Rainbow Circle AGM 2007
Secretarys Report
My year started with editing the minutes of last years AGM so that Karen and I could set about changing the signatories on the Abbey Account. We then went to visit Franqui to enlist her help but were nsuccessful in changing the account. However, we were able to get a hard copy of the mailing list from a reluctant Franqui, and sample an assortment of her home made shortbread. It would be the last time I would see her. Recalling this makes my heart heavy again. I miss her.
Karen and I met again this time at centrepoint London for another unsuccessful attempt to change the account. Meanwhile I have WWG minutes to edit & photocopy, Campscene ad deadlines to meet and other stuff to phone, copy or type for Rainbow Circle. So when I get around to chasing up Karen I get the impression she was waiting for me to deal with the arrangements for sorting the account.She did not take kindly to me saying that it was her responsability and so I never heard from her again! Instead Kestrel stepped in. I cant remember if it was three or four meetings I attended with Kestrel. At least one of those meetings included a desperate attempt to open an account with anyone who would have us! The co-op seemed the best but arter a half-hour phonecall and several forms filling, they made us wait two weeks to refuse us without a clear explanation. However, our perserverance has finally paid off and Kestrel is now a signatory.
Moving on
I have also written two proposals this year. One very long and detailed one for The Big Green Gathering and a last minute one for Glastonbury. The BGG proposal was accepted and our presence at this years event was warmly recieved. Although I have not had any direct feedback from the organisers I feel there is scope for another Rainbow Circle presence next year as long as our interest is made known at their AGM.
As for Glastonbury, they had a PUB in the Tipi field this year and yet they still have not forgiven us for our last show.(The one where uncle tom cobbly and all squatted our Tipi did nothing, and George broke his back.) It is my feeling that you really have to get your Knees dirty as soon as possible, to get into Glastonbury next year or be on really good terms with one of the field co ordinators.
There is nothing else to report, but I do have some tips for the next Secretary. Dont bother too much with the minutes. They are the most time consuming part of the job.Only the nit pickers seem to read them and then just to see how they have been misquoted. I advise you just take note of the relavent details with no attributation.It will make your work/life so much easier. Another thing, dont let others tell you what your duties are. There is no outline of your role in the consitution, no pay, and very little in the way of gratitude, so dont get too enthusiastic or you will be spending every spare minute typing this up for so and so, or or on the phone to that person. Good luck to you, and feel free to call me if you need guidance on any of the tasks.
Finally,as the final part of my last report as secretary of Rainbow Circle and I would like say a big Thank you to Kestrel and Jon, Su Numan for being the only people other than myself who took a turn in minuting the numerous WWG meetings over my three years as secretary. A big fat raspberry to all the critics of the minutes.Pity your fingers were not as productive as your mouths, as it would have meant less typing for me.
I shall not miss the editing printing, photocopying, fault finding, whinging, scaremongering, repetition or bitching' but I shall miss the socialising the creative Ideas, the support, commitment and love often hidden but never the less present In the Rainbow Circle Winter Working Group.
With Love M'shel x
Touch the Tipi to go home
Copyright Rainbow Circle 2007