Meeting 19 May

Ok, I made it! I don't know what took me so long to figure out, the Google account probably, couldn't remember my password. Hi there, this is Anna. I live in Dublin and I was an intern at Cultivate in 2005. It was a good experience, and somehow changed my life (Anna and her Italian drama). I try to go to Cultivate as often as I can, which means that I am never around. But I did turn up for the last meeting (Mon 19 May). You all seem nice people so can somebody tell me why last Monday (apart from our beloved staff) had I the impression that I was sorrounded by people whose attitude was a bit over the top, so to speak? For a start, I think we badly need a Chair, a facilitator, call it what you want, but we need someone who knows when to tell people to please, stop talking (I'd love to be that person just for one time). The meeting was hijacked and the questions raised were far beyond the very nature of the meeting itself. If the meeting was called in order to involve new members and volunteers, we do need some structure and some organisation. For example, when Ben makes his introductions, I think it would be a good idea to keep it short and to the point. It is very difficult to maintain people's attention after 10 minutes, unless you engage in lively conversation. I struggled to follow him from A to Z, but as everybody else I had been working for 8 hours, and already a bit tired. So, I admit it, I couldn't. I don't even know if he got to The Point, i.e. where Cultivate is going, to what extent has its mission changed, and therefore the aims. Maybe he gave a brilliant explanation of it, but honestly I cannot tell. A few slides (or similar), that you can use everytime you hold these meetings, would help. And we need some input if you want some feedback. I asked 3 people inside the core organisation about the changes that you hope to bring about in Cultivate. None of them could give me any guidance, because they didn't know. There is somebody among us witholding vital information..............I seeeee youuuuu! :) Call me a bitch, call me a ball breaker, but it is frustrating to see the same problems untackled months after months. And anyway, I am not the only one who feels this way...........I seee yeee toooooo! ;) That's enough. This inhuman effort of diplomacy made me tired and in the mood for a nap. I gave - perhaps threw - some input and I would appreciate some feedback. The more controversial the better. Have a nice weekend Anna