Archive:2005-08-17

Another conference call for those starting a Free Culture chapter.

17 August 2005, 10 p.m. EST

Minutes
Anthony, Sarah from CCA, Thessaly La Force from Columbia, Gavin, Nelson, Andy Scudder, and Julian at UCR

New Members

 * Thessaly is a Senior at Columbia
 * Met Nelson through Fred
 * Sarah Hromack is 1st year grad student at CCA
 * Has been aware of copyright and the arts, read Lessig's book, and is interested in starting a Free Culture chapter. (Might be interested in one of our guest posts on Lessig's blog)
 * Julian is a student at the University of California Riverside
 * Got to know Lessig and his ideas, is interested in starting a chapter/donating some time for the org.
 * Anthony is a freshman at the University of Alaska Fairbanks
 * Got involved in Linux, open source and free software, and then found out about Lessig's Free Culture and found the org.
 * Question: what was the best way to get new people to join your group?

Current Members

 * Gavin Baker at U Florida
 * Got interested in Free Culture around the whole Dmitry Sklyarov, got interested in the conflict of rights with technology which lead to Free Culture and the org
 * Eldo is at U Florida as well
 * Heard about Free Culture on boingboing with the Diebold case and was contacted by Gavin last fall about starting a group
 * Nelson is a Sophmore at Swarthmore
 * Got interested in Linux and open source software, saw Lessig's presentation on Free Culture, and founded the SCDC which became Free Culture.org

What is the best way to find new members?

 * All depends on the atmosphere of the school
 * Look for people who may already be interested
 * Contact EVERYONE
 * Facebook
 * Flyering

What's the best way to explain Free Culture to potential members?

 * Find a strong starting point, like an existing point of interest (Open Source, downloading music, blogging, etc.)
 * Teach by example (CC license creative works, writing/distributing free software, showing public domain films, etc.)

What happens at a typical Free Culture campus meeting

 * All depends on the school
 * Play to the interests of the group (If artsy - creative works, if technical - free software, etc.)
 * Show presentations (Lessig perhaps), hold lectures (RMS' speeches maybe) or debates, etc.

Has anyone contacted their college radio station? With what success?

 * Hasn't really been done yet, however, it would be very beneficial.
 * Play CC licensed music, illegal art, just about anything that demonstrates Free Culture.

How to avoid student apathy?

 * Keep participants involved!