network working groups who want to work on grants for
projects, locals, etc. can do this together.</font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><br>
<b><br>
<br>
List of groups who have been funded by Ford and who haven't "sold
out".<br>
<br>
</b></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"><b>Ford FAQ -
needs to be written<br>
<br>
Correcting misinformation/establishing a common ground/clarifying
confusion about the Ford grant:<br>
<br>
</b></font><font face=3D"Symbol" size=3D"+1"
color=3D"#000000">=85</font><font face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#00000=
0">
What was the original intention behind the grant?<br>
</font><font face=3D"Symbol" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000">=85</font><font
face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"> What's the history of
encuentros and wanting to do a global conference?<br>
</font><font face=3D"Symbol" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000">=85</font><font
face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"> Who was involved and what was
the process<br>
</font><font face=3D"Symbol" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000">=85</font><font
face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"> How did the idea come up<br>
</font><font face=3D"Symbol" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000">=85</font><font
face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"> How did we "meet" the ford
foundation/who approached who?<br>
</font><font face=3D"Symbol" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000">=85</font><font
face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"> Original proposal vs. travel
stipend proposal - what's the difference<br>
</font><font face=3D"Symbol" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000">=85</font><font
face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"> Original proposal was just a
letter of intent<br>
</font><font face=3D"Symbol" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000">=85</font><font
face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"> Why the list/ford proposal
idea wasn't brought to the larger finance list sooner<br>
</font><font face=3D"Symbol" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000">=85</font><font
face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"> What are general concerns with
foundation funding?<br>
</font><font face=3D"Symbol" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000">=85</font><font
face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"> What are specific concerns
with ford foundation?<br>
</font><font face=3D"Symbol" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000">=85</font><font
face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"> How is this grant different
from others? No strings/minimal reporting<br>
</font><font face=3D"Symbol" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000">=85</font><font
face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"> What is an ideal grant
receiving situation (no strings, no burdensome lengthy reports unless
it serves our own documentation purposes; clean money/authentic
progressive funding sources; transparent process on imc-grantwriting
list; keep our name out of their public reports if we want
anonymity)<br>
</font><font face=3D"Symbol" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000">=85</font><font
face=3D"Times" size=3D"+1" color=3D"#000000"> What are personal experiences
of working with funders/grantors?<br>
<br>
<br>
</font></div>
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