Co-Tech summer camp 21/22/23 July

Eduardo, Simon, Marc - you can also call/text me on 07793 650013. Cheers AC

Thanks, Andrew -- likewise I am at asimong on gmail and also 07710031657 - do you do Hangouts or WhatsApp, too? (sigh, the dominators again) ;)

Simon

Hi Simon,

Sorry don't do Whatapp - no real prejudice but just can't be arsed. I could sign up though if we think it's useful.

I suggest that once the other two guys get in the loop that we do a Skype call and get a few things tied down and agreed - quickly, as the summer aint far away.

I do have the outline of a plan to suggest, but let's get the others hooked up and then see if it's worth progressing.

Great to get in touch with you.

Cheers

AC

Hi All.

Now that the CoTech Community site is live, do we move discussion/organisation there or keep this thread going?

I'd suggest using Loomio for decisions and have everything else at community.coops.tech, see also the meeting notes from a couple of days ago -- start a "CoTech Camp 2017" thread :-)

Sorry I haven't moved forward on this -- too many other things temporarily standing in the way. But for a small group where we may want to make decisions, why not stick on Loomio? I don't see it as workable to be jumping to and fro. But open to suggestions.

If the plot's now to use Loomio for what it's designed for - tackle specific topics that require a vote to resolve - then I'd say move the camp discussion / housekeeping to Discourse. Then, if there is something that needs a vote (I suspect not a lot in likely in the case of the camp), it can always be posted here.

Hello Everybody. I'm just duplicating a message on 'Discourse' for those who haven't signed up to that forum yet.

In my position as part of the elected "fearless leadership", I have already started to make some arrangements for the Summer Camp. I have made a provisional 'booking' on the site near me and made some tentative arrangements regarding portaloo and portashower bloc. I have also made a provisional enquiry regarding 'luxury' accommodation for people who might not want to sleep under canvass. I am looking at two potential weekends towards the end of the summer a) 25/8, 26/8, 27/8 b) 1/9, 2/9, 3/9. The first (august) weekend may be a non starter as that is a bank holiday weekend and Co-Technologists may not be up for that. The site itself is free but there will be costs for the washing and toilet facilities. But these costs along with those for catering (food and fire) will likely be the only budget considerations for the campers. The luxury accommodation would cost £202 per person for 10 people (3 nights). 10 is the max number for the luxury accommodation and if fewer people wanted to take that option the cost per head would increase.

The site itself is beautiful with numerous wooded locations for meetings, workshops, etc. There is also a large barn available for us to meet/work if the weather is appalling.

There should be ample parking, secure bike storage and transport to and from the local rail stations. There are a few relatively handy pubs within a short drive and one pub even in walking distance.

The proposed 'site' is on the Isle of Oxney near Rye, Sussex (although the site is actually in Kent). Rye and Tenterden are the nearest sizable towns and there are good transport links via the London St Pancras/Ashford high-speed rail link.

Obviously I need to discuss this plan with my fellow organisers @marcd @eduardo @simongrant. I didn't know that @mattparsons was involved as I didn't see him on the original Loomio discussion and vote.

Could @marcd @eduardo @simongrant @mattparsons get in touch with me pretty urgently as if we went this route we would need to tie down arrangements quickly. Summer is approaching fast. My details are [email protected] 07793 650013

Cheers

AC

Hi @marcd

Are you still up for getting involved/helping organise the Co-Tech summer camp? If so - please get in touch [email protected] 07793 650013

Thanks

Dear Co-tecchers. We now have a firm venue and date for the CO-TECH summer camp. WHICH IS DEFINITELY HAPPENING!!!

The camp will take place 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th July at Wittersham on the Isle of Oxney in Kent (post code TN30 7EL) . 6 people have confirmed their ability to attend the camp and together with us organisers we are currently looking at 10 to 12 attendees.

Now that doesn't mean that people who originally didn't think they could make it can't change their mind and now come. Please - if you like the sound of what we're planning, please let us know and come along!

A brief outline of what's taking shape:-

Camping in the beautiful Kent countryside with a stunning view across the valley towards Paul McCartney's Sussex pad, next to a protected wood which will provides numerous clearings and glades for meetings, discussions and other 'seances'.

The event will start on the Friday (21/7), with working sessions and activities on the Saturday (22/7) and Sunday (23/7). Attendees will have the option to either depart on Sunday or stay a third night under canvass and leave on the Monday (24/7).

The event will be part catered with a 'BBQ' on the first night (Friday 21st July) and a big curry on the Saturday night. Other meals (breakfast and lunch) will be self catered although some staples (milk, bread, salad) will be provided and I expect some eggs, sausages and bacon will be cooked up for breakfast for them's that want them. There will be some food provided on the Sunday for those that want to hang on for the last night.

It's expected that attendees will bring their own tent and camping equipment. For people who are keen to come but don't have a tent, there may be an opportunity of a loan. Please get in touch and I'm sure that we can sort something out.

For anybody who would like to attend but really doesn't want to rough it, there are numerous BnBs and Air BnBs within the vicinity. But we will need to move fast on these as they will book up as the summer approaches.

Toilet facilities will be provided.

Transport - given the current envisaged level of attendance, there will be ample car parking available. There is also secure bike storage. Train links are easy and frequent with the high speed service from London St Pancras to Ashford Kent, and then a connection to the local station which is Appledore. A shuttle car pick up service will operate between the camp, Ashford and Appledore and with a bit of careful and patient planning transport to and from the site will be very easy.

Tech - we will rig up a power 'charging station' for devices. 3g and 4g coverage is available but ain't perfect and we are looking in to somehow getting wireless broadband to the site or nearby.

The event is being organised by myself Andy Croft, Eduardo Silva and Marc De'ath - with some further help from some assorted Gildedsplinters.

Now for the important bit. The content and aims of the event. This is very much to be decided - not because the organisers are a bunch of lazy gits but because we believe the group, Co-Tech, as a whole should determine what the event should achieve and set the agenda and objectives for the programme. We will be asking the group through Loomio, etc for input as to what the event should be expected to achieve. And so even if you can't or don't want to come, please get involved and help us make this gathering as constructive and productive as possible.

We envisage workshops and discussion groups taking place - and there will be a barn and larger shelters available if the weather is awful, so as to ensure that work (and play) can go ahead uninterrupted by bad weather.

The idea is that this is a LOW COST alternative for those who can't attend the Wortley Hall event. The aim is that this camp is complementary to Wortley Hall and part of the same process of making Co-Tech as effective as possible.

We cannot put a firm cost on the event at the moment because we need a better handle on final number of attendees. But we do know that cost of the site is GRATIS, the cost of the chemi kazi will be £80 and the rest is food (and booze). We envisage (have set ourselves the target) that the whole event will cost no more than £75 per person (before booze).

I hope that the above gives you a feel for what's going to happen and that it whets your appetite. We will be in touch with more details and to ask for input to the event's agenda , content and aims.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please reply to this post or contact me Andy Croft [email protected] 07793 650013.

I hope to hear from you all very soon.