[Forum] Agenda/Structure for April 30 meeting
Kurt Kolok
kurt at kolokgallery.com
Sat Apr 14 14:47:12 EDT 2007
(I changed the subject to reflect the direction of this developing thread)
If we're planning to have a group as large (or larger) than the last
meeting I'd like to suggest that we break into smaller groups for the
first half of the meeting (size would depend upon the number of people
in attendance), assign a 'secretary' for each group responsible for
simply listing the concerns along with possible solutions discussed
within each group and then that person or another chosen from each group
would present the findings to the larger group for the last half of the
meeting.
I'm concerned that by having another larger 'open' discussion we may
miss out on valuable input from some people not comfortable with
speaking in larger crowds while also not having enough time to come to
some active/productive conclusions and next steps. Once we collect all
the various issues/thoughts we may find that it would be beneficial to
create some 'interest groups' within the larger group to funnel the
energy and resources around particular goals while taking advantage of
people's individual strengths and interests.
Kurt
Ed Sedarbaum wrote:
> Hi, Kurt, Jane, and everyone else.
>
> This might be a good moment for me to post a reply I sent to a forum
> member who asked whether there was an agenda for the April 30 "live
> and in-person" discussion. I will be facilitating that discussion
> (which will give Jane a chance to be a more full-fledged participant
> while I pay attention to "process"), and I answered as follows:
>
> No official agenda has been written up yet, although I imagine the Open
> Studios committee will want to give us an update.
>
> Jane and I were hoping for an easygoing environment without too rigid an
> agenda, so that the conversation could wend its own way toward some goals.
>
> We did think that we'd start out by articulating a hope that by the
> end of
> the evening we would have come up with at least one activity or
> project (or
> more, of whatever kind) that willing people could get together around.
> That
> could be anything from working on a presence in the Fall Foliage
> Parade or
> the annual Downtown Celebration, to some kind of group research, to a
> political initiative, to an exploration of possible public artwork --
> whatever turns the people on. But as facilitator, I am hoping to leave
> enough breathing room for multiple conversational directions to emerge for
> the group to choose among.
>
> If there's an agenda item you have on your mind, feel free to send it
> along.
> It probably won't be the only suggestion that will come our way, and as
> facilitator I can make sure that all potential areas of discussion are
> made
> known as the group settles on a direction for the evening.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* Kurt Kolok <mailto:kurt at kolokgallery.com>
> *To:* Jane Hudson <mailto:jane.video at gmail.com>
> *Cc:* forum at berkshirevisualarts.org
> <mailto:forum at berkshirevisualarts.org>
> *Sent:* Saturday, April 14, 2007 10:17 AM
> *Subject:* Re: [Forum] Re: NA City Council Meetings
>
> I agree that face-to-face meetings are critical for putting ideas
> into action. I'd personally like to see this online forum used
> for fleshing out the issues more so that the 'live' meetings are
> as productive as possible.
>
> Kurt
>
>
>
> Jane Hudson wrote:
>> Kurt et al...I'm hopeful that the meeting on the 30th will give
>> folks an opportunity to make physical contact and commitments for
>> just such initiatives. I think the list is great for follow up
>> planning, but from past experience with web-based groups,
>> in-the-flesh promises seem to keep.
>> Best,
>> Jane
>> On Apr 13, 2007, at 8:51 PM, Kurt Kolok wrote:
>>
>>> I believe this forum is a great opportunity for us to utilize
>>> the energy and enthusiasm we all bring to the community. I'd
>>> like to suggest that we use this mail list to concentrate on the
>>> issues we feel need to be addressed and productive ways in which
>>> we can improve the quality of life here, rather than, as some
>>> may see it, an unproductive platform for simply venting
>>> frustrations. Brian makes a very good point that cleared
>>> sidewalks are key to the daily life of many people in N. Adams,
>>> and making N. Adams a more walkable city will only encourage
>>> businesses and neighborhoods to thrive. Maybe we could gauge
>>> interest from those on this list for identifying a liaison from
>>> the forum to create dialogue with the Mayor's office in order to
>>> communicate some of the needs being raised through these online
>>> discussions. Thoughts?
>>>
>>> Kurt
>>>
>>>
>>> Brian Jewett wrote:
>>>> That's nice to know. At last months Drinking Liberally
>>>> gathering, Leanne & I gave Gail Ann, the council president, an
>>>> ear full on how the mayor struts his stuff on clearing the
>>>> streets and then totally ignores most of the sidewalks much to
>>>> the peril of anyone who chooses to walk. We also pointed out
>>>> that many here have no other options. I'm pleased to hear it
>>>> may have done some good.
>>>>
>>>> Brian Jewett
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Forum mailing list
>>>> Forum at berkshirevisualarts.org
>>>> http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/mailman/listinfo/forum
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Kurt Kolok
>>> Owner/Director
>>> Kolok Gallery
>>> 121 Union Street, 1e
>>> North Adams, MA 01247
>>> +1 413 664 7381
>>> kurt at kolokgallery.com
>>> www.kolokgallery.com
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Forum mailing list
>>> Forum at berkshirevisualarts.org <mailto:Forum at berkshirevisualarts.org>
>>> http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/mailman/listinfo/forum
>>
>> http://officialjeffandjane.com
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> Kurt Kolok
> Owner/Director
> Kolok Gallery
> 121 Union Street, 1e
> North Adams, MA 01247
> +1 413 664 7381
> kurt at kolokgallery.com
> www.kolokgallery.com
>
>
--
Kurt Kolok
Owner/Director
Kolok Gallery
121 Union Street, 1e
North Adams, MA 01247
+1 413 664 7381
kurt at kolokgallery.com
www.kolokgallery.com
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