What would you like to see as your ideal grassroots, general public, international FC org?
I think the members should help form the orgs platform. I would strive to be inclusive instead of exclusive. Here are my initial thoughts Platform: 1. Open Access to all knowledge (regardless of of ones social or economic standing) especially to scholarly works 2. Participatory Culture - broader rights to remix and reuse culture. focus on minimizing transactional costs and Fair Use 3. Innovation through access to cultural and scientific works 4. Inclusive of Artist, Coders, Students, Academics, and General members of the population 5. Focus on expanding the Public Domain, Fair Use and Free Speech 6. Recognition of broader social goals Free Culture contributes to including but not limited to: equality, access to justice, access to essential medicines and basic Human Rights Major Activities: 1. Alliance building - willing to work with other orgs to coordinate campaigns 2. Political activism - campaigns where members can take action 3. Act as an umbrella organization that would help foster smaller projects and provide assistance to fledgling FC related ideas 4. Outreach and education at middle schools, high schools, colleges, technology summits, conferences professional and academic 5. Direct media contact over current issues Policies: 1. Strongly recommend PD, BY or freedom defined licenses 2. the organization exclusively uses PD or BY for all publications 3. Strongly recommend Free Open Source Software on all platforms with a preference for Linux (or other open OS) 4. The organization should set an example in its own software choices 5. Promotion of data portability for Web applications 6. Promotion of open standards Governance: 1. NPO 501c3 or charitable org 2. Member driven (funded at least in part through memberships) 3. Board of directors which includes input from general members. Maybe 1 or 2 elected or appointed position on the board that represent member perspectives. 4. Membership level of "Volunteer" where one can donate time instead of cash to become a member 5. Open investments - the community should be assured that all org investments are in places that are compatible with the mission 6. Publicly Open Board meetings for all matters except emergencies and personal decisions. Ideas to help start: Challenge pledge the way Open Rights Group (ORG) was founded Merging a few existing fledgling orgs under central leadership Things to avoid: 1. Direct Litigation - EFF and ACLU are doing well here and the cost is very high. I would limit legal action to policy papers and *amici briefs* 2. PAC Money - We can't change the system through buying representatives. General comments: This outline is heavily influenced by my work on Freedom for IP and WSBA's Access to Justice Committee. Please feel free to make any comments, suggestions or critisims. Best, Brian Rowe Seattle University Law -- Brian Rowe 3L Seattle University (206) 335-8577 (Cell) Access To Justice Technology Principles www.ATJWeb.org Freedom for IP www.FreedomforIP.org
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