What Happened yesterday. 18/02/09

Basically we took over the main building of Byam Shaw School of Art. We want all the students of the college to BE INVOLVED. There were consensus based meetings last night to decide what action is going to be taken and this process will continue throughout the occupation. The agenda will be clearly set out on the Blackboard in reception and also here on the blog.

The meeting last night was in my opinion a massive success, input came from all across the years and courses of Byam Shaw BUT MORE INPUT IS ALWAYS WELCOME. The meeting was minuted as follows...

Minutes from Meeting – as of 21:37, on the 18th February 2009.


Agenda

1) Media
2) Documentation
3) Food
4) Maintenance / safety / civilisation
5) CSM Union
6) Publicity
6.5) Events / Lectures / Workshops etc
6.7) ART
7) Alister <3 consensus =" wait"> www.byamshawpeoplesuniversity.blogspot.com
- All should document events personally, but the following have agreed to take more specific responsibility for documentation = Jon, Holly, Maya, Chris, Zelda, Rowan, Jess.

3) Food

- During the day this domain is ruled over by our lord, lady and cosmic bubble **ESMERALDA** - who is enthusiastic, generally.
- During the night-time the resource is at our disposal to cook. Consensus reached that it should not be a free-for-all and that someone should take responsibility for the area to ensure tidiness, cleanliness etc.
- Consensus reached that although individuals may wish to fend for themselves mass-catering can and will feed all. The majority of food to be salvaged from the premature oblivion to which it is consigned by wasteful food providers i.e. Tesco and M&S, yet in order to cover other expenses a kitty is to be established. Bowl passes round, all contibute.
- Those committed to specific responsibilities are as follows – Christina and Richard to salvage and skip. Cooks – Sophie, Hannah, Nicole, Richard, Sarah, Lewis, Kate, Oli, Oliver Cronk and Christina.
- Food times to be published on blackboard which is to appear in reception.

4) Maintenance etc

- Everyone be civilised, tidy up! Esp. in mornings with regard to bedding etc, and food waste.

5) CSM Union

- Kit Friend (campaigns communications officer) arrives = strong support of action! APPLAUSE! Acknowledgement of necessity, validity, context and purpose of action.
- Success in recent undertaking as communications officer – willing to assist as possible, inc. facilitation of strong contacts with CSM, LCC etc
- Help with Arts London News – article? Help with large emails via CSM email.
- Agrees to chair open debate r.e. education, student rights etc – timing TBC, contact when.
- Tarek/Laura to act as representatives on student board?

6) Publicity

- Specific outreach groups to other institutions?
- Participate in education protest at SOAS on 25th February (Wednesday next)
- Facebook – occupiers to set ‘status bar’ to blog address –
- Open evenings? Interested non-affiliated visitors to be allowed in after 6pm – reasonable caution – somebody to man reception and make sure no ill will enters. Sign-in book?
- T-Shirts – 90 gone! More needed – to be orchestrated organically.

6.5) Events / Lectures etc

- Lots of exciting events ranging from workshops to classes to dances to lectures etc.
- Information to be posted on blackboard which will appear in reception. Check it! Come!
- Becky, Ash, Oli, Christina, Oliver Cronk and Kit to organise, although anyone with an idea or contact should put it forward.
6.7) ART

- Yes! Please.

7) Alaster

- Concern expressed. No intention to irritate, aggravate or offend, nor to problematize his position.
- Is he cross? Is he secretly glad? Is he staying the night? Is he a dad?
- He is to be invited to everything, fed, watered etc
- (Same goes for Shane and Jose at reception by night.)

8) Odd Jobs

- Banners? Tied-up – someone has dealt with it.
- Generally fix things, collectively ensure success and efficiency of action.
- Etc
- We should wrap up the meeting…

9) ‘Bricks’ = Working Groups

- As listed in sections above – streamline operations.

10) Rota

- Consensus reached that it is not strictly necessary
- List of phone numbers, emails and hours of availability of all involved to be drawn up. Will be available on the blackboard at reception. Copy to Kit F for contact.

11) Daytime Presence

- Presence needed in reception area – everyone take responsibility for this, see a hole, fill it.
- Banner and blackboard to appear in reception area
- Bedding etc to be neatly stored out of the way
- Presence to be non-disruptive and in no way hinder the operations of BS.

…and finally…

12) Meeting

- To be held at 13:30 tomorrow, the 19th February 2009.


IF YOU HAVE OPINION ON ANY OF THIS OR THE MISSION STATEMENT PLEASE ATTEND THE MEETING IN THE LECTURE THEATRE TODAY (19/02/09) AT 13:30 AS STATED ON THE BLACKBOARD.

There are certain gestures that are involved in consensus meetings that may not be familiar to you. There are designed to achieve the highest level of democracy and decorum.

The most important gestures are for agreement and disagreement:


Agreement is a silent shaking on the hands in a enthusiastic manner, it looks as follows:

The expression for disagree is similar but make an effort to frown enthusiastically (Caution this action can be abused and unproductive so use it wisely). It goes as follows:

If you want to make a point about the issue under discussion, the form a P using your hands as follows:

If you have a direct response to the point just made (and feel it really can't wait) the sign to make is:

Finally, when a vote is in process and you are indifferent for any reason this sign can be made:

If this sign is made by any member of a group during the vote, there will be a chance for you objection or indifference to be put to the group. Please be aware that this process is complicated and communication can break down, it is up to you as a participant to highlight a breakdown in proceedings.

Finally if you have any questions or anything to add please post below :)