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

[Aisling O'Brien]

There is going to be a 'how to run a society' workshop this year, and I 
am intending to make my notes, together with any ideas which come out 
of the workshop itself, available to anyone running, or thinking about 
setting up a society.  If anyone has any ideas to share or would like 
some advice come along at 9 on Saturday morning!! (or email me your 
suggestions beforehand).  I think the money side of things needs 
discussing at the reps meeting.

And as a non-committee Sheffield person (not wanting to interfere, 
people have talked to me about this but I don't think they've replied 
to the wider world), I don't think Sheffield will be in a position to 
run IVFDF 2007 - while there are lots of members and bodies at ceilidhs 
there is already concern about getting a full committee for the society 
next year, without trying to have a separate IVFDF one as well.

See you all soon

Aisling

On 20 Feb 2005, at 10:05, Andrew Swaine wrote:

> 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 :-)
>
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