Sat27Jan - UK Social Centres' Winter Gathering

[Stuart Hodkinson]

Please pass on and circulate
Tony


UK Social Centres Winter Gathering '07 // Proposed Agenda & Structure 

Building on the successful 2006 Social Centres gathering in January 2006 in Leeds, the next social centres gathering is being hosted by the long- running 1 in 12 social centre in Bradford. The aim is to develop relationships between the different social centres projects across the UK, share skills, develop the network, and build upon some of the successful initiatives social centres are involved in. 

The day will include plenaries and workshops on: 

? developing the social centres network - strategies and tactics 
? developing/sharing and resources and skills 
? producing social centre pamphlets/books/zines 
? launching a UK social centres website 
? developing and supporting struggles around migration, climate change and work exploitation, whilst creating alternatives 
? undertaking network-wide actions and initiatives 

The gathering will only be as good as the people there! Spread info about this gathering within your social centres and come to Bradford with ideas. If you have a proposal 
or want to start up a centre come along and get involved. 

Food will be provided by the 1 in 12 Cafe. Music and entertainment by the Sex Patels, Spanner and BeyONd TV. Accommodation is available but please get in touch: 
clubmail at 1in12.com <mailto:clubmail at 1in12.com>  

Sunday will include practical skill share sessions. 

The 1 in 12 MORRISONS Club, 
21-23 Albion 
Street, 
Bradford, 
W. Yorks. 
BD1 2LY 
Tel: (01274) 734160 

Below is the proposed agenda for the next gathering hosted by Bradford's 1in12 Club on January 27th 2007. Food, Accommodation and entertainment (see previous email) is being organised by people at the 1in12 but no doubt help would be needed on the day. 

The proposed agenda has the aim of formalising the relationships between the different social centres projects across the UK. Since the first meeting back in Febuary at Leed's Common Place there has been talk of developing this network and building upon some of the successful initiatives that social centres have been involved. The proposed structure is as follows: 

>>Structure 

10-11.30 

Breakfast, arrival and welcome 

11.30 - 13.00 

MORNING PLENARY 

11.30 - 11.45 

//intros, housekeeping, outlining sessions, handout SKILLS FORM* ) 

11.45 - 13.00 

//developing the social centres network - political strategy and tactics) possible areas to develop (i.e. How the network functions - these gatherings, social centre zine, website, practical info pamphlet.....anything else? We discuss ideas which solidifies a political basis, what resources/skills do social centres need ) 

13.00 - 14.00 

WORKGROUPS (as decided in the first plenary - below is a possibility) 

1. Social Centre Publications - come here to discuss and plan pamphlets/books/zines related to social centres 2. Website Group - come here to form web site group and help out 3. Formulating a basic text/constitution (bringing suggestions of the plenary together) 4. Making a database of all the skills/contacts/resources we have in our network - skills form...etc 

14.00 - 15.00 

LUNCH/Pub 

15.00 - 16.00 

AFTERNOON PLENARY 

- What are the political projects that social centres are involved in (e.g. 

Climate Change, No Borders, Hacklabs/Video/Cinema...etc) 

- Scope for Networking 

- Proposals for network-wide action, initiative 

16.00 - 17.00 

WORKGROUPS (as decided in the second plenary - below is a possibility)) 

1. No Borders/Migrant Struggles (ASBO, London, Cottage(brum people), Common Place 

- how can we develop social centres connection with migrant struggles? 

2. Anti-Climate Change movement (Basement, Larc, Sumac..etc) 

- what can we do with social centres and climate change actions?? 

3. Zapatista Solidarity Groups (Everything4Everyone, ACE,Kebele) 

- Planning an info tour for Social Centres....etc 

17.00 - 17.30 

Tea/Beer Break 

17.30 - 18.30 

FINAL PLENARY 

Report back from network workgroups 

(Possible) Outcome: 

1. Social Centres Website Sorted 

2. New Social Centres Resource book planned 3. Text and Constitution of Network drafted 

Report back from Second Workgroups 

(Possible) Outcomes: 

1. No Borders / Social Centres link up 

2. Climate Change mass action involving social centres 3. Zap Social Centre Info tour planned sometime 2007 

Skills Form: Everyone goes home with access to skills database. 

PLENARIES: 

Three plenaries (morning, afternoon, evening). These will involve everyone 

and are spaces to present, feedback and discuss ideas with the view of 

taking some action. The "taking some action" is deferred to the WORKGROUPS 

which are formed once there is a clear agreement that needs to be taken 

forward. 

WORKGROUPS: 

The workgroups become the "taking action" part of the day where ideas are 

taken further, working groups formed as part of the social centres network 

(i.e. publishing project, web development team, social centres/No borders 

liason...or whatever!) 

PRACTICAL SKILLS FORM: 

Form will be produced either on paper on via a graphical interface on the 

web where by individuals can add there contacts, relevant skills so as that 

social centre activists have access to a variety of skills within the 

network (i.e. from "How to apply for an alcohol license" to "Who knows 

plumbing, leccy, gas...etc") 

FINALLY: 

1. Whats been asked of the social centres? 

Spread information about this gathering within your social centres and come 

to Bradford with some ideas! 

Write down your ideas proposals on paper to distribute at the gathering. 

Email them to the list before the gathering. Discuss this agenda and email 

responses to the list. 

Thats it! 

In Solidarity 

Winter Gathering 07 group