Halifax Media Coop
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, April 2nd 2009
The meeting started at 4:30pm.
Present: Hillary Lindsay, Vivian Belik, Glen Canning, Dave Parker, Ben Sichel, Steve Caines
1. Debriefing of the Print Skillshare
Nineteen people attended the recent print journalism skillshare. It went very well. We can expect a similar turnout for the next two based on the feedback. Someone commented that there should have been less discussion and more lecturing, however generally people seemed happy with the format. One thing to consider for the next skillshare is that the location is not wheelchair accessible. It was discussed that webinars may be a good format to look into in the future; one for print, one for audio, one for video skillshares. These would be good content for the website as well. We should further engage those who are coming out to the skillshares. The HMC website should be added to the skillshare handout.
2. Article Editing
Eventually we will set up a meeting to go over the editing process and the writer's guidelines. We should pick a good grammar manual. Various ideas were discussed regarding the editing process. The website could be set up so that there are two feeds: one edited feed, and one a raw feed that has unedited content. We could set up an email address for the editing team, to get feedback. How much would the editing process slow down posting of news articles? It was said that one of the good things about the Indy-Media site was that posting was instantaneous, and therefore very little lag between events and reporting. People are also concerned that the editing process may turn into a lot of work. However it will likely be that we will start editing content more.
3. HMC Fundraiser/Launch
Still undecided about whether to hold a launch now or later. It will happen eventually, uncertain of the time. We recently had another sustainer sign on (now up to sixteen), and another individual who has offered to contribute $5 a month. The launch will involve work; organizing music/bands, etc. It was discussed that for the time being we could organize a media panel event, and invite individuals from the Coast, Herald and other groups to speak about the state of local media. This would help draw attention to local media and perhaps also help with fundraising awareness of the HMC. Who posted the print skillshare event in the Coast? No one knows, but happy someone did. Vivian will contact someone to talk more about the media panel.
4. Website Content
It was stated that we should have a news flash section. We could set up the website so that readers rate articles; this would keep the important or most interesting articles on the front page longer. Hillary will talk to Dru about this. The writers guidelines should be posted to the website as well. We should set up a reader counter on the blog posts and articles.
5. Audio Skillshare
Dave is still going to lead the audio skillshare event. Hillary will help. It is scheduled for Tuesday April 7th.
6. General
Currently we have not had any direct coverage through the Coast. It would be good to get some coverage through the newspaper. Currently there are about 200 people on the HMC email list. Dave is doing a four-part radio series on CKDU in the lead up to May Day. The series will have to do with various labour issues. He would like to host these on the HMC website. We should consider doing skillshares in various communities where more coverage of events may be needed.
7. Story Ideas
Currently the website has a working group email format. It was suggested that we could create a general story idea email list, but perhaps we should stay with the current format. We should still experiment with it. It was proposed that regular story meetings could be held, to brainstorm ideas. The meetings could be kept casual, and held even on a weekly basis.
Various ideas for new stories were proposed.
1)An article on the NSPIRG debate; what does it mean/symbolize? Bring in the issue of how other PIRGs across the country are in similar situations.
2)Article on Lockheed Martin investing locally.
3)A profile on on the resident of Africville.
4)The Closing of St. Pats High
5)Clayton Park – is it an immigration destination?
6)Article on the infilling of Halifax Harbour for development projects – environmental issue
7)Dal – investigation into funding of the Center for Foreign in Policy Studies, and how this affects educational content.
8)The Rename Cornwallis campaign
9)Anti-gun march in Preston
10)Black basketball tournament
11)Recent Deaths in Eskasoni
12)Nova Scotia land purchasing issue
13)Walk for Water event in Dartmouth (World Water Day Event)
The next meeting was scheduled for Thursday April 16th 2009 at 4:30.
The meeting ended at 6:05pm.
The site for the Halifax local of The Media Co-op has been archived and will no longer be updated. Please visit the main Media Co-op website to learn more about the organization.
