25 July Matilda meeting

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=Matilda meeting 25th July 2005=

The meeting started at 8:20ish and there were around 25 people present.

Some notes taken during the meeting
A group agreement for the running of the meeting was suggested by the person facilitating the meeting and then people introduced themselves.

Group agreement
The following rules for meetings were agreed:


 * Using hand signals was agreed (though it wasn't clear exactly which ones were agreed... or what they all mean...)
 * Don't speak over each other
 * No smoking except at outside meetings
 * No racist, sexist, homophobic language to be used
 * Meetings to start promptly
 * Only come to meetings if you are not so intoxicated (by owt) as to be able to contribute usefully

Issues from the previous meeting

 * Ground rules
 * Guiding principals

Working groups

 * Legal and long term future group - had a meeting, have made contact with a friendly laywer and Councilor Jillian Creasy. One idea that was discussed was applying to get the building listed. The next meeting is at 6pm on Thursday.
 * Cleaning, borrowing a steam cleaner and vaccum cleaner was agreed
 * Cafe collective - social night on Thursday, info stall at Shefstock - help is needed for Shefstock
 * Biodeisel, a list of things needed has been posted to the list. Concerns were raised about health and safety and insurance issues.
 * Hacklab, should be up and running soon, the benches still to be built and computers will need moving in.
 * Library, nobody was able to report progress

Events from the last week

 * Consensus workshop from Seeds of Change, was very positive.
 * Saturday zine reading went well

Various issues

 * A free stall for free stuff was suggested
 * Skip rading for useful stuff was suggested
 * It was raised that the agreement at the last meeting for selling magazines at the zine reading only applied to that event.
 * Hosting a skill share weekend was suggested
 * A security working group for events was discussed and people will meet to discuss from 6 on Thursday

Ground rules
Some general rules for the space were agreed


 * No non-consensual violence
 * Events should be proposed email list / notice board and people should have the chance to veto via them
 * No harrassment including including sexual and racial harrassment
 * No thieving off each other or the building

There were other issues that need further discussion


 * No for-profit activities
 * Drink / drugs policy
 * The space should be open to everyone who abides with the ground rules
 * PGA Hallmarks to be discussed at the next meeting
 * No fascists / neo-nazis

Getting things done
Issues to discuss in smaller groups


 * Cleaning group - volunteers needed
 * Weekly social / food evening
 * Visiting other social centres
 * Help is needed with wood work (eg building work benches etc)
 * Skills audit - who can help with what?
 * Permaculture
 * Caretaker / security (keys etc) / room booking tasks need sharing out
 * Biodeisel
 * Darkroom, work is underway

Announcements

 * G8 legal support - info on notice board
 * DIY festival this weekend
 * Filthy radical radio show is due to to continue
 * Beta web page
 * Prisoner support
 * Massage class on Wednesday 7:30pm
 * Sandwich board for announcments / news on the street

Next meeting
7:30pm Monday, 1 August, main agenda item - politics and aims etc