OxVeg Committee Meeting 19 March 2009

Place: Judges Room, Oxford Town Hall

Agenda:

Update from last meeting

Paypal account

Purchase of business cards/rubber stamps

Membership questionnaire

Next events

AOB

Next meeting

Attendees: Paul Appleby (PA), Heather Shepherd (HS), Pam Hopcraft (PH), David Huish (DH), Paul Freestone (PF)

Apologies: Sue Tibbles (ST), Rachel Foster (RF), Eileen Burton (EB),

1.     Update from last meeting:

• HS reported pancake day was a success, with 80 pancakes made. Free chocolate spread sample obtained from NibChoc. Website article written. March OVNews sent out. Cookery demo poorly attended, due to location (hidden behind fair-trade shop), date (Sunday), and rain. Venue cost of £25. Will ask for RSVP in future to allow cancellations. Feb DOC held at Pink Giraffe, 5 attendees. Next DOC on 28^th March at Tapas bar.
• PA report: Since the last meeting I have compiled and edited the March issue of OxVeg Online News (distributed by HS on 1/3/09) which included my review of Vegetarian Visitor 2009.  I have delivered the OxVeg stall to HS, forwarded the 2002 members' questionnaire to DH & PH, forwarded an elderly member's subscription to DH and informed the membership secretary, and received a review copy of "Spices: A Global History" by Fred Czarra (Reaktion Books) and an advance reading copy of "The Face on Your Plate" by Jeffrey Masson (WW Norton) with a review copy to follow.  In conjunction with Sharon Howe of VERO and Vanessa Clarke, the Garden Room & Kitchen at Oxford Friends Meeting House have been booked for 2.30-4.30pm on Sunday 21 June for an informal speaker meeting with Jeffrey Masson to coincide with the UK launch of "The Face on Your Plate".  In mid-March I was presented with a tie to mark my 25 years as group secretary by OxVeg members Marilyn Burt and Mary Puffett.  Although I have continued to serve on the OxVeg committee I feel that the time is now right for me to leave all aspects of the running of the group to others, although I am willing to remain on the committee in an advisory capacity if required.  Accordingly, the April issue of OxVeg Online News will be my last as editor (HS has indicated her willingness to take over as editor).
• DH has confirmed bank mandate now sorted, and cheques can be issued. Has received a few membership cheques from EB. PA asked if at future meetings a brief report on bank balance, income and expenditure. DH also assisted with Pancake day stall.
• PF took photos of pancake stall, and assisted at cookery demo (including getting samples from Redwoods).
• PH has booked Witney Green Fair and Levellers fayre. She has also bought books as per Jan meeting (‘Scoffers’ and Leah Lehneman book). She has also ordered snack food to sell at these stalls.

2.     Paypal account

HS has received a request to pay via Paypal, and advised that people were becoming less likely to receive cheque books from banks (e.g. international students). PF believed demand for an alternative payment method will increase. HS advised that there is usually a fee for receiving money via paypal, and would need to consider if we could pass this on to members. DH to investigate fees for discussion next meeting.

3.     Purchase of business cards / rubber stamps

PA advised that VistaPrint are currently offering Amazon customers rubber stamps at 8p and business cards at £1.24 for 250. HS advised that we can obtain free business cards from the Vegetarian Society, but could use a stamp to put our details on leaflets handed out. All agreed. HS to purchase, providing total cost (incl p&p) is below £5.

4.     Membership questionnaire

PH and DH have received copy of previous questionnaire from PA. Hope to provide a draft of a new version in next couple of months.

5.     Next events

Mother’s Day stall 21^st March

It was agreed to cancel this event as only HS could attend.

Raw Chocolate workshop (10^th April)

Due to poor turnout for cookery workshop, this will be RSVP event. Venue not booked yet, as size will be dependent on turnout. PA suggested making this part of e.g. Witney Green Fayre, however HS will not be attending this event.

Summer Garden Party

PA has helped VERO organise the Jeffrey Masson book launch at the Friends Meeting House on 21^st June, 2.30-4.30pm. It was suggested OxVeg book the hour afterwards as a summer garden party, with ‘bring-a-dish’ catering by members. Other entertainment ideas include massage, dancing, and juicing. PA to confirm details of hiring venue, and speak with Vanessa Clarke to confirm if this will be agreeable with Jeffrey Masson.

National Vegetarian Week (18^th-24^th May)

PF will be contacting local media (Radio Oxford, Oxford Mail, etc.). Wantage Health Store wish to participate, and have requested PF do an instore demo. HS will mailshot local businesses to ask if they would like to participate, and so be included in publicity.

Possibility of a free food stall on 23^rd on Cornmarket Street

PA offered to do a display in Oxford central library. HS will look at posters to send round to other local libraries advertising our events for the week.

May DOC to take form of picnic on 24^th (bring food to share), weather-dependent. HS to speak to Natasha to discuss venue.

Red Star Soap Speaker

HS noticed in recent Vegetarian magazine advert from MD of Red Star Soaps offering to do demonstrations. Possibility of inviting for a vegan fair later this year? It was also noted that Lush often do similar demos, including after hours at their shop. HS to liaise for National Vegetarian Week.

6.     AOB

June Whitehouse currently runs the OxVeg Daily Bread Co-op, however PA suggests it is just her doing so now. HS to call to ask if she would be prepared for us to advertise this further to members.

HS has received an educational CD-ROM from the Vegan Society, and suggested having it on future stalls.

ST advised by email of Ladyfest and Apple days. It was agreed that apple days could be a possible event. It was also noted that Elder Stubbs festival is in August.

7.     Next Meeting

HS to book room for 16^th April in Town Hall