Sheffield social forum update

To:  sheffieldsocialforum@yahoogroups.com
From: "pipcoordinator" | This is spam | Add to Address Book
Date: Thu, 07 Aug 2003 19:17:13 -0000
Subject: [sheffieldsocialforum] Re: workshops...




hello

I've pasted in the minutes into this email from the last meeting. i
hope it seems clear

To summarise,

Groups are being contacted and invited to meet up prior to and after
the next planning meeting for a kinda of 'consultation' - asking
there view points/advice etc. The letter is to ask if they would be
interesting running a workshop either at a central location on the
launch, or at their homebase. This was agreed at the Outreach meeting
on sunday.

THE NEXT SOCIAL FORUM PLANNING MEETING IS THURSDAY 21st AUGUST.

PROPOSED LAUNCH = WEEKEND OF THE 11th OCTOBER

PROPOSED format of launch - social event in evening.....key-note
speakers to kick-start the day....info/proactive workshops taking
place throughout the city (timetabled so people can pick n choice,
plus it'll mean there'll always be something close by). Creative
workshops that will represent/express Sheffielders' thoughts about
their city....possible frings events e.g. squat/ street party...short
feedback session/good write-up of event.

MINUTES:

Towards a Sheffield Social Forum Planning Meeting 31st July 2003
7.30pm Quaker Meeting House

Meeting Co-chaired by Dan and Lucy
No. of attendees: 15

1. Welcome & Apologies

It was noted that several people had given apologies due to
holidays/other commitments.

2. Upcoming Events

Hunters Bar Against War Group

30th August People's Assembly London
27th September National Demonstration London
November European Social Forum Paris

 The group was encouraged to join the national demonstration
in London – HBAW are organising a coach from Hunters Bar.
 It was further noted that 2 members of HBAW will be going to
the People's Assembly meeting in London.

Liquid Brain Foundation

 Various (free party) sound systems in Sheffield have met to
form a coalition under the previously used name of Liquid Brain
Foundation
 A radio night had been successfully undertaken.

14th September Breakfast by the River

website for more information:  actforpeace@yahoo.com

Solidarity

2nd/3rd August Jeremy Hardy meets the Israeli Army Showroom

 The group was encouraged to attend the screenings of the film
and to meet to distribute leaflets
 Also supported national demo and cited Robert Fisk
Independent article of 31st July with evidence of why it is so
important.

DSEi Campaign Against the Arms Trade

 Week of action against global arms trade at the time of their
arms fair, including 1st Reclaim the Streets party for four years.

6th-12th September Action against arms trade London
6th September Demonstration
10th September Direct Action Day

Indymedia is carrying further information about transport from
Sheffield.

No Sweat

4th October Event Sheffield
University

3. Feedback from the sub-groups

Outreach
 A list of around 200 groups and a draft letter have been
compiled
 Someone has offered web-site space (inc back-end) which will
carry this information
 Next step to agree on contents of letter and to invite groups
to the next meeting.

Publicity
 New posters and flyers have been put together and some
distributed
 Volunteers to distribute flyers and put up posters are needed
during September time

Agreed: That a few thousand flyers should be printed

Noted: The Peace Corporation pledged £20 for flyer printing

4. The Launch Event

4.1 Date

Agreed:
 That the date should be soon after the National Demo as this
would be a good opportunity to leaflet to get people to come along
 That the date shouldn't clash with other events/actions
(specifically No Sweat)
 11th October agreed as provisional date

To be decided
One day or two day event

4.2 Venue

There was some discussion around the venues or venues including:
 The university may be seen as off-putting to some
 The Corporation has been offered
 Squatting a building
 Using a few buildings near each other, e.g. St Matthews,
Mappin's Blind Institute, Red Deer pub
 A central meeting point with other venues dotted around the
city
 It is important to be realistic about numbers and capability
Agreed:
 A final decision couldn't be made until outreach feedback has
been given and there is an idea of numbers
 That a properly rented venue would be necessary for the main
event but that there could be other fringe events which were perhaps
in different venues

Actions:
 Dave to look into costs for St Matthews
 Mozaz to look into costs for Mappin's

To be decided:
Venues and method of payment

4.3 Agenda

Agreed:
 It was suggested and agreed that the Manchester (People's
Assembly) model would be a good idea. This involved some plenary
sessions, but mainly action-based workshops and generally provided a
mechanism for people to get together. Key word = decentralisation
 It was further suggested to have an evening social
 It was further agreed that there should be a group session at
the end of the day to discuss the future of the Sheffield Social Forum
 It was suggested that feedback could be captured on a date-
line round-the-wall pad which would capture key dates and actions on
proformas which people could stick up and then go round and look at
 It was agreed that it was important to write-up notes from
the event for those who attended and for others who couldn't, or who
were seeking further information

4.3.1 Keynote speakers

Suggested, broad-base national speakers; both on general principles
and the nature of setting up such groups:
 Hilary Wainwright, author of Experiment in Participatory
Democracy
 Dexter Whitfield from the Centre for Public Services in
Sheffield
 Someone from TELCO (East London Community Organising) – work
with Trade Unions
 Someone from Public Health Alliance Newcastle

Actions:
 Dave to put list of proposed speakers on web-site
 Others to add and agree
 Dave to approach speakers re availability/interest when list
agreed

To be decided
Keynote speakers



4.3.2 Workshops

Some discussion around how workshops might be coordinated / run
 Whether there should be themes/groups e.g. asylum seeking,
drugs, Sheffield history, arts based _expression
 What the factors for making a decision would be and whether
individuals could hold a workshop. Do we limit number/leave open?
Not if there was a central base and then other satellite
workshops/activities throughout the city.

Agreed:
 That groups would be invited to the event and given a
deadline for response
 That interested groups would be strongly encouraged to come
to the next planning group meeting
 That groups could be asked to attend with a board/stall
regardless of whether they would be doing a workshop or not
 That a decision could be made about workshops and how
organised they would be at the next meeting when interest had been
measured

Noted:
 It was suggested that in making decisions the first question
should be how does this help the movement (what would the outcome be)
and will it take us forwards or backwards
 The objective of the Sheffield Social Forum will need to be
decided at the launch
 The forum is inclusive and different methods of engagement
should be considered

5. Any Other Business

Agreed: It was agreed that Jay and Simon attend the People's Assembly
on behalf of the Towards a Sheffield Social Forum group.

6. Dates of Further Meetings

 The next planning meeting shall take place at 7.30pm on the
21st August at St Mary's Church
 The next Outreach meeting shall take place at 5pm on the 3rd
August at the Showroom Bar.
 Jay to arrange the next Publicity meeting.