Meeting minutes

Thanks to everyone who came on Monday, we discussed a lot. Edited highlights are: A Wednesday conversation club from 5-6.30 when the Common Place is availableTeacher training set for Saturday May 3rdA short session to explain the coordinator role so that more people can take it on after Easter

Full minutes below:


Common Conversation Management Meeting 17/03/08

Funding:

Current balance is £532.32, and weekly outgoings approximately £100 a week, principally on bus fares.

Amanda has been doing funding applications, asking for £10,000 for 12 months (though we could survive on a lot less!)
She has two pending. Liv is doing some others.
We’ve so far received money from Awards For All and Resourcing the Community. STAR have offered us some money too, which should appear soon.

A party to raise money is suggested, something that the students could organise, perhaps involving food from the different cultures represented. It could be planned and prepped in lessons. This was generally agreed upon, but no date or coordinator set.

A reminder that homemade cakes can be sold at the Green Coop at Leeds University Union, if anyone wants to bake any. Uni term starts again on April 14th.

Duncan volunteered to help with funding applications.

Volunteer Recruitment:

Liz is advertising for student teachers at Trinity and All Saints.
Liv is contacting the National Volunteering Database.
Sian and Lawrence are going to run a poster campaign at Leeds Uni.

General idea that we seem to have enough assistant teachers, and also lead teachers (which is a big improvement). Lacking people to take on coordinator/finance/fundraising roles.

Teacher training Sat May 3rd instead of class. Training of current teachers and any new volunteers.

One other potential training offer, though no date set.

Liv is preparing an “Introduction to CC” document to give to prospective volunteers. This will include info about the classes, the roles, the Common Place and asylum in general.

Food:

Much discussion over food logistics, who does the shopping ect.

Duncan offered to try to get some more weekly food donations.

Several students suggest that the food is not that important, they come for English, not to eat, and if there is no money for food it’s not important.

Several teachers argue that it costs little and adds a nice social dimension. It’s the logistics that are difficult, not affording to buy food.

Money:

Several students repeat that the English is the important part. If there is money for bus fares then that is great, but they would still come without it.

Conversation Class:

A less structured CC during the week that would not require food or a prepared lesson, and would be more like a social club where more advanced students could practice their speaking skills. The venue is free early evening – the suggestion would be an open house between 5 and 6.30 one evening, where people can drop in after work or college.
Can’t get the same night every week – can do most Weds.

Coordinator role:

Lots of concern that too few people are available for this role. Can put enormous pressure on teacher if they have to coordinate as well. We need a dedicated coordinator every week.

The role involves: Getting bus fare cash and veg before 12
Opening up at 12 – unlocking doors, switching on coffee machine and computers
Problem-solving during the classes so teachers don’t get distracted
Getting volunteers to wash up, clean up and do bus fares
Locking up

Callum volunteered to coordinate the coordinator every week. It was generally agreed that we should do a mass training after the Easter holidays, so that more people feel confident with the role.

Finance:

Duncan has a simple book-keeping system, and would like it to be part of the coordinator role. Agreed to set a date for coordinator training, stay back after class one Sat after Easter.

Dictionaries:

Much debate on the subject. Generally agreed that we will buy some in major languages if we can afford it. Callum to investigate.

Class feedback:

Students generally like class, feel that level problems and class sizes are a problem. Also repeated material, and the break goes on too long.

Much discussion, no solution really suggested.

I would request all lead teachers to email or blog their lesson topics after each class, so we don’t repeat.