Kent and Sussex Branch
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PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF MEETING DATE TO FIRST SUNDAY (OCTOBER ONLY)Next meeting of K&SRB – Sunday, 2nd October, 2016 at 2.00pm at The Muggleton Inn (Wetherspoon), 8 High Street, Maidstone ME14 1HJ (first floor)AGENDAElection of ChairApologies for absenceAdoption of minutes of previous meetingMatters arising from the minutesi) Street Stalls – Canterbury – Report of 17 September and future stall on 8 Octoberii) Future Brighton activities including grant requestiii) Gay Pride – Canterburyiv) Membership mattersv) Call for nominations for Socialist Standard layout membersvi) Call for nominations for 2017 Party Officers and EC membersvii) Snap General Election possibilityAutumn Delegate Meeting – Agenda and appointment of delegatesForms 'A' & 'F'Branch membership transfersEC minutes – October meeting – 1-10-16Future propaganda activitiesAny other businessCollectionAdjournment
Minutes of the 59th meeting of the Kent & Sussex Regional branch of The Socialist Party of Great Britain held on 2nd October 2016 The meeting started at 2.15pm and was held at the Muggleton Inn, High Street, Maidstone, KentPresent: Mandy Bruce, Dave Chesham (Secretary), Rob Cox (Treasurer), Dan FabianApologies for absence: Marie Chesham, Hannah Dutton1. Election of ChairMotion 1. Chesham & Fabian “That Bruce be Chair” AGREED 2. Minutes of the 58th Meeting held on 11th September 2016 were before the meetingMotion 2. Fabian & Cox “That the minutes be adopted”AGREED 3. Matters arising from previous minutes i) Street Stalls Report of Canterbury street stall – 17 September The three members present thought about cancelling this stall, as the BBC weather forecast had flipped to rain for most of the afternoon. However the forecast gradually improved and by 11am was forecasting no rain between 12 and 5. There were no other stalls in the area, so we had the best spot. Unfortunately it started spitting rain as soon as we set up, and slowly got worse until nearly 3pm when it got very heavy and we had to pack up. Not surprisingly we had very little interest, selling only two Standards (but for £2 each). Karl and Mandy gave out a lot of leaflets, mainly the ‘Tories’ one.Last stall in Canterbury this season will on Saturday, 8 October from 12noon.ii) Brighton Group meetingReport of public meeting by Anton P. – 13 September – "Post Capitalism: What Now?"“Publicity for the event was through a print run of 1000 leaflets designed by Elena B-G and distributed by mail and in local cafes, etc. On the evening posters were outside the pub. Social media was used as much as possible.Very disappointing turnout (9) that began the discussion which lead on quickly to whether indeed we have ‘post-capitalism’ (we don’t!) and what in the face of misunderstanding & apathy, we can do. Co-operatives were discussed at length & largely dismissed though this lead to the idea of spreading ‘consciousness’ and expanded to encompass the Corbyn debate. Incidentally, there was a large support Corbyn benefit gig in Brighton that evening, unknown to us when we booked the date. It was also unseasonably warm & being inside was not attractive!The conclusion was that we need to engage specific interest groups. Indeed, leafleting at the mentioned gig would have had a much larger impact than our tiny meeting. I know from my own experience that we like to have these cosy meetings rather than cold leafleting so need to kick that habit! Also we would really welcome suggestions for which existing leaflets or new leaflet content and although it is our area, also suggestions for events to attend.The Universities were mentioned several times and it was decided this is where we need to concentrate. Theo & Aiyana offered to look into it.The new people contributed towards the end & were very interested in the cause with both saying they came from on-line engagement. Mike L saw it on the party’s ‘Meetup’ group; he follows the party from time to time whereas Jess B saw it on Facebook from a friend of a friend. They were impressed and will come again.”It was AGREED that the Secretary write a letter or email congratulating the group and encouraging them to continue with their activities.iii) Gay Pride events in Canterbury & Margate Nothing to report; there being no plans for further activities this year.iv) Membership matters Following correspondence from a prominent branch member announcing withdrawal from branch activity, the recent resignation from the party of a second member and the inability of the branch to get a quorum on the very first occasion since its formation, some time was spent discussing various options for the future including online meetings, change of venue and/or day of our meetings, transfer of at least three members to other branches in order to reduce the required quorum, and dissolution of the branch.It was AGREED that Rob prepare a suitable questionnanire, assisted by Dan, which would be sent to all branch members, and to submit this for consideration at our next meeting.v) Call for nominations for Socialist Standard layout membersFollowing a discussion about technical aspects of the layout work it was AGREED that Mandy contact Neil W. of the SSPC to request clarification about templates and Adobe trial downloads.vi) Call for nominations for 2017 Party Officers and EC members The branch nominated the following additional members:Executive Committee members: Dave Chesham, Carla Dee AGREED vii) Snap General Election possibility It was likely that the branch would once again contest the Canterbury Parliamentary constituency in the event of a snap general election.4. Autumn Delegate Meeting Members discussed the agenda and delegates appointed.5. Forms 'A' & 'F' NONE 6. Branch membership transfers NONE 7. EC minutes NONE to hand8. Future propaganda activities NONE other than those already mentioned9. Any other businessNONE Meeting adjourned at 6.51pm Collection taken: £8.50
Sorry to hear about the problems the branch is having: It has been so active and productive and it has been encouraging to hear of your activities.
Next meeting of K&SRB – Sunday, 13th November, 2016 at 2.00pm at The Muggleton Inn (Wetherspoon), 8 High Street, Maidstone ME14 1HJ (first floor)AGENDAElection of ChairApologies for absenceAdoption of minutes of previous meetingMatters arising from the minutesi) Street Stalls – Canterbury – Report of 8 Octoberii) Future Brighton activitiesiii) Membership mattersiv) Call for nominations for Socialist Standard layout membersv) Call for nominations for 2017 Party Officers and EC membersvi) Snap General Election possibilityReport of ADM proceedingsFinance reportForms 'A' & 'F'Branch membership transfersEC minutes – October meeting – 1-10-16 November meeting – 5-11-16Future propaganda activitiesAny other businessCollectionAdjournment
Next meeting of K&SRB – Sunday, 11th December, 2016 at 2.00pm at The Muggleton Inn (Wetherspoon), 8 High Street, Maidstone ME14 1HJ (first floor) AGENDA Election of ChairApologies for absenceAdoption of minutes of previous meetingMatters arising from the minutesi) Membership mattersii) Call for nominations for Socialist Standard layout membersiii) Call for nominations for 2017 Party Officers and EC membersCall for nominations for 2017 sub-committeesConference 2017 – Motions and Amendments to RuleForms 'A' & 'F' – Form ‘A’ for JHBranch membership transfersEC minutes – November meeting — 5-11-16 December meeting — 3-12-16Future propaganda activitiesAny other businessCollectionAdjournment
Minutes of the 60th meeting of the Kent & Sussex Regional branch of The Socialist Party of Great Britain held on 13th November 2016The meeting started at 2.08pm and was held at the Muggleton Inn, High Street, Maidstone, KentPresent: Dave Chesham (Secretary), Marie Chesham, Rob Cox (Treasurer), Dan FabianApologies for absence: Mandy Bruce, Susan Chivers, Hannah Dutton1. Election of ChairMotion 1. Cox & D.Chesham “That Fabian be Chair”AGREED2. Minutes of the 59th Meeting held on 2nd October 2016 were before the meeting Motion 2. Cox & Fabian “That the minutes be adopted”AGREED 3. Matters arising from previous minutes i) Street Stalls Report of Canterbury street stall – 8 October Rain again hit the stall. As the forecast was dry until 3pm we went ahead, but the rain came early (as soon as we started) and was persistent, until about 1:30pm. As a result, not as many visited the stall as usual. We did manage to hand out some leaflets and had a few interesting discussions, one of which was with a Labour Party member who knew the SPGB from a West London friend who was a Party member in the 1960’s.We were entertained by some pleasant jazz guitar from a ‘Socialist’ busker, who spent half an hour chatting with us about why the workers have yet to achieve their emancipation. We were pleased to be visited again by two of our anarchist followers from Dover, who contributed to our literature sales (3 Standards, one SOYMB book and a donation of £3.50).ii) Brighton GroupGroup members have had a couple of meetings with the Socialist Society based at Brighton University.It is hoped to hold another public meeting in February.iii) Membership matters Rob and Dan had produced a questionnaire which would be sent to all branch members to be followed up about four weeks later with an electronic version.NOTEDiv) Further call for nominations for Socialist Standard layout members A second call was received for a further layout member. It was AGREED to circulate the branch membership once again.v) Further call for nominations for 2017 Party Officers and EC members The branch nominated Jacqueline Shodeke, to serve both as an Executive Committee member and member of the Campaigns Committee. AGREEDvi) Snap General Election possibilityIt was AGREED to inform the Executive Committee that the branch would be prepared to run a campaign in the Parliamentary Constituency of Canterbury.The Secretary would ask the members in Brighton if they would be able to run a campaign in one of the constituencies there.4. Autumn Delegate Meeting – report of proceedings NOTED5. Finance reportThe Treasurer gave a financial report. It showed a deficit for the year ended 12 November 2016 of expenditure over income of £36.58. The accumulated fund showed a balance of £338.94.Motion 3. D.Chesham & M.Chesham “That the Treasurer be thanked for his report and the balance remaining at Unity Trust Bank be transferred to Nat West Bank” AGREED6. Forms 'A' & 'F'NONE7. Branch membership transfersNONE8. EC minutes – October meeting – 1-10-16NOTED 9. Future propaganda activities NONE other than those already mentioned10. Any other businessNONE Meeting adjourned at 3.30pm(members socialised for a further two hours following the adjournment)Collection taken: £11.00Literature sales: £3.00
Minutes of the 61st meeting of the Kent & Sussex Regional branch of The Socialist Party of Great Britain held on 11th December 2016 The meeting started at 2.08pm and was held at the Muggleton Inn, High Street, Maidstone, KentPresent: Dave Chesham (Secretary), Marie Chesham, Rob Cox (Treasurer), Sam WicksApologies for absence: Mandy Bruce, Hannah Dutton, Dan Fabian1. Election of ChairMotion 1. D.Chesham & M.Chesham “That Cox be Chair” AGREED 2. Minutes of the 60th Meeting held on 13th November 2016 were before the meeting Motion 2. M.Chesham & Cox “That the minutes be adopted” AGREED 3. Matters arising from previous minutes i) Membership matters The questionnaire on the future of the branch which Rob and Dan had produced was discussed and would be sent to all branch members by post and then followed up two weeks later with an electronic version.ii) Further call for nominations for Socialist Standard layout membersNOTEDiii) Further call for nominations for 2017 Party Officers and EC membersThe branch nominated the following members to serve on the 2017 Executive Committee.Dick Field, Julian Vein, Darren Williams4. Call for nominations for 2017 sub-committeesIt was AGREED to nominate the following members for these respective sub-committees.Audio-Visual – Jessica Harrison, Tim Kilgallon, Vincent Maratty Campaigns – Eddie Craggs, Mike Foster Head Officer Organiser – Mike Kelly Publications – Mandy Bruce 5. Conference 2017 – Motions and Amendments to Rule While considering this item a lengthy discussion took place on the party’s organisational structure. As a result the following motion was proposed and seconded.Motion 3. (to the EC) M.Chesham & R.Cox "This branch is of the opinion that the Party needs to undertake an urgent review of the sustainability of its organisational structure and its ability to effectively engage its members and supporters to achieve its objectives and operate in the 21st Century.We call upon the Executive Committee to organise a consultation of the entire membership on:1. Their views on the current and future organisational structure of the Party.2. The views of members on the priorities of the Party.3. How best individual party members, supporters and sympathisers can be enabled to participate in achieving the object of the Party.”AGREED 4-0-0 (four members present)It was AGREED to defer other matters to the next branch meeting.6. Forms 'A' & 'F'The acting General Secretary informed the branch that Jessica Harrison, who currently lives in Brighton, had been accepted into membership of the party via the Membership Application Committee and had been allocated to K&S. The Secretary agreed to send Jessica a welcoming email.7. Branch membership transfersSam Wicks, who was present at the meeting, requested his membership be transferred from Manchester Branch to Kent & Sussex now that he is living in Maidstone once again. Sam was welcomed back into the branch of which he had been a member before. The Secretary would make the necessary transfer arrangements.The branch membership currently stands at 20.8. EC minutes – November meeting – 5-11-16 December meeting – 3-12-16 NOTED9. Future propaganda activitiesNONE other than those already mentioned10. Any other businessi) T-ShirtsRob reported that he had 8 T-Shirts left. This had been a private venture and not that of the branch. Dave agreed to take over the advertising and dispatch of these remaining items although more may need to be ordered to accommodate requests for particular designs and sizes.It was AGREED to return to the subject at our next meeting.Meeting adjourned at 6.35pmCollection taken: £15.00Literature sales: £5.00
gnome wrote:Motion 3. (to the EC) M.Chesham & R.Cox "This branch is of the opinion that the Party needs to undertake an urgent review of the sustainability of its organisational structure and its ability to effectively engage its members and supporters to achieve its objectives and operate in the 21st Century.We call upon the Executive Committee to organise a consultation of the entire membership on:1. Their views on the current and future organisational structure of the Party.2. The views of members on the priorities of the Party.3. How best individual party members, supporters and sympathisers can be enabled to participate in achieving the object of the Party.”Very positive.However, how members partake in such a discussion is a very real problem.
Next meeting of K&SRB – Sunday, 8th January, 2017 at 2.00pm at The Muggleton Inn (Wetherspoon), 8 High Street, Maidstone ME14 1HJ (first floor) AGENDA Election of ChairApologies for absenceAdoption of minutes of previous meetingMatters arising from the minutesi) Membership mattersii) Further call for nominations for 2017 Party Officers and EC membersiii) Call for nominations for 2017 sub-committeesiv) Conference 2017 – Motions and Amendments to Rulev) T-ShirtsForms 'A' & 'F'Branch membership transfersEC minutes – January meeting – 7-1-17Future propaganda activitiesAny other businessCollectionAdjournment
Next meeting of K&SRB – Sunday, 12th February, 2017 at 2.00pm at The Muggleton Inn (Wetherspoon), 8 High Street, Maidstone ME14 1HJ (first floor) AGENDA Election of ChairApologies for absenceAdoption of minutes of previous meetingMatters arising from the minutesi) Membership mattersii) Further call for nominations for 2017 Party Officersiii) Further call for nominations for 2017 sub-committeesiv) T-ShirtsConference 2017i) Preliminary agendaii) Items for DiscussionBranch Form ‘C’May 2017 Council ElectionsStreet StallsBrighton GroupForms 'A' & 'F'Branch membership transfersEC minutes – January meeting – 7-1-17 February meeting – 4-2-17Future propaganda activitiesAny other businessCollectionAdjournment
Minutes of the 62nd meeting of the Kent & Sussex Regional branch of The Socialist Party of Great Britain held on 8th January 2017 The meeting started at 2.30pm and was held at the Muggleton Inn, High Street, Maidstone, KentPresent: Mandy Bruce, Dave Chesham (Secretary), Rob Cox (Treasurer), Dan Fabian, Sam WicksApologies for absence: Marie Chesham, Hannah Dutton1. Election of ChairMotion 1. D.Chesham & Fabian “That Wicks be Chair” AGREED2. Minutes of the 61st Meeting held on 11th December 2016 were before the meeting Motion 2. Cox & Fabian “That the minutes be adopted”AGREED3. Matters arising from previous minutesi) Membership matters The questionnaire on the future of the branch which Rob and Dan produced has been sent to all branch members by post. Two replies have already been received. A reminder in the form of an email would be sent out to those who haven’t responded within a couple of weeks or so.ii) Further call for nominations for 2017 Party Officers and EC members It was AGREED 5-0-0 (five members present) to nominate the following members to serve on the 2017 Executive Committee.Melvin Tenner, Sam Wicks iii) Further call for nominations for 2017 sub-committees It was AGREED 5-0-0 (five members present) to nominate the following members for these respective sub-committees.Media — Rob Cox, Max Hess, Andy Thomas University & College – Darrell Whiteheadiv) Conference 2017 – Motions and Amendments to Rule a) The following motion was proposed:“The Party needs to undertake an urgent review of the sustainability of its organisational structure and its ability to effectively engage its members and supporters to achieve its objectives and operate in the 21st Century. Conference instructs the Executive Committee to organise a consultation of the entire membership on:1. Their views on the current and future organisational structure of the Party.2. The views of members on the priorities of the Party.3. How best individual party members, supporters and sympathisers can be enabled to participate in achieving the object of the Party.”AGREED 5-0-0 (five members present)Rob would write the supporting statement.b) The following amendment was proposed to Rule 2:‘Remove the first sentence in Rule 2 and substitute “Members contribute to the achievement of the Party object in accordance with their abilities and means, which may include the propagation of ideas, active participation, financial contributions and encouraging others to become Socialist.”’AGREED 5-0-0 (five members present)Sam would write the supporting statement.v) T-Shirts Rob suggested that the eight remaining T-Shirts, and any more we might order, should be sold at cost price which would be in the region of £11.50.It was AGREED to return to the subject again at our next meeting.4. Forms 'A' & 'F'NONE 5. Branch membership transfersNONE 6. EC minutesNONE TO HAND 7. Future propaganda activities NONE other than those already mentioned8. Any other businessNONEMeeting adjourned at 5.10pmCollection taken: £10.00Literature sales: £8.00
All the best for those May elections. Looking forward to reading the election manifestoes and those very likely local press candidate statements.
Always encouraging to hear what the branch is up to. Hope other branches follow suit.Good luck with the elections. If the branch wishes to make a short version of the manifesto – about 90 seconds long – even better an audio recording, I will attempt to produce a short videoscript and some 'memes'. for the election
There are County Council elections in Durham too, which the Party has contested on a number of occasions.
Thanks Vin, regarding the video offer.I have a meeting with the prospective candidates on 6th March (by which time we should have EC approval to contest) so I will discuss the idea with them.As I recall one of the candidates has his own recording studio, so the audio should be no problem (he is an experienced Party speaker as well).Will be in touch later.PS Would this be in a personal capacity,or via the AVC, now you are re-instated?
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