Minutes of the 47th meeting
Minutes of the 47th meeting of the Kent & Sussex Regional branch of The Socialist Party of Great Britain held on 11th October, 2015The meeting started at 2.20pm and was held at the Muggleton Inn, High Street, Maidstone, KentPresent: Mandy Bruce, Dave Chesham (Secretary), Marie Chesham, Rob Cox (Treasurer), Jacqueline ShodekeApologies for absence: Les Courtney, Dan Fabian, Hannah Dutton, Glenn Morris1. Election of ChairMotion 1. Cox & D.Chesham “That Shodeke be Chair”AGREED2. Minutes of the 46th Meeting held on 13th September 2015 were before the meetingMotion 2. Cox & M.Chesham “That the minutes be adopted”AGREED3. Matters arising from previous minutesi) Street StallsThree members and a supporter ran the street stall in Canterbury on 26th September. A second supporter was unable to come at the very last moment.Not quite as much interest as the previous time, but it was a bit cold and a lot of people with time to spare were probably at the nearby food festival. However 6 Standards were sold and three books/pamphlets.There was a long conversation with a Russian visitor which lasted for about 40 minutes and she left with information about the party and back copies of the Standard. Members handed out the rest of the Corbyn leaflets they had with them.Unusually there were a couple of incidents of mild abuse. A reaction, it seemed, against Corbyn being transferred onto us rather than our views on him. Most of the Corbyn supporters we spoke to were actually agreeable with our political objectives if not our 'strategy'.One of the Standard purchasers, from Ramsgate, mentioned he had come across the Party before and commented about the membership 'exam' being a barrier to membership. He chose not to go on the mailing list, however.The final stall of the season will be on Saturday, 17th October. Same time and place.ii) Brighton Talk – 15-9-15A good talk given by Howard Pilott, entitled 'The Environment and Red/Green Politics' was well received, but a slightly disappointing turnout with only 5 members and 6 visitors.A transcript of Howard's talk can be found on the SOYMB blog: http://socialismoryourmoneyback.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/the-environment-and-red-green-politics.htmlThere'll be another talk at the same venue on Wednesday, 11 November at 7.30pm to which the branch's oldest member, Les Courtney, may be able to attend provided someone is able to take him from his home in Burgess Hill.As there had been a number of recent expenses connected with the Brighton meetings the branch Treasurer provided an updated financial statement.iii) Video clipsDiscussion took place on the format for any video clips. It was thought that the 'talking heads' format worked well as in the party's General Election video. Several comrades were mentioned as possible participants in such a venture but it was AGREED to contact Mike Foster first to see if he had finalised the ideas he said he had about the subject.iv) Voluntary contributionsThe Treasurer had written to 8 branch members who are not currently making voluntary contributions of any description. He had received two responses to date.It was AGREED to contact Sam Wicks once again to ask him if he would be prepared to transfer to another branch now that he is living in North West England. It was reported that Glenn Morris would be transferring to Swansea branch in the near future.4. Invitation from school near DoverOne of our branch members gave a talk at a school run by the Bruderhof group of international Christian communes at their centre near Dover on 6th October. The school is selective but advertised as being open to all applicants and is regulated by OFSTED. It has 75 pupils aged between 6 and 19. Our member wrote this of his visit:“It was an interesting day. You can read about the group on the web. Pretty much completely self-contained in terms of growing food, and they run a workshop communally and sell the furniture they produce. They don’t use money and all property is owned in common. I gave a talk to the most attentive 12-14-year olds I’ve ever met. Very successful I’d say in getting our ideas across as they are already half way there. I started with the Ranters and Diggers and John Ball and ran through Marx, Morris and explained how the Chinese ‘communists’ still use money so can't be socialists.We did come to some verbal blows over human nature and if there’s a place for religion in socialism. I was open about our hostility to organised religion, but they don’t regard themselves as ‘organised’. The teachers were interested as well, and want to come to one of our meetings with some of the kids, so I’m following up on that.”5. Autumn Delegate Meeting – 24/25-10-15Consideration of the ADM agenda took place and delegates appointed.6. Workshop – 25/10/15There was some discussion of the subject matter.7. Investment Committee – Proposed terms of referenceIt was AGREED to defer this item to the November branch meeting.8. Nominations for 2016 Executive Committee and Party Officersi) 2016 Executive CommitteeIt was AGREED that the following members be nominated for the 2016 Executive Committee:Rob Cox, Eddie Craggs, Carla Dee, Mike Foster, Vincent Jones, Vincent Maratty, Kevin Parkin, Keith Scholey, Stair, Melvin Tenner.ii) 2016 Party Officers It was AGREED that the following members be nominated for various Party positions:General Secretary – Keith Scholey Assistant Secretary – Tristan Miller Treasurer – Gwynn ThomasAssistant Treasurer – Mike Browne Auditors – Howard MossTrustees – Howard Moss9. Forms 'A'NONE10. EC minutes – October meeting – 3-10-15NOT TO HAND11. Future propaganda activitiesNONE other than those already mentioned.12. Any other businessi) The executive committee member of the socialist students society at Christchurch University who had attended our stall in Canterbury on 22 August and had shown interest in having a party speaker/debate had not replied to an email sent to him.It was AGREED that the Secretary contact him again.ii) The Secretary intimated that he would like to step down from the job. None of those present were keen to take it over but all said they would be happy to help out in any way they could. The Secretary agreed to continue for the time being.Meeting adjourned at 6.45pmCollection taken: £10.40