How
to get involved at the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center updated
February 25, 2006.
Become a member of the UCIMC! Visit the membership
page for more details or stop by the IMC. We are now located in our new building, the old downtown Urbana post office at 202 South Broadway.
The
UCIMC is organized into Working Groups which each have
responsibility for different areas of the Center's operations. A
good way to get involved is to attend a meeting for the Working Group
that most interests you. You can also sign up to be on any of
the Working Groups' e-mail list, as noted below. You may attend the
IMC's Steering Group meetings to get a sense of
the overall workings of the IMC.
All IMC Groups meet at the IMC's downtown Urbana building at 202 South Broadway. The IMC is open to the public, so please feel free to stop in. All group meetings are open to the public and all groups are eager to accept new members!
The Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center is a grassroots organization committed to using media production and distribution as tools for promoting social and economic justice in the Champaign County area. We are dedicated to addressing issues that the mainstream media neglects and we do not conceal our politics behind a false objectivity. We will empower people to "become the media" by providing democratic access to available technologies and information. Our definition of media production and distribution includes support for artists and the arts.
This IMC was founded in 2000. In 2005 we purchased our historic building at 202 S. Broadway, at the north entrance to Lincoln Square Village in Urbana. The US Postal Service and several technology and service companies are among our tenants.
The IMC is open to the public, from 2pm until 7pm Monday - Saturday. We often open early at noon and stay open later during meeting times as listed for the groups below. Stop in and introduce yourself, browse our library or bookstore, and take advantage of the free wireless connectivity or public access computers.
WORKING GROUPS --
The UCIMC is organized into Working Groups which each have responsibility for different areas of the Center's operations. A good way to get involved is to attend a meeting for the Working Group that most interests you. Decision making is consensus-based. You can also sign up to be on any of the Working Groups' e-mail list, as noted below. You may attend the IMC's Steering Group meetings to get a sense of the overall workings of the IMC. All group meetings are open to the public and all groups are eager to accept new members! To join email list for the groups go to http://lists.chambana.net/.
MEMBERSHIP --
Become a member of the UCIMC! Pick up a form at the center or visit the membership page at www.ucimc.org. Without the financial support of our membership the UCIMC simply would not exist. Membership is annual and the dues are sliding scale donation of $25-$50 per year.
Urbana-Champaign
Independent Media Center Working Groups:
General
Membership
Description: This group is
made up of everyone who is a member of the IMC. The General Membership
is responsible for setting the general direction of the IMC and is the
only group that can change the U-C IMC's governing
structure document. Anyone can become an IMC member -- visit the
the membership
page or
IMC for details.
Meetings: bi-annually, on the 1st Saturday
afternoon of April and the 1st Thursday Evening of October. The General Membership is responsible for setting the general direction of the IMC and is the only group that can change the U-C IMC's governing structure.
E-mail list: imc@ucimc.org
To join the E-mail list: http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/imc
Steering
Group
Description: This is the group
charged with the regular planning and decision making that affects all
IMC working groups. Each working group appoints two members to the steering group, but participation and
attendance is open to everyone.
Meetings: First and third Thursdays of the month 8-9pm @
IMC
E-mail: The
Steering Group does not have its own e-mail list -- all communication
takes place on the general IMC list (imc@ucimc.org).
Finance
Description: Handles accounting and takes care of fundraising
activities, including policies, soliciting funders, grant-writing,
fiscal sponsorships, and overseeing retail sales of books, periodicals,
supplies, arts and crafts.
Meetings: 1st and 3rd Wed. of each month 7:00
- 7:30 PM @ IMC
E-mail list: imc-finance@ucimc.org
Space
Description: Takes care of the IMC building, manages leases, building operations and maintenance, handles tenant relationships, etc.
Meetings: The second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 8pm @ IMC
E-mail list: imc-space@ucimc.org
To join the e-mail list: http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/imc-space
Librarians
and Archivists
Description: Responsible for building and maintaining the IMC's progressive library project and archive of media materials; including a renowned zine collection.
Meetings: Mondays at 7pm
Website: www.ucimc.org/library
E-mail list: imc-librarians@ucimc.org
To join the e-mail list: http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/imc-librarians
Books to Prisoners
Description: UC Books to Prisoners accepts book request letters from Illinois inmates, finds books that meet their needs, and sends them out with a personalized letter. They also have created, stocked, and now staff the Champaign County Jail library.
Meetings: Work Meetings Thursdays at noon; Saturdays at 2pm.
Website: www.books2prisoners.org
E-mail list: bookstoprisoners@ucimc.org
To join the e-mail list: http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/bookstoprisoners
Outreach
Description: Outreach developed out of a recognition that the IMC needs to continue to increase its membership base and diversity, to keep current members well informed about their organization, and to present a consistent and complete public presence to the community.
Meetings: The Outreach Group is not meeting currently and needs volunteers. Please contact the group via its email list.
E-mail list: imc-outreach@ucimc.org
To join the e-mail list: http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/imc-outreach
Print
Description: This group assembles the IMC's
monthly newspaper the public i.
Meetings: Thursdays 5:30 PM @ IMC.
E-mail list: print@ucimc.org
To join the e-mail list: http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/imc-print
Radio News Description:
Coordinated the production of the weekly IMC Radio News Program, heard on WEFT 90.1 FM and otehr putlets, for five years. Currently not meeting, but will train interested parties in radio production for any outlet through the WRFU group.
Meetings:Not currently
Website: radio.ucimc.org
E-mail list: radio@ucimc.org
To join the e-mail list: http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/imc-radio
Events
Description: Coordinates booking of bands and shows for IMC performances and handles temporary performance space rentals. Trains members in lighting and sound.
Meetings: Every Thursday, 7:00 pm
Website: shows.ucimc.org
E-mail list: shows@ucimc.org
To join the e-mail list: http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/imc-booking
Staff
Description: Staff are the volunteer members of the IMC who keep the UCIMC space open to the public. Staff shifts can be scheduled when you are available to volunteer.
Meetings: Irregularly Scheduled
E-mail:staff@ucimc.org
To joint the e-mail list: http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/imc-staff
Tech
Description: Responsible for the tech and equipment needs of the Center, including the IMC website, computer networking and electronics, and the chambana.net server. This group needs people with experience in these areas or who are looking to learn.
Meetings: 2nd and 4th Thursday at 7pm
E-mail list: tech@ucimc.org
To join the e-mail list: http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/imc-tech
Video
Description: Has produced short and long-form video, and sponsored programming onto public-access TV.
Meetings: Not currently. Contact via email.
E-mail list: video@ucimc.org
To join the e-mail list: http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/imc-video
WRFU 104.5 FM
Description: WRFU-LP, 104.5 FM is an IMC-affliated and fiscally sponsored working group that operates a low-power public access community radio station located at the IMC. WRFU's programming features an eclectic mix of talk and music chosen by volunteer members of WRFU. Each radio show is run by a collective.
Meetings: 1st and 3rd Tues. of each month 8:00
- 9:00 PM @ IMC-- join the e-mail list
E-mail list: rfu@lists.chambana.net
To join e-mail list: http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/rfu
Website: www.wrfu.net 
