MINUTES OF CORK SOCIAL FORUM, CREEDON’S HOTEL, INCHIGEELAGH, 10TH NOVEMBER.

John welcomed everyone to the meeting. A collection was taken to cover the costs. Noel agreed to take minutes. John Ryan agreed to facilitate the next meeting. Dates and frequency of coming meetings was discussed. It was suggested to have meetings at a more regular date and time, possibly every month. This was agreed, though some could not make all meetings; how often we needed to meet would depend on future plans, projects and activities. The venue was discussed. Some would have difficulty going to some meetings due to limited access to transport. The poor turnout at the recent Cork City meeting was commented on, whereas Creedons was seen as a good venue and one to be used again.

A venue in Fermoy was offered free for one night (10/12). John suggested keeping meetings to two hours maximum, this was agreed.

An agenda was outlined:

1. Aims and purposes of Forum

2. Running of the Forum

3. Campaigns

4. Announcements and news

It was said that follow-up to previous meetings was important; for example in the previous meeting it was proposed to have both a mini-seminar after Christmas and a pre-Xmas social event, but there was no follow-up to these proposals.

1. Aims and purposes of the Forum The aims of the forum were discussed and opinions elicited. A forum was a place where things were discussed, a place to share and disseminate ideas and information; so as to make things better; where the seeds of future campaigns and actions could be planted, a place for solidarity and mutual support, a place to discuss individual motives in seeing and bringing about change in a particular direction.

A forum didn’t have to be a decisive body, but what could happen out of participants being in the forum was important. Some wanted to see action, and ‘action’ meant different things to different people. The word ‘action’ was discussed. Action meant bringing about change (according to the World Social Forum), but the forum could also simply encourage action. The forum could be a place for wiser heads to influence the younger ‘angrier’ participants and channel their energies more effectively. It was important to identify through discussions the varied capacities within the forum (either individual or group abilites) in which to act. There needed to be talking for a reason – to get things done. There needed to be inclusivity and a broad agreement as to the aims and purposes of the forum. These were discussed at length. Spontaneity could be good as this could be the right thing to happen. All agreed that any overall aims and purposes needed to be broadly worded. Seminars could be used to address more specific issues.

The use of meditation was suggested. Local models needed to be used, the word of CSF needed to be spread to the wider community and viable social interaction was needed for this, outreach was important.

2. Running of the Forum The work of the forum needed to be spread out to include more people, people with the right skills and time to do things. The future use of subgroups was agreed as a means of getting more done, and of the forum to delegate different tasks. But sub-groups had a life of their own; there needed to be caution as to deciding when a subgroups point of view represented that of the forum. Subgroups needed the sanction of the forum. The most important subgroups were discussed and agreed, with members selected. All were thanked for volunteering.

Treasury subgroup (including Michael H, Lily, and Marye) Would be involved in money-management, with the forum coordinating overall funding. The system would be kept simple (eg a joint bank account or jam-jar!). Various other bank options, such as credit unions, were discussed. Money management was important for dealing with expenses and funds for projects.

Communications (including Lily, Adam, Richard and Hans) This would include the web-site and the newsletter. It was suggested that participants who are making announcements in future meetings should bring something in writing so as to make it easy to post it up on the newsletter or site.

Event Management (Including Michael C, Lily, Wendy and John) It was pointed out that certain events needed a lot of volunteers to supervise stalls or facilities (such as childrens’ areas). Lily was in a good position to maintain continuity with previous forum activities and networks. The forum took a short break, after which John circulated a sheet for new members to enter their contact details.

3. Campaigns Suggestions and plans were described by participants:

1. Post-card campaign (from Axel) to authorities and companies requesting the ceasing of arms trafficking and production. Pictures of the cards were circulated and the projected costs given. It was stated that while Ireland as a neutral country cannot manufacture arms, up to 70 companies nationwide were involved in the making of arms components. Axel, Lily, Marye and Wendy would involve themselves in the campaign.

2. Skibamba (a samba drumming group) to take place in Cork on either 6/12 or 13/12. The details around the event were described; profits after paying the band and other costs would go to the forum. Volunteers would be needed on the day.

3. The forum was told about an American monetary group promoting the National Economic Security and Reformation Act (NESARA), the group calls for abolishing the IRS and cancelling credit card and mortgage debt for the sake of remedying banking operations; more information below.

4. Forestry project: - Coillte own about 1/12 of Irelands land, a company the government intends to privatise, thus making the country’s forestry resource as a commercial one, and one not for the people. There needed to be a change in direction of policy and forest economics, of improving forestry stock – but not for profit. TDs needed to be lobbied, and a subgroup could meet to formulate letters and questions for authorities. The first meeting to take place in Future Forests, more information below.

5. Million Faces (upcoming Amnesty International) project in association with Oxfam leading towards the UN small arms conference in 2006). Participants were invited to have their picture taken and be included in the campaign.

6. Seminar and Social: Dates and format for these were announced. It was suggested to have the seminar on 2 days (one day in the city and one in the county). Some time after February was suggested, possibly in Fermoy. Blackwater Resource Development would be contacted by John R.

4. Announcements and news

The Social event date was set at Future Forest on 6th January. It would be preceded by a short forum meeting and there would be a follow-up meeting soon afterward on 19th January in Inchigeelagh.

Shannon Airport Event on 6/12 was highlighted as a way of mobilising more people in the local area instead of the few buses (cost E12/E8, phone Dominic on 023 40881, or Fintan 087 1258325 for reservations, corkantiwar@hotmail.com ) leaving from the Opera House on Saturday morning. The event would be a deliberate blockade as a protest at the escalating conflict in Iraq and the possibility of Irish UN troops being sent there. Participants could be arrested. The lack of humanitarian aid reaching Iraq was discussed, and the need for a strong statement against the war was needed. Lily would have a meeting in her place on Saturday 14/11 for the purpose of mobilising support.

John Ryan said that the European Social Forum was convening in Paris shortly. (www.fse/esf.org ). John also earlier gave a brief report on the Irish Social Forum held at UCD. It was a big success with a lot of help from the students (who managed a successful campus-wide referendum to boycott Coke in UCD). There were 5 preliminary sessions and 27 workshops ranging from Gaia communities, anti-bin tax campaigns, to a talk given by a Nigerian Midwife about female genital mutilation. It was a good forum for networking and making new contacts.

Lily followed up by announcing the setting up of a new organisation Birthchoice (contact Jenna Russell 021 4554974) for the government support for the right to home births – this was formed in reaction to a recent Supreme Court ruling.

NEXT MEETING: WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 10TH AT THE COMMUNITY HALL, FERMOY. FURTHER DETAILS; JOHN 087 9622 746.