Sumac Meeting - 14th May 2007
Brought Forward from 5th March Meeting
- Boiler instruction sheet - Andy
- Switch to Good Energy, renewable energy tariffs in hand - Steve
- Dogs - more people need to assist each other, to ensure visitors dogs are under control
- Severn Trent Water to visit to measure site re surface drainage charges.
- Savills Estate Agents. Andrew pursuing offer of a free market appraisal of property.
--- Regular Agenda Items ---
-- Bar --Food miles and ingredients of wine being reviewed. Noted that cranberry juice production involved flooding of land and hence drowning of the resident wildlife. Ocean Spray also reported to fund animal experiments.
Summer closure to happen during all of July, to enable major works to be undertaken, ensuring that plenty of notice is given of the closure and the need to get plenty of people involved in the works, with big closing and reopening events.
Repair of drinks cooler is in hand. Running of cellar refrigeration being reviewed.
-- Cafe --
- Breakfast Club will continue as long as volunteers can be maintained, but is likely to close towards the summer. Offers of help to James please.
- People's Kitchen is very popular, but same small number of chefs and helpers doing too many shifts.
-- Cinema --
- Klarkin liaising with Alex - she is keen to keep things going. Klarkin was thanked for his work for Scroat and many other Sumac projects. He welcomes others to get drunk with him before he leaves on 30th May.
- Wed 16th - The Last Atomic Bomb
- Wed 23rd - Disarm DSEi Presentation
-- Computers --
- Better PC's installed in Internet area and networking is in hand. Printer will not network, but a stand alone printer in internet area may be an option, subject to a way to receive contributions.
- It now costs to dispose of dead monitors etc so we should not encourage them to be donated to us now that we have a surplus.
-- Garden --
- The 9th June Summer Funderland event may include work on community composting area (see Becca).
- Grey Water System still planned (Andy/Tim/Chan).
- Final repair planned on compost tumbler (Dean/Pat).
--- Library ---
- Andy (sabs) creating better access to publications & info area. Those moving book display during events are requested to put things back afterwards.
- Books from library archive to be displayed and made available on Veggies book stalls - if sold they may be replaceable, via October Books, who run Veggies Book Catalogue.
- Magazines for sale and reference are being reviewed to encourage better access to them - Pat
-- Radical Routes --
- It is was regretted that no-one was available to represent Sumac at recent Gathering
- Service payments to be increased from £7 to £15 per quarter. Veggies may consider matching this.
- Autumn Gathering to be held at Sumac, 17/18th Nov.
- A presentation on R.Routes to be given to a future Sumac meeting and Radical Routes exhibition to be displayed. Veggies continues to sell R.R publications on book stalls.
-- Social Centre Network --
- Six Nations (Indigenous Canadian) Speaking Tour - 27th June - help needed (see Pat).
- MOVE speaking tour, possibly for Tues 26th June - Andy to follow up.
- Basement Fire (Manchester's Social Centre) - see new items below.
- More at Social Centre Network archive.
-- Ressies --
- Ben and Klarkin recently moved out, replaced by Alan, with one space still vacant.
- Residents are holding regular house meetings and should request someone from Sumac to attend if appropriate.
- Caris will join the SumacAdmin list.
- Boiler service in hand.
- Ex-residents that are no longer active in other sub groups should be asked to return keys.
-- Veggies --
Shipping container workspace will be arriving shortly, to stand alongside outbuildings - so space needs to be cleared, including Mark Stone's climbing wall.
-- Finances --
- Electric debt sorted out be Steve, although PowerGen are trying to draw too high a direct debit.
- Cafe takings sometimes can not be found. If volunteer is unable to put it safe sometimes other arrangements are made.
- Financial situation is £3000 better than last time, but trying to raise £10,000 for capital reserve. This could be kept with Rootstock, (who are short of funds to support other co-operatives working for social change), but there may be difficulties it getting quick access, so deposit £1000 with Rootstock and the rest with Ecology Building Society. Signatories: James, Andy, Mike, Steve.
- Mortgage to be moved from Derbyshire BS to Ecology. £500 moving costs, but will save (currently) £40/month on a variable rate mortgage. Steve & James to act as signatories.
-- Maintenance --
Carried forward to next meeting - see below.
-- Room Bookings --
- Tues 22nd May - Peak Oil Event
-- New Items / mail / emails--
Summer Closure throughout July
- Special meeting on Mon 28th at 6.30pm to plan for closure and refurbishment.
- A closing event, as a fund-raiser benefit for Sumac and The Basement to be discussed too.
- To be followed by outbuildings meeting at 7.30pm on Tuesday.
Basement Social Centre in Manchester closed due to damage by a fire next door. James seeks help with organising a fund-raiser. Message of support to be sent from meeting. Info at Social Centre Network.
Eastside Climate Action Network to locate some of its (Spring Into Action) facilities at Sumac Yard.
Rocket Stove workshop to be held on Sunday 3rd June, to build stoves designed to fit Veggies v.large cooking pans ready for Climate Camp.
Anarchist Archive - a proposal has been floated to house a national archive to replace the Kate Sharpley Library that has moved to America. This would be self-financed and the investment would partly pay off Sumac's mortgage. It was not felt appropriate for this to replace the residential space, as that is a important aspect of Sumac, but the idea should be actively pursued, alongside the plan to rebuild the outbuildings.
Outbuildings - noted that they are derelict and would cost about £500 or so to re-roof, whilst a mid-term plan is to raise serious funds to completely rebuild as a substantial eco-building, which might house:
- Library
- Meeting Space
- Anarchist archive
- Composting project
- Veg oil recycling / biofuel project
- Residential and/or visitor accommodation
- Archiving attic (half a floor above)
- Storage basement (ramped below ground)
Dogs Policy
A specific policy regarding dogs was endorsed by all, with one person 'standing aside' from decision.
A working party was elected to pursue the decision, with the full backing of the meeting.
Nottm Green Festival - Sunday 27th May
Veggies are catering, but need to leave early for Kingston Green Fair. Veggies will host a marquee space for the Sumac's wider network, so long as the sub-stalls take responsibility for running and clearing their stalls, which may include No-M1, Defy ID, Eastside, Nottm AR, bookstall and Sumac itself. Help particularly needed in taking down & bringing back party-tent marquee.
Access out of hours
Non-key holders to only access the premises and resources during published opening hours, or when working directly with specific sub-groups/keyholders. Office area only to be used by admin team for specific Sumac admin tasks.
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245 Gladstone Street, Nottingham, NG7 6HX Ph: 0845 458 9595 . Email: sumac{at}sumac.net Website: http://www.sumac.org.uk |
Next meeting - Monday 4th JuneTo discuss amongst other things:
Additional meeting Monday 28th May at 6.30pm to discuss July closure, refurbishment and fundraiser. Continuing at 7.30pm on Tuesdayto discuss outbuildings / eco-workshops.
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