[imc-uk-process] common grounds - snapshot

[ionnek]

please note: this snapshot is an effort to to describe the present shared 
working practices on uk.indymedia.org and the development of the new IMC UK 
mir site - i.e. the consensus that we have developed over the past few 
weeks/months.

WORKING PRACTICES ON uk.indymedia.org/ mir

...in a nutshell:

uk.indymedia.org is a DIY project based on collaboration of a network. If 
you want something done, read the manual (scattered across lists and twiki) 
and go ahead - sometimes this just involves "doing it", sometimes you'll 
need to make a proposal to the appropriate list. Sometimes you might not be 
able to "do it yourself" - in that case you'll have to convince someone 
else to do it for you. If you have a problem with the documentation of any 
aspect of imc, improve it or find someone to do the job. Same goes for the 
functionality or aesthetics of the site and for the communication within 
the network.
uk.indymedia.org is a collaborative project of local imc groups who agree 
on some basic common grounds. Participation involves taking responsibility 
for shared tasks and gives each group access to the knowledge and resources 
of other groups. Transparency is crucial - especially on the tech side.
uk.indymedia.org is run by volunteers. A part from agreed shared tasks, 
everything relies on the motivation of individuals or groups - a good 
reason to maintain a spirit of solidarity and support in our communication.

LONG VERSION

I. historical bits

Since a few months, imc uk has kicked off as a network.
In the first years, imc uk was mainly maintained by a group in London - we 
simply could not find other imc groups in the uk who were willing to join 
in. Then the network slowly started to build. Bristol set up their separate 
website, Scotland is working on one. Imc uk temporarily hosted imc ireland 
while they were setting up their separate site. Manchester and Scottland 
asked for subsections on the UK page. We started to have network meetings. 
Lancester, Sheffield and Leeds joined in. Oxford and Cambridge applied for 
imc lists. The contact page was updated to include new groups 
[http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/public/imc-uk-network/2003-March/000253.html].
Several groups started to  share "housekeeping duties" like newswire 
cleaning, the editorial guidelines were updated 
[http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/public/imc-uk-process/2003-March/001105.html].

(...add more to
http://docs.indymedia.org/view/Local/UkMirAboutDraft)

II. Migration to MIR - a collaborative project

The first major project of the imc - United Kollective network is the 
migration to mir. This is much more than just a change of software. It is 
the outcome of a years long process to establish imc uk as a network of 
local imc groups who work together on a shared website, to build a platform 
where people from all over the country can share information/news.

The final deadline of the migration, the looks of the site, and the way we 
set up the admin depends on the input of each imc group.
The development of the MIR site works a bit like opensource software 
developing, very pragmatic. Some people do things, then it's wait and see 
if others take them up.
At the same time, imc uk has elements of a more structured, collective 
approach, because there are some things that we have to find consensus about.

Example: Vince/Oxford made a proposal about a shared colour scheme on 
regional pages.
http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/public/imc-uk-tech/2003-April/000864.html
It's possible that regional groups go for one of the existing designs. It's 
also possible that some groups come up with their own design. We can leave 
this decision to local groups, or we could try to find a firm consensus 
about the colour scheme. But it would probably take a while until all 
existing imc groups have discussed amongst themselves, decided and come to 
an agreement with each other. So it's a matter of finding a balance between 
motivation/autonomy on one side and "branding"/functionality on the other.


III. uk.indymedia.org Communication tools

The consensus process is non-hierarchical, there is no formal 
decision-making body of delegates. But some communication tools for sharing 
knowledge, discussion and decisionmaking have developed. Generally, things 
are being discussed in a variety of communication channels, before they 
come up as a proposal.

/1 face to face meetings

Although we are using a variety of electronic communication channels, local 
imc groups rely on face to face meetings in intervals that suit them, 
mostly announced on their publicly archived imc list. If they don't get 
round to publicly announce their regular f2f meetings, they make sure to 
also hold open and public meetings (more...)

/2 Lists

Every local imc group currently liaises with some uk lists: 
[imc-uk-network]  for information, [imc-uk-process] for discussion, 
developing proposals etc, [imc-uk-tech] to sort out how to do things.
If things go well, consensus emerges from [imc-uk-process]. If it doesn't, 
things can be further discussed or eventually be brought to a face-to-face 
network meeting.
The migration to mir, for example, has been "in the air" for more than a 
year, but it gathered momentum when a critical mass of imc groups agreed to 
it at the Lancester network meeting.

Every imc worldwide is committed to be in touch with some global imc lists. 
Reports from global lists are fed to [imc-uk-process]. Sometimes, global 
lists are asking for feedback.

It is important to be aware that silence on the lists is generally read as 
agreement. When a proposal goes up and nobody objects or amends, it is 
usually assumed that it can go ahead. But again, this is not a fixed rule. 
If I propose tomorrow to close down imc uk, silence might simply mean that 
people assume that I'm mad.

/2 Network Meeting

Every local imc group can propose a f2f network meeting. If a critical mass 
of local groups agrees that a network meeting is needed or that it would be 
fun, time and place are being sorted. Probably, the network meetings 
generate the most firm decisions, people tend to stick what they say at f2f 
meetings. Minutes are being published on [imc-uk-network].

/3 irc (internet relay chat)

The channels on Irc.indymedia.org is helpful to discuss things, establish 
common grounds, work out how to proceed, share infos, knowledge and 
resources. Irc logs are being archived on the appropriate list. Irc is a 
forum to sort out practical details, to coordinate working groups, to share 
skills and knowledge. While major proposals often develop on irc. But irc 
is not a decision making channel, because so far, only few imc uk'ers use it.

/4 twiki

imc uk uses the indymedia twiki on [docs.indymedia.org]. Twiki is a piece 
of opensource server software that allows users to freely create and edit 
Web page content using any Web browser. Everybody can register on the twiki 
and start using it.
A special site has been set up for the migration to mir:
http://docs.indymedia.org/view/Local/MovingToMir

At the moment, it's mainly used to document the move to mir - links to 
discussions the the email lists or irc logs, tools for the development of 
the site and regional pages, documentation of technical and admin details. 
Hopefully, it will develop into a manual for admin, customising local 
sites, coding and the new imc process. Like irc, twiki is not a decision 
making body, because not many imc uk'ers are using it so far.

IV. Shared tasks

imc uk has developed a supportive attitude. People help each other out with 
major and minor questions, and generally respect each others work and 
listen to each others points of views.
Some tasks are shared between all local imc groups who work on 
uk.indymedia.org:

/1 crucial from the beginning: liaising with 3 uk lists: [imc-uk-network], 
[imc-uk-process], [imc-uk-tech].

/2 liaising with global lists:
Every imc worldwide is committed to be in touch with some global imc lists: 
[imc-finance], [imc- process], [imc-communication], [new-imc]. (complete??) 
There are a few other useful lists, like [imc europe].
Since imc uk is a network, we can share this workload between the local 
groups. Each group should be prepared to take on a global list for some 
time and occasionally forward reports from those lists to [imc-uk-process]. 
Sometimes, global lists are asking for feedback.

/3 list admin:
The administration of the shared [imc-uk] lists rotates within the local 
imc uk groups, both to share the workload and to make sure that power is 
decentralised. Presently, the network uses mainly [imc-uk-network], 
[imc-uk-process], [imc-uk-features], [imc-uk-tech].

/4 newswire cleaning
Presently, on the imc uk active site, every newswire posting goes straight 
to the frontpage. Admins from local imc groups then screen the newswire and 
hide postings if necessary according to the editorial guidelines. With the 
new MIR side, we have the option to use different models (dutch model, 
german model).
Example: In imc-germany, every posting goes to the "open posting newswire" 
which is NOT on the front page. Moderators screen the open newswire, and 
"promote" postings, either to the frontpage newswire, or to one of the 
topics, or to a "feature" (middle column). Some postings are hidden.

The main point is that all regional pages on imc uk mir will continue to 
share one database for newswire postings, i.e. the regional imcs will have 
to take responsibility to look after the main newswire, not only after 
their own.

/5 features:
Presently, features for the imc uk middle column on the active site are 
being proposed on [imc-uk-features]. All local imc groups are responsible 
to look after the uk middle column.
On the IMC UK Mir page, each imc group with their own site will produce 
their own features. In addition, the startpage of uk.indymedia.org will 
also have features. We haven't discussed yet how these will be generated. 
Options are:
- to generate them automatically from the local middle columns (needs a 
tech to implement).
- to generate them manually, for expl by a dedicated startpage features 
group, a dedicated list, individuals or a mix of all.

V. Setting up a regional page on IMC UK mir

To run a regional page on IMC UK mir means to be part of a network. Each 
local imc group that runs a regional page on IMC UK mir positions itself on 
the common grounds of the uk network, agrees to the "principles of unity" 
and takes on some of the shared tasks. The following paragraphs refer to 
those groups who are working on the uk.indymedia.org site - I assume that 
separate sites like Bristol have their own process.
uk.indymedia.org sometimes offers emerging imcs a temporary subpage, while 
they are preparing their own site. Imc ireland is an example from the past, 
imc scotland is an example for the present. The degree of involvement in 
shared tasks and communication is being negotiated as things emerge, 
depending on specific situations.

/1 common grounds
* Agree with the UK Mission statement
At the moment, we are using the old imc uk mission statement. A proposal to 
work on it has been made on 
[http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/public/imc-uk-network/2003-March/000254.html] 
on march 26.  A draft on the twiki includes all the changes that have been 
suggested in response to this proposal 
[http://docs.indymedia.org/view/Local/UkMirMsDraft]

* Agree with the current Working practices of the site [link]
The paragraphs on communication (III) and shared tasks (IV) sum up some of 
the current working practices of uk.indymedia.org. It would be good to work 
on and discuss a document which can be approved by the uk.indymedia.org 
network.

* Agree in Spirit to the "Principles of unity" [link]
The global indymedia community shares a set of "principles of unity", I'm 
sending them in a separate mail. For the UK, these could be re-written to 
be a bit more user friendly!

* Have open and public meetings
This is to make sure that indymedia uk has a presence outside the virtual 
world of digital communication channels, to encourage local participation, 
transparency and face to face contact. (...more?)

* Participate in outreach of uk.indymedia.org to local groups, encouraging 
more people to understand and use the site.

2/ steps towards a regional site on uk.indymedia.org

* make sure you have enough people to run the regional page - and to keep 
in touch with the uk network. Please be aware that imc is a global network, 
i.e. every imc group should keep track of what's happening there.
*  tell the process list that you are interested. Somebody will get back to 
you.
* customise your regional page. Manuals and documentation are on a twiki 
page [http://docs.indymedia.org/view/Local/MovingToMir] - incomplete but 
better than nothing. Check also mir.indymedia.org.  When you've RTM and get 
stuck, you can get more tech help on [imc-uk-tech]. There are also regular 
uk irc meetings, and it's helpful to hang out with the global mir coders on 
their irc or check their list [mir-coders]
* if you want your local imc group listed on the global linklist of all 
imcs, i.e. have your own localgroup at indymedia.org URL, you have to go 
through the new imc process via the global [new-imc] list. More info on the 
new imc process here: [http://docs.indymedia.org/view/Global/NewImcHowTo]
We are thinking of moving this process to the UK, so that you don't need to 
go through the global lists, but this is only at the beginnings.

3/ principles of unity

Tony proposes to amend the global "principles of unity" for the UK - here 
is his draft:

[1] Indymedia UK Network is based on principles of equality, and local 
decentralisation, made up of self-organised autonomous collectives that 
recognise the importance of developing a union of networks.

[2] IMC-uk considers open exchange of and open access to information a 
prerequisite to the building of a free and just society.

[3] Contributers and readers can use the open web based publishing to 
express their views freely, based on the trust and aderhence to the 
Editorial guidlines.

[4] Indymedia is a non-profit network

[5] IMC-uk recognises the importance of process to social change and is 
committed to the development of non-hierarchical and anti-authoritarian 
organising.

[6] IMC-uk is committed to the priciple of Consensus decision making and 
the development of a participatory democratic process that is transparent 
to its members.

[7] IMC-uk is commited to sharing of resouces including skills, knowledge 
and equipment where possible.

[8] ....

The current global draft for principles of unity is included in an email: 
http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/public/new-imc/2001-May/000159.html