But I, the Comms rep, don’t want to be doing this all on my lemon when there must be a mountainful of talent out there in the Movement.

So, if you have a spare moment or two, a scrap of paper, a piece of editing software or a pair of scissors why not have a go?

To help you and your brain to come up with some juicy designs I give you the theme of “memories from DF events“. Our events are one of the best things about us, it’s where we get to meet up and have a party, discuss our business and change the world one good time as a time. Why not commemorate this fantasticness in a range of stylish t-shirts to be worn in years to come by woodies with a soft spot for fabulous fun.

But don’t let the theme come between you and inspiration, if you have a thought it doesn’t matter if it doesn’t have anything to do with events, have a go anyway.

In fact, the design doesn’t even have to be for a t-shirt. This year we’re thinking of looking into a line of DF underwear! That’s right, we all wear them (mostly) so why not DFify them?

And don’t stop there, there could be loads of things that would benefit from our designing skills, the world is our graphics oyster.

Send all your designs to communications@spanthatworld.com, I plan to take them all to North-West Thing and see what everyone thinks of them. No one will know who designed which ones, except for me.

A new rep is needed. Could it be you?

What is Workers Beer?

The Workers Beer company is a branch of the Battersea and Wandsworth Trades Union Council and are a non-profit company providing beer tents at a variety of UK festivals and events. Volunteers from a variety of unions, charities and organisations (including us!) work on the bar and their respective organisations and earn valuable funds.

How are we involved?

We send volunteers to a variety of festivals,including festivals like Glastonbury, Hop Farm, Latitude, Leeds/Reading, Laughs in the Park and Tolpuddle Martyrs. The money that DF volunteers earn is vital in keeping the movement running.

What do I need to stand for the rep role?

You have to be 18 or over and you should have experience of worker’s beer.

How do I stand?

An election will be held at North West Thing. If you can’t get to that event then find someone else to read out your hustings for you. Or you could record yourself reading your hustings and send it to me (communications@spanthatworld.com).  if you can, please be available on the Saturday evening of the event so we can call you with any questions.

]]> http://www.spanthatworld.com/workers-beer-rep-needed/feed/ 0 http://www.spanthatworld.com/spanthatworld-against-sopa/ http://www.spanthatworld.com/spanthatworld-against-sopa/#comments Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:16:58 +0000 louise delmege http://www.spanthatworld.com/?p=11173 Those of you who tries to log on on the 18th January will Know that spanthatworld joined hundreds of internet sites in the protest against SOPA. Here are the articles explaining what went down.

Louise Delmege (Comms Officer)

Today the American Congress will come together to decide if the controversial SOPA and PIPA bills should pass.

SOPA (the Stop Online Piracy Act) is a bill that will give the US policing organisations and copyright holders the ability to prevent online sharing of copyrighted information, including songs, film and books. The US department of Justice and Copyright holders will have the right to seek court order against sites that infringe copyright law. The court orders will ban anyone from advertising on the sites, they will ban anyone from making a link to the sites, they will ban search engines from finding you the sites and they will require American based internet service providers to block these sites. The bill will make it a crime to share copyrighted material. If you make a film and use a song you do not own the copyright for, that is a crime. This crime has a maximum penalty of Five years in prison for ten offences within six months. The bill will give immunity to networks that comply with this act or voluntarily cut ties with any sites that host copyrighted content. If this bill passes many of our own videos will become illegal because of the music we used on them.

PIPA (Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act of 2011) is a law that is similar to SOPA. It makes it easier for companies to have punished the websites and website owners that post copyrighted content. Especially those hosted outside of the US which have been safe from American law enforcement of this kind up until now.

This will affect our freedom to view the worlds information. It will stifle our creativity. It will allow massive American corporations to decide what we can and cannot see. It will return to them the monopoly on popular culture.

To protest against this threat to our liberty we have taken down our beloved spanthatworld (it’s deliberate this time) We are not alone, millions upon millions of people worldwide will, today, be unable to access the websites they enjoy and even rely on. The Minecraft Servers are offline, Reddit is offline, Google, Facebookand Youtube may also be joining us.

This minor inconvenience is just the start, if the bill passes it wont just affect America, it will affect internet users in the UK and worldwide, preventing us from accessing information and creative content, preventing us from accessing the melting pot of international culture.

But make up your own mind about SOPA and PIPA. The decision for spanthatworld to join the protest was made by three DF committee members, including Comms, one Regional Council member and the Webmaster.

 

Joe Woodruff (Ginger) 

One of the best things about the internet is the ability to share, discover and enjoy media such as music, literature and artistic images freely.

Whilst some copyright breaches are damaging, such as illegal downloading of music or films, some, such as the use of a song as a video soundtrack, or the use of a quote from a favourite author, are harmless.

However, SOPA and PIPA will stop more than just the pirates; it will stop the flow of creativity, the sharing of ideas and the distribution of information through affecting sites such as YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and Wikipedia.

The revolutions, protests and demonstrations across the Middle East last year relied heavily on social networking sites and blogging sites for organisation and publicity, as did the Occupy protests – SOPA would see those sites shut down. An action that could have far-reaching consequences.

 

Joe MacMahon (Webfairy)

For me, the internet has always been about one thing: freedom through decentralisation.

The internet isn’t a black box of data hidden away in the back of a server room somewhere, it’s a nebulous mess of interconnected networks and servers with packets of data flying through it every which way.

The most important effect of this decentralised nature is that no single person or authority can “shut down” the internet — it can’t be unplugged or blocked. There’s a famous quote by John Gilmore of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, which goes: “The Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it.”.

This is where SOPA and PIPA come in: the decentralised nature of the internet is compromised by the necessarily centralised DNS System, whose root servers happen to be owned by none other than the United States.

DNS works in a similar way to a phone book: it lets your computer look up the IP address of a website from the name (e.g. ‘spanthatworld.com’) so that your computer knows where to go to get the website.

What SOPA and PIPA do is grant the US government the power to strike strike sites off the DNS ‘address book’, supposedly in the name of anti-piracy.

The problem with internet censorship is that it always ends up filtering more than it sets out to: the debate about internet piracy is an interesting and difficult one, but it is fundamentally not the issue here. If you want to combat piracy, the way not to do it is through censorship – the internet is such a vast place that the pirates will just find ways to work around it. And then how long before the censorship ends up being used for blocking activist blogs, and social media sites?

The idea that a superpower nation – especially the US – could have the capability to do this makes for a bleak future for the free internet.

 

Here’s a helpful video (Not made by DFs but by some other wonderful people) that explains everything.

On March 31^st, the DF movement will emerge from its winter slumber and unleash itself until upon the unsuspecting denizens of rural Somerset. YOU must be there!

The theme of Spring Awakening 2012 is MYTHS AND LEGENDS. We shall be celebrating all things mythical and legendary, whilst keeping everything nice and DFy – exciting things will be afoot.

Like every Spring Awakening there will be a strong ‘back to roots’ ideal and a nice Woodies atmosphere – expect plenty of workshops, campfire songs and games, with a break in the programme every now and then to do your own thing (for any of you slaving away at exam revision, there’ll be a nice secluded spot to slave in).

Spring Awakening is inevitably going to be awesome. If you have an idea about how to make it even better, get in touch. Slots are now available for people to run workshops, so tell us what you want to do!

Otherwise, just fire off your booking, sit back and wait for the day….

————————————

Camp info:

Venue: Chelwood Campsite (near Bath/Bristol – we’ll get you all transport info closer to the date).

Date: 31 March – 4 April.

Contacts: max.leak@hotmail.co.uk (for general information) or Emily Pentreath at wemsy@live.com (for programme, including workshop ideas)

Booking Info:

NOTE: IF YOU WILL BE 18+ DURING THE CAMP, PLEASE GET CRB CHECKED IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. WE WILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE VENUE OWNERS IF WE HAVE MANY UNCHECKED ADULTS ONSITE. YOU CAN CONTACT YOUR NEAREST DISTRICT SECRETARY FOR HELP AND INFORMATION IF NECESSARY. IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHO TO ASK, TELL US AND WE’LL TRY TO FIND OUT…

To book, send us a completed generic booking form, along with a cheque for £45 made out to ‘The Woodcraft Folk DFs’. Send bookings to:

Mallika Rana

221 Wellsway

Bath

BA2 4RZ

Join the facebook event HERE!

GET YOUR BOOKING FORMS IN(quick)! Send to:
Annie Tothill,
23 Ashfield Road
Thornton, Bradford
BD13 3PN

1. In the nude: in the naked state

2. Naturally.

3. In the plainest or simplest manner

The new theme for the zine is Au Naturel. So we are looking for articles/poems/artworks all about nature and nakedness. This can be about the nature of anything, the nature of existence, the nature of Woodcraft, the nature of Josh Dodd. Whether you have an insight into bushcraft or cook in the nude we want to hear from you. Get you submissions in.

Please send all submissions or queries to Sophie at seslater@hotmail.co.uk

Submissions need to be in by the beginning of March.

Get creative.

Firstly, no, Rebecca Black isn’t a Woodcraft Member.

Onto the real video:

500 views makes it viral, right? Well that’s roughly how many DFs there are (that must be lots). So if all the DFs watch it that adds up to 1,000. Quadruple figures ain’t bad for young, independent film-makers.

Boy sits on bench. Woman sits on same bench. (recommended watch in 1080p)

Featuring Lauren Magee as ‘Woman’ with DF member (and drama & performance undergrad) Ilya as ‘Boy’.

A Film by Chay Collins

Like all great comedy, some potential to offend.

^ click on the magic buttons^

(increase resolution and full screen)
it’s for your own good.

Chay (‘Weirdo Productions‘) has also created Comedy Epics such as A Glass and a Half Full of Shame – the story of the Cadbury’s drumming gorilla after a tragic accident (also featuring Ilya, but fortunately with a silly gorilla face instead of the real one); and treats for the lefties such as Cut; amongst others.

Are you in some sort of something pretty cool? Make your own post or e-mail comms rep Louise (communications@spanthatworld.com) for assistance.

Keen to start a group but stuck on group night ideas? Have a look at the resources section of the woodcraft website, it’s got tons of brilliant activities for all age groups.

We will be donating funds of up to £500 per application, to as many applications as we see fit, EVERY school term!! And on top of that your regional rep will be helping you every step of the way!!

All you need to do is fill in the application form and either email it to df-roots-fund@googlegroups.com, or post it to the address at the bottom of the form.

So what are you waiting for? Fill it in! See what happens!

 DF Roots Fund aims:

1. For DFs to help set up new groups or help revitalise struggling groups.
2. To create more emphasis on putting the district back into district fellows.
3. For DF applicants only!
4. To be a one off investment to launch/revitalise a group.

This is just a post to remind you of some really awesome leadership training opportunities coming up hosted by wider Woodcraft. The events are on the following dates:

2-4th March Lockerbrook 

or

18th-20th May Lee Valley YHA 

Course information
Youth Leader Training is a course for everyone intending to work with pioneers or venturers by leading or helping in a group or supporting them at camps and residentials, on projects or campaigns

Introduction
The course comprises of 5 interactive workshops sessions plus time to put skills and knowledge into practice with feedback from tutors and peers. It has been developed by experienced Woodcraft Folk leaders. It is designed to embed the necessary skills and knowledge to needed to work with young people in safe and confident ways that respect their desire to be increasingly responsible for their own programmes.

Who should take part? The course is particularly aimed at: People already involved in Woodcraft folk groups for younger children who would like to move on to supporting pioneers and venturers. People already helping with pioneer or venturer groups but who feel they would benefit from training. New volunteers wanting to work with pioneers or venturers including older DFs or young kinsfolk.

Course content
• Young people, society and Woodcraft folk aims & principles
• Working young people – the leader’s role and safeguarding
• Programme planning part 1 – groups, issue based work and peer education
• Programme planning part 2 – camps, residential, health & safety matters
• Group organisation, course review and action planning
• There will also be time to devise and practice running sample activities

The courses are filling up fast so I would advise you to contact Tracy Cleveland (WCF training rep) as soon as possible
email her at tracy.cleveland@woodcraft.org.uk

or phone on 020 8658 3745

Your resident Training rep,

Anna

(if you’re asking “what secret?” see the previous post -here-)

We had to get Poirot in on the case, but we got there in the end. All of the mysterious posts were leading to the fact that:

Aberystwyth DFs are hosting their first annual Valentines-weekend hostel.

Scroll down for info.

There will be love, there will be friendship,

There will be chocolate (spread), and eggy bread.

A romantic walk, candle-lit dinner. And so much more, it’s surely a winner.

On Friday the 17th – Sunday the 19th of February, in Corris Hostel, near Aberystwyth we’ll begin our romance.

At only £25 it’s cheaper than any of the national DF socials. Also, those living in Wales should get travel subsidised/expensed (awaiting confirmation on this).

Nearest train station is Aberystwyth (AYW) Machynlleth (MCN). The nest is a short bus ride and walk from there.

Open to young kinsfolk up to 25.

Also, see the Facebook Event Page

Don’t pretend you can resist.

Send your forms to:

“Valentine Hostel Booking Rep
14 Caerleon Halls
Victoria Terrace
Aberystwyth
Dyfed
SY23 2DP”

With a cheque for £25 payable to the “The Woodcraft Folk DFs”
or an extra special promise to pay with cash on arrival.

For more info or whatever else: email, facebook or tweet at Ilya. Or just leave a comment below.

Fall in Love with DFs

we somehow managed to get some business done. More proof that nothing will come between DFs and our business. There wasn’t a great deal discussed since we had some serious partying to do, but here it is:

The money for Span that World with Music should go towards the DF projects particularly for more MEST-UP training. That could include the brand spanking new and extremely exciting idea that is The Share.

We also came up with some ways to better welcome new DFs to their first events. Many DFs feel scared about coming to events, especially if they’re on their own. It’s always hard being thrust into the magical whirlwind that is DFs. We know we’re wonderful and welcoming but we need to persuade everyone else. Last year the Buddy System was tried out where more experienced DFs, hardened event goers could pair up with some first-timers and show them the ropes. We had loads of volunteers from people wanting to be buddies but sadly not many new DFs wanted one. So, some different ideas are needed. Here’s what we came up with:

• We should continue with name games in opening circle
• There should be more clan based activities, such as the amazing and amusing quiz hosted by Josh and Ruori.
• The first evening meal of the event could be eaten with our clans so we all get a chance to chat and get to know each other.
• The DF transition pack should be up on spanthatworld (I’m working on this)

But you do have to LOVE sleeping out all night on a beautiful East coast beach with a bunch of fabulous woodies, cooking jacket potatoes on a campfire, playing in the lovely warm sea and singing songs into the early hours.

Bring a fancy dress swimming costume, the Woodcraft spirit and songbooks galore! Prepare to be reunited with old friends, make new ones, talk (briefly) about the Eastern Region and have a jolly good time.

This event is FREE but everyone will need to bring some food to share. It’s going to be on the East Coast (south of King’s Lynn, north of the Thames Estuary) so probably somewhere in Suffolk.

It will take place either on 29th June or 7th July, arriving at whatever time you want during the day and staying for one night (or more, if you fancy it). Please tell your Eastern rep which  date you’d prefer.

The bivvy is aimed at DFs, though all Young Kinsfolk (16-25) are more than welcome to come. And hopefully Venturers will be able to come too (waiting for an update on this). Keep your eyes peeled for the booking form coming your way in a few months!

The facebook event page is http://www.facebook.com/events/307359222641669/ Why not join and invite all your friends?

Any questions? Any suggestions? Anything at all…? Contact your Eastern rep: eastern@spanthatworld.com or ellie-ferguson@live.co.uk or 07523255086