DRAFT AGENDA

[Mel McCree]

Hi all,

I've put a draft agenda together from Joel's, Muhammed's and my suggestions then added timings.

Please tweak - I expect we'll check in on the day and tweak as appropriate before we start.

The use of Open Space Technology (see below) would be a helpful way to run things I feel. I can facilitate to introduce how it works and convene the plenaries after the breakout groups if that helps. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open-space_technology

There's plenty of easy stuff to volunteer for, e.g. simple things like bringing pens and big paper. The whole 'bring what you expect to find' adage is useful at an embryonic meeting like this.

Looking forward to meeting everyone.

best, Mel

 

Mel McCree
Ecological artist, educator and writer
http://melmccree.wordpress.com/

Open Space Technology (OST)
An emergent agenda for small groups based on suggestions made on the day. OST means you can apply the law of two feet and move groups whenever you wish. Or form another group doing something else. Or be a wanderer between groups and update them on where things are at with the others and provide new perspectives etc. The minutes of all breakout groups are pooled afterwards )
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open-space_technology

To give a flavour, Free Uni breakout group titles / agenda points suggested so far include:
1) brainstorm wording for position and / or goals of group.
2) brainstorm key areas, e.g: syllabus or venues or publicity.
3) Discuss active projects and what we are learning from them.
4) Theoretical positions: is it radical, popular, liberal, progressive or some other form of education we're talking about?
5) relationship to mainstream education (higher and vocational)
6) Event / networking ideas
7) Plan next national or regional meetings / Free University lectures and seminars
8) The internet and information sharing
9) share stories and experiences
10) design a logo

Here are some roles that may need filling on the day.
Please reply if you can help so others know the job is covered.
1) Set up helpers half an hour before and after.
2) Display makers - map of UK that everyone adds to and offers / requests and other displays. Provide big paper (scrapstore users out there?) and stationery. Draw map on big paper and pin up, set out pens & cards etc. Help arrange displays throughout the day.
2) Buying refreshments, or bring what you expect to find: tea, coffee, herbals, milks, juice, biccies etc.
3) Someone to do welcome spiel (Joel?) and present project experiences. Re history, would anyone be willing/know anyone willing to speak about the history of radical higher education in this country?
4) Volunteer facilitators
5) Minute taker/s to pool documentation and scribes for breakout group titles and emergent key points.
6) Bring info from centres and educational organisations out there with resources to offer to Free uni network - display / share.
7) Offer quick game or drawing activity for regroup.



DRAFT AGENDA

10.30: Set up helpers arrive

11.00: Arrive. Tea and coffee.

Sign in and give contribution (£3)
Add your name to wall map display

N.B. At any point during the day, suggestions for a breakout group title to convene can be added to a visible list with your name as convener.
Note responsibilities of that group convener to show up, begin debate and scribe.

11.15: Welcome.

11.25: Introductions go round

12.00: Current projects and history

12.30: Breakout groups. Pool documentation.
 
1.20: LUNCH

2.15: Regroup. Choice of games

2.30:  Emergent discussion

2.40: Plenary of short presentations from 1st breakouts. Discuss and identify what key areas actions and priorities emerged.

3.15  Breakout session 2. Take a break during this in your own time. Pool documentation again.

4.00: Final plenary. Confirm: Date of next meeting, communication, action points.

4.30: Finish. Clear up.

5.00: Leave building.

Dinner nearby.





DRAFT AGENDA with details

10.30: Set up helpers arrive

11.00: Arrive. Tea and coffee.

Sign in and give contribution towards hire of centre (£3 each suggested?)
Add your name to wall map display with location / interest /  offers / requests
(post it's, cards, tape & pins, UK outline, arrows)

11.15: Welcome. Volunteer facilitators (Joel?) state aims for day & schedule.
Discuss how meeting will run (OST - see below)  (Mel?).

If needed, add further volunteers for facilitators, display makers, scribes & minute taker/s (more the merrier). Clarify decision making method needed if any.

11.25: Introductions go round - (1 minute each MAX, ideally 30 secs!) - name, location, interest, offers, requests (as on display card on wall map - therefore time to prepare on arrival).

12.00: Current projects and history (facilitated by Joel?). Introduce briefly some of the precedents to this meeting - what activities and ideas have led to here. Concise outlines of established free uni-style projects, of about 3 mins length. introduce themselves and offer a brief summary of their organisation: history, experiences so far, ambitions. History of radical education - possible if someone wants to speak about it.

N.B. At any point during the above, suggestions for a breakout group title to convene can be added to a visible list with name of convener. Note responsibilities of that group convener to show up, begin debate and scribe.

12.30: Break out groups
NB the convener documents group discussion on large paper in each group, mind map stylee, & / or more retailed written / typed minutes if you want.

Before end of session, pull out and identify key points, priorities,  opportunities, potential challenges or other areas you feel deserve attention. 
Clarify and display / share papers and other documentation.
With laptops and memo sticks, pool typed versions of each group's documentation into one file to share at end of day to email list and upload to forum site. Could also add list of names, interests, offers, requests etc, as may lead to further forum networking.

1.20: LUNCH

2.15: Regroup. Choice of games (drawing, verbal, physical)

2.30:  Emergent discussion / matters arising. Feedback on process so far. Start suggestions for convening final breakout group session (continue throughout).

2.40: Plenary of short informal 3 minute presentations based on the group's discussion.
Optional not necessary for all groups to do this.

Discuss and identify what key areas actions and priorities emerged.  Constructive criticism can be raised in form of suggestion for convening a follow up breakout group, rather than full group discussion.

Could have listening scribes to note most repeated phrases e.g. for position and goals, to add to working statement of intentions. Democratise via what emerges from most repeated. Vote (1st, 2nd, 3rd pref) on favourites if needs be.

3.15  Breakout session 2.

Take a break during this in your own time.

Pool documentation again.

4.00: Final plenary. Confirm:
Date of next meeting (DONM) (hopefully one of the breakout groups will develop this)
Communication network and options.
Any action points and assigned volunteers (e.g. share info)

4.30: Finish. Clear up.

5.00: Leave building.

Dinner nearby.

[joel lazarus]

Mel,

What can I say? This is fantastic. I am really grateful. I think we all owe you a debt of gratitude.

I'd not heard of OST. It sounds very exciting and potentially perfect for such a gathering as ours. It certainly seems democratic in its ethos and hopefully in practice too. However, what I like too is that your proposed topics for discussion and clearly timetabled agenda give necessary structure to the day, ensuring that, whatever goals we set ourselves, can actually be met.

In terms of volunteering for roles, it's not me being falsely modest when I say that I should take a back seat. I don't have the knowledge and experience of others. However, on a practical level, I'd be very glad to contribute as much as possible. I'll definitely be there early to set up and will stay late to tidy up. I'll be glad to purchase the refreshments and the necessary materials too. I'd be happy to take notes for some part of the day as well.

Thanks again,
Joel

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Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 14:40:57 +0000
From: melski...@yahoo.co.uk
Subject: DRAFT AGENDA
To: freeuniv...@googlegroups.com