[Imc-uk-process] outreach minutes Sheffield Network meeting

[Sarah]

Outreach
>These are rough notes from the Sheffield UK Network outreach meeting.
>
>Campaigns
>International media democracy day just passed and in Geneva in Dec. is
>the Information society world summit.  Its time to promote media and
>indymedia.
>
>Publicity
>What of the people that don't come at all; how has indymedia been
>presented?  Is it associated to bad 'propaganda' / violence.
>Politics should not be a media filter.
>Write to local community groups- not many came.  Make contact list of
>diverse groups. Grassroots.
>Have links to their sites on homepage.  They have a sense of 'ownership
>of site'.  Would this give a political agenda.  Not if all types of
>groups are included. (oxford do this)
>New statesman; award given to Indymedia, Big Issue website of year,
>National Union of journalists support it.  Some bad press- but any bad
>press is publicity.
>How do we measure success of an event. Site statistics?
>
>Problems ­ Cambridge.  Good at web/posters/writing but when it comes to
>political interaction/talking face-to-face (street level) have
>difficulty.  When approach people be aware of how people feel about
>activists.  Give examples of how their local news is biased for example.
>
>Targeting young people and schools.  Is it child proof.  There is
>something going on in London about this. Build awareness of open media.
>NGO's Ofcom, Children Express.media literacy.  All kids get published no
>competition.
>
>Access the guardian readers. Service workers.  Teachers unions.   A place
>to organise and share ideas.
>Publicity- put stickers in a toilet
>"The Venue" ­like Timeout.  Positive response advertising, spreading
>word, future of media. (Virtual Lancaster, Rapscallion, Lancaster based
>site and independent newspaper)
>Leave flyers in library.  And you can change all the public computer's
>homepages to advertise the event, or even their screen displays.
>
>Create a database to share resources; as many flyers as possible, can use
>each others templates, stickers etc.   As well as texts; invitations,
>summaries, layouts.
>(Is there a database)
>
>Accessibility/ Spaces
>Have a space. The Basement Lancaster.
>Bristol created public access terminals in different community centres.
>Use an online calendar.
>
>Involvement
>What reaches different interest groups?
>Why do people leave at the beginning?  Identify dynamics at the
>beginning.  What are barriers to retaining people?
>
>Liverpool- low contribution, need more writers /people publishing.
>A Launch night; video, inspiring, interesting.
>London- When people first join they want to be given a role.  Some are
>afraid to write features or do research.  Nervous.  People can be given a
>role but IMC is not supposed to work like that.
>The introductory meeting is difficult.  A big intro talk daunting, not
>inclusionary.  Not empowering.
>Possibly good to start afresh every year.  Target specific campaigns and
>give support material on the basics.  And couple with a party.
>Involvement is more than a meeting once a week but it is work.
>Participate in decision making.  Build core groups.  Skill-sharing.
>We are not representing you- please represent yourself.
>
>Promoting DIY media: Training
>People lose track that it is their site, for example asking admin to put
>things up for them.
>Training.people that have been left behind in the technology revolution!
>how to use internet.  Quick guide to media publishing. Video training.
>How to conduct interviews/recruit people on streets. (Lancaster having
>media training day/re-load soon)
>Leafleting newspapers. One view is that by using mainstream media to
>promote ourselves- gives them extra legitimacy
>
>London- will show-up at other group's meetings and can give presentation.
>  How to upload, write stories.  A barrier to this is no internet
>connection.  Make a 'dummy'.  Psychological impact of slow upload.  No
>lag with a 'hack'.
>Liverpool launch. Wanted to ask people from other collectives to talk.
>Make network visible.
>Create a joint map.  UK map.  DIY-media.  What's on/interests.  Users etc
>
>Make news don't let it arrive.
>Find out about local events- report back!
>
>p.s Cambridge wants to be told of any direct action and protests: they
>have cars and gear.
>
>Sarah-  nymphalis at fastmail.fm
>Lancaster IMC
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