th
Present : Helen Royall (chair), Simon Allen, James Beecher, Jon Barrance, Vaughan Webber (minutes),
Karen Eberhardt-Shelton, Pete Nelson
Apologies : Seb Buckton, Gail Bradbrook, Mark Keoghan, Martin Whiteside, Nick James
1. Decide on chair : Helen Royall was supported as Chair of meeting
2. Formal introductions and Apologies : Karen Eberhardt-Shelton and Pete Nelson introduced
3. Minutes of last meeting, 18 March 2014 : Approved
4. Main item 1: Encouraging others to become TS Directors
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Simon described the need for more directors and outlined the structure of TS in response to interest from Pete N. It was noted that although TS has directors, in practice it operates with quite a
‘flat’ organisational structure.
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Ways of recruiting discussed. Announcing at film night? Newsletter (circulation 600)? Events? – HR described how Open Homes gathered new gardening members.
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Jon B, Karen E-S, Pete Nelson discussed having more paper communications, and less digital as a way to get more people involved. A weekly SNJ column. James B had had contact with previous editor who now left.
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HR pointed out that in Open Homes, films, textiles groups, there are many who take part but they do not all come to these meetings and are therefore not involved in the overall administration.
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Karen E-S, Pete N. – how to have events that draw people together?
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Jon B, Simon - Many events going on. SA noted that TS achieves a lot relative to its resources. HR pointed out that people not always aware of how much is going on.
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Discussion of whether we have reached a kind of plateau or boundary? Our brochures might give the impression of an organisation that does not need help, but we should not become closed in or on a plateau – perhaps a list of vacancies should be posted, or a list of things with which we need more help, or a paper newsletter.
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Pete N talked about broadening ways of communicating. Karen E-S asked what ways we should use for communicating with the mainstream population and Pete N. suggested that it was better to view it as a great number of smaller groups to be contacted rather than a single entity.
5. Brief Updates
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Open Homes - Installers Fair – three have dropped out, but we have electric bike display.
Leaflets: 3000 printed, ready to hand out. One house dropped out at Cashes Green, but three/four more may open.
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Transition Stroud permanent banner stand – takes an A1 poster. Gives a consistent feel to TS displays. Grant for Open Homes spent on things that will last. Very good printer – helpful. Booklets useful after talks too. Matrix of where logos need to go – SA to do.
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Other funding and Project Updates o Awards for All – Building Skills Action Group – JN interested. SA – Steve Behn / the project suffering from lack of people attending recent blacksmithing session. o Hub Stroud – next meeting is on Tuesday. New listing site for Stroud, posting via Tweet. More were using it to see events, but website down at the moment. o Stroud in Transition leaflet – draft under discussion.

o Membership figures for this month (March meeting figures in brackets):
Mailchimp 598 (596) - we briefly topped 600 before we lost a couple of people after latest newsletter.
April newsletter - sent to 601, 33% opened, 5% clicked on something.
Facebook 262 (252)
Twitter 899 (868)
Discuss 85 (83) - 27 (26) topics in March, 33 (34) postings o Other o Edible Stroud – scheme is based on the Todmorden scheme. Takes a while to get going. But
Stroud Maternity Hospital very pleased, Council House Gardens some difficulty, but Fruit and Nut
Tree Garden scheme happened. Karen E-S asked about involving students and supermarkets and foraging groups in Stroud. o Web site – Mark received suggestions. Imogen designed colours. Pictures welcome. Lots of links/facilities as asked for. Links to uniform website. Results much appreciated. o Transport Group – No details o Film showings – ‘Beyond Elections’ on 18th May. Karen E-S suggested Mayor of Totnes contact for
James B re list of possible films. James B said a film on food being considered. Pete N – can help with catering. James B – film nights need a regular team of helpers. o Simon – this weekend is the Installers Fair at the Sub Rooms and the Repair Café in Nailsworth.
6. Actions o Contact support group for film showings - James B – good support group needed for the films. o Contact Creative Sustainability – Jon B for ZCB group. Two contacts: Stroud College and schools, action ongoing. o Karen E-S – described her project ‘Education to Save the World’ for 16+ age group. Pete N – interested in education. Helen – ‘YES’ project in Stroud. o Talk to CAT about Zero Carbon Britain presentations – Jon B had received no reply. Jon B went to
London presentation event, but it wasn’t done quite well enough. o Transition Free Press – Received next issue. o SCTV awards event to be expanded. To be arranged by James B/PB o SiT – next meeting. SB/EW o TS library in Black Books – James B had done. Going well. Six books out. Books listed in newsletter. Slips for books coming. – James B to do.
6. Finances
Finances healthy – Simon. £11,656 balance, £1500 more than last month’s – grant paid, Community
Investment Grant from Stroud District Council of £1,536.00 on 10 th April. We are within our budgets.
8. Any other business o Possible office storage, library, crafts window in Brunel mall café. Ideas - bike hire, electric bike, car, extend shop to incorporate credit union; office space for Helen and Seb, extension of space for library, permanent window displays. Simon, Jon B, Helen tomorrow. o Pete N – to help out with library o Grant applications – Helen happy to make more. Milestone sent round for updating. o Climate Group – VW – web site has been set up – GlosCAN, Gloucestershire Climate Action
Network (GlosCAN.org.uk). Ready to begin engaging with councillors and recording their views on the website. Jon B – Simon Pickering, advice.
8. Confirm main topic, date and time of next and future meetings:
All meetings start 7 for 7.15pm, all in large room at Exchange unless otherwise stated. Next meetings:

21 May ( topic: ‘Education to Save the World’ – Karen Eberhardt-Shelton)
Meeting ended at 9.40 pm
Vaughan Webber for Mark Keogan Company Secretary 30 April 2014