Open Platform is changing. Read on!
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Hello Open Platformers!
We have some exciting news for you. Over the last 6 months ago the OP committee has done its best to make OP really work for our members. It's been quite a challenge. We've put on some excellent Tuesday sessions and some not so good sessions. Looking at these successes and failures, and working with the feedback you've given us, we've come up with a plan!
Actually, it's very simple; we've gone back to our roots. These roots are what we all really value ourselves and what we hear that our members particularly appreciate. They are: - One-on-one mentoring for direction and career guidance
- Supporting our members' projects or business startups
- Education opportunities around the themes of sustainability and social issues
- Networking opportunities within the sustainability industry in Bristol
- Community, shared food and good conversation
So what does this mean in practice?
We're still going to be at the 3rd Floor, Bush House every Tuesday (7-9pm, map: http://is.gd/myFrtu). And, every Tuesday, we will create or facilitate the following:
One-on-one peer mentoring
We aim to have a chat with all new members to find out where they are in life and where they hope to be. We will listen and try to help you clarify your direction and next steps as far as we can.
We have no paid staff so mentors are just members who've been through the process of mentoring themselves. If you have received mentoring yourself in the past, or have expert skills you can share, we encourage you to take a leap of faith and mentor new or younger members. This act of giving can be as inspiring for the mentor as it is for the mentee.
Bring A Laptop
If you have a project to work on or a CV to write then bring a laptop and get on with it! You can share motivation and focus with others doing the same and get things done in a friendly atmosphere. The key aim here is to tick off that todo list among supportive friends.
You also benefit from each other's knowledge and experience too, be it ideas or inspiration, spell-checking, checking out new websites, CV vetting, a test audience for a presentation or anything else you can imagine.
Films and Discussions
Not everyone needs mentoring or has a todo list to get stuck into every week. So we'd like to provide a space for you to find out new and inspiring ideas. We have comfy sofas and a projector so this will be mostly based around watching short films and then discussions. Our recent Tuesday sessions of this form have been some of our more enjoyable sessions.
Of course, you don't have to watch a film; if there is general agreement you could just have a discussion instead. The space is really there for you to do what you need. It could also be an opportunity for you to practice facilitation skills and lead one of these discussions. The floor is open...
Community Request and Presentations
Every week we'll gather all those present together. This is just a simple little exercise to allow everyone to know who else is there. We also encourage you to take this opportunity to make requests. Perhaps you're looking for a contact in a certain area? Ask the group to see if anyone knows such a person. Maybe you want to give a 5 minute presentation on a project or idea to get some feedback. This is just the space to do that. We're about community; helping each other towards our goals.
Creative Corner Arts Space
Every now and then some of us just need to create. We're going to start bringing a basic box of arts bits and bobs each week. There's no agenda to this, it's just there if you need it. Perhaps a discussion could use some pen and paper for drawing out ideas and stories. Maybe you want to prepare for a one-on-one by drawing a 'river of life' and using that as a focus for the conversation. Maybe you just need to play a bit to release or generate some energy. Any way that works for you is ok. We'll just try and make sure you have some material to work with.
Food and Friends
One of the most loved aspects of OP is talking with friends over shared food. Officially, the session start at 7pm, but we do invite you to come along from 6:30 and bring some food to share. (It was previously 6pm for food, but we're changing this to 6:30 based on experience.) Organics and home-made are obviously most appreciated by all, but frankly everything gets eaten. i.e. supermarket food is ok if that's what you can bring.
So if you really just need some company and a relaxing night, then you're most welcome to join us and have that too. There's also a regular pub venture afterwards, and everyone is invited.
Occasional Speakers
Every now and then, we hope to have themed sessions or guest speakers. This really depends on the motivation of individuals within OP (including the committee) who have an evening they wish to see happen. We'll happily help you in the organisational process; it's certainly a great opportunity to learn some skills. We won't be trying to do it every week.
Giving Back
If you're feeling good about your direction in life and clear about your goals, we'd love you to come and share some of that positivity, providing support and help for others. The committee alone can't hope to be all things to all people. We ourselves are simply OP members who are giving something back. OP only works when we do that for each other. And don't forget, the more you put in, the more you get out.
And that's it folks. Hopefully you found something here that works for you. Maybe a seed of inspiration, a nugget of an idea for how to step forward in this exciting and challenging time we're living in. Or maybe it's all still a mystery. Either way, Open Platform is here for you and you are most welcome.
See you soon.
The Open Platform Committee
Alastair, Amber, Dan, Eleanor, Helene and Tim
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