Hi team: at the end of yesterday's meeting, Jan invited me to put some notes
together and so I've done so, entirely from memory, so I know I'll have left
out things that others may want to add in.
Present: Jan, Gay, Min, Anne, Sara, Maria, Miriam, Donald, Sandy, Frances,
Warren, Pauline, Sue T, Alex and myself.
Thanks to Jan, Gaye and Min for creating a lively and informative work shop
yesterday afternoon, and also to Sander for letting us in to the Centre.
For those of you who weren't there, here's a few highlights as I recall them
- and others, please add your recollections.
We first formed into small groups and shared the skills we're willing to
bring. Examples included pruning roses and fruit trees; planting vegetable
gardens; shopping for families on a limited income; sewing large curtains
and supplying sewing machines ( it seems at least five are available); bread
making ( with and without bread makers); 'fixing things' ( at least two of
our group cite this as a hobby); cleaning ( Sara had already decided as she
is close to the Guest accommodation, she was willing to ensure this is clean
and tidy for visitors- a most welcome offer!), dishwashing and general
kitchen clean up ( at least three people cited this as something they find
enjoyable), food preparation/ chopping/ etc; food shopping; meal planning; a
capacity to listen and keep listening ( a heartening number of people); a
large and inexhaustible capacity for optimism in the creativeness of groups
( at least two of us); Jan on being a 'night owl' so highly likely to be up
in the Common House till 1am if anyone can't sleep/ wants a chat; being
willing to demonstrate 7 minute fitness workouts; to teach dance; and a
willingness to follow directions. A great start!
As the saying goes 'hungry people see cake shops' and I know my ears will
have been finely attuned to certain pieces of information, such as number of
nights we'd like to have meals available in the common house, and less to
others. so there'll be more.
We then talked about what we were looking for. Responses included always
knowing there was always someone who'd be willing to go to the movies;
opportunities to learn new skills such as languages, work working, fitness (
especially if its possible to turn up in pajamas); vegetable growing; plant
cultivation; sharing / rationalizing vehicles; meals provided at least a
couple of nights a week; informal socializing; child care; computer
technological advice; expanded kitchen skills; learning more about the foods
of different cultures; and creating opportunities for celebration and
community.
Reference was made to Jan's vision for the Family Fun Day in June 2018 when
against the general skepticism of many in the group, she created a highly
successful day that had close to 300 adults and children through the site
participating in a range of activities to fit every age group, and all in
three weeks! We were all surprised both by how successful it was and how
much fun we each had. It gave us an idea of how we can pool together to
create positive events for our group and the wider community.
We finished the day after a couple of 'straw polls' about how many meals
we'd like to see provided in the common house each week. Across this group,
the mean number was two, with a possible addition of a 'pot luck Friday'.
Timing of meals varied between 6 - 8pm, with a mean of 7pm, taking into
account the needs of young children and also the habits of the two night
owls, who tend to eat at 10pm at present.
The suggested number of cooks and assistants on each 'cook team' was four,
with two more experienced folk and two 'choppers/ stirrers/ sorters.
We wound up at 5pm. Thanks again to all who contributed to a lively
afternoon!
Next month's meeting will be focusing more directly on Body Corp rules. We
hope to welcome Anna and Antony ( sp), who are taking over D1, Rachel's
Unit, at that meeting.
Regards,
Marianne
Marianne Quinn
Level 3, 115 Stuart Street, Dunedin
P.O. Box 20, Dunedin 9054
ph +6434773115 or 0211612050