[ivfdf-news] Re: YES 2007 - Who? What? Where? When?

[Andrew Swaine]

At 17:38 11/02/2005  Friday, Stephen Brockbank wrote:
>IN response to Andrew's request for what society positions are for 
>organising IVFDF 2007.
>There are people in Edinburgh who are currently doing a feasibility study 
>into running the festival in the Capital of Scotland.
>
>Stephen Brockbank
>(Nominally New Scotland)

I have had some responses off-list:

* Andy Anderson, formerly of Southampton Red Stags, has pointed out that 
Southhampton does not have a society any more, and couldn't use the union 
if it did.
* Glasgow have stated that it is impossible due to the strength of their 
society.
* More tales of woe regarding the strength of Scottish societies.

No-one has yet said they would be happy to run it, and no-one other than 
Stephen has said they're even looking into it.

It seems that, pending an offer, the options are fairly narrow:
* Arm-twist someone like Sheffield or Exeter who have had it very recently 
and haven't completely got over the last one yet.
* Arm-twist a weak society into holding it, and risk killing that society off.
* Put together a bid with one person on the ground at a university, but 
with the majority of the organisation done by people elsewhere (taking 
account of the difficulties people have had when this has been tried in the 
past).
* Get a non-university bid together, and risk IVFDF losing its student 
focus (although this would be better than it not happening).

In some ways, I am glad I don't get a vote any more, that's not an easy one 
to call.  One principle I would like to suggest is that we shouldn't force 
a society to hold the festival that doesn't have sufficient manpower to 
have separate people running the Society itself in parallel.

The key to the survival of IVFDF is the survival of the university 
societies (which is of course more important).  Ultimately societies come 
and go, but, established or emergent, they shouldn't go without the IVFDF 
community having tried to help first.  Is there anything else IVFDF could 
be doing to support emergent societies and societies in distress?  For example:

* Formally identifying them as in need of help?
* Providing extra help for those societies running an IVFDF?
* Organising more inter-University events, band tours, etc.?
* Provide direct organisational assistance?
* Pay for halls, bands, advertising costs, etc. where appropriate, out of 
money from EFDSS or elsewhere?  I believe that if we have the case, the 
money will be available from somewhere.
* Produce some "how to run a society" guidance?  (Are people making common 
mistakes?)

Do we need to have another national gathering of organisers, to discuss 
these issues with each other and the societies in need of help?

Apologies to Aisling if we're doing some of these things already and, being 
from a stronger society, I'm not aware of it.

Andrew.


NOTE: Acting individually.  I haven't been a student since 1999 so I am 
quite prepared for current students to tell me to mind my own business :-)