Present: Angel, Christian (minutes), Joe, Michael, Possum, Rachel M.

1. Attracting facilitators/making the AFU more facilitator friendly

Possum mentioned a conversation with anarchist activist Bonnie Burstow about collaborating with the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education by offering OISE free credits through our courses.

Christian brought up the fact that a similar initiative had been discussed with the principle of SEE alternative high school in regards to having work done through some of our classes going toward a high school credit.

Rachel gave the example of her reply to a potential facilitator to broach the subject of whether or not she, as the email receptionist, should in any way represent the school’s political leanings to newcomers. This seemed to be deemed OK within narrow limits.

It was discussed that the administrative body of the AFU should put more work into maintaining contact with the facilitators, helping to streamline the process of obtaining space, (perhaps by forming a ‘spacing committee’—see below) and putting a lot more work into promotion than we have been; i.e., doing more than just sitting in judgment of other people’s initiatives during the course approval process.

Possum and Christian brought up the idea that, along with monthly post GM get-togethers, once a semester we could have a ‘facilitator appreciation day’ where facilitators are treated to drinks/and or food by the collective.

Inconclusive digression between Michael, Possum and Rachel about whether new facilitators should or shouldn’t be ‘surprised’ by the nature of the questioning during the approval process.

Rachel suggested that we adopt a much more proactive attitude towards course creation: an online survey done via the announce list to get an idea of what sorts of subject matter people would be interested in; contacting ‘NOW Magazine’ about their resolutions feature asking them to put out the word that we’re seeking facilitators; casual networking and spreading the word by mouth; actually approaching people with certain expertise, asking them if they’d like to teach a class; further discussion should happen via the promo committee.

2. Brief synopsis of upcoming Radical Pedagogy Workshop Series.

Christian gave his synopsis; six 4-hour monthly workshops starting in January; seeking to cooperate with the Toronto Free Gallery.

3. Nature of tenure at administrative jobs.

Niggling point as to whether the time periods given for AFU administrative jobs (webmaster, info@anarchistu.org, GM host) are in fact periods of rotation or minimal service times. It was unanimously decided that it was the former. Rachel, Possum and Christian asked to send in descriptions of their jobs to be posted in the website. Time periods to be adjusted.

4. Email lists

Rachel explained the delay in replying to emails as a small glitch in her ability to receive committee emails on info@.

The combining of the principles and processes list into one was explained; the processes list should be completely eliminated and it’s members should be notified that only principles@anarchistu.org will continue to exist.

It was proposed that a new ‘spacing’ list be added in order to facilitate the obtaining of spaces for classes and events.

5. Discussion/bulletin board on website.

Christian, Angel and others have been interested in having a means of having written discussions for our website. Possum said the site used to have something similar but that was nixed because of non-use and spam.

Angel suggested simply using the existing WIKI, but others felt that it isn’t user-friendly enough and would interfere with the site’s nature as a provider of information.

Christian volunteered to take up the project and would be it’s administrator for the first six months, the period of the job’s rotation.