Minutes for Emergency Meeting 15th August 1999

In attendance: 10 of the usual suspects Apologies: 1

Financial situation has become critical with a severe and plummeting shortfall. Several options suggested by meeting were:

Option 1: Life Education Centre - theatre only for Sunday event; use conference room for Thursday and Tuesday (Estimate: 3 nights = up to $200)

Option 2: Omit Tuesday event, keep Sunday in theatre and Thursday in conference room (estimate = up to $140)

Option 3: Omit Tuesday event, keep both Sunday and Thursday in theatre (estimate = $160)

Option 4: Change strategy for arranging events totally - seen as a long term plan (consideration has to be given to current situation i.e. possibility of a regional event at Amaroo within a month - many people presently involved in this and so human resources presently lacking to make immediate radical changes)

Option 5: What can we afford? Presently the door donations average a total of $40-$45 per venue. Should we therefore plan/hold only events that are affordable at this current income?

Option 6: Rolling tours of the Gold Coast: Hold events outside of a scheduled framework and as the need arises - e.g. satellite events at various venues; plan out for just the next couple of weeks; according to venues that are cheap and available for booking within the short term framework (e.g. community halls that don't allow for long term and ongoing bookings).

Option 7: Is it time to consider a permanent venue? Further research can be made into this option - criteria could include: accommodation for a caretaker; neutral and ample floor space for the events and where sales, library, equipment can be set up/stored. Good access to toilets; parking that does not affect neighbours; easy access to public transport; and generally: privacy, quality, neutrality within the whole environment etc.

Option 8: A solution that does not exhaust the available human resources; stable venue to allow the ongoing aspirant program, quality introductory and LM events; regular scheduling.

After orderly debate/discussion and voting, option 2 was selected. Reasons included: consideration for aspirants attending the ongoing aspirant program (especially in the light of a possible special aspirant event within the next month and possible K session); the fact that GC is eligible to trial some 'low-key' advertising in the near future. Some of the criteria for the low key advertising are: "high quality video events; regular introductory and/or LM events; all printed materials meet the national standards, a stable community exists with a solid aspirant program".

Ian has offered to liaise with the Life Education Centre regarding the changes under consideration. The new schedule will take place in the week beginning 29th August. This allows time to contact the centre's management and inform people who attend events of the change.

Many sincere and heartfelt thanks to several people who have donated generously to enable the GC to overcome the financial shortfall and work towards stabilising an improved financial situation.

Outcome from meeting with L.E.C. management: Rental for the conference room has been recently increased to $40 per hour. It was therefore decided to remain with the current hiring situation and use the theatre for Sunday and Thursday, as the rate for the smaller room did not appear adequately viable, even if further negotiation were entered into.(Therefore option 3 has become the final choice.)