Animators chat conference 4 October (13:00 GMT)

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Summary Notes - Animators Chat Conference 4th of October, 2007 (13:00 GMT)

Attending: David Hoffman, Karen Showalter, Arturo Gonzalez, Pieter Jansen, Zoe Young, Inés Campanella, Srabani Roy, Vitalice Meja and Tirivangani Mutazu

Unable to attend: Romilio Hernández

Note: The discussion on the IFIwatchnet involvement in 2007 World Bank/IMF AGM is going through the SA. A special thread was created for coordination, check: http://www.ifiwatchnet.org/sa/?q=forum/20 Please refer to it to share thoughts and contribute to the planning. Thanks!

Appointments

Promotion to members, colleagues and reporters prior to the AM. (Specially, making IFIwn more attractive for journalists covering the AM):

- Creation of centralized Press list (there is already posted at the SA a draft text for site promotion to media and journalists, everyone is invited to edit it: http://www.ifiwatchnet.org/sa/?q=node/126 )

- ITeM will contribute with some lists. BIC has a useful press list, Pieter suggested FOE might be able to help, BothEnds has a Dutch press list, and all members are invited to offer their respective lists and addresses in order to set up a centralized list.

- The list is already created (ifiwn-press@lists.ifiwatchnet.org ). Thus please add the addresses or e-mails you know to the SA press thread (http://www.ifiwatchnet.org/sa/?q=forum/22 ) or e-mail that info to Arturo or Inés.

- October newsletter will be focused on IFIwatchnet coverage of the 2007 AM. A preliminary version is posted at the wiki. Take a look at: http://wiki.ifiwatchnet.org/index.php/DRAFT_IFIwatchnet_October_Newsletter Additions welcome!

Active use of the website during the meetings: blogging, posting documents, events, latest news:

- In addition to the press list, it was proposed to recruit “guest bloggers”, in order to advertise the blog as a helpful resource during the AM. The question was raised at the last SG conference as well.

- Karen has started recruiting some colleagues, but we need a bigger number of people blogging and contributing. Please, post thoughts and suggestions at the SA blog thread (http://www.ifiwatchnet.org/sa/?q=node/101 )

One specific resource: vlogging. Use of youtube vs alternatives, also trying out new model ifiwatch.tv, test site at http://ifiwatch.clearerchannel.org:

- Concerns about the use of YouTube: Ernesto answered that embedding youtube video in IFIwatchnet is certainly possible and easy. Zoe noted that this functionality should already be in place with the new ifiwatch.tv model so there is no need to replicate it in ifiwatchnet. Karen questioned if it was possible to get images from the video section to appear on ifiwn homepage, Zoe noted that we are awaiting input from Ernesto to reintegrate the video section with ifiwatchnet homepage using feeds. So yes, possible, but needs work to integrate rather than replicate functionality of the two complementary sites.

- Karen is investigating this possibility, will contact Ernesto and Zoe for feedback (weekend). Arturo promised feedback on the test video section before the deadline of 9th oct.

- For a discussion of the youtube or alternatives question check the complete discussion at the SA video/vlogging thread (http://www.ifiwatchnet.org/sa/?q=forum/28 )

- Zoe informed that IFIwatch.TV is in test phase, and techies are waiting for users' feedback. Everyone committed to test it asap. Deadline October 9th, 2007!

Recruiting and training IFIwn animators during the AM. General outreach update:

- Meja and Srabani confirmed they will attend the meetings. Soren, Steering Group Chair, will also be there.

- It was decided to use the BIC Happy hour to have an informal IFIwatchnet event for updates, training session, distribute promo materials, etc. Srabani proposed to arrange a short session before the happy hour.

- Updated training materials: Concern was raised about the need for new training materials for the new animators.

- For a start, we have the “how-to for the new website” posted on the wiki, and the FAQ and guide book in the SA, as well as the new animator description. There was a proposal to bring them all back to the wiki, so as to collectively update and edit them. However, there needs to be someone responsible for taking forward this process, and that responsibility has not been clarified. It is difficult to recruit new animators without effective, up to date training materials to give them. The Steering Committee may therefore need to take a decision about allocating responsibility for updating training materials.

- In the meantime, everyone is encouraged to use the available materials, and add inputs, questions etc to the wiki.

Promo materials:

- Promotional combo is ready!. ITeM to e-mail and post at the SA the files for downloading and printing next week. They are also making a Spanish translation.

- Maria José, from the IFIs Latin American Monitor, will hopefully attend the AGM, and take with her some paper copies to distribute. Nevertheless, it was agreed that ITeM would cover the designing costs, and member organisations would cover the printing. David wondered if budget was available for translation and printing; and sent an e-mail to Magela asking for this. She promptly replied saying that printing and translation would need to be done by members. David suggested that Bankwatch might cover a Russian translation. Pieter undertook to print off some copies for the World vs. Bank Hearing in Den Haag on 15th October. Tirivangani indicated that they would be able to distribute the material electronically.

New website resources: AM toolbox:

- ITeM announced that a first version of the Annual Meetings toolbox is already uploaded.

- The idea is to have, in one place, all resources for the AGM available, instead of the sticky hot topic we've been using. The toolbox centralises access to: Who is in town?, Events, Blog, News and updates, as well as to the anonymous forms shaped to allow individuals without an account to contribute. Of course, this kind of contribution must be approved before being published (moderated).

- Suggestions are welcome to add new features!

Other news:

IFIwatchnet coverage of World vs. Bank: David, Zoe and Pieter attending and reporting/filming as well as promoting IFIwatchnet using new marketing combo. This event is also a good opportunity for European outreach.