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PRESENT:
Paul Adams, Noel Blencowe, Sam Grover, Hamish McCracken, Tony Morton,
Adam Tiller, Maya Ward
APOLOGIES:
Robyn Evans, Cathy Nixon, Vyv Rodnight
Chaired by Hamish McCracken. Minutes
by Tony Morton. Timekeeper Paul Adams.
1. INTRODUCTIONS
2. ADMIN
2.1 Minutes of meetings 1/2000
and 2/2000
Minutes of the previous two Committee meetings were circulated prior
to the meeting and again at the meeting. These were accepted subject
to amending item 3.1 in meeting 1/2000: the Department of Housing is
not flexible on the issue of social housing tenants. (Proposed NB, seconded
MW)
2.2 Progress of Incorporation
The Office of Fair Trading has replied to our Application for Incorporation
and requires changes to our Rules before incorporation proceeds. (This
is very common.) In particular, the method of altering the Rules and
Statement of Purposes is inadequate.
ACTION: NB to amend Rules as required by Office of Fair Trading and
resubmit.
3. PROCESS
3.1 Discussion papers for adoption
No feedback has been received on the discussion papers tabled at the
meeting and mailed to all members. It was agreed that adoption be deferred
to the next Committee meeting. PA emphasised the need to amplify the
process, to ensure more people were involved in the formulation of discussion
papers. In particular there should be a formal process for obtaining
feedback, and the working groups should have a clearer role in decision
making.
ACTION: HM will modify the discussion papers process and submit for
consideration.
3.2 Discussion papers for tabling
No new discussion papers were received.
3.3 Business / Financial Plan
NB sent a submission to Moreland Council and spoke to Adrian Robb, who
said Council was unlikely to support it, because it is a risky private
project with no equity for Council. If someone else was prepared to
fund the project they would consider offering joint support, but it
is hard for them to do by themselves. (Previously we had spoken to Leigh
Snelling who was supportive, but she left the final decision to Adrian
Robb and he has decided against us.) Community Aid Abroad have a little
group that organises volunteer help for projects, and they could be
interested in supporting us. NB sent a submission to them and got a
positive response. Apparently there is a "woman high up in the banks"
who could be interested in volunteering for us. NB thinks we should
have a stab at preparing a basic business plan ourselves, then get Community
Housing to look over it. We could possibly nut it out over a weekend
(NB has a framework for us to follow). Once we had the basic business
plan we could then get a CAA volunteer to do the financial plan. AT
believes it is important to do the financial plan first, so we can talk
to bankers as soon as possible. There is a ‘Potential Equity’ group
that we should contact also for funding.
ACTION: NB/TM to contact all potential buyers this weekend. Finance
WG will meet at 3pm on Saturday in the CERES Education Centre, everyone
to bring ideas for financing. AT will talk to Ceridwen and find out
how much money Potential Equity has.
4. FINANCE
This was covered in the item above.
5. EDUCATION
5.1 Media Reports
Nothing to report.
6. COMMUNICATION
6.1 Finalising the lists
PA reported that mailing lists are being finalised. There are three
lists:
a. a general public list which receives bulletins and meeting notices;
b. a list for all ‘members’ (including those who have submitted Expressions
of Interest, even if they are not financial members);
c. a list for Committee and Working Group members.
7. DESIGN
7.1 Design Process
Proposal It is proposed that we organise two design sessions where people
bring their own ideas on paper and relate them to our vision statement.
One session would relate to ‘intimate’ details of housing and the other
to general site aspects.
ACTION: PA will write up the proposal and present to a general meeting.
8. OTHER BUSINESS
8.1 Logo
TM mentioned the need for a Merri Cohousing logo. It was suggested we
run a design competition. Designs will be assessed in the context of
our vision statement.
ACTION: TM/PA to organise design competition for logo.
8.2 ‘Short name’ for our group
PA mentioned that he doesn’t like the abbreviation MCEVI for Merri Cohousing
and Ecovillage Inc. It was suggested that we abbreviate the name to
either ‘MerriCoho’ or ‘Merri Cohousing’.
MOTION: That ‘Merri Cohousing’ be the preferred abbreviated name for
Merri Cohousing and Ecovillage Incorporated in correspondence and other
documents. (proposed PA, seconded NB, carried)
9. CLOSE
The meeting closed at 7:35pm.
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