Apologies for the delay with the minutes....

pierre

---------------------------


BRIGHTON HOV

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 3 May 2006 at Circus Circus (the
function room at the Branch Tavern.was unavailable due to booking
problems)


Present:
Malcolm (Chair) Ben, Simon, Linda, Brenda, Janet, Pierre, Colin, Ann, Iain

Apologies:
Leila, Senem, Maria Esperanza


1. Affiliation

Iain raised the question of Brighton HOV affiliating with one of the
three organisations that organise around Venezuela at the UK national
level, i.e. Venezuela Information Centre (www.vicuk.org), Venezuela
Solidarity (www.venezuelasolidarity.org.uk) and Hands off Venezuela
(www.handsoffvenezuela.org). He commented on the last minutes which
suggested that people should only affiliate as individuals rather than
Brighton HOV as a local group. Apart from the confusion that arises
from the existence of three national organisations, the main difficuly
is that none of these organisations seem to have a mechanism for local
groups to affiliate. We decided to contact all three national
organisations and ask for affiliation.


2. Update on events

We discussed events in Venezuela since the previous meeting, including
the trade agreement ALBA signed by Venezuela, Bolivia and Cuba. Also,
the nationalisation of gas resources in Bolivia, the upcoming
elections in Peru, and the Chavez visit to London.


3. May Day

Iain talked about the HOV stall at the May Day event in Hollingdean
Community Centre. There was a lot of interest in Venezuela and our
group. This was the first public appearance of Brighton HOV.


4. Widening HOV

Pierre asked if, in the light of the nationalisation of gas in Bolivia
and the strengthening relationship between Bolivia and Venezuela, it
would not make sense for our group to somewhat widen our scope. After
debate, the group agreed that it is very important for Brighton HOV to
remain focused on Venezuela, but that there is no need to rigidly
limit ourselves.


5.Meeting with Oscar Olivera (6 July)
The planning meeting will be on the 17th May at 7.30 in the Earth and Stars.


6.The Revolution won't be televised @ Duke of York

1000 fliers were to be printed to promote the showing on 14. June. We
still need to get a Beta copy of the film for the DoY, although if
that's not possible, a DVD may also be OK. It was decided to show the
film in advance to the local press to get more publicity, at a date to
be agreed on - Colin will provide the DVD for this showing. Jorge
Martin (Hands Off Venezuela International Campaign Secretary) is the
confirmed speaker for the public meeting after the film. The Branch
Tavern is booked for the meeting after the film, although this should
be confirmed.


7. HOV activist meetings, Money
For some HOV members it is difficult to make HOV meetings on
Wednesdays. We decided to keep meeting every other week, but instead
of always meeting on Wednesdays, we will now change the day of the
week (Wed->Thr->Mon->Tue etc.) - the next meeting will be on a
Thursday.
We also discussed opening a bank account for Brighton HOV. This will
require the signatures of 3 people (chair, treasurer, secretary). To
be discussed at the next meeting.


NEXT meeting: Thursday, 18. May 7.30pm at the Branch Tavern.