[FlyingBrickAnnouncements] Today's meeting minutes
Ramey Connelly
rameysaurus at gmail.com
Mon Jan 17 21:39:41 UTC 2011
I'd be available for a rescheduled procedure meeting next Monday
evening.
On Jan 15, 2011, at 6:28 PM, Nathan Stickel wrote:
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>
> BTW y'all, we definitely have to change the date of the procedure
> meeting. There is a film showing and potluck here at 6pm on Monday.
> Maybe next Monday? This would also give folks some time to get their
> schedules in order so they can make it.
>
> On Fri, Jan 14, 2011 at 3:34 PM, Nathan Stickel <incoherentnickle at gmail.com
> > wrote:
> Yeah, Megan, I was definitely generalizing. But even so, you do live
> at an activist house, and you do organize in several groups in the
> city. Which to some people that have been to our meetings is still a
> lot more than they have done. Not to dismiss those butterflies you
> have! I'm glad you push yourself to get better and be more confident
> and experienced! It was not my intention to place blame on anyone
> who took up those roles at the meeting, as I wasn't even there. I
> was just remarking on the tendency for groups to go down that path
> and who usually ends up taking on those roles repeatedly over time,
> developing an informal power structure that is pretty hard to break.
>
> On Fri, Jan 14, 2011 at 3:17 PM, Megan Osborn <mrosborn1 at gmail.com>
> wrote:
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>
>
> I agree with all of your points except the one specifically on
> facilitation where you say the people who generally take on informal
> facilitation roles are: "People who take initiative regularly in
> social situations" and "People who are the most experienced or feel
> the most relaxed in a certain organization." This may be true most
> of the time, and I'm sure you're generalizing here, but I neither
> take initiative in social situations (especially group situations),
> nor do I feel experienced when it comes to the Brick. On the
> contrary, I feel pretty uncomfortable speaking in front of a group
> and I always feel on edge every time I facilitate. It's because of
> this that I offer myself up for facilitating/notetaking when the
> opportunity arises so that I can feel more comfortable about group
> situations. So, yeah. At least those two points are not true for me.
>
> Without reiterating everything you said in your first paragraph
> about changing procedures and bylaws and whatnot, I agree, and think
> that may be the best way to go about addressing your concerns.
>
> On Fri, Jan 14, 2011 at 1:42 PM, Nathan Stickel <incoherentnickle at gmail.com
> > wrote:
> Hey Flying Brickers! You are currently receiving messages in a Non-
> Digest Form. If you'd like to receive messages compacted into one e-
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>
>
> Thanks for the responses y'all.
>
> I had a feeling it was mostly a problem with mis-communication, and
> like I said, I am really sorry for that mix-up. If someone is
> willing to call volunteers and alert them of the meeting time
> change, while giving them an option of giving concerns, I think that
> the general meetings could stay in place this month. I would be
> willing to help do that. There is also the option of redacting some
> of the proposals, and saving them to be discussed over the course of
> the next few months while the Procedure workgroup hammers out
> bylaws. This type of mix-up is exactly why I think it is so
> important to have bylaws, and make those bylaws easily available to
> anyone that wants them. My suggestion to some of the other
> bottomliners has been that we have the Procedure meetings to discuss
> these ideas, write them up, and when we are mostly finished present
> them to the group at the General Meeting, but NOT voting on them
> until the following month. This would give ample time for people to
> review and think about the bylaws, voice concerns, make amendments,
> and block anything that may be too controversial. I would also
> suggest that this be done through phone, as well as e-mail. I have
> been meaning to go through the list of volunteers and highlight
> those who prefer to be contacted by phone.
>
> A note on facilitation:
>
> While I understand the desire to have a casual meeting when there
> are so few attendees, our usual meetings are somewhere in the
> ballpark of 7-10 people, so I don't think that is an unusually small
> meeting by our standards. I am stoked we can bring that many people
> to a meeting on a regular basis, and I am also stoked that so many
> of the people that were there are people that have been involved for
> a while. I think when the meeting feels more casual, then that means
> the facilitator's job is just made easy, not that there should be an
> absence of that role. I suppose a big problem I have with people
> taking up the role of facilitator informally, as it seems Megan and
> Ramey did, is that when something informal happens like that, it is
> usually the people who are:
>
> A. People who take initiative regularly in social situations. This
> can develop into an informal hierarchy VERY quickly, and I feel that
> the Library has done a pretty good job so far at keeping that from
> happening. I think a rotating job of facilitation can help cut down
> on that tendency.
>
> B. People who are the most experienced or feel the most relaxed in a
> certain organization. Being experienced and relaxed in a group is
> fucking AWESOME. The only time I feel this can be a problem is that
> if people take on roles over and over again, informally, it tends to
> build an informal hierarchy within the group, that relegates
> newcomers to the social circle or less experienced people to
> secondary roles of grunt-work, that feel they need to seek out the
> opinions and "permission" of the more experienced, more socially
> connected people of an organization.
>
> These are both reasons I think it is important to have a few roles,
> that are very important, that rotate. It gives more experienced
> (usually involved in multiple projects) people time to relax and
> give support to less experienced or socially connected people in
> their growth as organizers, activists, and members of the community.
> Sometimes the best thing for the more experienced and social of us
> to do is to refuse to do some tasks. Give space to those that would
> otherwise never push those people for more responsibility within an
> organization.
>
> Don't take that stuff the wrong way, I realize the intent in the
> decision, I just thought I would explain why it is so important to
> me. And I know some of you won't agree, and thats ok too. I just
> want to be sure y'all understand I am not trying to be a stickler
> for process, I just really enjoy how the Brick seems to be doing
> well at keeping a large group of people that contribute fairly
> equally to the whole, without 1 or 2 people taking on most of the
> work or decision making. I think we're doing really great, and I am
> so glad to be a part of this with all of you! :)
>
> On Fri, Jan 14, 2011 at 8:22 AM, Matt <johnnypark33 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hey Flying Brickers! You are currently receiving messages in a Non-
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>
>
> Nathan, reflecting on your comments I get the feeling that many of
> the ideas that were brought up maybe should have been considered but
> saved for further discussion when more volunteers were present.
> Maybe the problem is the conundrum of spending so much time and
> email to get a meeting date and then having a meeting with 5-6
> people - I think we were looking at the turnout and really wanted to
> try and come up with something consistent so that people who want to
> come will know when it is, just like open hours. Having the
> meeting(s) correspond to open hours seemed like a natural fit since
> it's already the schedule people know. In retrospect I think you
> have a good point, though.
>
> The impression I got on the Procedural Meeting was much like other
> smaller, focused meetings, in that the date was flexible for others
> who couldn't attend. It seems no one remembered you were one of the
> bottom-liners, but one of the things we DID discuss was going over
> previous notes and being accountable on who's taking on what, and
> here we have a perfect example as to why it's important to do that
> because that's a conversation you should have had a part in. I think
> also that there were a lot of agenda items, fewer people = fewer
> opportunity for concerns and maybe in general it got a little
> carried away? ^_^
>
>
>
> On Fri, Jan 14, 2011 at 7:09 AM, MO xvx
> <xveganarchistrvax at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hey Flying Brickers! You are currently receiving messages in a Non-
> Digest Form. If you'd like to receive messages compacted into one e-
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>
>
> Hello!
> This was my first Flying Brick Meeting, and because I was also doing
> Open Hours yesterday I wasn't even actually present for the agenda
> setting part of the meeting. I didn't know about any of the things
> that you brought up. And while I reckon there wasn't a formal
> facilitator it definitely seemed like Megan and Ramey took that on.
> Megan going down the agenda because she had it typed in the notes.
> In terms of procedure, at least everything was concensed on- we had
> lots of thumbs ups.
>
> The part that we decided on which might help in the future was the
> idea of typing uup and printing off all meeting notes to be read at
> the beginning of the next meeting and kept in a binder that I can
> get to yall ASAP. Maybe the beginning of all meeting notes could
> include a section on how yalls meetings function? That was new
> people would find out, old people would be reminded etc.
>
> Just a though
> ALL OF THE LOVE!!!!
> Mo
>
> On Thu, Jan 13, 2011 at 11:03 PM, Megan Osborn <mrosborn1 at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> Hey Flying Brickers! You are currently receiving messages in a Non-
> Digest Form. If you'd like to receive messages compacted into one e-
> mail a day, just visit your listserv homepage and change your
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>
>
> Nathan,
>
> To be honest I did not know of any of this or things probably would
> have gone differently. So, how do you suggest we go about addressing
> your concerns?
>
> I would suggest that we could contact the remaining volunteers that
> were not present at the meeting about the 2 meeting a month decision
> and hear their concerns. I do think it would be helpful and perhaps
> necessary to have a regular meeting time for the volunteer meetings
> for several reasons.
>
> I do know that we all decided on not having a formal facilitator
> because the meeting was small. Informally through my personal
> observation it seemed like Ramey and I were the main people that
> "facilitated" (ie kept the meeting on track).
>
> I don't feel as if I'm able to comment on the other concerns since
> I'm lacking in background knowledge of the situation and how the
> Brick has operated in the past. Perhaps someone else could chime in?
>
>
>
> On Thu, Jan 13, 2011 at 10:11 PM, Nathan Stickel <incoherentnickle at gmail.com
> > wrote:
> Hey Flying Brickers! You are currently receiving messages in a Non-
> Digest Form. If you'd like to receive messages compacted into one e-
> mail a day, just visit your listserv homepage and change your
> settings to the Digest Version. Questions? Just ask!
>
>
> So I don't really know what happened, but I think some stuff hasn't
> gone like it was supposed to....
>
> ON MEETING SCHEDULING:
> - We have had the policy of 1 general meeting a month, scheduled by
> the availability of people contacted since very early in our re-
> opening. I think this should change, but I don't think a meeting of
> 7 out of 65 total listed volunteers can make the decision without
> first getting the opinions of those it would effect. While the idea
> to have 2 meetings a month was partially my idea, I had no intention
> for this meeting to be the meeting it was decided on.
> - The Procedure Meeting was supposed to be scheduled AFTER getting
> people's availability, not with the few people at the general
> meeting. I can't make the meeting on the 17th, I have to work. I
> think this is pretty problematic since I am 1 of the 3 bottomliners.
> I had no say in the scheduling of the meeting, and I am very
> passionate about this subject, as I know there are a couple others
> who are, that aren't back in town from the holidays.
>
> ON PROCEDURE
> - When the library was re-opened, it was agreed that the meetings
> would function under formal consensus with a facilitator. Was there
> a reason this didn't happen? I think it is important to have a
> facilitator at our meetings, but if there was a reason I'd
> definitely like to hear it.
> - There were a few other procedure items discussed and passed, that
> I only remember brainstorming and discussing with the other
> bottomliners, I had no intention or idea that they would be proposed
> at this time. The bottomliners haven't even been able to meet all
> together to chat, so I didn't imagine any of these things would be
> ready to be put to a vote. That is what the procedure meetings would
> be for. I thought I mentioned to folks that I would really like to
> see our bylaws written up through the meetings and made available to
> ALL volunteers a month BEFORE voting to pass them. This way people
> would have plenty of time for voicing concerns, even if they
> couldn't make meetings. If I wasn't clear about that, I apologize,
> but I really don't think things should change so drastically at the
> drop of a hat.
>
> Please don't take this as an aggressive message, I know how long e-
> mails can come off as serious or dramatic, I just really don't agree
> with some of the proposals, and since I have been at work all day
> and couldn't go to the meeting, I am a little confused how all of
> this happened. I just want to understand the reasoning on these
> items, and if I was to vague about some of my ideas or gave anyone
> the wrong impression, I sincerely apologize.
>
> All the events look great, and I am stoked for them. Thanks for
> endorsing the Burial Ground actions and the VPA March!
>
>
> On Thu, Jan 13, 2011 at 8:06 PM, Megan Osborn <mrosborn1 at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> Hey Flying Brickers! You are currently receiving messages in a Non-
> Digest Form. If you'd like to receive messages compacted into one e-
> mail a day, just visit your listserv homepage and change your
> settings to the Digest Version. Questions? Just ask!
>
>
>
> 1/13 General Volunteers Meeting Minutes
>
>
> In Attendance: Mallory, Megan, Ramey, Jen, Ellen, Matt, Mo
>
> Facilitator: none
>
> Notetaker: Megan
>
>
> Agenda items:
> Regular meeting day(s)
> How to set agenda items
> Procedure meeting
> Shelving
> Budgeting/Reimbursement
> Lips event date change
> Incomplete items from last meeting
> MLP Speak Out event
> Lips release
> Tshirts
> Friends of AK Press, PM Press, etc
> Endorsing VPA and Burial Ground actions
> International Sex Worker Rights Awareness Day
> Volunteer log
> Meeting minutes
> Eating Disorder Awareness Week
>
>
> Regular meeting day(s):We thought that we could have two volunteer
> meetings a month, especially for some people that are not able to
> come to one meeting. Fixed meeting dates may be easier to plan
> around, will save emails flooding inboxes, and will save a lot of
> planning and phone calls each month trying to find a good meeting
> time.
> Meetings on the first Monday of each month at 12:30pm and the third
> Thursday at 6:30pm. Passed.
> Our next volunteer meetings will be on Monday, Feb. 7th at 12:30pm
> and Thursday, Feb. 17th at 6:30pm.
> Meeting notes and decisions made at the meetings will be sent out to
> the listserv. If there are any objections to decisions made at a
> meeting, we thought it would be good to have a certain amount of
> time for voicing concerns, and if there are no objections, move
> forward. Two days timespan for voicing concerns was passed.
> How to set agenda items: Who is bottomlining open hours will be
> decided during the first meeting of the month who is bottomlining
> for the following month. Passed.
> Planning for events for the following month should be open to both
> meetings (for example, both Feb. meetings are open for planning
> March events). Passed.
> Procedure meeting: brainstorm ideas for a mission statement and
> foundational things about the library that weren't completely
> finished when the library reopened. Procedure meeting will be
> Monday, January 17th at 6:30pm.
> Shelving: the open area has been measured for building our new
> shelves. $100 budget for new shelves. Passed.
> Budgeting: Ellen will bottomline keeping track of Flying Brick
> expenditures on a spreadsheet and talking to Robert about opening up
> a house fund bank account for the library.
> Reimbursement: Ellen bought “Defying the Tomb” for the library.
> Consent on full reimbursement.
> Lips movie screening event change: Change the date from the 22nd to
> the 29th from 7-10pm. Passed.
> Incomplete tasks from last meeting: Jen is still on the lookout for
> a coffee urn. She will also talk to Jeff Wayside Center facilitation
> and consensus items.
> MLP speak out event: speak out/potluck/benefit on February 19th,
> potluck at 6pm, event starts at 7pm. Passed.
> Lips release: was originally scheduled for Valentine's Day. Agenda
> item is shelved until more information is gathered about the event.
> Tshirts: Setting a budget for getting bulk blank t-shirts so that we
> can have Flying Brick t-shirts to sell. Shelved to the next meeting.
> Friends of AK Press/PM Press, etc: these shelved to next meeting
> until we have the expenditure spreadsheet together. Ramey will
> bottomline getting ahold of AK Press to see about getting Friends of
> AK Press discount for the library.
> Flying Brick endorsements: Flying Brick endorsement of VPA: Passed
> (Nathan said in the past that he will contact them). Flying Brick
> endorsement of Burial Ground actions: Passed. If people are
> interested in getting involved in burial ground actions, contact
> Nathan.
> International Sex Worker Rights Awareness day: (March 3rd?)-Ramey
> and Mo will bottomline researching past events.
> Volunteer log: reminder to use the volunteer log and write in it, go
> through the log if there is nothing else to do, if there are any
> suggestions written in the log remember to bring it up at the next
> meeting.
> Meeting minutes: Notetaker at each meeting will bottomline printing
> out the notes and leaving copies at the library. Passed.
> Permanent agenda item for every meeting: Reading the previous
> meeting notes at the beginning of each meeting. Passed.
> Eating disorder awareness week: (last week of February) Need
> additional speakers, especially those that have experienced eating
> disorders firsthand, find good documentary to show, decide a date.
> Of those present, Matt, Ramey, Mallory, and Megan are interested in
> helping to plan the event. Event tentatively scheduled at the
> Library for Thursday Feb. 24 during open hours. Passed.
> Planning meeting for the event on 1/22 at 11am. Preference for where
> we meet? Coffee shop? Flying Brick? Black Hand? Somewhere with heat!
>
>
> --
> Megan Osborn
>
> "When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life
> stands explained." -Mark Twain
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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> Flyingbrickvolunteers at lists.aktivix.org
> https://lists.aktivix.org/mailman/listinfo/flyingbrickvolunteers
>
>
>
>
> --
> Always with Solidarity
>
> Nathan
>
> _______________________________________________
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> Flyingbrickvolunteers at lists.aktivix.org
> https://lists.aktivix.org/mailman/listinfo/flyingbrickvolunteers
>
>
>
>
> --
> Megan Osborn
>
> "When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life
> stands explained." -Mark Twain
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Flyingbrickvolunteers mailing list
> Flyingbrickvolunteers at lists.aktivix.org
> https://lists.aktivix.org/mailman/listinfo/flyingbrickvolunteers
>
>
>
>
> --
> Anarchy, Not Charity
> Mo Karn
>
> Richmond Food Not Bombs, Richmond Really Really Free Market,
> Richmond Zine Fest, Richmond Anarchist Black Cross
>
> 804 300 0023
>
> The Wingnut Anarchist Collective
> 804 303 5449
>
>
> PO Box 6025
> Richmond, VA 23222
>
> www.rvaradicalendar.blogspot.com
> www.thewingnutrva.wordpress.com
> www.monroecampaign.wordpress.com
> www.monroepark.org
> www.anarchymo.wordpress.com
> www.takingbackrva.wordpress.com
>
>
> "Capitalism has always been a failure for the lower classes. It is
> now beginning to fail for the middle classes. " - Howard Zinn
>
>
> No Meat No Milk No Masters - Veganarchist!
>
> _______________________________________________
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>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Flyingbrickvolunteers mailing list
> Flyingbrickvolunteers at lists.aktivix.org
> https://lists.aktivix.org/mailman/listinfo/flyingbrickvolunteers
>
>
>
>
> --
> Always with Solidarity
>
> Nathan
>
> _______________________________________________
> Flyingbrickvolunteers mailing list
> Flyingbrickvolunteers at lists.aktivix.org
> https://lists.aktivix.org/mailman/listinfo/flyingbrickvolunteers
>
>
>
>
> --
> Megan Osborn
>
> "When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life
> stands explained." -Mark Twain
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Flyingbrickvolunteers mailing list
> Flyingbrickvolunteers at lists.aktivix.org
> https://lists.aktivix.org/mailman/listinfo/flyingbrickvolunteers
>
>
>
>
> --
> Always with Solidarity
>
> Nathan
>
>
>
> --
> Always with Solidarity
>
> Nathan
> _______________________________________________
> Flyingbrickvolunteers mailing list
> Flyingbrickvolunteers at lists.aktivix.org
> https://lists.aktivix.org/mailman/listinfo/flyingbrickvolunteers
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