Info pack

for the travel info mentioned in the pack follow this link

But we are not the only ones in need of support! Many groups across the country would love DF help.

As students you make perfect to volunteers as you know Woodcraft like the back of your hand. So, if you are heading off to university this September/October why not volunteer at the local Woodcraft group? There are around 150 groups in the UK and many would like to have new dynamic staff. It is a very rewarding experience and well worth it; however it can be fairly stressful at times so don’t do it to make your CV look good, do it because you want to become more involved in the organisation you have been part of for years.

The groups’ lists are on the Woodcraft website at http://www.woodcraft.org.uk/directory/4 . This also gives you the email address of the group leaders, so drop them a line and ask them if you can help out on a group night. You will need to be a member of Woodcraft Folk and have a CRB (you should, if you are a DF over 18, have one of these) to volunteer full time.

Good luck with the exam results and please seriously consider volunteering, it is so much fun.

Thomas Leharne

So, I gave up one of my precious few weekends for this? To endure the searing heat of a baking marquee packed full of people? To suffer the stares of 150 or so Woodcraft Folk delegates as I approach the mic to make a point on a motion? Or to experience, perhaps, some of Nietzsche’s perceived flaws in democracy (NB: see this blog if uncertain)?

N… Yes! – I must accept that, even though I mention every conceivable down-point of this year’s Annual Gathering of the Woodcraft Folk, I enjoyed all of it whole-heartedly and can safely say that Nuclear War would be one of the things on a short list of events which would possibly be able to stop me from going to next years AG! This is ignoring the fact that AG could possibly be happening at CoCamp next year which means that it would be nigh impossible for Woodcrafters to not go to AG 2011.

Ha! Take that Bristol, who sent no delegates. And Ealing DFs/Venturers *evil laugh*. You thought you could get away with just Ralph going representing your district, but no – AG will ensnare you, and I’ll be helping it – MuHaHAHAHAHA!!

So me and my co-delegate, one William Searby (of “Tweedington”), arrived on the Friday evening after a three hour long journey of epic adventure (or of trains and a taxi and a mouse in a London Bridge cafe). There was soup and we were hungry so we ate some soup, soup of the most delicous quality and taste. Later there was wine, but I had none and hence was wineless/sober-er than the older DFs I had the pleasure of enjoying the company of. Unfortunately I did not use all of my common sense by staying up late talking to them and hence in the morning not feeling ready to wake up at 8am for a day of INTENSIVE CONFERENCE and DISCUSSION.

I will try to only spare a few lines of this article on the CONFERENCE, as I don’t want to bore anyone, including myself (as I love myself – as Phin Harper knows, or thinks he does, as I don’t). There was an agenda, which me and William had discussed with our DF group on our positions on each motion, which had some of the MOST IMPORTANT DECISIONS AN ANNUAL GATHERING COULD MAKE, for example; whether “contravene” should be replaced with “contradict” in the RELIGION section of the WCF Constitution (I may be being sarcastic) AND what the very structure of the Woodcraft Folk organisation should be like (I am most certainly NOT being sarcastic about that motion)! As a delegate you do feel empowered to be at AG especially (sarcasm) when you feel too scared out of your shoes to stand up and say ANYTHING at all to anyone, even just stand up and hand something to the Standing Orders Commitee or Chair. It is unfortunate that there was too little time at this AG for any of the open space discussions, but overall, most of the debate was awesome to be a part of/be involved in.

Thankfully there was also awesome fun later on Saturday at AG too (though not as awesome the fun that takes place at DF Althing, or so I hear). In the evening there was a bar and… duh. duh. duh. a ROCK AND ROLL BAND!!! (my mind imploded when I heard about this) There was also a massive game of Ratchet Screwdriver, in which I found myself inseparable from Liam Hardy, which isn’t that bad as he’s lovely. The Rock n’ Roll band was fun, but I don’t know how to dance, so now is my opportunity to APOLOGISE SINCERLY FOR WHAT YOU MAY HAVE WITNESSED IN THE MARQUEE BEING PERPITRATED BY MY BODY IN “SUPPOSED” RHYTHM TO THE MUSIC… I AM SO SORRY, SO VERY SORRY.
As well as this, there was fire, much socialising around fire and singing around a fire – as you can expect at any Woodcraft Folk event. It seems you can talk about pretty much anything when you are staring into gently burning embers.

So, I must conclude – Annual Gathering is amazing. Apparently, according to some people, it can be EVEN MORE amazing, and that this year wasn’t that great at all – hence! I will go to every AG to come in the future, to see if these critical minds are pleasantly true in their word!

Samir Rana – AG Virgin no more!!

(* I am so sorry – I will do anything to redeam myself!!! anything!!!)

On July 10th the Price of DF camp will rise from £65 to £75 so remember to send off your form before then.

Here is the booking form.

Haven’t booked because you can’t come to all 7 days of DF Camp?

This does not mean that you have to miss out! See the launch of the new HALF TICKET. Pay £45 (inc fairer fare) if you’re coming for four nights or less. Make sure to let us know which days you will be here on your booking form.

DF Camp – see YOU soon.

The idea is you sign this petition if you want a new Woodie Hoodie (be it first time, replacement or just so you’ve got lots!)

The more people sign, the stronger against the “everyone already has one so we don’t need to make them anymore” argument we are!

And I’ll take it along with Bradford DFs’ proposal to Annual Gathering (THIS SATURDAY!) and together we can BRING BACK THE WOODIE HOODIE!

(see amendment 2 to motion 11 in the final agenda for the proposal)

BRING SOME LIFE AND COLOUR BACK TO THE WOODIE HOODIE

P.s. I realise I could’ve got more signatures if it wasn’t such short notice, I forgot I could post on here…

Even if you’re reading this after AG sign anyway, your voice will count when I make sure they follow up on whatever decision is made at AG

This post marks the tentative beginning of a new feature for Span That World; a regular blog that attempts to tackle many of the big issues that affect DFs in a way that’s fun and conducive to healthy debate.

This will not be by any means a conventional blog; the aim is to provide you with information about the issues that are important to the DF values of social justice and fairness and let YOU, the reader, offer your own take.

The target will be to provide regular twice-weekly updates complete with links, video and very likely funny pictures. The first post of this blog will cover the DF’s latest foray with Workers Beer at Glastonbury 2010.

YOUR FIRST QUESTION:

What should this blog be called?

Blue Skies

Christy

We’re back! And the Bridges Project has been born…

A fortnight ago, 5 Woodies: Misha Franklin, Bridget Holtom, Ben Raw, Kieran Ford and Eppie Garton headed to Palestine and Israel to visit as a delegation the International Falcon Movement in the Middle East Region.

We had an AMAZING time! We learnt so much – all about the movements, their values, their work and their members. Some of it was challenging stuff. Seeing the effect that occupation has on individual Palestinians in the same week as discussing zionism on the other side of the separation wall was tough emotionally and challenging intellectually. However, the entire process has been incredibly stimulating and out of this delegation: the Bridges Project was born.

The Bridges Project is a new DF project – much in the same way that MEST-UP or PARTY are projects – it’s an ongoing programme of focussed activity working within a set of aims and objectives. The Project is unique within DFs in that it’s a triangular project working both with Independence Youth Union of Palestine, and Framfylkingen of Norway.

The Bridges Project: Unite, Create and Educate
The project is an educational project with the aim of producing an engaging and stimulating critical education programme for all ages, focussing on the issues surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We aim to do three things:

UNITE: create an international network focussing on awareness-raising, study trips and volunteering opportunities in the region

CREATE: we will create a short film to be used as an educational resource

EDUCATE: we will create an educational programme of workshops at national events, and resource packs for local groups of all ages in order that everyone in Woodcraft Folk can engage critically in the conflict.

The Bridges Project has a new webpage! Look up. You see where it says ‘What we do.’ Scroll down through projects and you’ll find the Bridges Project Page. Over time, this will be filled with loads of information and stuff to do with the project and how YOU can get involved.

As the programme is constructed, the bands booked, the menu devised and the workshops planned there is one small thing that you need to make sure you do… BOOK NOW!

The form is available here and should be sent to:

Brook Cottage
Brampford Speke
Exeter
Devon
EX5 5DU

The Challenge

This August, Rachel Evans is cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats, but it’s no race. She hopes to visit as many DFs grops as will host her, learn about who they are and how they run to create a picture of DFs in 2010. If you think your DF group can host her, PLEASE don’t hesitate to email her; r.j.evans@ncl.ac.uk and have a chat. The route and dates are very flexible.

Equally as good, if you have any free time and fancy joining her, with flags, songs and bright colours, drop her an email and discuss dates/times. She’ll be arriving in Derby in time for V-camp, and staying for the week. Another great opportunity for a chat!
View Larger Map
The Rough Route – On it? Near it? Not Near it but want to help? Please get in touch with Rachel!

It’s all in aid of raising some much needed cash for the fantastic DF movement, to make sure we can do many more exciting, far-reaching and inclusive events and “things” bigger than ever before. So take a minute to check out the webpage, and donate as much as you can. Even better, tell all your group, your family and friends. Let’s make it happen!

not an e-mail person? give Rachel a call on 0771 6685961

The Time Has Come! The Bridges Project starts tomorrow morning, kicking off a project set to plant the feet of the District Fellows Movement squarely on the international IFM map.

The project has been set up as a long awaited answer to the need for the DF movement to recognise the Arab-Israeli conflict as the key factor in worldwide international relations, and a key factor that contributes to the life and work of our international comrades over in the Independence Youth Union of Ramallah, Palestine and of Noar Oved Vehalomed, based in Israel.

To find out more about what the project is all about, and for a round-a-bout plan of the project click HERE.

But, just to keep you all in the big picture, here’s a short breakdown of where we’ll be and when:

Thursday 10th June: Arrive in Tel Aviv and travel to the Eshbal Kibbutz (click HERE for a short description of a kibbutz)

Friday – Saturday: Spend time learning about life in the Kibbutz and exploring the impact of the Lebanon War (2006)

Sunday: Possible meet up with Hashomer Hatzair, another Israeli IFM organisation. I shall also attempt to post once again to STW on this day with a blog of our times thus far.

Monday: We meet with Framfylkingen, our Norwegian brothers and sisters, and are greeted officialy by Noar Over Vehalomed

Tuesday – Saturday: We travel with Framfylkingen to Ramallah in the West Bank of Palestine and enjoy a fantastically crafted 5 day introduction to life in Palestine at the hands of our IFM brothers and sisters of the Independence Youth Union.

Sunday: Framfylkingen return home. The plan from there on in is much more relaxed, informal and largely unplanned. Expect a second blog on this Sunday 20th June.

So there you have it! Sunday shall be my blogging day! And apart from that, all I can say is – we’ll be in touch. I cannot say how massively excited we all are to have the priveledge to represent the District Fellows and Woodcraft Folk in front of many of our IFM counterparts and we hope we will do fantastic jobs as your ambassadors.

Get ready for a large Bridges Project prescense throughout your Woodie-camp-filled summers!

14^th – 20^th June: do something for the Right to Refuge campaign

Write a letter, send a postcard, call your local radio station and invite the community to warm up their welcome for refugees and asylum seekers. The stuff you need to help you do it is on the Woodcraft website at http://www.woodcraft.org.uk/news/article/4602. There are loads of events happening as part of Refugee Week, including art in Manchester, film at the BFI and undoubtedly something local to you. Track down your closest event at www.refugeeweek.org.uk.

Annual Gathering 2010

Since the dawn of Woodcraft Folk way back in 1925 the movement has met each year to discuss and debate the future of the organisation but also to meet new people from all corners of The Folk and get a sense for the truely incredible work of Woodcraft Folk.

This year Woodcraft Folk is no less than 85 years young and with huge changes in our structures vieing for attention AG2010 could very well be the event that will make or break Woodcraft Folk in the next few years!

The booking deadline for cheap tickets is Monday the 14th of June so we’ve pulled out all the stops to bring you this guide to going to AG that tells you what’s on and hopefully points you in the right direction for finding someone else to pay for your ticket.

What is AG like?

Well for a flavour of things why not read Bridget Holtom’s first timers account.

Click Bridget to read her first timer’s account of AG09

What’s happing this year?

Good question! basically loads and loads of stuff. There’s the huge meeting part then there are workshops, bands, stalls, games, huge 300 person meals, elections, fire shows, films – you name it AG probably has it! You could think of it as a really mini national camp. Bellow are some of the documents for AG2010 from Folk House that explain a few things. Bellow them is the Everything Pack that has everything you could possibly want to know about AG2010 and the big decisions that are on the table.

Rough Guide to AG

A very simple guide and jargon busting toolkit.

The Motions!

AG 2010 Agenda of Motions

The AG Everything Pack

The complete set of documents

How to go to AG

Its not quite as simple as DF Events. Anybody can go to AG, have their say and do everything that’s on offer but in order to vote in the deicsions you need to be a delegate for a Group, District or DF Region. Then its also slightly different if you live in Wales or Scotland.

To go as a delegate for a Group / District you need to get permission from that group or district. Your district will almost certainally be willing to pay for you as a young person to represent them and may even pay for your travel or find you a lift. Give a few of your group leaders a call. If you can’t find the right person and think your district isn’t sending anybody then you can represent them anyway but might struggle to get your district to stump up the cash. AG is a very “worthy” event and a hugely positive educational experience while being a lot of fun. In the past some people’s parents have been prepared to pay for the cost when Districts have been mean…but they shouldn’t be just nag the right person near you!

To go as a delegate for a DF Region you need to find out if your Regional Rep is already going. If they are not then you will be able to take their place and The Woodcraft Folk Regional Development Fund will pay for your ticket AND TRAVEL. The easiest way to find out is to call Finn, chair of DF Regional Council (0707896298731) or your regional rep.

To go as a rep for Scotland or Wales Scotland and Wales are particually brilliant in supporting young people going to these big democratic events. Just get in touch with their offices and explain you want to go are were hoping they could help you out.

Wales: 0845 458 9560 or info@gwerin.rg

Scotland: 0141 304 5552 or scotland@woodcraft.org.uk

To just go you just need to book which brings me tidyly onto booking.

Booking

The Deadline for cheap booking is MONDAY THE 17th June! so there is no time to loose. Luckily booking for AG is done through Folk House making is super easy(ish). You can either book using a special booking form or by phone.

To book with the Booking Form just click HERE to get it. Its a bit confusing because its deisgned for a District secretary filling it out on behalf of several delegates but don’t pannic. Just make sure you get as much info as you can into it and if you are going as a representative of a group or district its good to get someone “senior” from that group or district to sign it.

To book by phone just call Folk House on 020 7703 4173 and say you want to book for AG. They will ask you a few questions and you will be away you or your district can then send them the cheque a couple of days after.

Questions?

The best people to call with questions or issues are the staff at Folk House who organise Annual Gathering. Try 020 7703 4173. If its the weekend or after 5:30pm you won’t be able to call them so instead try Phin on 07985470579, he won’t be quite as useful but its worth a shot right?