MEETING MINUTES

Present: Luis, Rob, Sam, Alan, Brian, Janet, Christine, Chris.

1. Introductions
2. Scheduling
3. Space
4. Links
5. Flyer
6. Launch
7. Fuse Magazine
8. Facilitation

1. There was a brief go-around to introduce ourselves to the group. Agenda items were discussed.

2. Course scheduling has been finalized. The schedule will be posted up on the website soon.

3. Luis reported that Art Metropole, although supportive of giving Luis space for his course, had some reservations as well. It would be easier to have the course at Alan¹s house. Rob reported that the 519 is too busy and can¹t give us space at this time. All courses will be held at 196 Manning Ave. It was also mentioned that we should pursue indoor meeting space that can accommodate more people than Alan¹s house (winter is coming). Sam to pursue the Cecil St. Comm. Centre (there is an application process).

5. Flyer.

Luis reported that a new flyer is available with course times and dates. Minor changes were made and it was approved by the group. Alan reported that Eye mag will publish something on the free school. Rob sent a press release to Xtra and is deciding to ignore Fab magazine. Luis will contact instant coffee and Now Mag. Chris will look into radio spots on CKLN and CIUT. We discussed the importance of promoting the school and thus to blanket the city with our flyers; the more the better as it also serves as information on the radical possibility of becoming that is the anarchist U effort. It¹s the realization that matters; the bringing into existenceS

6. Sam obtained a permit from the city to use the park. It cost him $50.00. Regulations stipulate that alcohol is not permitted.

7. Christine from Fuse Magazine proposed to anarchist U that we combine a Fuse Magazine launch with a Free School Launch on Sept 7th. This would involve a cross-promotion where Fuse would have a presence in the park and then have an event after at the 410 Richmond St. space. Christine suggested that there be some performance art bridge such as the work of Darren O¹Donnell whose work involves bringing participation into the mix and encouraging spontaneous conversations and meetings.

The group was basically very interested in the idea, as we see Fuse Magazine as a anarchist friendly and politically engaged magazine, especially since Trish Salah, a local anarchist, as part of the editorial team. Some concerns that were raised had to do with how we maintain the identity of the Free School especially since this is our first public event. We discussed ways to conduct a collaboration with Fuse that would not compromise our autonomy. The group approved a cross-promotion with Fuse that would involve having a table at the picnic but asked them if they could help out with practical things like access to a BBQ and cost for food and to split the cost of the permit 50/50.

There was also a discussion on the difficulty of managing our boundaries. Our physical boundaries. Luis described the way he had to handle a drunk and disorderly individual at an art opening he was hosting. No one relishes the idea that we may have handle situations where someone is acting disagreeably or being disruptive. We should all be aware that such things may occur and to prepare for them. Rob mentioned that we need to provide support and not leave someone to handle an aggressive person (for example) on their own.

There was also a discussion on managing our ideological boundaries. The issue of what anarchism means or what it is was mentioned. Rob mentioned that the free school collective does not share a common understanding of anarchism, which is not a problem, except for the fact that there is also very little provision made for increased learning in this regard. This is especially important since some decisions presuppose some kind of information or perspective on anarchism which may not be available to everyone. Alan mentioned that there is a generation gap, in the sense that there has not been a culture of anarchism or activism that has been transferred to others. However, in terms of "doing" anarchism we shouldn¹t forget that the way we hold meeting and make decisions based on consensus is anarchism in action and this is how we learn as well.

Luis proposed that we hold plenaries, (broad-based meetings) which is an opportunity for everyone who has taught or taken a course to participate in giving feedback on how the free school is doing.

4. Links.

We talked about what links to appear on the website. We should consider that what links we chose will define us and our project. Most of the group agreed that we can have a tiered system of links which indicates sites we are endorsing wholeheartedly for example, and then others which share an affinity with us, for instance. We decided to post links on the website and inform others members. Individual instructors will post links on their own topic.

8. Facilitation.

Rob reiterated the need to have a workshop on facilitation practices and ideas. Alan will contact two people he knows at OISE who are doing work on alternative pedagogy to see if they are interested in working with us on this. We are thinking of Sunday September 14, 3-6pm as a date for the facilitation workshop.

We didn¹t set a next meeting date as the picnic will be upon us soon.