Agenda and scheduling for Monday's (9/9/13) organizer meeting

[Christopher Biemer]

Hi all,

Have we already picked a time and place to meet on Monday evening?

We need at least 5 board members for quorum, and I know Erik is not available at all on Monday evening, which means we might have to reschedule if at least 2 other board members can't make it.

I know Mary and Scott are both interested in coming along too, and they're wondering when it is too.

To my knowledge, here's what the agenda looks like so far:

1. Refine the role of board positions and other organizer positions including version 2.0 of committees
2. Select September's featured speaker
3. Determine whether it's in our best interest to stick with Tammany Hall for September as originally decided or go back to Tobacco Road due to new scheduling and pricing friction
4. Ideally, select October's featured speaker
5. Any other planning we're able to do in advance for October
6. Finalize discussion of show format including timing and stage manager role
7. Review results from our survey of August's audience
8. Review community service committee's T-shirt proposals
9. Discuss financial planning
10. Discuss incorporation and preconditions
    

Have I left anything out? Any new business that needs to be added?

[Christopher Biemer]

Here's one I just realized I missed:

11. Discuss use of song "Prayer for the Living" in future assemblies

Anything else?

[Erik Campano]

Really wish I could be there with you all! Have a great meeting on Monday!

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[Erik Campano]

Jonathan, can you (or someone) ensure that copious minutes are taken? This is to ensure that all people interested in SA (including myself) don't miss issues, or decisions -- and it would be good for everyone if at least basic discussion points and vote counts were included, too.

E

On Sat, Sep 7, 2013 at 1:31 AM, Christopher Biemer <chris....@gmail.com> wrote:

--

[Christopher Biemer]

Of course Erik, that's no problem.

Also, it appears I was mistaken and we did already agree on a time and place to meet. Sorry for the confusion!

It's at 9:30pm at Michael Dorian's apartment.

Other board members: is this an open meeting?

I was repeatedly disconnected towards the end of a recent board Skype conference call, so I may have missed any conversation that might have taken place regarding whether there are any practical reasons to make this a board-only meeting (also why I was mistaken about scheduling).

Best Regards,

-Chris Biemer

[Mary James]

All, sounds like things are all being handled and under control by board members.  I will just show up at the monthly SAs at Tammany and greet people and snap some photos.  I'm also planning to participate in the inreach and outreach.

[Scott E. Weiner, Ph.D.]

1. Chris and Jonathan thank you very much for your sensitive emails. While I can't speak for Mary, AJ, etc. I think from some emails i saw some of us felt kind of abandoned (my word) once we were not voted on the board. We are committed to SA and do want to help out where we can add value. At least for next several meetings i'd like to attend a joint board/organizers meeting, but if things are well under hand by board as Mary said, then I'll see if I think I add any value. I have no problem if during the meeting, some votes are strictly board votes.

 

2. I did want to hear Erik's view of last SA--maybe in email since he won't be there--i dont recall his exact wording in his email (my apologies in advance Erik), but something to the effect that last SA was good for that type of thing (I think he meant atheists, but NOT sure and don't want to put words in his mouth). Not trying to bring up that whole topic again but Erik put it out there and i was looking forward to clarification from him what his perspective was.

 

 

3. One other topic--who can be on the greeters team--is it ONLY board members/organizers -- or can it be other interested folks. This specifically was about Hilary who would like to help greet, but there will be other folks in future also interested.

 

As we grow, there will be fewer organizers now that there is a board but there will be folks interested in volunteering.

 

And a quick question at the meeting--who else would like to join the greeters (not a commitment for every SA, but on the list so I can contact). As of now: AJ, Joe, Mary, Michael D. Rich, and me. I think everyone on the board would be great greeters, so I just need to know who I should contact to determine for that SA who will be doing this.

4. Justina and I were discussing a volunteer list, maybe or rotating tasks etc. The more opportunities for nonboard/nonorganizers to be involved and active if they wish to be, the more they will feel part of the community. This could be committees like Jonathan has mentioned, could be SA meeting tasks or participation, could be helping board members, etc, etc. So maybe a few minutes brainstorming on this?

Best Wishes, Scott

 

Scott E. Weiner, Ph.D.

Cognitive Engineer

Minds | Emotions | Actions | Life ReDesign

ScottEWeiner.com

scott_e...@yahoo.com

212.360.7222

 

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[Erik Campano]

9:30 PM? That I can do.

[Christopher Biemer]

Regarding your 3rd point, Scott:

My own understanding of "organizer" is the same now as it was before we formed the board: anyone who expressed an interest to help out with SA and who actually showed up to a planning meeting or did any kind of work behind the scenes. Pretty much anyone who has done anything at all beyond showing up strictly as a a spectator during the assemblies themselves and/ or as a non-organizing attendee of SA Connect or community service events.

According to that definition all Hilary or anyone else has to do to be an organizer is show up and start helping us do X, Y, or Z whether that's greeting, contributing songs or poems, being an MC, playing in the band, fundraising, taking on stand-in roles for any of the above, or whatever else. In my mind we should welcome everyone who wants to help in any capacity unless they prove themselves to be a hindrance or maybe even only if the prove themselves a legal liability. SA is based on a church model after all, so it makes sense for it to be maximally inclusive.

I know that's a loose definition and some might think "volunteer" fits better since it's more casual in the sense that it implies a 'pick up and go'  level of accessibility. However, I think the usefulness of the word "organizer" is apparent when considering the difference between some terms:

There are two kinds of volunteers, which is why I advocate for avoiding the word volunteer altogether in preference for the more specific terms since some people identify as one or the other, and some identify with both. They are:

1) Community service event volunteers (stuff like today's park cleanup, or the Summer Streets group that taught kids and adults how to ride bikes last month).

2) Organizer volunteers: everything else. This includes greeters, the band, the board of directors, anyone who helps organize SA Connect, anyone who not only attends but helps manage community service events, anyone who spends time advertising or doing PR, anyone who helps with tech and venue/ stage setup, etc.

None of that was formally defined by the board, so it's all just my best take on things based on how I've observed everything working in practice so far. Hope that clarifies a bit.

[Michael Dorian]

The next SA-NYC group meeting is 6:30 p.m. (not 9:30) at my place: 321 E. 79th St. b/w 1st and 2nd Ave's #3C.  I'm sorry I didn't send a notice about this to the whole group earlier, but I've spent the last three+ days in close commune with the documentary I'm making.  The only contact with the outside world I've had was the board meeting call.  Of course this next meeting is open to the whole group and I hope everyone who can attend does.  

There are a few other items not on the agenda: 

-- Booking comedians (Bristol or one of the Aussie SA's is doing this as well)

-- Booking one or two speakers per SA-NYC  (a comedian would serve as a second speaker)

-- Booking occasional musical guests (also would fill second speaker slot)

-- Organizers regularly doing "Someone is doing his/her best" slot (as opposed to second speaker slot, or in addition to that slot)

-- Hosts/MCs (Board talked about selecting 2-4 potential rotating MCs per year, based on ability to handle that role)

MD

Michael Dorian

Co-Director, REFUSING MY RELIGION

www.facebook.com/refusingmyreligion

www.twitter.com/refusingmyrelig

www.youtube.com/user/refusingmyreligion

www.refusingmyreligion.com

www.otheranimalfilms.com

[Christopher Biemer]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Christopher Biemer" <chris....@gmail.com>
Date: Sep 7, 2013 10:11 AM
Subject: Re: Agenda and scheduling for Monday's (9/9/13) organizer meeting

To: "Erik Campano" <cam...@alumni.stanford.edu>
Cc:

WOOPS. I was wrong again, it's definitely 6:30pm, not 9:30pm. Personally I'm flexible on timing if anyone else wants to try to accommodate Erik's schedule. Sorry!

[Michael Dorian]

I like Chris's delineation between Comm. Serv. event volunteers and Organizer volunteers.

As for who can be a greeter, I think that since that role is the de facto face of SA-NYC, greeters should either be existing organizing volunteers or anyone else who is approved by the board to act in this capacity.  Otherwise, we might have people volunteering to take on that role whom we don't necessarily want representing the whole group.

[Erik Campano]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Christopher Biemer <chris....@gmail.com>

Date: Sat, Sep 7, 2013 at 10:11 AM
Subject: Re: Agenda and scheduling for Monday's (9/9/13) organizer meeting

To: Erik Campano <cam...@alumni.stanford.edu>

WOOPS. I was wrong again, it's definitely 6:30pm, not 9:30pm. Personally I'm flexible on timing if anyone else wants to try to accommodate Erik's schedule. Sorry!

[Erik Campano]

At risk of getting pummeled, I'm just going to say this right out: Michael, what's the big deal about comedians? Do you think that people won't come to Sunday Assembly if we don't have comedians? You emphasized very strongly your desire for comedians at the board meeting, but I'd like to hear a cogent, winning argument that Sunday Assembly needs comedians to fulfill our mission.

[Michael Dorian]

No pummeling necessary, I'm sure.  I will just re-state my very real concern that we avoid turning SA-NYC into something dull, dry, staid, or predictable.  I think of SA-NYC as a sort of godless variety show ("... part foot-stomping show..." remember that?).  One featured speaker in the midst of our current format does not get us anywhere near the FUN, amped up, high energy, engaging performance that we should all be striving for.  If it were up to me, I'd have comedians, musical guests, magicians, filmmakers, storytellers, and anyone else who could provide a truly inspiring, compelling, thought-provoking element to our potential line-up of guests.

If you guys want ordinary, we can certainly do that with our current blueprint.  I am trying to think outside the box.  I want us to dream big.  Mediocre is easily achievable.  Greatness takes a little more effort...  

[Jonathan T]

Just to be clear, I believe this meeting at Michael's place is open to all committed volunteers, whether on the board or not.

 

However, I think the agenda is too long, and 9 and 10 could be considered board matters. We could have a separate Skype meeting for them. Also, #8 is not urgent and a community service committee should be appointed to make a recommendation on it. Indeed the appointment of committees, which is #1 on the agenda, is important, so that the whole board doesn’t have to delve into every issue and to allow non-board volunteers to participate in decision-making.

[Jonathan T]

Michael, none of us wants ordinary, and we certainly don't want dull. "Part foot-stomping show" presumably refers to the band and congregational singing. At the same time, we're trying to do more than put on a variety show which happens to be free and on a Sunday morning. Sanderson put it well when he said that the Sunday Assembly should be entertaining but not entertainment. So I'd have a bit of a problem with, say, a magician (unless the main point was how easily we can be fooled).

Sunday Assembly has succeeded in London because of the mix of humor, music/singing and gravitas. We can do the music and the serious stuff, but the humor is difficult to pull off unless you have someone like Sanderson or Pippa. In their day jobs, people pay good money to see them perform: they are gifted professionals. They know how to handle a crowd, they know how to make them laugh, and they know how to send them out feeling good. That's a lot to ask from any of us amateurs, or any external amateurs, for that matter.

Anyone remember the Dirty Harry movies? There's a scene in Magnum Force where one of the bad guys drives his motorbike off a cliff, and Harry (played by Clint Eastwood) comments "a man has to know his limitations". Very true, and so do we. So when Erik hosts on September 29, I would expect him to be Erik and not try to channel Sanderson. He probably won't crack many jokes, but on the other hand he won't be dull and I'll bet he can make people feel good.

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Michael Dorian

Co-Director, REFUSING MY RELIGION

www.facebook.com/refusingmyreligion

www.twitter.com/refusingmyrelig

www.youtube.com/user/refusingmyreligion

www.refusingmyreligion.com

www.otheranimalfilms.com

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[Erik Campano]

It's awesome just to think about being in a Clint Eastwood movie! Thanks for bringing a smile to my face, Jonathan. Michael, I love your list of potential speakers.

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[Michael Dorian]

I think this distinction between "entertaining" and "entertainment" is a semantic trap.  Fun, engaging, compelling, and thought-provoking might be clearer measures to which to aspire.  The suggestion of a magician was just an example of what we COULD do if we let ourselves free of the usual thinking about how to put on a terrific godless show that is "part-atheist church ... 100% celebration of life." 

I also think there are plenty of "amateurs" in NYC who can "pull off" humor on a level that is on par with whatever Sanderson and Pippa are doing.  And many also know how to "handle a crowd."  I guess we'll just have to wade through several attempts until we feel that we've found the right two or three people to do it regularly.  

The last thing I think we should be thinking about are our "limitations."  That sounds like an apology waiting to be used as an excuse for why we haven't hit the high notes we should be aiming to hit every time.  Aim for "adequate" or "passable" and that's probably exactly what we'll get.  

To be perfectly candid, I don't think we should be concerned about people's feelings so much here, or the idea that everyone who wants a chance to MC should get one just based on the wish to do it.  I think we should be concerned with making SA-NYC as successful as possible.  This is why all future MC's should have to be screened or go through some type of audition (online at least).  I know we discussed this during the board members' phone meeting last week.  There's a very good reason that Sanderson and Pippa don't let anyone else MC SA-London.

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[Sunday Assembly]

Hi guys, 

Great to see everything coming along. Quick few helpful tips.

Welcome Team: at Sunday assembly london we have a welcome team that is made up of many different volunteers to greet people coming in. There's a great section in rick warrens purpose driven church on how this can be done.

Magicians, film makers etc: If having a magician or singer helps make a point about that week's theme then by all means go for it. SA uses many techniques from entertainment we do it so that people come together as a community, and then use that community to help change people's lives. The mission of SA is: to help everyone live their life to their full potential. Hence entertaining, not entertainment.

Comedians: we don't think it essential to have comedians as hosts. People can be engaging without being hilarious.

Rotating MC: this is because we don't want anyone person becoming the face of an SA when it is still in Sunday Assembly Everywhere mode. Using different MCs brings different people to the top. We hope in time that each SA has a permanent Host, when we have a system of accreditation, training and selecting.

Keep up the good work!

Best

SJ

On Monday, September 9, 2013, Michael Dorian wrote:

I think this distinction between "entertaining" and "entertainment" is a semantic trap.  Fun, engaging, compelling, and thought-provoking might be clearer measures to which to aspire.  The suggestion of a magician was just an example of what we COULD do if we let ourselves free of the usual thinking about how to put on a terrific godless show that is "part-atheist church ... 100% celebration of life." 

I also think there are plenty of "amateurs" in NYC who can "pull off" humor on a level that is on par with whatever Sanderson and Pippa are doing.  And many also know how to "handle a crowd."  I guess we'll just have to wade through several attempts until we feel that we've found the right two or three people to do it regularly.  

The last thing I think we should be thinking about are our "limitations."  That sounds like an apology waiting to be used as an excuse for why we haven't hit the high notes we should be aiming to hit every time.  Aim for "adequate" or "passable" and that's probably exactly what we'll get.  

To be perfectly candid, I don't think we should be concerned about people's feelings so much here, or the idea that everyone who wants a chance to MC should get one just based on the wish to do it.  I think we should be concerned with making SA-NYC as successful as possible.  This is why all future MC's should have to be screened or go through some type of audition (online at least).  I know we discussed this during the board members' phone meeting last week.  There's a very good reason that Sanderson and Pippa don't let anyone else MC SA-London.

On Sep 8, 2013, at 7:13 PM, Jonathan T wrote:

Michael, none of us wants ordinary, and we certainly don't want dull. "Part foot-stomping show" presumably refers to the band and congregational singing. At the same time, we're trying to do more than put on a variety show which happens to be free and on a Sunday morning. Sanderson put it well when he said that the Sunday Assembly should be entertaining but not entertainment. So I'd have a bit of a problem with, say, a magician (unless the main point was how easily we can be fooled).

Sunday Assembly has succeeded in London because of the mix of humor, music/singing and gravitas. We can do the music and the serious stuff, but the humor is difficult to pull off unless you have someone like Sanderson or Pippa. In their day jobs, people pay good money to see them perform: they are gifted professionals. They know how to handle a crowd, they know how to make them laugh, and they know how to send them out feeling good. That's a lot to ask from any of us amateurs, or any external amateurs, for that matter.

Anyone remember the Dirty Harry movies? There's a scene in Magnum Force where one of the bad guys drives his motorbike off a cliff, and Harry (played by Clint Eastwood) comments "a man has to know his limitations". Very true, and so do we. So when Erik hosts on September 29, I would expect him to be Erik and not try to channel Sanderson. He probably won't crack many jokes, but on the other hand he won't be dull and I'll bet he can make people feel good.

 

On Sunday, September 8, 2013 5:51:18 PM UTC-4, Michael Dorian wrote:

No pummeling necessary, I'm sure.  I will just re-state my very real concern that we avoid turning SA-NYC into something dull, dry, staid, or predictable.  I think of SA-NYC as a sort of godless variety show ("... part foot-stomping show..." remember that?).  One featured speaker in the midst of our current format does not get us anywhere near the FUN, amped up, high energy, engaging performance that we should all be striving for.  If it were up to me, I'd have comedians, musical guests, magicians, filmmakers, storytellers, and anyone else who could provide a truly inspiring, compelling, thought-provoking element to our potential line-up of guests.

If you guys want ordinary, we can certainly do that with our current blueprint.  I am trying to think outside the box.  I want us to dream big.  Mediocre is easily achievable.  Greatness takes a little more effort...  

On Sep 7, 2013, at 5:16 PM, Erik Campano wrote:

At risk of getting pummeled, I'm just going to say this right out: Michael, what's the big deal about comedians? Do you think that people won't come to Sunday Assembly if we don't have comedians? You emphasized very strongly your desire for comedians at the board meeting, but I'd like to hear a cogent, winning argument that Sunday Assembly needs comedians to fulfill our mission.

On Sat, Sep 7, 2013 at 11:30 AM, Michael Dorian <mdo...@bestweb.net> wrote:

The next SA-NYC group meeting is 6:30 p.m. (not 9:30) at my place: 321 E. 79th St. b/w 1st and 2nd Ave's #3C.  I'm sorry I didn't send a notice about this to the whole group earlier, but I've spent the last three+ days in close commune with the documentary I'm making.  The only contact with the outside world I've had was the board meeting call.  Of course this next meeting is open to the whole group and I hope everyone who can attend does.  

There are a few other items not on the agenda: 

-- Booking comedians (Bristol or one of the Aussie SA's is doing this as well)

-- Booking one or two speakers per SA-NYC  (a comedian would serve as a second speaker)

-- Booking occasional musical guests (also would fill second speaker slot)

-- Organizers regularly doing "Someone is doing his/her best" slot (as opposed to second speaker slot, or in addition to that slot)

-- Hosts/MCs (Board talked about selecting 2-4 potential rotating MCs per year, based on ability to handle that role)

MD