[Cynnabar] Searching for a new Meeting site.

Tue Mar 7 20:58:34 UTC 2017

In my opinion, the biggest incentive to attending meetings would be honest,
lively debate over issues and proposals as opposed to our current trend to
simply rubber stamp everything that gets put forward. Without discussion
and debate, the three meeting process is an out-dated formality that should
be gotten rid of. Indeed, at this point the entire meeting is a relic from
a bygone era that could be easily replaced by email - IF - there isn't
substantial opposition at least occasionally brought forth to the proposals
and ideas being given for consideration.

We seem to currently view any push back or criticism of an idea as a bad
thing. I assert that critical conversation is how we improve ideas and make
them even stronger. If only the most ill-conceived proposals are ever
spoken against, I believe it is the process that is the heart of the
problem.

How does this increase attendance at meetings? If you like an idea being
proposed, you will attend to be certain that it isn't shut down by an
opposing opinion. If you don't like an idea, you will be sure to attend to
make sure that the barony doesn't commit to an activity that will only
bring heartache and infamy to the group. Participation at events will
like-wise increase because a well fleshed out and debated event proposal
that has been agreed upon by our traditional consensus model is something
that the entire group has come together to, in some small way, create.

-Gregoire.

On Tue, Mar 7, 2017 at 3:35 PM, Elizabeth Calhoun via Barony <
barony at cynnabar.org> wrote:

> Everyone --
>
> I had the chance just now to go back and read the archived discussions
> regarding the 2015 proposal to move from Classic Cup ... or change the
> meeting night in order to remain at Classic Cup.  I read back through
> previous years, when the group moved from the League to Borders to CC ...
> and part of what I noticed was a comment that a meeting attendance of 5-8
> people is low (from historical trends).  Maybe we're working the wrong
> problem.  Without denying that it's time to consider moving the meeting
> itself (as Ilse suggests, the U is not ideal for many), suppose we also
> consider what would bring people to the meetings?
>
> A week ago or so, someone commented in the Facebook group that a business
> meeting that started at 7:30pm and went to 9 really didn't hold much
> attraction.  Maybe having workshops has been well-intentioned but the
> *critical synergy* is 1) a "fun" venue and 2) a chance for group meals &
> socializing, as we used to do at Classic Cup.
>
> Just my thoughts and questions.  Do we need "incentives" to come to
> meetings?  And: How does having a separate student group on campus affect
> the Baronial meetings (if at all)?
>
> --Godaeth
>
> On Tue, Mar 7, 2017 at 3:25 PM, Margaret Kelly via Barony <
> barony at cynnabar.org> wrote:
>
>> Just curious, what are the other member population centers in the
>> Barony?  Is Ypsi/Pittsfield the biggest?
>>
>> On Tue, Mar 7, 2017 at 5:16 AM, Kay Jarrell via Barony <
>> barony at cynnabar.org> wrote:
>>
>>> I don't see a barrier to the room. I was speaking directly to the owner.
>>> She mentioned that other groups use the space for meetings. I explained we
>>> were planning on 3 Mondays a month.
>>>
>>> There is a long tradition of service and fraternal organizations meeting
>>> in restaurants.  Lions Clubs, Optomists, Rotary... in fact Cynnabar did a
>>> short series of talks on historical topics for the Chelsea Rotary Club 20
>>> years ago.  We would be following in this path.
>>>
>>> I am proposing we try this for our next meeting, and see if it enables
>>> more or different people to attend. Perhaps this will revitalize our
>>> decision-making process.
>>>
>>> What other questions should we All talk about?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Kay
>>>
>>> On Mar 6, 2017 3:10 PM, "Carol Perry Lagemann" <carolanneperry at gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> One nice thing about that location is that we have a large cluster of
>>>> members living near that area. (I know of 34 members who live in Ypsilanti.
>>>> Plus another 41 live in Pittsfield Township, which is close by.)
>>>>
>>>> For everyone's reference, it looks like Sidetrack is about a 2-minute
>>>> walk from the nearest bus stop on Route 4, and a 10-minute walk from the
>>>> nearest bus stop on Route 5.
>>>>
>>>> Would we be able to reliably reserve the room on Monday nights?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Mon, Mar 6, 2017 at 2:56 PM, Kay Jarrell via Barony <
>>>> barony at cynnabar.org> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I have been thinking about other places that we could hold Cynnabar
>>>>> meetings. Our criteria are that the space be free, have closer parking, and
>>>>> be accessible. Food service would be nice. A room or our own is important.
>>>>>
>>>>> Today I asked Sidetrack Tap in Depot Town, Ypsilanti about using their
>>>>> space.  They have a smaller meeting room that would hold our typical
>>>>> meeting count of 15-20.  This room is in their third storefront and has an
>>>>> assortment of tables and an attached bathroom. The space is closed off by
>>>>> double French doors.
>>>>>
>>>>> Food service is of course available.
>>>>> The parking lot is across the street.
>>>>> I attended a class meeting there a couple years back and it seemed
>>>>> suitable.
>>>>> The owner is willing to host us on an "order as you wish" basis. I
>>>>> reported that when we met in the Classic Cup some members ordered meals,
>>>>> others just beverages.
>>>>>
>>>>> Are members of the Barony interested  trying this as a change from
>>>>> Pierpont Commons?
>>>>>
>>>>> Please reply to All so we can discuss.
>>>>> Any messages meant only for My Eyes would be best sent separately from
>>>>> this thread.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>> Kay
>>>>>
>>>>> *Kay Jarrell*
>>>>>
>>>>> 4363 Lyndon Lane  Ann Arbor, MI 48105
>>>>>
>>>>> kjarrell at gmail.com
>>>>>
>>>>> HOME: 734-913-4053 <(734)%20913-4053>
>>>>>
>>>>> CELL: 734-645-3175 <(734)%20645-3175>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Barony mailing list
>>>>> Barony at cynnabar.org
>>>>> http://lists.cynnabar.org/listinfo/barony
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
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>>>
>>
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>>
>
>
> --
> Elizabeth Calhoun
> Law Library
> University of Michigan Law School
> Ann Arbor, MI 48109
> (734) 764-9330
>
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>
>
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