Minutes of the London meeting of Friends of Bedlam 02/10/2004

Meeting convened 17:20

Present: Chris Cooke, Richard Lace, Lizzie Barret, Peter Lowden, Richard Shelton.
Apologies: Sarah Cook, Victoria Hayrebedian.

Funding requests: PL's request for funding towards a project is refused on grounds that FoB doesn't have sufficient assets. Kids project have come forward to seek 50% funding towards their background checks with the police (info provided by Al Broom). RL is of the view that they do not need to pay, so long as a registered CRB organisation will act on their behalf. Otherwise the London consensus was that whilst this was not necessary for FOB to fund, we would be of a mind to do so. This also raised the view that we could do more to provide skills as well as just cash.
Action: RL to advise Kids project on how to avoid paying unnecessary fees.

It does not appear that we are overwhelmed with applications, concern raised over level of promotion or understanding in EUTC of FOB. Timing could be an issue ? Should we have more than two funding slots ? Consensus was yes, perhaps Sep, Nov, Jan, Mar, May. We also felt that we lacked understanding of the effects of moving to semesters.
Action: RS to suggest to Edinburgh and make request of 1 page summary of effects of going to semesters from EUTC. Also request of EUTC to plug FOB funding and availability of advice: potential to do a Theatre In Education session for the kids project ? If interested RL to contact Phil Cotteril / Mark Conway.

Action: RL to submit completed financials on FOB.
Action: RS to check minutes of last meeting are up to date.
LB suggested we invest in more marketing materials for FOB branding.
Action: LB to locate tat catalogues, CC to handle necessary design work.

Activities in London: plan for first Wednesday in month, so November 3rd. Monthly pub nights, a couple of pubs were discussed. Action: RL to decide location, LB to do invites.

Annual report to Bedlam: Edinburgh FoBMoB to co-ordinate with EUTC?

Touring: discussed the pros and cons of supporting touring: RL cited Infusion as an example that would have benefited from it. Consensus was that touring works when EUTC can call on its strongest possible team, which is for the company to decide. If the company was in favour we would be minded to support.

Soft support: view generally shared that FOB had a lot of skills and expertise and should do more to let EUTC call on these when necessary. As a starter discussed putting a 'top ten tips' column into the newsletter. Action: CC to pull together a topic or two for the next newsletter

Newsletter: suggested an interview with Mrs. Ogg, Also noted that FOB could provide expertise and 'soft' support. Action: LB to arrange for an interview with any or all of Kat Smith, Becks Whiteman, Jo DePonio, Judith Docherty.
Other material: presentation from last shindig, people update: any gossip let CC know, Jo DeP to co-ordinate anecdote finding?

Meeting closed at 18:25