Minutes of Open meeting held on Monday 3 July 2017, at Rosemary's flat
Present
Jane (118); Jean (82); Rosemary (115); Sonja (121); Sue (255).
Apologies
Barbara (208), Di (165), Christine (137), Bob (117)
Matters Arising
Cyclos: Jane had asked Caroline (228) if she would be willing to host an event to help members with using Cyclos and Caroline had agreed. (Still to be organised)
Events: Sue had emailed the Croquet club but had not yet had a reply.
Publicity: Sonia said that she would write a paragraph about letsbuzz for the community Groups section of the LB Observer.
Officers’ Reports
Membership: Jane reported on behalf of Bob - three members have left: Mary (114) is too busy to remain active in two Lets schemes so has decided to stay in Hemplets; Christine (72) and Jonathan (73) have left the area.
Facebook – Sue reported that she has continued to post letsbuzz events on our facebook page
Sterling treasurer – Sonja reported the current balance is £237.14
Buzzard treasurer – no report
Events
We agreed to aim to have a social event every month. We also agreed that members would be encouraged to bring friends and family to social events, as a way of recruiting new members. Events planned so far are:
1. Sunday 9 July - River walk and pub lunch, from 11am. Jean had circulated a reminder to members and will do another reminder this week.
2. Sunday 23rd July, 1.00pm - 5.00pm, MKLetnet Taster Day, Westbury Arts Centre, Foxcovert Road, Shenley Wood, Milton Keynes, MK5 6AA.
Valerie has asked that we email her if we're planning to attend. Rosemary can provide transport.
3. Sunday 20th August, 12.00pm - 2.00pm, Bring and share picnic
(but not if it rains!). Meet at the bandstand, Parsons close.
This event is weather dependant! We agreed to check the weather and make a decision at the August Open meeting
4. Saturday 7 October, 7.30pm - Wine tasting at Jane's house
We agreed to ask members to bring along a bottle of wine and either to remove the label, or cover the label up, but to keep details of the wine. Those present can then sample the wine and try to guess what it is.
5. Friday 17 November - meal at Mevan. Jean to book this.
6. December - Xmas Wreath-making at Jane's house, date to be confirmed.
7. January - Bring and Share meal - to be planned at September Open meeting.
Publicity
We discussed a few ideas, including the Hemplets idea of paying members who recruit new members. Timebanks are again being promoted locally. We agreed that our publicity should illustrate the ways in which, while similar to Timebanks, letsbuzz offers more than a Timebank to members (eg the possibility of trading goods as well as services, and also regular social events). We agreed to make publicity the main item for the next Open meeting.
Any other business:
Jane offered to draft a questionnaire to members in time for discussion at the next meeting.
Jane asked for articles for the next newsletter by the end of July.
Dates and venues for future meetings
Wednesday 16 August, 8.00pm - 9.30pm Jean's house, 20 Springfield Rd, LU7 2QS
Monday 18 September, 8.00pm - 9.30pm Sue's house, 463 Bideford Green LU7 2TZ
The meeting ended at 9.00pm
