A National Conference
Aaron Keohane
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Hi all,
A few of us stayed until closing in the Teachers Club last night and had a really fruitful conversation about how we could best facilitate the growth of the community living movement in Ireland. The purpose of which would be to provide a space for people to have valuable conversations and network.
We concluded that the best thing for it was to organise a national conference. We came up with a name and everything - The Irish Community Living Conference.
It would take place during the summer.
Anyone can come along if they wish.
There will be no set speakers as it would be run as an "unconference", ie using an Open Space Schedule - http://www.mindviewinc.com/Conferences/OpenSpaces.html
It was also concluded that it order to realise this vision it will take a group of 5 - 7 people meeting up fortnightly between now and the summer.
If you would like to be one of these people just indicate your interest below. This is gonna be great :)
Deleted User Fri 16 Dec 2016 8:05PM
Yeah,great and also,just one thing might be worth thinking/reminding about.alan suggested salon(?) which i guess is also a regular meetup.so maybe keep original meeting going as salon,and conference group can kinda 'work independent'.ie the regular meeting would be important imo just to keep discussion space open,then the conference group would need to spend time on that aspect.if ya get me?also i dont tune into loomio much as not in dublin etc as mentioned,but i would think there are some people on irish eco village fb who are in dublin,and something important at the mo is how these groups related etc.so people can see what on,and just get to meetup network etc.hope that makes sense
Deleted User Fri 16 Dec 2016 8:18PM
Might be jumping the gun,as i missed meeting,just saying theres a lot of work in organising anything and important to bring more folks along,as momentum is always needed.
Allano Stíobhairt Sat 17 Dec 2016 4:26AM
I wouldn't conclude that a conference is the best way to begin, but certainly a worthy start. Prepare to have your capabilities stretched
Deleted User Sun 18 Dec 2016 5:35PM
allano.i think at this stage all progress/action is good progress.A 'National Conference' could happen at any level,and really...imo...it is about just more people looking into this huge area/subject. Also I think keeping the salon.open space(weekly/forthnightly meetups) on the go is vital.As for example a trip needs to be organised to go to Tom Butlers (astrae) in Carlow,and so just getting people together just to 'connect and organise' (on various projects levels platforms etc)is where its at for now.for me at the mo,its still a numbers game,and the people are there just needin to connect...imo.Anybody is free to takethe lead on visiting Toms,i just not able for logistics,unless enough people willing and ready to roll.
Aaron Keohane Mon 19 Dec 2016 9:38AM
Hiya,
Thanks all for contributing :) Exciting times :)
@manusmcmanus I'd say it's be good to start a new thread regarding the visit to Tom as it could get lost in the middle here.
The Salon is a great idea, you should totally pursue that @allanostiobhairt
Just got an idea, I'll put up a proposal for what day of the week the fortnightly meetings will be on :)
Deleted User Mon 19 Dec 2016 1:16PM
Yeah sounds good
Aaron Keohane Mon 19 Dec 2016 9:47PM
Hiya, I started to write up a proposal but realised that wasn't a suitable tool as you can only vote in favour or against and can't give your preference.
So...
Which days of the week would suit you best for a meeting to organise a Community Living (un)Conference?
The following doodle poll is an effort to identify a day of the week for a fortnightly meeting with the purpose of organising the Irish Community Living (un)Conference. The purpose of this conference would be facilitate networking between all people who are interested in living communally in some form or another be it in co-housing, eco-villages or intentional communities.
The meetings will begin the 3rd week of January and will continue from there on fortnightly. You can find the doole poll here - http://doodle.com/poll/5e9u2e9v744y42ee
Sam Toland Tue 20 Dec 2016 6:07PM
Hi @aaronkeohane - is the above fortnightly meetings on hold until you've you (or the group) have spoken with Co-operative Housing Ireland re: the conference in April?
Aaron Keohane Tue 20 Dec 2016 6:30PM
Nope it's not on hold @samtoland. Sorry I should have given more detail regarding the nature of the conversation we had.
Geoff said that the April conference would be held in Dublin, run for one day, could host about 80 and would focus on co-operative housing.
I outlined our vision of the ICLU which would have a broader focus, encompass both co-operative housing, co-housing, eco-villages and intentional communities. Geoff said that Co-operative Housing Ireland would be in a position to support a conference such as ICLU, possibly in terms of both administration, PR and financing. Although obviously none of that is set in stone.
So.. myself and Geoff and possible one of his colleagues will be meeting during the 2nd week of January to discuss the nature of our collaboration. And then in the 3rd week of January, we will have our first fortnightly organisation meeting. At the moment it looks pretty likely to be taking place on Thursday 19th at 19:00. And at that meeting I'll give a report on my meeting with Geoff.
Eldon Hilliard · Fri 16 Dec 2016 10:49AM
I'm on board to help with the conference.