Minutes of Fundraising Meeting (19/10/05)

by Indymedia Ireland Editorial Group Wed Nov 02, 2005 18:36

Present: John Glackin, Chekov, Kev, Dunk, Paul Baynes, Anthony, Ronan

Agenda:
1. Finance
2. Regular meetings
3. Radical radio
4. Belfast group
5. Videoactive
6. New software
7. Physical space for Indymedia
8. Any other business

1. Finance

At present the Indymedia Ireland finances are low - about €20.00 in the account. In November the payment to sustain things for another 6 months will be due. This will be in the order of €400.00 to €500.00.  It appears essential that we get some money together.

There had been a problem with the Paypal system, but this has been rectified, so this can now be used. It was also suggested that a mechanism be set up to allow people to donate through standing orders.

It was suggested that more efforts be made to publicise the fact that Indymedia needs money to continue to function and to invite donations etc.

It was agreed to hold a fundraising meeting next Wednesday October 19th to discuss how to raise funds (2000 EENGO offices, Camden St. - opposite The Palace, and above The Bounty Stores). Chekov is to write up a blurb to publish as an event notice. Initial generally agreed suggestions for a fundraiser include:
- A possible screening in the IFI
- A gig - somebody was to contact Barry about this
- Possibly a gig incorporating some Indymedia footage

2. Regular meetings

It has been suggested that regular Indymedia meetings be held. We are meeting next Wednesday, and it was suggested & generally agreed that after this, we meet on the first Wednesday of every month. Suggested venue - the EENGO offices or the new home of Seomra Spraoi.

3. Radical radio

Dunk, John Glackin, and others were involved this week in a radical radio project. link. The base for the project was the temporary lending library on Moore St., from where they broadcast audio onto the street through speakers, and the initial plan was to try to broadcast online via 'streaming technology' or whatever (I'm not too technical, meself…). Unfortunately this didn't happen. Originally, there had been an arrangement to do an hour-long live broadcast through NEAR fm during Majority World on Thursday afternoon. This was not to be, but links with people have been made and it is possible that this project can be more fully realised in the future.

At the meeting it was discussed how best to use the Indymedia website to promote community and radical radio, and how to promote use of audio clips on the site. Dunk agreed to go through Indymedia archives and change relevant stories/comments so that they show up as audio files in the search facility. We discussed the possibility on future features on radical radio.

4. Belfast group

Eamonn has moved to Belfast, and John Glackin is based there. It was decided to arrange for Indymedia meetings in Belfast to try to ignite some focussed Indymedia activity there. It was felt that there is a potentially strong group there. Those of us based in Dublin agreed to give as much support as possible to foster and autonomous & effective IMC in Belfast.

A separate email list will possibly be set up. Dunk spoke about his experiences when the UK Indymedia group decentralised, and said that each local node had its own banner etc. on its website. With the new version of Oscailt, this should be possible to set up, and as Ant said, this is already the case on Indymedia Ireland, for example if you input www.indymedia.ie/environment

5. Videoactive

The videoactive festival is to take place on the weekend of the 11-13 November. There will be screenings of 9 films over the three days.  This will be done in co-operation with a number of different groups Kev has pulled together including the Latin American Solidarity Centre and the Cultivate Centre for Sustainable Living. There was originally to be an open air screening of McLibel but this didn't work out. The previous festival did not make money but that is not the intention. It was suggested that we give out Indymedia flyers during the weekend, and set up a stall (or stalls) including T-shirts for sale etc.

There will be a Razorwire atop the website for the duration similar to the one set up during the G8 summit/festival of dissent. It was also suggested that we set up a direct link to the newswire feature at www.indymedia.ie/videoactive

Kev outlined details of the films being shown - I don't have all those details but there's lots of great stuff. Kev would be better able to give a comprehensive account of the lineup.

6. New software

Chekov reports that there is a couple of weeks work to do before the new software is ready to rock. There have been tests done and there are a few glitches and so forth to be dealt with, but it should be in the relatively near future.

7. Physical space for Indymedia

Seomra Spraoi have managed to find a space on Abbey St. to rent for use as a social centre. Part of the plan is to set up an information centre, hopefully with WI-FI access etc. This could be envisioned as a permanent independent media centre. Chekov and Ant offered technical assistance in getting things set up. We spoke about the possibility of having weekly/fortnightly workshops to try to generate some content for the website etc. This is an opportunity to try and set up an information resource centre for activists, so any input or ideas on how to use the space to further the Indymedia ethos would be welcome.

8. Any other Business

The Pit Stop Ploughshares are going to trial on Monday 24th (in one week). It was agreed that their trial and other activity should be a focus of the website this week.

It was also mentioned that a new magazine about community struggle in Ireland is to be launched - the working title is Ireland From Below.  An initial meeting was on yesterday. We had a general discussion about its prospects and how it could tie in with the Indymedia project.

by Anthony - Indymedia Ireland Editorial Group Wed Nov 02, 2005 18:48

Indymedia meetings have over the past two to three years been very sporadic. One effect of this is that it makes it difficult for those who lack the resources or who aren't comfortable organising and working solely through electronic communication to become involved in the wider Indymedia project. Independent media is more than just a web-site. Last year saw Indymedia Ireland's first ventures into the real world with the setting up of a physical space during the run-up to Mayday and a number of film productions, screenings and workshops later that year. It has proved difficult to continue with real-world activity but it is hoped that regular (monthly) real-world meetings will help address this issue.

Accessibility and openness is an important aspect of the Indymedia project so accordingly, we have decided to publish the minutes of the last two meetings on the newswire.

by eeekkkkk Wed Nov 02, 2005 20:16

Just a FYI in relation to minutes above mentioning it as if it is still going ahead.

Minutes superceded by 'events' i think is the correct expression.