Notes by Maureen Winder
At the meeting:
John
David
Ann
Maureen
Doly
Planning the Forum, 5/6/08 - to be held at the Salvation Army, Union Road
We discussed the need to raise awareness and to get people involved in a more practical way. The Meeting held on 7 May had not worked as well as everyone hoped, because there were not enough people there, there were problems with the minutes and organisation, there was a disconnect between the facilitators, and the overrun was too long - people got tired and frustrated. Some people were uncomfortable about aspects of consensus decision-making.
We discussed the need for better facilitation to set up clear boundaries and provide real direction in meetings. Suggestions were made for external facilitators who might bring a fresh approach to the meetings of the Forum, eg. Ben Messer, Frank Jay, Marie Harder, The Working Together Project, Zoe Nicholson, John Watters.
External facilitators could help us clarify and agree our aims and objectives by focussing on goals, decision-making, action-taking, internal relations and external relations.
In order to get the Forum underway, we agreed that it should involve all the active interest group coordinators and members of the hub initially. John will invite all the coordinators.
Budgets and Financial Management
There was concern that people had paid out alot of their own money on posters and talks, etc. It was important to make sure members were paid back at least a proporion of what was spent, but in future, there would have to be better financial management. A budget should be handled centrally, but with an accounting process for each interest group. Any planned expenditure of over £100 should be agreed by a Finance Group to be established, or in the future, the wider Forum. In order to apply for funding, we will need to show we are managing our funds professionally.
We discussed how to encourage people to join TB&H, with the possibility of new members making a donation via PayPal, or paying an annual fee of £1 each. We should aim to get 1000 people involved as members, this would provide a firm footing for funding, and provide evidence that we have a committed and representative group. We would need to produce guidelines and rules on how money was to be spent, with our accounts open to everyone to view for transparency.
Forward Planning
We talked about how to attract more interest, and to encourage the wider community to engage with activities that would seem more coordinated with a clear aim.
1. Beginning work on the EDRAP - using a scenario approach
2. An Open Space event should follow on from each public talk, to help people engage and get involved practically.
3. Regular educational workshops
4. Regular introductory sessions to get new people involved
5. Seek 1000 members
6. Film showings
7. Permaculture sessions
8. Form a group to work on the allotment
9. Invite Rob Hopkins to do a talk
Other business
David will explore the possibility of obtaining the Transition Handbook at a discount rate through City Books so they can be sold on at events, such as the talks.
Doly had been asked to see if anyone could contribute an interview for a film being produced by the Ecologist - working title 'Who are the Real Eco-Criminals?
An elderly persons group which meets in the Salvation Army in Hove would like to bring knowledge about food/cooking in the past, how people managed without oil/plastics/central heating, etc.
John passed round posters to publicise the next talk on 19 June.
Notes from hub meeting – Mon 19 May
