12th December 2005 Matilda meeting

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Ground rules - implementation de jure et de facto

There was a discussion, following last week's meeting, about how the space's ground rules should be enforced. Whilst recognising that it should not be the case that anything goes in the space, there were mixed opinions about what should be done to enforce rules, whether a fixed penalty for transgression is appropriate, whether mediation would be effective, whether "punishment" is something we should be engaging in at all, et cetera ad nauseam. It was also noted that there are general as well as specific problems regarding personal interaction within the state, and that there is a collective as well as an individual responsibility to act prophylactically with respect to confrontation.

Two proposals resulted from this discussion and were passed:

that Seeds of Change be asked/invited to run a workshop on conflict prevention, resolution, and mediation.

that, in the specific recent cases, no further action be taken to punish the individuals concerned, since they had already been to a previous meeting where any punishment should have been agreed and administered.

work days/social

It was noted that the last Thursday social was ill-attended. It was suggested that wasy should be found to make the social more open and attractive; for example, film showings, acoustic nights, and so on. There should also be an effort on the part of matilda people to be welcoming towards new people. LTT requested that, after midnight, any socialites continuing to socialise should transfer their activities to the meeting room, in case recording of quiet bits is taking place in the studio above the cafe.

It was proposed that a job list for each workday should be drawn up at the preceeding Monday meeting so efforts on the day can be more focussed. This proposal was agreed. Priorities for this Friday are windows, toilets, and getting rid of rubbish. It was also proposed that there be occasional, or regular, work evenings or weekend days, so that more people can participate.

proposals/announcements

Jan 4: Petition against M1 widening to be presented to Council, 1:30pm; come along and shout things.

Jan 7: Seeds for Change training day, specifically related to M1 widening campaign, but open to all and applicable to more. Beyond TV to show cliamte change films on the evening; maybe food, maybe drinks and wotnot.

Jan 9: national day of climate change/transport action: ideas/participants for direct action?

Feb 11: Gig - coupla local bands.

Feb 17: Gig - No Sweat benefit - bands and that.

Feb 25: Gig - don't widen M1 benefit - bands and DJs.

mattresses

A request for mattresses to be taken from the building to be used in emergency accommodation for asylum seekers was acceded to.

finances

It was noted that our finances are still less than transparent or organised. A new volunteer was found to try opening a bank account. Various elucidatory bits of paper to be brought to next meeting.

facilitators and cooks

A faciliator was found for next week. No cook was found for this Thurs or next; volunteers?