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+<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta name="copyright" content="Copyright (C) 2007 Henry S. Thompson"/><meta http-equiv="Content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"/><style type="text/css">
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+     </style><title>Future of 7 VT working group: Ninth meeting</title></head><body style="font-family: DejaVu Sans, Arial; background: rgb(254,250,246)">
+ <div style="text-align: center">
+  <h1>Future of 7 VT working group: Ninth meeting</h1>
+  <div class="byline">This informal summary by Henry S. Thompson, Convenor</div>
+  <div class="byline">Held at 7 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh on 24 April 2009, 5:30 p.m.</div>
+ </div>
+
+  <div>
+   <h2>1.  Attendance</h2>
+   <p>Present: Alison Burnley, Madeleine Harding,
+Phil Lucas, Brian Mayes, Laurie Naumann, Rufus Reade
+Eileen Schott, Henry Thompson (in the clerk's chair)</p>
+   <p>Prevented: Eileen Schott</p>
+  </div>
+  <div>
+   <h2>2.  Status of form distribution/collection</h2>
+   <dl>
+    <dt><b><a name="Financial_experts">Financial experts</a></b></dt><dd>LN has sent email summarising his telephone
+interviews with Paul Kenny, Caroline Evens and John Phillips.</dd>
+    <dt><b><a name="Lettings_comparison">Lettings comparison</a></b></dt><dd>ES has done this, discussed last
+time.  Some more info to come re out-of-town sites.</dd>
+    <dt><b><a name="Quaker_groups">Quaker groups</a></b></dt><dd>MH sent email with interim results, has now
+gotten 12 replies, will re-circulate an updated tabulation</dd>
+    <dt><b><a name="Central_Edinburgh">Central Edinburgh</a></b></dt><dd>HST has a substantial number of completed
+forms, will tabulate and circulate this evening.</dd>
+    <dt><b><a name="Midweek_meeting">Midweek meeting</a></b></dt><dd>AB has tabulated the 8 returns she has received.</dd>
+    <dt><b><a name="Local_meetings">Local meetings</a></b></dt><dd>PL has had replies from S. Edinburgh and
+Central Fife</dd>
+    <dt><b><a name="MH_staff">MH staff</a></b></dt><dd>PL has only just received the individual
+responses.  He also has a "discerned corporate response" from a meeting of MH staff.</dd>
+   </dl>
+  </div>
+  <div>
+   <h2>3.  Additional input from the Meeting House Managers</h2>
+   <p>We considered the question of whether we needed further input from the
+Meeting House Managers.  They have conveyed a concern that we do not yet fully
+understand the nature of their work and the work of Meeting House staff.  We
+agreed that HST will invite the MHMs to our next meeting, at the beginning.</p>
+  </div>
+  <div>
+   <h2>4.  Financial experts interviews</h2>
+   <p>LN summarised.  Overall answers were fairly similar, although they were
+arrived at by differing routes.  All were enthusiastic about the property,
+albeit in one case in part because it offered such an attractive proposition as
+a rental property itself.  None thought that selling was a good plan.  Renting
+for ourselves was judged to be beset with difficulties.  Minimum lease would
+likely be five years.</p>
+   <p>A point which came up was that more use means more cost to offset wear
+and tear.  The Festival is a particular case in point.</p>
+   <p>This is to some extent subject to manipulation: by stopping the
+consumption of hot drinks in the Meeting Room, the wear and tear is reduced,
+but the Library gets more use as a breakout room, thereby reducing the
+opportunity for letting.</p>
+   <p>There was not complete unanimity on the question of whether we should or
+could increase income by raising our letting rates.</p>
+   <p>The question of strategy: maximising income versus maximising utility for
+Quaker use, comes up again.  PL reminded us of the history of AM's decisions in
+this area.</p>
+   <p>The proposition that we are subsidising groups by default was clarified:
+we do charge a low rate to some groups, which means that <i>if</i> no-one
+else was in the building by the time that group meets we end up losing money as
+against the cost of opening the building.</p>
+  </div>
+  <div>
+   <h2>5.  Responses from Quaker Groups</h2>
+   <p>Although not dependent as such, many groups expressed a sense of
+ownership wrt 7VT.  Overseers did feel dependent on 7VT as their base.</p>
+   <p>"The atmosphere can be felt when you walk into the place" like any other
+religious place, so it's appropriate to meet here.</p>
+   <p>The opportunity to plan in advance, and thereby had access to resources,
+was welcomed.</p>
+   <p>Groups were willing to meet elsewhere.  In particular, study groups were
+happier meeting in homes, for greater intimacy, and because it addresses
+childcare needs.</p>
+   <p>Facilities generally liked, one or two niggles.</p>
+   <p>Parking and, at least for the time being, access on foot a bit of a
+problem, but public transport good.</p>
+   <p>Availability was characterised as 'good'.  Some asked about the
+possibility of there being particular designated Quaker slots in the diary.</p>
+   <p>Big meetings (e.g. Scotland GM) needed the whole building.</p>
+   <p>Our ability to host young people's events was discussed in some detail</p>
+   <p>The value of being a central venue was remarked on a number of times.</p>
+   <p>Car parking will of course always be an issue for a central venue, but
+the impact of that on those with physical disabilities has to be managed.</p>
+  </div>
+  <div>
+   <h2>6.  Planning for open meetings</h2>
+   <p>[Note that the date of the 1st meeting was changed following consultation
+to Sunday 26 April.]</p>
+   <p>We agreed to have the meeting in the hall, and to start as early as we
+think feasable.</p>
+   <p>Aim for 2:30 finish</p>
+   <p>HST suggested opening with an introduction</p>
+   <p>BM suggested that we had to include the basic outline of the financial
+difficulty that provoked the establishment of our group.</p>
+   <p>LN wanted to be a bit less explicit, focussing on the broad picture, 20
+years on, 10 years with balanced books, 10 years during which a gap has opened up</p>
+   <p>MH: The questionnaires and a lot of our fact-finding to date have been
+about the nature of our current (and immediately past) situation: now we need
+to look to the future.</p>
+   <p>Focus on "What is your vision for the Quaker presence and witness in
+Central Edinburgh for the <i>next</i> 20 years."  Offer an
+opportunity to stay behind afterwards for more focussed questions to the group.</p>
+   <p>Is it appropriate to make notes during a worship sharing session?  Yes,
+if it's made clear at the beginning, and explained as based on the special
+nature of the meeting itself.</p>
+   <div>
+    <h4>6.1.  Meeting on 26 April</h4>
+    <ul>
+     <li>HST to introduce</li>
+     <li>PL to take notes</li>
+     <li>MH, BM, RR will also attend.</li>
+    </ul>
+   </div>
+   <div>
+    <h4>6.2.  Meeting of 4 May [subject to revision]</h4>
+    <ul>HST to introduce</ul>
+    <ul>LN to take notes</ul>
+    <ul>PL, MH, BM will also attend.</ul>
+   </div>
+  </div>
+  <div>
+   <h2>7.  Actions review and new actions</h2>
+   <p>ES to get some costs of out-of-town units </p>
+   <p>HST to get publicity out about the vision input meetings. [done]</p>
+  </div>
+  <div>
+   <h2>8.  Next Meetings</h2>
+   <p>Our next meeting will be at 7 Victoria Terrace at 5:30pm on Friday 1 May
+[RR apologies]. We
+tentatively agreed on Friday 15 May 5:30pm and Friday 29 May 5:30pm [apologies MH] for our next meeting after that.</p>
+  </div>
+
+</body></html>
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