Transition Montpelier

OK so firstly, we discussed the use of the word ‘core’ team and the possibility that this word ‘core’ might make people think that there is some exclusive cabal or private group or something like that.

It’s not like that at all – we are open, welcoming, keen and happy for people to help us out co-ordinating Transition Montpelier.

In fact there are lots of things that need doing so drop us a line if you’re interested. And maybe think of it as an ‘initiating’ group, or a ‘co-ordination’ group. We’re thinking along those lines.

Click on this link to download the minutes directly

And for you in the meeting – you know who you are – these minutes are full of action points for all of us, so get busy!

Here’s a photo of us:

(Richard, Janie, Sally, Dan, Ciaran – Ed taking photo, Simon, Ralph and Bronwen not there)

The Agenda:

The minutes from the meeting:

Transition Montpelier
Core team meeting
16/12, 20:30 – 23:00
Dan’s kitchen

Attendees:

• Dan (DW)
• Simon (SL)
• Sally (SJ)
• Ralph (Ralph)
• Janie (JD)
• Ciaran (CM)
• Ed (EM)

(apols: Bronwen)

1. Winter Fayre:

• TT Mont to host stall at Winter Fayre from 12 – 6/7 with soup, wish tree, chestnuts, host
• Wish tree to represent TT Mont and the project groups that are emerging
• Host will explain TT Montpelier, encourage people to make baubles and add them to the tree
• Will need some protection for bbq for chestnuts

Rota:

• 11:30 DW set up
• 14:00 CM
• 16:00 EM
• Others: Bronwen, Jess, John…?

Actions:

• DW: build wish tree for stall
• CM: make soup: incl. pots, cups et.c
• JD: produce nuts, protective gloves etc.
• DW: produce barbeque
• EM: produce two ring cooker for soup
• EM: contact Bron, Jess, John about hosting stall
• SL: produce bbq protection (sheets of ply)
• SL: pass Scrapstore card to DW!
• DW: get some scrapstore stuff for bauble making

2. Bean Feast

• Marquee needs repair following Bean Feast
• Organising was a significant job – also for Winter Fayre – need buddies to help with events – burn out risk
• Bean Feast needs separate de-brief
• ‘Events’ team need a meet to share on events work, agree budgetsGood to publish all budgets/accounts for transparency and ‘transferability’ to other initiatives
• ‘Events’ team to organise open meet in January – 1. BF de-brief, 2, General

Actions:

• SJ: working on marquee repair
• SJ/SL: organise events meetup in January

3. Group dynamics

• Core/initiating group meets now officially regular – every 3rd Wednesday
• Open meetings need to be regular and in a cycle of 1. projects work, 2. open space, 3. awareness raising
• TT Mont isn’t quite at ‘constitution’ stage but we see it as future goal
• Could we think of the current ‘core’ group as an ‘initiating’ group?
• Need to think about group dynamics: decision-making, ‘core’ and working groups
• TT Mont provides: connections, advice, knowledge, support, events, awareness, web, lists
• TT Mont has value set and philosophy in line with TT movement
• TT Mont does not look for ownership of local activism – more the social glue for groups
• Need a short clear purpose and position statement to work outward from (toward constitution)
• Role and relationship between ‘core/initiating’ and working groups needs more clarity
• Need to avoid burnout with buddying up with partners, clarifying roles and responsibilities, bringing activists in
• TT training discussed – group facilitation, TT training
• TT theory and training in general – need more discussion on what is TT

Actions:

• ALL: think about the ‘constitution’ track – our purpose, structure and dynamics for next meet discussion
• EM: organise ‘what is TT and its training’ meetup: January – interest: SJ, SL for starters
• ALL: regular core/initiating groups: every 3rd Wednesday.

4. Energy:

• Clearly identifiable and action-able stuff can be done around energy – it’s good for money, ethics, education
• Range of energy projects from adding insulation to rented house to co-owing a wind turbine
• Set up energy group proper – start small – start brainstorming
• Other neighbourhoods doing similar stuff – need connections
• Idea: Energy action team – voluntary group help out house dweller with insulation, heating tips etc. focus on one street – like a pilot
• Idea: we have deal with good energy, what can eco-tricity do?

Actions:

• DW, RRM, Ralph: clear leaders for energy group – get heads around how to proceed
• RRM, Ralph: email/share with DW thoughts on group
• DW: collate and form in preparation for communications
• EM: find Bath TT group reps and connect with Mont energy group
• CM: contact Bristol City Council sustainability team to open conversation

5. Announcements:

• Park Project: underway – AGM coming up – Fences going up soon – constitution underway
• Food project idea: food growing everywhere – like distributed allotment share – raised beds around hood
• Road Feature group idea following Thali Cafe corner success: council looking for connections
• Richard knows where to get railway sleepers cheap
• Bristol City Museum research project for TT groups: RRM, Bron going in
• Bristol Free shop on Stokes Croft: offer space for reps

Actions:

• EM: connect RRM, Bron with Museum people
• SJ: likely to be championing the food workings

6. ‘Widening’ TT Montpelier

• How to reach out and make TT Mont more ‘diverse’ (class, ethnicity, climate change deniers)?
• Projects provide approachable front to do stuff
• Film was very inclusive
• Good meetings are vital – use of Open Space – people want to ‘be heard’
• Knocking on doors and introducing selves is direct
• Target one street with (e.g.) energy project and go help out as a pilot
• Action tracking: displaying what you’ve done – online or at events – map of activity
• For those who don’t own houses: list of things you can do to keep costs down
• Keep looking for contacts in religious groups

Actions:

• DW: connect EM with web guy in Easton
• EM: researching mapping tools – noise map, other activist maps
• ALL: every meeting: clear purpose and big call out

7. Next open meeting:

• Purpose – action, workgroups, projects – encourage all to get onboard with some project work
• Key question – from ‘how is TT Mont supporting me’ to ‘how can I support TT Mont?’
• Also to have some introductions – and a talk from another initiative? Easton offered a while back?
• Flyers needed
• Meeting owner needed: DW with support – EM? Can we call for another?
• Group leaders needed: DW/RRM: energy, SJ: food…
• Meeting summary needed
• Date: either 03/02 or 10/02
• Also discussed setting regular patterns for open meets: 1: projects and action, 2: Open Space, 3: Awareness raising

Actions:

• ALL: do doodle on Open meet date
• ?: Write newsletter update week commencing 03/01 – 2009 summary, call for volunteers, open meeting date

8. Close and what can we do better next time?

• Meeting design and facilitation good
• Next meet 8 – 10
• Food at first is good
• Venue different – Ed’s house