Not everybody on this project has the same instant messenger, and not everybody is on IRC all the time - might I make a suggestion? Just because I've noticed the communications seem to get a little mixed up from time to time.

Everytime your manager makes a decision on something, it would be a good idea to post it here and request discussion on it, however it might also be in your benefit to set up a mailing list.

Collect everybodies email, and whenever there's a major incident (such as the project gets chosen, a coder gets his hand run over by a drunk driver, or whatever), everybody could then be informed on their own grounds and time via email. They could then at that point choose to discuss the decision directly with the manager, hop in here to discuss it with the group, or go on IRC and talk dirty to all kinds of men masquerading as women. Ya know?
-m