Archive:Indiana Charter

=Free Culture @ Indiana University Draft=

Original draft by Phil Handke '09

Mission Statement
Free Culture @ Indiana University is a Student Organization at Indiana University that advocates lowering barriers to collaboration through the free exchange of information. To this end, Free Culture @ Indiana University promotes balance in copyright law and educates the community at large about the value of a cultural commons.

Meetings
Free Culture @ Indiana University (FCIU) meets as needed. The primary purpose of any FCIU meeting is to coordinate FCIU projects, although the meetings may secondarily be a forum for discussion of information liberty issues. The president(s) shall schedule meetings in consultation with the membership, call them to order, and adjourn them. All FCIU meetings are completely open to the general public. The only ground rules for FCIU meetings are common courtesy: those present should respect others' opinions, maintain a moderate tone of voice, refrain from interrupting, be relevant, and make certain that all who wish to speak on a topic have an opportunity to do so.

Membership
Free Culture @ Indiana University accepts any Indiana student as a member; anyone who expresses a desire to become a member at a meeting or event may do so. We do not discriminate on any grounds. Members are expected to attend meetings and stay abreast of FC activities. Membership expires if an individual graduates, no longer attends the University or does not attend an FC meeting or event for a period of one year.

Projects and Events
FCIU encourages the Indiana community to release its creative output under flexible licenses, and it leverages technology to promulgate content so licensed. It may host activities or events for the collaborative creation of altogether new content. Conversely, FCIU also works to present the community with Free content from the world at large that demonstrates the potential of open, cooperative information production. It may distribute open source software, host forums for discussing free culture and/or copyright issues or show films that the creators have placed under open licenses. At least once a year, it will bring a major speaker to campus. All FCIU events will be completely open to the public and free of charge.

FCIU will take stances on specific government policies and articles of legislation. It shall endorse laws and regulations that defend the free flow of information, especially in the digital world, and shall oppose laws and regulations that jeopardize that flow. Under no circumstances shall it endorse or oppose any politician or political party. Towards its political ends, FCIU will organize letter-writing efforts, media campaigns, and other initiatives. It will promote and organize student attendance at events both on and off campus that show the value of public information. It will create and distribute educational material on issues of concern.

Organizational Structure
Free Culture @ Indiana University makes decisions by consensus. A core group of members who can dedicate a great deal of time make up the organizational heart; other members participate in specific initiatives and contribute their skills to the group. Members are admitted to the core by consensus among sitting core members. Three positions will be assigned each semester by general consensus: president, treasurer, and secretary. One or more core members shall fill each position. The president(s) or their delegates shall lead FCIU meetings and projects, provide long-term vision, and represent official FCIU positions to the world at large. The treasurer shall maintain detailed records of FCIU finances, assume personal responsibility for their accuracy, interface with the Student Budget Committee, and be a voice for fiscal responsibility. The treasurer and president(s) shall co-authorize all FCIU expenses. The secretary(ies) shall keep minutes at all FCIU meetings, maintain a public archive of FCIU documents, and be a voice for coherent organization. All other FCIU tasks and responsibilities shall be undertaken by the willing from the membership at large.

Contact Information
http://wiki.freeculture.org/Indiana_University

Phil Handke

phandke@indiana.edu