Media Center

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1 Goals & Organizing Principles
2 PMC Info Desk Info (What to Know, How to Explain It)
3 Needs List / Budget
4 USSF Newspaper/Critical Moment/Terra Viva
5 Volunteer Needs and Schedule
6 Areas of Media Support
7 Trainings, Workshops and Skill-shares
8 Meeting Notes
- 8.1 Next Agenda

Join Us & Get Involved with Organizing the Media Center

Notes from Tech House meeting June 20, 1010 Last Call - Tuesday, June 15, 2010 - 9pm EDT // 6pm PDT Agenda

Conference Dial-in Number - (605) 475-4825, Participant Access Code - 866209#

Live Notes!

PMC Email List signup

Goals & Organizing Principles

The People's Media Center (PMC) -- in acknowledgment and celebration of the critical and valuable role people-produced media has played in advancing our movements and creating another world -- will break new ground in growing alliances, supporting our host city, and building relationships to further our efforts and deepen the connections between art, culture, media, and transformation. Understanding that WE (as activists, artists, community organizers, media makers) are the change agents we have been waiting for... the PMC has created these living principles to address and challenge hierarchy within our movement. Recognizing that individuals and organizations with differing abilities, purposes, and resources are all welcome within this space, we are all committed to overturning institutional imbalances which can lead to division and impair the quality and quantity of stories being generated and shared before, during, and after the USSF. For us, institutional imbalances means that many voices have been traditionally denied access to media outlets, and media-making resources that guarantee that access, as a result of oppression and exploitation. Therefore, we accept the responsibility to ensure that those who have been denied such access based upon race, class, sex, age, creed, ability, criminal history, sexual orientation, and immigrant status will be prioritized.

1. Accessible Space: The PMC will be accessible, welcoming, and secure for all attendees, audiences, and communities in and around Detroit and beyond through Detroit Expanded. It will be accessible to all people with a diversity of languages, skills, resources, and abilities.

2. Production Environment: The PMC will encourage all Social Forum attendees to document the USSF using TV, radio, online video, blogging, print productions, photography, mobile blogging, podcasts, websites, databases, and/or any other creative form(s) of expression and information sharing.

3. Learning Environment: The PMC will provide an easily-accessible and welcoming space for Social Forum attendees of divergent backgrounds to learn and teach media production. The PMC will facilitate resource and skill sharing.

4. Meeting Space: The PMC will be a space for networks, organizations, crews, and ad-hoc groups to meet and plan, produce, recruit, and collaborate.

5. Community Resource: PMC equipment, organizing principles, and volunteer energy will be left in Detroit for local media justice organizations.

6. Collective Use: As co-users of, and co-creators within, the PMC, we collectively acknowledge that we are all experts at our own experiences and will all share in this environment of radical living and learning.

The People's Media Center will build strategies for our movement in these areas:

1. Alternative Media: Reach out to alternative media organizations and networks to create autonomous "spaces" that are run by participating organizations, groups, and accountable individuals who can provide the necessary means to produce media and teach media production, as well as prominently publish their work through this process.

2. Community Facilitation: Create a working group of diverse backgrounds and perspectives to facilitate an organic schedule of trainings, workshops, and meetings. Foster communication on disagreements and concerns when necessary. Engage in restorative problem-solving as requested.

3. Praxis and Pedagogy: Individuals and Organizations will share the environment by assuming responsibilities to teach and work as well as learn, offering our abilities and resources as part of this dynamic, grassroots media-making exchange.

4. Media Politics: List these principles and others prominently, recruiting both political and non-political organizations, while encouraging multiple perspectives and furthering the conversation in our communities about the role of people-produced media in creating another world.

PMC intro document (PDF)

PMC Info Desk Info (What to Know, How to Explain It)

BASIC INFO

Goals & Organizing Principles are on the wiki page, http://wiki.ussf2010.org/wiki/Media_Center, and printed out on the PMC bulletin board.

There are no press passes -- everyone must have the orange armband for access to the PMC (as well as to the rest of the USSF).

It's cold in here -- bring a sweater or hoodie!

AUDIO EQUIPMENT LOANING

Go see Detroit Expanded in the PMC, if no one is there go to the info desk at the PMC.
Borrowers need to sign the lending agreement on the clipboard and surrender a license or passport.
This is for USSF projects -- workshops and cultural events.
The equipment is in a clear plastic tub by the desk.
For workshops and cultural events we have digital audio recorders and audio streaming kits for organizers to borrow.

BATHROOMS

All over Cobo Hall; the closest ones are around the corner from the PMC (to the left).

BRIEFING AREA

The briefing area is enclosed in curtains near the PMC entrance.
Daily USSF briefings are 9-10am and 5-6pm.
Sign-up sheets (for the other time slots) are at the Info Desk.
Sign-ups are done on an hourly basis, on the hour.
Organizations can sign up for a maximum of one hour per day.

CALENDAR

There are sheets of paper on the wall just inside the PMC for people to note events happening in the PMC.
People can note workshops/events about media issues on these calendar sheets as well.

DONATIONS

People can drop off electronics (digital cameras, etc.) here at the PMC.
There will be a dedicated box at some point, but for the time being, leave them in the printer paper box under the Info Desk.
Give the donor an acknowledgment form (located in the printer paper box, for the time being).
There's an in-kind donation form somewhere; needs to be found.

GENERAL INFO ABOUT THE USSF

General information tables are located at Cobo Hall (in front of Macomb), at the entrance to Hart Plaza, and at the USSF Village.
Refer questions from media (not about the PMC) to the Communications Team (Adele).
Refer questions from law enforcement, fire department officials, and government officials to Maureen.
Refer questions about USSF policies and politics to National Planning Committee (NPC) spokespeople (Adrienne).
Refer questions about emergency medical needs to HHEJ/Comfort Station staff (Charity).
Security people are wearing black armbands.
There are community safety volunteers who can address security concerns (e.g. a firearm, an argument that looks like it may escalate, a lost child).
The main Comfort Aid Station is at the Village, with ambulances at Cobo/Hart Plaza. The Healing Practice Space is located at the UAW building.
Conflict resolution/grievances: The USSF has a conflict resolution and grievance policy that encourages direct communication and offers mediation where requested. Contact Adrienne if a mediator is requested.
Do NOT give out these numbers. Call people yourselves.

(WE NEED TO FIND CONTACT INFO FOR THE PEOPLE MENTIONED ABOVE...)

LITERATURE

The literature at the PMC Info Desk includes:
- sign-up sheets for the Live Room
- sign-up sheets for the briefing area
- a volunteer sign-up sheet
- a sign-in sheet for participants
- PMC Lending Agreement forms
- USSF hashtag flyers
- USSF PMC info flyers (half-page)
- USSF "Need Answers?" flyers
- blank cards for skillsharing/suggestion info
There are several long tables next to the bulletin board where people can leave literature for their organization.

LIVE ROOM

The room is located in W2-71. It's on this floor -- exit the PMC, make a left, and walk down the hallway till almost the end.
Sign-up sheets are at the Info Desk.
Sign-ups are done on an hourly basis, on the hour. Organizations can sign up for a maximum of one hour per day.
It has a land line but no ISDN.
Two slots daily must be blocked off for collaboration (i.e. open, walk-in time -- don't reserve to any one org). It doesn't matter what times these slots are, just that they're marked.
Room W2-52 is a dedicated space for Telesur. However, space can be shared with others if they're not using it at a given time. Interested folks should go by the room and speak with the people in there. The contact is Marco Amador.
The key to the live room is under the printer.

PRESS RELEASES

Press releases can be left at the propaganda/literature table for others to consult.

PRESS SIGN-IN

It's not necessary, but if media makers want to sign in, there is a list of participants at the Info Table.
Again, there are no press passes separate from the general registration orange armband.

RESEARCH ASSISTANCE/NEWS LIBRARY

Librarians are here to offer access to subscription databases and general research and fact-checking support.
There will be a fact-checking and research workshop at 11am on Thursday in the PMC.

SPACE

A map of the PMC is posted on the bulletin board.
Banners should be hung from tables, not on walls.

TECHNOLOGY

There are some computers (desktops and laptops) available for use in the rear half of the PMC, courtesy of Aspiration. People are welcome to use them as needed, but there's always the possibility that they will be given a 5-minute notice to end their session if Aspiration needs to conduct a training on them. These computers will be available from around 8:30am till around 8pm.
There are also two banks of desktop computers at the round tables. Some require a username and password. Both are <ussf2010>.
Wifi is available throughout Cobo Hall. No password is needed.
There is NO printing available, except for PMC/ICT use (this printer is at the Info Desk).
There is no A/V equipment available for people to use besides the audio equipment (see above).
There is no random hardware, projectors, etc. available for use.
For other tech-related queries, you can try asking the techies (a few tables behind the Info Desk, just in front of the curtain divider). There should be a tech support volunteer during each PMC volunteer shift (see the PMC volunteer sign-up for the name of that individual).

TERRA VIVA

Terra Viva is the USSF newspaper. Two more issues will be coming out; people are welcome to plug in. Folks should come to the documentation/evaluation area daily at 9am to find out how. Layout (in MS Publisher) and Web skills are especially needed!

TRAININGS AND SKILLSHARES

People who have skills/knowledge to offer to others, and people who are looking to learn specific skills are encouraged to fill out a card to post on the bulletin board at the entrance.
Blank cards are available at the Info Desk.
The round tables and chairs located just outside of the briefing area are available for trainings.
People can schedule a training simply by writing it on the poster paper between the doors and the PMC. There should be no more than two scheduled trainings happening simultaneously.
Aspiration is available throughout the week to give trainings on blogging, social media, Web design, and more. Their area ("the Online Organizers Lab") is where the computers are, in the rear half of the PMC.
Radical Reference is available throughout the week to give trainings on fact-checking, online research, and more. Find them at the Info Desk.

SOME PMC CONTACTS

Leslie Jones 607-592-7427

Mark Libkuman 917-783-4125

Jenna Freedman 917-378-9840

Melissa Morrone

LINGERING QUESTIONS

(add to this section -- and answer them! -- as needed)

Ethernet in the live room?
Ways to rent recording (video) equipment, preferably from a community group?

Needs List / Budget

Appeals letter

PDF of Appeal Letter [[1]]

PMC Final Budget

Mobile TV Studio: laptops, battery packs, video cams, software, mobile cellular sticks;5000-10,000
Large flip paper pads, whiteboards, and markers: for meetings, workshops, and training sessions. $500
Dedicated media server/hard drives: not covered under the ICT budget, includes one time purchase of hardware, cost of maintanence and hosting. $3000
Routers/switches: 2000
Site-wide mesh network and software, ordering from FLOSS-dedicated organization in the Northwest at $60 each (10-20), for a total of approximately $600-1200
Power strips, ethernet cables, and USB cords (must order new): Ambassador ballroom is not well-;wired with electricity. Total cost estimated around $600
Computers: 100 machines will be donated in-kind or borrowed. Expectation is to find P3+ machines for video/audio editing and lower-grade machines for blogging, general use, and email. $0
Flash cards/storage:
Mixers, microphones, 1/4" and XLR cable (find used?):
Projectors:
Satellite link:

COMM's Audio needs list

USSF Newspaper/Critical Moment/Terra Viva

Think & Workspace--Content for First and Second Issues

Volunteer Needs and Schedule

Send out call for orgs: what are you doing, what do you need, can you provide volunteers, what equipment are you bringing (can others use your stuff)?

Recruit Volunteers and Point People (2-3 hour shifts starting on Tuesday)

Need help with Tech set-up crew on Monday--starting at 7 am.

Opening Shift

8 am-10am (just folks doing briefings—open up)

Day Shifts

10am - 1 pm (first point person starts—goes to 3pm; needs lunch)
1 pm - 3:30 pm
3 pm - 5 pm
5 pm - 7 pm
- need 4-5 volunteers for each shift(half COMMs info/problem solving; half ICT/tech support)

Night Shifts

7 pm – 9 pm (need late night volunteers in at least two shifts—closes up)
9 pm - 11 pm
- 2-3 volunteers (tech support and problem solving)

COMMs will need to fill at least 100 2-3 hour shifts (give or take an hour) over 5 days. Assuming that many volunteers may do more than one shift and that others will flake out--we are probably looking at 50-60 volunteers needing to fill at least one shift; and with many of those volunteers (at least half) more than one.

PMC volunteer sign-up

Areas of Media Support

File:Media release form for USSF

Radio Broadcast

Prometheus Radio, Philly
Making Contact /National Radio Project for program after USSF www.radioproject.org

Television Broadcast

Deep Dish TV
Open Media Foundation / DeProduction
Free Speech TV

Online Radio

Radio RP&E, Race, Poverty & the Environment Audio Podcasts on Climate Justice and Women & Work.(http://urbanhabitat.org/rpe/radio)
Earth Cycles (http://www.earthcycles.net)

Online Video

WSFTV.net
video.indymedia.org
freespeech.org

Print Media

Critical Resistance
Indypendent
Terra Viva
Race, Poverty & the Environment

Youth Media Space

Green Guerrillas Youth Media Tech Collective

Blogging & Online Newswire

Indymedia.US

Collective comprised of spokes from local IMCs nationwide About IMC-US

Online Organizing and Campaigning

The following organizations will offer scheduled and on-demand trainings in a range of skills related to online organizing and campaigning. For more information or to volunteer as a trainer, contact info@aspirationtech.org

Logistics

510 Open - Wireless mesh network
Motor City Free Geek http://motorcityfreegeek.net

Trainings, Workshops and Skill-shares

Meetings

Notes June 20, 2010

Notes May 9, 2010

Notes May 3, 2010

Directory of workshops, trainings or skill-shares we might offer

Scheduled workshops

With seating for 20 people or fewer. No giant workshops.

FOSS Installfest! (can be scheduled multiple times) - MF/PL & USSF ICT
Plumi sprint with IMC-Video and WSFTV.net
CiviCRM sprint for the WSF registration system

Screenings

Deep Dish TV: Waves of Change screenings - Deep Dish TV
Pan Left screenings: AZ RESISTENCIA, Thursday 6/24 8pm, Videos from AZ struggle w/ special guests- panleft.org
Motor City Free Geek screening of e-waste recycling scams
Shout Out! G20 event, Friday 6/25 7-10:30 pm
Conversations on the African Diaspora with Ciranda.net, Saturday 6/26 12pm

Equipment and space needs

We'll need several projectors. Not sure about screens.

Online needs

Participating organizations

NOTE: All of the workshops, included those that were formerly listed below here, are now aggregated above.

Radical Reference Radical librarians whose mission is to support the research and information needs of activists and independent journalists. We want to provide support by offering fact checking services, teaching skill shares, staffing an information desk (physical or virtual), and helping with onsite organizing and coordination.

Aspiration and The Ruckus Society

The Ruckus Society provides environmental, human rights, and social justice organizers with the tools, training, and support needed to achieve their goals.

Aspiration helps nonprofit organizations and social justice activists make more effective use of technology.

Ruckus and Aspiration will be facilitating a loose collective of 10-15 trainers, including folks from Rainforest Action Network, Radical Designs, Riseup.net, and TOR. We plan to do many of the trainings as participant-driven, "what do you want to learn?" sessions.

Green Guerrillas Youth Media Tech Collective - Ithaca, New York

Green Guerrillas Youth Media Tech Collective is an innovative, grassroots job-training program which values teen’s creative insights and capacities to transform their reality as leaders and participants for change. Green Guerrillas study documentary and narrative film making; make their own media from posters to movies; do outreach at community events; advocate for equitable living and learning environments; get their “hands dirty” learning about renewable energy; and, analyze important social, political, economic and environmental issues which affect their lives as low-income youth of color.

Rainforest Action Network

Radical Designs

TOR Project

Dedicated Space Needs

Free Speech TV

Ideally, we'd like enough space to set up, in a public area, where we can conduct on-camera interviews, and set up our live video streaming work-station. A 15' x 15' space would be great. Imagine two chairs for interviews, lights, camera and tripod, and an edit/switching station. Two fold-out tables (3' x 5' or so), 6 chairs would be more than sufficient. We would also need access to power, and would prefer ethernet connectivitiy but can use wireless. We'd be staffing this space primarily between 9am and 9pm. There are also a number of organizations that we hope to collaborate with during the forum and in the PMC, including New America Media, and the Media Consortium, they may also want space.

Adele's needs

1. We need to put in a request for at least 12 dividers. We have to set-up an office/admin space (ICT/Comms/Volunteers) and daily briefing space inside the PMC. I requested separate rooms, but they didn't have the space. So we have to set them up in the center. The briefing area will need at least 60 chairs. The briefing area should be away from the windows.

2. Radio is requesting ISDN connections. Is it possible to have an ISDN connection in the PMC and our live rooms (W2-57, W2-71)? One live room is reserved for Telesur, the other is for full participant use.

3. We need a station set-up for the USSF Documentation and Evaluation working group. It will of course be a collaborative station, but Documentation and Evaluation will be using it often.

4. Are we able to get a screen?

Radical Reference

will need access to power because at least one of us has a laptop that only lasts about five minutes without electricity. It would be great if we were near the info desk and/or a small training area with a projector, or if we had our own portable projector, and if we had a sort of consultation space.

free voice media alliance/rollins college

We are three social justice media faculty and 6 multimedia teams (2 students per team). We will b filing blogs w a/v and image 3x a day, after each session and after the plenaries. We have all necessary gear and will only need a desktop w chairs for 4 folks at a time w access to internet and electricity. We r creating content for yes! Mag, fstv, and others.