Minutes of Forest Committee meeting 15/08/04
Present: Georgina, Joanna, Ryan, Duncan, Dan, Aaron, Robin, Magda, Pete, Nick
Apologies: Christopher Lewis Palmer, Leira
THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT OUR FOREST LIVES:
A great vibe, awesome bands, things are absurd, sexy, right on; that people are pitching in; that upstairs is open, has a lovely floor; late night drinking; Ryan; making lots of money; feeling somewhat loved.
ROTA/COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
Having said all that, the rota has been a mass of white spaces, and Ryan and Leira have struggled to find people to do shifts, especially late ones, and have had often had to stay until close. In particular, Ryan felt that some committee members had not been putting in enough shifts, and that during the festival, committee members should be doing at least one, preferably two, shifts a week. All present duly signed up for more shifts. There was also some discussion about what to do in cases where committee members persistently fail to do shifts. Whilst it was felt that having a job should not preclude doing shifts, it was also recognised that some people make important contributions to the Forest without actually doing regular shifts.
This, however, should not stop committee members from asking the volunteers and KM if they can help, perhaps clearing some tables, telling that woman in the corner to please, not smoke/pay corkage on her Lidl beer. It was also agreed that KMs should feel free to point out the various rotas (i.e. not just the downstairs day time slots), and also to redirect volunteers when necessary (e.g. to the morning cleaning shift, which it was hoped would take the pressure of the international volunteers).
INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEERS
Are wonderful people. They have done great. We love them. They are particularly great because they have been virtually self organising, organising their own rota in the relative absence of any defined boundaries or support. This is something that could have been done much, much better. In future there needs to be a specific person to meet and liaise with international volunteers. Aaron agreed to meet with Pete et al.
COMMITTEE:
All present felt that the committee should be opened up, given new
blood and guts etc. after the festival.
AGM:
After the festival, we should have an open AGM, to talk about strategy,
ideology, where we’re going, what’s right, what’s wrong, you name it.
Provisional date, September.
SMOOTHIES:
(at least for the rest of the festival) should be simply fresh fruit affairs, made up in big jugs, rather than the current one banana-raspberry, one blackberry, one raspberry banana, no, sorry, changed my mind, couldI have peach in that hassle.
CLOSING THE KITCHEN:
Leira has said that she feels it may sometimes be necessary to do so,
for the purposes of restocking, cleaning etc. There was some disagreement
about the merits of this, but it was agreed that during the festival, she
should be able to do so, though at a specific time (e.g. 3.30 to 4) and with the reasons explained to customers. Alternatively, the café could be opened later.
YAHOO
Has diminished Ryan’s powers.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Sunday the 29th of August.