[Forum] Agenda/Structure for April 30 meeting

Tue Apr 17 17:56:04 EDT 2007

Thanks for giving this some thought, Kurt. We all seem to be seeking ways to let as many people as possible find their own way into an involvement that's right for them. The possibility of breaking up into smaller groups will definitely be on the menu for people to consider. 

Ed
----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Kurt Kolok 
  To: forum at berkshirevisualarts.org 
  Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2007 2:47 PM
  Subject: [Forum] Agenda/Structure for April 30 meeting

  (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 
      To: Jane Hudson 
      Cc: 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

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Kurt Kolok
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-- 
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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