Minutes of the 17th October 2011 Committee Meeting
Present: Carol, Mari, Pamela & Gavin
Apologies: Jacqui
Hosted by Carol
Minutes by Gavin
Agreed upon the minutes from the last meeting
Johrei Centre:
* Due to the previous damp in the Johrei room, we will try putting Meishu sama's photograph to the right of the calligraphy. This would require removal of the curtains, but if we add draft excluder to the garden door, the room shouldn't get overly cold
* Carol expressed the desire to sandpaper the bottom of the inside door as it scrapes on the floor. Mari said that the door would need to be removed and planed rather than sandpapered. Mari will ask Ken or Paul to do this if possible.
* We can prepare the room for the pictures to be moved, but hanging them will wait for Koichi to arrive in advance of the Art of Living event
* Before the event we will paint the walls of the Johrei centre. We will do this on the weekend of the 22nd October
* Carol requested that we use non-toxic paint as it's better for a healing environment
* Mari will organise the acquisition of paints, rollers, etc. We can get advice from Ken or Paul
* Gavin had previously cleaned the music CD in the Johrei room, but it's still skipping so will swap his CD from home for the scratched one
* Mari will try and organise collection of the photocopier soon
Garden:
* The garden is O.K. for now since it's almost winter
* Pamela suggested that now was a good time to plant bulbs ready for spring. Some of the flowers have ended so they can be replaced by bulbs
Training:
The next training course date has been postponed due to lack of firm bookings
Art of Living Event:
** Promotion
* Carol suggested an introductory talk in Glastonbury to promote the event
* We have temporary fliers for the Bristol event that we can start to distribute
* Yumi has made fliers that should arrive soon. We can widely distribute them when they arrive
* Pamela noticed a spelling error on the flier. Mari will organise for it to be corrected for copies to be emailed/website
* Carol can try to organise coverage of the event in the Evening Post and on Radio Bristol
* Mari will speak to Sarah about coverage on Bristol Community Radio
* Carol suggested that as we have two members from Sendai, the Evening Post might be interested in interviewing them about the effects of the tsunami. Maybe we can invite the reporters to do the interview at the event
* The event will have around 40 places in total. Maybe 30 visitors and the rest members
** Things for Visiting Members to Do
* Since it is bonfire night we could look for a local display - there is one in Westbury on Trym. Japanese visitors might be disappointed by English firework displays so it may not be worth going to a display that charged admission
* Pamela suggested going to Brandon Hill as there is a good view of the city and of any displays from there. Carol also thought Bedminster Down might be suitable
* Staying out for fireworks would be highly weather dependent, especially as some of the visitors are older
* Carol suggested that there might be a carnival in November so will check on dates
** Places for Visiting Members to Eat
* On Friday we need to look for somewhere to eat in Bath. Rosie may have recommendations for places to eat. Sally Lunn's is one suggestion, but it is quite small so would definitely require a booking. Mari will look into this
* Carol suggested that somewhere on the river would be nice for one day, maybe Riverstation or Spyglass
* Gavin suggested that, since time might be tight on Friday, somewhere in Cabot Circus would be best for dinner. Pamela said that Raymond Blanc is supposed to give good discounts so may be a possibility
* For Saturday night, if we stay out to watch fireworks, fish and chips would be good. It was suggested that the best place for fish and chips is at the bottom of Christmas Steps. It's relatively close to Brandon Hill. Again, this is weather dependant
** Transport
* Gavin offered to drive the minibus again
* Mari suggested that we don't need a minibus for the entire time, maybe only the 1st and 5th will suffice. We can use cars and taxies for the rest of the time
* For the trip to Bath, we can go by train
* Mari will look into minibus rental
** Members Gathering on the 6th
* We will spend the morning out and about in Bristol
* The open top busses may be useful, especially if the weather is good
* The M Shed is free to visitors and has interesting information about Bristol. Mari suggested it might be difficult for Japanese people to understand due to the language
* We can have a light lunch at a bus stop
* Gavin suggested that the meeting be relatively early as Yukiko Umemura needs to travel back to Heathrow quite early
* The members gathering could be at about 2pm and we could have afternoon tea. Bristol members can bring cake, sandwiches, etc. to share
** Gifts for Visiting Members
* We are looking to spend about £6 per person
* Sachiko likes the bag that we gave her a few years ago so something similar might be good
* The previous bags came from Bristol Museum
* There are Clifton Suspension Bridge themed items available in several local shops
* Bristol Tourist Information by the Watershed is another source of Bristol themed gifts
Actions:
* Mari to arrange for the door to be planed
* Mari to organise the materials required for painting the centre
* Gavin to swap the music CD in the Johrei room
* Mari will organise collection of the photocopier
* Obtain spring flower bulbs?
* Decisions on Glastonbury event?
* Mari to contact Yumi about correction of flier
* Carol to contact the Evening Post and Bristol Radio
* Mari will contact Sarah about coverage on BCFM
* Carol will check on carnival dates
* All to think of things for members to do
* Mari to look for Friday lunch venue in Bath
* All to think about places to eat
* Mari to look into minibus rental
* All to think about gifts
Agenda for the next meeting (6:30, 14th November 2011):
* Decide who will chair and take the minutes
* Agree on the previous meeting minutes
* Status Updates
* Discuss upcoming events (Christmas party)
* Any other business
* Agree on who will host the next meeting
* Agree on the agenda for the next meeting
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