BRIGHTON HOV MINUTES – WEDS 5/04/06

Chair:  Brenda

Minutes:  Iain

Present:  Marin, Brenda, Janet, Malcolm, Senam, Ann, Ben, Dan, Ann, Maria Esperanza, Pierre, Colin, Simon, Iain, Leila.

(Please correct if I have any names wrong or left out - IB)

MAY DAY:

1) Agreed to send material for a stall and if possible someone to speak to May Day event at the Unemployed Centre, 1-5pm, Hollingdean Community Centre, Thompson Road.

2) Agreed to find out if UNISON are organising something in town centre and devote more resources to this. (No record of who is finding out…)

WHAT IS OUR MESSAGE

Generally agreed that we want to be as broad as possible. Recognise the difficulty of doing this and defining the process we are supporting in Venezuela. Provisional basis of group agreed as follows:

“Brighton HOV supports the right of the Venezuelan people to decide their own future free from foreign interference.”

More pithily this can be expressed as simply: “Brighton says HOV”

ORGANISATIONIAL ISSUES

1)  E-List. It was agreed this should be the basis of the group’s communication. Iain agreed to let those without email know about meeting dates etc.

2)  Decided to leave till next time a discussion of how we organize, how people pay, etc.

3)  How often to meet. Decided 2-weekly to begin with, then we’ll see… Next meeting WEDS 19 APRIL 7.30-9.00pm.

4)  Venue. Dan to investigate Cowley Club or The Branch pub in London Road. Will inform by email.

5)  Agreed to have a rotating chair.

MEDIA

Ann circulated copies of media contacts list – also available in her email to list. Discussion of hostile Channel Four report plus positive Newsnight stuff. Importance of making our views known to broadcasters.

Agree on importance of publicity in Argus, but this will only come when we have activity to report.

MPs

Agreed on importance of pinning down asap the stance taken by three local MPs on Blair’s hostile comments about Venezuela. If any refuse to oppose, this could become a focus of local activity. As many of us as possible should press for an answer. (MPs contacts added below.) Also discussion on need to identify other local campaigning targets.

WEB SITE

Only costs £10 to have our own. No need to duplicate what already exists, can simply have link to national HOV, and ask them to publicise and put link to us on theirs. Should aim to do same with the other national campaign, VICUK.

Pierre to investigate setting this up.

LEAFLET

Leila offered to start drafting a local leaflet along the “Brighton says HOV” lines.

ITEMS FOR NEXT TIME

Plans for Day School.

Events.

Report back from activities at Ven Embassy.

Bank account.