Minutes of open meeting 24 July 2018 held at Rosemary's flat
Chair: Jane
Minute taker: Jean
Present: Bob (117), Jane (118), Jean (82), Rosemary (115),
also Carmela (263) for the last 15 minutes of the meeting
Apologies: Janet (102), Mary (264), Valerie (258), Sue (215)
Matters arising from minutes
Jane still needs to give leaflets to Nature’s Harvest. Action: Jane
We need a backup system admin for Cyclos, Jane to make enquiries Action: Jane
Email group
Jane reported that after sending follow up messages 33 members have now replied that they would like to be included in the planned new email group. Some members have still not replied to the follow up.
We agreed to go ahead and set up the email group (to include name, membership number and email address) and circulate it to all those who have asked to be included. We will also email all members to let them know that the group has been set up and that they can ask for their name to be added. Action: Jean
Officers' reports, and claims for buzzard /sterling expenses
Membership – Bob reported that no new members had joined since the last meeting.
Coordinators - Jane reported re her work on the email group
Sterling Treasurer - Jean reported the balance remains the same as last month at £218.66
Buzzard Treasurer - Valerie sent in the report overleaf:
Buzzard expenses payments agreed:
Jane (118) 3bz - for work on the email group
Valerie (258) 6bz - for Treasurer report
Rosemary (115) 6bz - for hosting the meeting
Jean (82) 6bz - for taking minutes
Buzzard Treasurer Report
|
Description |
Period 04.03.18 to 10.06.18 |
Period 11.06.18 to 24.07.18 |
|
Total Number of Trades during periods shown |
223 |
86 |
|
Value of ALL Trades during periods shown |
563 Buzzards |
453 Buzzards |
|
|
|
|
|
Number of trades, non-membership / officer fees |
59 |
28 |
|
Value of non-membership / officer trades |
323 Buzzards |
353 Buzzards |
|
|
|
|
|
Value of membership fee transfers |
150 Buzzards |
49 Buzzards |
|
Value of trades for Facebook / Hosts / Minute Takers |
90 Buzzards |
51 Buzzards |
|
Number of trades for Facebook / Hosts / Minute Takers |
14 |
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
Balance of Organisation Account |
-7422 Buzzards |
-7406 Buzzards |
Apologies that I am unable to make the meeting this evening due to work commitments. The time period of this Report is only about 6 weeks compared to a 3 month period last time, however the value of Buzzards traded appears to be quite high at 453.
1. I do wonder how useful this Report is, do members find it helpful to have this sort of Report?
2. We could also look at giving prizes or “shout outs” to members who do the most trading, both in terms of buzzards earned/spent and trading with the most other members? Just an idea.
3. Something that Sue and I were discussing at the Garage Sale was that Milton Keynes Letnet actually pay members for attending events (we pay 5ccs), this acts as an incentive to members to come to social events and thus promotes trading. Charging members to come along might be seen as a disincentive?
We discussed the points raised by Valerie (see above) and concluded:
1. This format of report is useful. Even though the time periods are not always the same is does give an indication of the current level of trading.
2. We liked the idea of celebrating members who are trading most 9though not giving prizes). We thought the best place for this would be in the monthly Treasurer report, and then also an overview in the newsletter, space allowing. Action: Valerie
3. We were not in favour of paying members to attend social events as this would deplete the system account even further and we have already agreed to drop the payment of buzzards to members for attending Open meetings.
Directory
Bob raised the question of whether we need another way of advertising members' ongoing offers and wants. In the past we had advertised these in a print Directory but this was a lot of work to produce and also went out of date quickly. Cyclos Marketplace is limited in that advertisements expire after 12 months and in any case it has not been much used by members. The planned email group will make it easier for members to advertise offers and wants. In the past we have invited memberfs to write a piece about themselves in the newsletter but again there has not been much takeup. Bob suggested instead that we could have a regular feature in the newsletter where two members interview each other as a way of introducing themselves to the group and also publicising their ongoing offers and wants. Jane and Jean agreed to do this for the next newsletter. Action: Jane and Jean
Past Events
Sunday 8th July Garage Sale @ Valerie’s (258) house,
Valerie reported: 'my Garage Sale would have been a complete disaster without Letsbuzz members so I am grateful for the support given and we did manage some useful trading at the event'.
Future Events
Sunday 23rd September, Plant and produce trading event at Jean’s house
2.00-4.00pm
Saturday 24th November, 7.30-11.00pm Quiz challenging other local lets groups. Jane to book St Barnabas hall. (Jane has done an online booking, not yet confirmed)
Action: Valerie to publicise event to MK lets group.
Action: Jean to ask Janet (102) to publicise the date to Hemplets members.
We agreed not to have a meal but to provide tea and cake at half time.
December - Jane will offer her usual wreath-making workshop in early December - date to be confirmed later.
AOB
Janet (102) had sent the following message
I am sorry that I cannot make the meeting but I would like to draw attention to:
A. All goods on my farmer’s market stall on the 3rd. Saturday of each month may be purchased with Buzzards - honey, preserves, baked organic goods, Rapeseed oil a little fruit/veg in season.
B. I am always happy to purchase fruit/veg for my preserves, chutneys, jams& juices,. Bringing them to the market stall would reflect in the price paid
Thank you for help & interest Janet (102)
Open Meetings
Monday 17th September at Sue’s house, 483 Bideford Green
Wednesday 17 October, 8.00pm at Jean's house, 20 Springfield Road
Meeting closed at 9.00pm
