South East Social Forum Meeting

national | anti-capitalism | event notice Wednesday March 03, 2004 11:23 by SESF - South East Social Forum southeastsocialforum at yahoo dot com 051-590812

Next Tuesday

The South East Social Forum will be meeting next Tuesday (9th) in the ATGWU Union Hall, Keyser Street, Waterford. Arrangemtns for the alternative summit and protest surrounding the EU environemntal ministers meeting in Waterford on May 15th will be discussed. See below for minutes to last meeting.

Minutes from South East Social Forum Meeting – 24th February 2004

Present: Ken Keable, Sam Richardson, Paul Flynn, Roy Hassey, Sharon Walsh, Johnny Cloono
Apologies: David Cullinane

Ken was nominated as chair and Roy was nominated to take the minutes

Minutes from the previous meeting were read out. Matters arising:

1. Speakers
Roy gave a list of speakers who confirmed that they would attend the alternative summit. The list included representative of:
Irish Anti war Movement, AFRI, Zero Waste, Waste Study Group, CHASE, ATGWU, SIPTU, Waterford Council of Trade Unions, DAPSE, Coastwatch, Another Europe is Possible, Green Party

Ken reported that David Cullinane has approached Arthur Morgan to speak. It was not known if Eoin O’Brion had confirmed.

Sam had received confirmations from: Green Party, Sustainable Ireland, Feasta and Ecotopia. She also reported that several environmental organisations and individuals had offered support in the organisation of the alternative summit.

Ken raised the issue of expenses for speakers. It was agreed that speakers would be asked if they required expenses, but that most if not all of the speakers would understand that the SESF is a small non-profit organisation.

2. Finance
David promised a donation of €500 from Sinn Fein. John reported that the executive of the trades council would be meeting next week and he would request a contribution. Roy is also to request a contribution from his trade union branch at the next meeting. SWP also to provide contribution.

3. Location for alternative summit.
Paul reported that the rugby club was free on the Friday night and the Saturday all day for a cost of €70.00. He was also 95% certain that the Forum would be available on the Saturday, but did not know the fee.

4. Meetings for alternative summit
It was agreed that the opening meeting, ‘People and Planet Before Profit: Another Europe is Possible’ would take place in the rugby club on the Friday evening. Roy proposed dropping the planned meeting on racism and homelessness that was to take place on the Saturday to concentrate on the remaining meetings. A structure for the alternative summit on the Saturday was agreed upon.

Two political meetings to be held in the rugby club and possibly another venue on the Saturday morning under the titles of: “YES TO IRISH NEUTRALITY – NO TO A EUROPE OF WAR AND MILITARISATION” and
“YES TO A EUROPE OF WORKER AND SOCIAL RIGHTS – NO TO A EUROPE OF PROFIT AND PRIVATISATION OF PUBLIC SERVICES”. Roy to take responsibility in organising these meetings, booking speakers, deciding times etc.

The forum to be the location of the environmental meeting on the Saturday morning with an amalgamation of some of the environmental subjects into one meeting. Sam to take responsibility for organising this. Title of the meeting to be decided. Sam and Roy to present the next meeting with full details of times, speakers, titles etc for approval.

It was agreed that the ATGWU Union Hall could be used as an area for information stalls, registration etc.

Saturday night to see indoor and outdoor gigs throughout the city. Sam to contact City Council to secure use of the Millennium Plaza.

5. Protest
It was agreed that the protest would assemble in Red Square at 2.30pm to leave at 3.00pm to march to the WIT where a rally will ensue. Johnny to liaise with Dick Roche in organising stewards etc. for the march.

6. Posters and Flyers
Paul reported that he had priced different printers for posters and flyers for the protest and alternative summit.

Walshe Print – 300 two colour posters and 5,000 black and white flyers for €380.00
JK Print – 300 two colour posters and 5,000 black and white flyers for - €218.00

Paul to check if these prices include VAT and how much extra it would cost for double sided flyers.

7. AOB
Sam was unhappy with the title of the weekend, People and Planet Before Profit: Another Europe is Possible and suggested changing the word Europe to World as the issues being discussed do not adhere to political borders. Roy disagreed on the basis that we had to link the alternative summit to the EU summit and use Another Europe is Possible as a brand name that connects the various events happening around the country during Ireland’s EU Presidency. Ken agreed that it was necessary to put pressure on the EU and therefore Europe was the appropriate term. It was agreed to keep the term Europe.

Paul suggested dropping the term plenary to describe the meetings, this was agreed upon.

Ken stressed the need to assign different tasks to people such as treasurer, publicity etc., this to be done at the next meeting. Roy to contact all those who have previously attended SESF meetings asking them to attend the next meeting.

Sam asked about requirements on public liability insurance for use of the Millennium Plaza. The meeting agreed this wasn’t necessary.

The next meeting of the South East Social Forum is Tuesday 9th March at 8.00pm in the ATGWU Union Hall, Keyser Street, Waterford

-Roy Hassey
086-3274015