Althing Review, by Philip Richards

Sep 9, 2008 by louise delmege    1 Comment     Posted under: Uncategorized

We laughed, we cried out in frustration, we ate extremely well, finally slept – or at least some people did a little bit, and emerged, eyes shining, towards the beautiful future of DFs, Woodcraft and the World, more awake and more hopeful than before.

Over 45 motions were discussed, which can be found in the full (and we mean full) minutes soon to appear on the resources page – http://www.spanthatworld.com/resources – there will also be a motion summary we promise. The motions included comprehensive changes to our constitution, the new edition of which may be on the resources page right now, or will be soon.

Elections (by single transferable vote – http://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/article.php?id=48 ) for various positions on and off committee were happily highly contested this year, demonstrating the level of enthusiasm for the movement of which we are members. Congratulations to all who were elected and we truly hope that everyone who came and stood or not continues to be as involved as possible – one way might be to join a posse. Woodcraft and DFs is all about individuals working together and you don’t need a title to change the world.

DF Committee
Those elected to DF Committee have a 2 year term of office from Old/New (the committee changeover meeting, 10-12th October) and were:

• Communications – Josh Dodd, Birmingham… more publicity and more talking to each other…?

• Affiliations – Conor Whelan, somewhere… strengthening our common purpose with other groups more pro-actively?
• Shadow Treasurer – Cara Hammond, Bristol…. money money money, it (sadly) makes the world go round and round and round….
• Projects – Kate Yorke, Leicester…. MEST-UP, PARTY, the rainbow network? ambitious aims to take them up a level
• Campaigns – Joel White, Bradford…. No Nuclear Future, and Stop the [sex] Trafficking among many others, again taking our campaigning activity up several notches
• Fundraising – Will Knight, Sheffield…. DVDs, Merchandise, Sponsored Tube Trips?
• Committee Member – Phin Harper, Banbury
• Committee Member – Verity Jones, Banbury
• Committee Member – Daniel Rawnsley, Bradford

Miriam Mallalieu from Clapham, Liam Hardy from Leicester, Jack Brown of Banbury – General Committee Members, and Misha Franklin from Manchester – Treasurer, all have another year to go.

DF News Editor
Hannah Clarke, from Hebden Bridge was elected to the non-committee role of DF News Editor….. But what will DF News look like in the future? there are endless possibilities.

The following Regional Developers were elected:

• South West – Jo Mezzetti, Exeter
• South East – Morgan Jones, Brighton
• North West – Hannah Clarke, Hebden Bridge
• London – Louise Ellis, somewhere in London
• Eastern – Lucy Prince-Mobbs, Cambridge
• Scotland – Robyn Riddoch, somewhere in Scotland

Also Regional Developers get some money now and have more responsibilty to make them even more fantastic!

General Council
Miriam Mallalieu was elected to replace Laura McDonald as one of our DF representatives on General Council – http://www.woodcraft.org.uk/directory/12 – from now till next Annual Gathering (2009) , and Sarah Lawson was elected to the same position for the 2 year term following next Annual Gathering.

And Finally…

Everyone should give their love to Mira Thoenessenen and Miriam Mallalieu for organising the brilliant venue, food, booking and everything else so well and for generally being lovely. And of course to everyone else who helped in any way, everyone who came, everyone who didn’t but wanted to and everyone who is going to next time!

The momentous Althing 2008 is over. But now the seeds of change, the ideas and ideals planted in our brains long ago have been awoken or re-strengthened, and like the steady ticking of a clock, over the coimng days, weeks and months will continue to grow, fruit and flower, binding us together united under one purpose – to make the world a better place.