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You have come to the home of independent media for the Pacific Northwest. Check out our Links section to learn more about our community partners, and to find out how to get involved! This is the group for you if you've ever wanted to make new media and didn't know how to get it off the ground.
To learn all about the Tahoma Progressive Media Conference, taking place Saturday, October 7th from 10 to 2 PM in Tacoma,
click here!Welcome to the club!
Categories: Announcements
Sponsorship Contract
Contract to support the Northwest Media Action FundBy signing this contract, I am pledging my support for the
Progressive Roundtable (PRT), the
Northwest Media Action Fund (NMAF), and/or the
Tahoma Progressive Media Conference, to be held on Saturday, October 7th of this year.
A representative of our company or organization will attend the event and operate a table, with the option of selling items to be determined in consultation with the event's organizing committee.
I have chosen to donate in accordance with one of the following funding options:
Option 1: Direct Contribution of _______________ amount, payable to the Progressive Roundtable, referencing the TPMC in the subject line of the check.
Option 2: Sponsoring a table at the event at a price of $50.00 ($25 for non-profit), also payable to the PRT.
Option 3: We choose to join the NMAF at a yearly price of $100, to be renewed annually as desired. (Community organizations may join the fund at the $100, $250, or $500/year level) This will give us free tabling at one NMAF-sponsored event per year, to be exercised at our discretion. This will also give us access to all the benefits of membership in the Fund, which are enumerated in the Fund's Official Constitution, and include, but are not limited to, listing in all official lists of sponsors and event programs, advertising and promotion, and networking assistance with our members.
In-kind donations (equipment, volunteers, art supplies, food, etc.) are also graciously accepted. List everything you're donating and we will give you a receipt, and our gratitude!
Sign _____________________________________
Print _____________________________________
Date _____________________________________
You may also donate individually, at a Sustaining Member price of $25/year. All of our individual and organizational members will be honored in a yearly event and their names listed on our website (unless they opt to be anonymous)
A $5/year membership is also available, which allows you access to our meetings and our newsletter, but won't give you access to certain advanced features for Sustaining Members.
Individual Donors may contribute up to $1000/year, but may not receive any quid pro quo benefits or special access to our strategic partners and member media. 10% of all individual donations (above the Sustaining Member contribution) will be donated to similar organizations in the developing world.
You may also choose to allocate your individual donations to specific parts of the Fund, such as the Progressive Roundtable, particular events, different media properties, etc.)
Northwest Media Action Fund
www.mediaaction.blogspot.com
Categories: Getting Sponsors
Michelle's August Update
Hello, media activists.
Seems like we’ve all been taking a break from the list-serve – hopefully so that we can do the work at hand. The clock is ticking.
I’ll ask and propose a few things in this email. I am almost certainly missing something, but to get the ball rolling:
* Jeff had an idea for video/tv monitors in the lobby. That is a stellar idea – if it can be done for free. Who will organize that endeavor?
* Ross – are we confirmed that someone will be in the IBEW Labor Hall next Wednesday at 7:00 so that we can have our meeting there and take a look at the joint? Do you need to pass that phone call off?
* I haven’t heard from anyone with changes or modifications to Tom’s original statement regarding the Progressive Media conference idea. As you may or may not know, I’m on the Board of League of Women Voters, and they have responded favorably to my request to put a blurb about the event in their next two mass mailings: The Voter, September 1st and October 1st (ish). I’m attaching the article I wrote for The Voter, and I suggest we either “ratify” or immediately change the third paragraph of it and then use it as our tag-line. The article has to be submitted right away for print deadline, so no comments back by the early afternoon means it goes as is. That doesn’t mean we can’t modify it over the next few days as a group for group use, but this sucker has to get to the League. If we can agree to a “print-blurb” before the meeting, I’ll print a butt-load of them up and bring them.
* Pat nailed down the ACLU endorsement. Are there any others confirmed that I can include right now in The Voter article?
* Speaking of publishing: Jeff and Marilyn, do you have a draft on a flier that you can share with us yet?
* I’m also attaching an updated outreach plan, where the biggest change is I’ve inserted media submission deadlines. The thing is still woefully empty and I’m not going to accept any more responsibility for contacts. You can see I have assumed a lot already. Please take a hard look at it and call me or email with more contact commitment.
* I also propose that the anchors of the group send around a very brief outline of their portion of the conference. Then at meeting next week we can brainstorm to fill any holes if someone needs help or inspiration.
* PRESSING: We need to agree to or bag a “key-note” speaker.
* PRESSING: We need firm commitments from speakers per mode.
* PRESSING: We need to outline our event (more solidly than is in my notes, at any rate).
* PRESSING: We need fliers.
* PRESSING: We need a consistent message statement to start making our outreach with.
* PRESSING: We need to start our outreach.
* NEXT MONTH: We’ll need to plan and fund the event itself.
* NEXT MONTH: We’ll need to go CRAZY on the outreach. Buzz is what makes these things happen big.
* NEXT MONTH: We can clear up any lingering concerns about money/donations, etc.
I know we’re all particularly interested in hearing from the media anchors with their program plans and successes. And we’re here to help if you’re hitting a wall – sooner is better than later! Hoping to hear from folks, and in haste….Michelle
Our Official Constitution
[This is a working rough draft of our Official Constitution. It may be amended at the recommendation of the Executive Committee of Northwest Media Action, in consultation with the Constitution Committee and ratified by the General Assembly.]
Official Constitution of the Northwest Media Action Fund (NMAF)
Mission StatementThe Northwest Media Action Fund (NMAF) exists to provide networking assistance and developmental support to producers of independent media. By partnering with community organizations, small businesses and individual donors, we will have the resources and the contacts necessary to support the creation and expansion of new, independent, community-centered media.
Organizational StructureThis is a consensus-driven organization, so much of the organization will be worked out between the Executive Committee and the General Assembly through Constitutional changes. The Fund will be administered by an Executive Committee (EC) of between three to nine members (odd numbers only). Any voting member may run for office in the EC as well as for leadership positions in other committees, including but not limited to:
Outreach - bringing in new sponsors
New Media - bringing in and developing new media properties
Constitution - proposing changes to the Constitution and advising the EC and General Assembly
Promotion - spreading the word about the group and our member media properties
Events - planning and executing special events, as well as assisting member organizations with their events
Judicial - settling disputes between members
Art - compiling member artwork, designing new features for websites and events
Leadership There should be an even mix between men and women in leadership roles. The EC should begin with 3 members, and then add officers two at a time, one male and one female. Voting should take place every three months, in which two officers, one male and one female, should be up for re-election.
Terms should last for one year, with no term limits.
No one should hold a Chair position in more than one committee, except the Chair of the EC, who may retain leadership of one other committee. If, however, there aren't enough members to fill those seats, this rule can be amended temporarily.
VotingVoting in any election, or to resolve disputes, should be resolved using instant-runoff voting with secret ballot. Hand counts may be taken if there are only two choices, if no members disagree.
The losing position in any vote should be given the opportunity to be recorded by a representative. In this way, the losing side in any argument can have his or her position recorded for the record. This will make things easier when the winning position is found to be unfeasible or in need of refinement.
SovereigntyIn this organization, sovereignty lies with the General Assembly, and not the Executive Committee. If the General Assembly feels that the EC has overstepped its authority, or is taking incorrect actions, they may call for a recall or a vote of No Confidence. In such an instance, a vote can be taken as to whether or not the EC should continue in its present course. If the vote fails, the EC must reverse course or be left open to a Mass Recall.
In the event of a Mass Recall, which requires a two-thirds vote of the General Assembly, members vote as to which officials they think should step down. If any official receives a two-thirds No Confidence vote, they must step down. They will be replaced officially at the next meeting. If only one official is ousted in this manner, a leader of one of the other committees will be appointed to take that person's place.
MeetingsMeetings will be conducted using Roberts' Rules of Order, with this exception. The leader of each meeting will not be a specific chairperson, or president, but rather the individual member of the EC that called and planned the meeting. If it is a regular meeting, the EC will decide ahead of time who will chair the next meeting. The group may discover that one person makes an excellent moderator and they should chair every time. This is not fixed, however, and must be decided on within two days of the meeting.
The same rule applies to Committee meetings, in which three members of that committee constitute the board of that committee. One of the three must be chosen to lead the committee meeting, depending on who is most interested that week.
Meetings must be held at least once every month, and must have at least 2 days notice, unless they are a regular meeting, in which any changes must be agreed upon in advance. Emergency changes can be made, but every effort must be made to alert all members of such a change.
Any officials, including Committee Chairpersons, must attend every monthly meeting and all meetings of Committees that they belong to. If they can't, they must call the moderator of the meeting at least two days in advance and explain their absence. This will be recorded in the minutes.
MinutesThe minutes should reflect who spoke in what order and the general subject of their speech. If any votes are cast, the winning position and the dissenting position should be recorded, unless the dissenting position chooses not to bother.
The minutes from previous meetings will be made available to all who come to monthly meetings. If there aren't enough copies, the members who have them should share.
That's all I've got - Constitution Committee, you better get to work!
How Blogs Work
Number one rule for blogging: Comment on posts!
Every blog (at least most reputable blogs) allow comments at the bottom of posts. Feel free to comment to your hearts' desire. This is how bloggers know they're making an impact. So comment freely and don't hesitate to speak your mind!
Number two: Start your own blog!
Check out blogger.com for a quick tutorial for how to get setup. There are free other blogging programs, and once you get good, you can even get more sophisticated programs and have your own domain name. For now, follow the steps and make a quick and dirty page - see you in the blogosphere!
By the way, when you get your page up, let us know and we'll add you to our blogroll!
