Here is Mixed Company Theatre's call-out to community members to attend their meeting on the pre-conference symposium The Ripple Effect Festival - Second Wave. A friendly reminder that the next PTO Steering Committee meeting will happen on Friday, August 28th from 3:30-5:30 PM in the OISE Peace Lounge.
__________________
July 21, 2009
Re: Ripple Effect Festival – Second Wave
I am writing to you on behalf of Mixed Company Theatre (MXCO) to tell you about our plans for a community wide arts festival/symposium and to involve you and your organization in the initial planning phases of this exciting pre-Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed Conference (PTO) planned to begin June 14, 2010. I also want to take the opportunity to create a stronger network and grow our connections within the greater Toronto arts community.
If you are not familiar with MXCO, we use Forum Theatre in schools, communities and workplaces to engage, educate and empower our students, audiences and community members to actively create positive change. In 1997 we organized the first Ripple Effect Festival which brought over 300 practitioners of Forum Theatre and PTO. This international festival featured lectures, seminars, workshops and performances by 70 troupes from 23 countries. Each year the PTO organizes their own conference in the US and for the first time, twelve years after the original Ripple Effect Festival, the conference is being held in Toronto, Canada. This has prompted us to engage an ad hoc group of artists to organize the Ripple Effect Festival – Second Wave to act as a pre-conference symposium and celebration of the arts in Toronto.
Our plans for the symposium are to create a tribute to the work of Augusto Boal and Paolo Freire by inviting five world renowned Jokers (Forum Theatre facilitators) to create Forum Theatre with five different and diverse neighbourhoods in the GTA. These jokers will work with community organizations and individuals to create collaborative works developed through workshops and soundings with community members and leaders. These presentations will be performed throughout the city, and at a tentatively confirmed downtown location at University of Toronto’s OISE facilities.
During this pre-conference there will also be a continuous celebration of arts available to the public and conference attendees. The festival committee, which we hope to build with your help, will also make available performance and workshop slots to interested organizations and individuals and will give preference to those who will use or reflect upon the PTO.
Our office looks forward to speaking with you about how we can work together to make this festival an exciting event for the arts organizations, arts patrons, and citizens of Toronto. We would like to host a meeting to discuss ideas for this festival on Tuesday, August 18th from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. at our offices at 157 Carlton Street. At this meeting we can brainstorm ideas for the Second Wave, consider how to design a curatorial committee, and how to best pool our artistic resources.
Attached to this email is our company background. If you require additional information about Mixed Company, the symposium, or the first Ripple Effect festival, please do not hesitate in contacting me at 416-515-8080.
Duncan McCallum: Ripple Effect Festival – Second Wave
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Minutes from PTO-Steering Committee Meeting - July 24, 2009 – OISE Peace Lounge 3:30 – 5:30
Attending: chris (chair-lite & minutes), Matt, Corvin, Deborah Barndt, Alicia Payne
Regrets: Robyn, Bonnie, Laura, Adam, Sara, Emily, Brendan, Stephen, Jenny, Simon, Duncan
1. Internal Communication, Capacity & Committees
· Chris thought that we had one representative from each committee who is a convenor (POST-MEETING NOTE: Below is the Committee list from March 31st, which is the only one the minute-taker can find. I’ve added Matt to the Programming. It is not clear who, if anyone, is a convenor or committee chair)
o Programming: Chris, Simon, Adam, Stephen, Sara, Matt
o Communications, Outreach and Media: Matt, Brendan, Robyn, Jes, Hartley, Corvin
o Funding/Finance: Chris, Laura, Margo
o Hospitality/Housing: Sara, Brendan, Emily
o Volunteers: Chris, Laura
o Space and Accessibility: Bonnie, Adam, Laura, Corvin
o Anti-Colonial: Emily
o Making it to PTO 2009: Robyn, Chris, Jes
· Deb Barndt suggested that chris might be able to get a Graduate Assistant at the Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University assigned to him to help out with the popular education classes as well as work on the PTO conference. A GA is a Master’s student who is paid to work 10 hours per week for Fall and Winter semestre’s (i.e. September through April). Chris said he would follow-up.
o (POST-MEETING NOTE: chris has been approved to post a GA job description for a popular education/PTO assistant position. He also learned that if there is a PhD student whose work aligns with PTO they could possibly be recruited, as part of their funding requirements, to assist with the organizing in May and June.)
· Reminder: all committees need to meet and consider appointing a committee chair/convenor (NOTE: reports can be sent to the list and/or posted on website)
· There seem to be some inconsistencies with the PTO list – ask Robyn to confirm that listserv response setting is defaulting to “list”
2. Outreach
· Matt and chris met with PARC (Parkdale Activity-Recreation Centre – 1499 Queen ST. W. - http://parc.on.ca/) and they were very enthusiastic to be involved including being a site that could host an event before and during the conference as well as willing to commit to sending someone to serve on the Steering Committee.
· Matt’s been in touch with Facilitating Inclusion (http://www.facilitatinginclusion.ca/), a Hamilton-based popular education group that is interested in being involved.
· Matt has contacted Clare Nobb’s at SOY (http://www.soytoronto.org/) a community development project designed to improve the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered youth. Clare thinks there would be interest.
· Deb mentioned involvement with the PARC Mural Project that is happening in Parkdale; Alberto Guevara, an instructor (and filmmaker) in the Community Arts Program at York University; Honor Ford-Smith (a professor at the Faculty of Environmental Studies and a popular theatre worker who ahs used Pedagogy of the Oppressed); Heather Hermant who teaches in the Community Arts Program; Community Arts Ontario (CAO) who have focused on developing a northern (Ontario) network of aboriginal artists (Deb could be a liaison with CAO); Sandra Laronde of Red Sky Theatre; Monique Mojica (working on a project called “Cocolate Women, Dreams and the Milky Way”); Michael St. George; Jumblies Theatre; Re-mix; Melanie Skene and Simon (Hamilton-based artist-facilitators), Blakka Ellis (A Jamaican theatre worker who has used Theatre of the Oppressed).
· Everyone should update information on the Google Docs
· Everyone should review outreach material that was sent out on list and is on blog: http://pto2010steering.blogspot.com/2009/06/outreach-prep-materials.html
3. Coordination
· We need to deal with the issue of coordination ASAP
· Recommended that it be an item at the August meeting
· Need job description
· Consider youth programming, employment money (unemployment top-up programs), Settlement Agencies, Youth Arts groups… all possible sources of funding/labour
4. Program
· We discussed some programming-related ideas:
o Bring your own venue (which we’ve spoken of in the past)
o Popular education post-conference
o Using World Café as a method for community discussions
o A PO/TO Workshop to put PO & TO in dialogue with each other
o Exploring possibility of unilingual workshops – which would have to promoted with enough time to recruit adequate participation of, for example, French speakers, Spanish speakers, et al.
5. Space
· Need to confirm that the space at OISE has, in fact been booked. We thought his had been done but Chris will e-mail Adam
6. Relationship with PTO – decision-making
- Deb asked about our relationship with the PTO Board and what, if any, are the differing visions for the conference. Deb described the Minneapolis conference as having challenged the interpretation of PTO by tapping into different communities as well as representing other kinds of arts practices. Chris summarized our history of communication with the Board (meeting with Ellie Friedland in January, response to Board questions, Simon’s joining the Board, Kelly’s most recent e-mails).
7. Next Meeting
· Friday, August 28 from 3:30 – 5:30
Monday, June 29, 2009
Minutes from June 5th PTO-Steering Committee Meeting
OISE Peace Lounge 3:30 – 5:30
Attending: Robyn (chair), Brendan, Emily (and Kai), Duncan, Simon, Hartley,
Stephen, Jenni, chris (minutes)
Regrets: Deborah, Margo, Matt, Corvin
1. Report on 2008 PTO Conference
- Stephen began reporting on conference and Simon joined in. Below are some points touched on.
Attending: Robyn (chair), Brendan, Emily (and Kai), Duncan, Simon, Hartley,
Stephen, Jenni, chris (minutes)
Regrets: Deborah, Margo, Matt, Corvin
1. Report on 2008 PTO Conference
- Stephen began reporting on conference and Simon joined in. Below are some points touched on.
- Stephen found it quite positive; highlights included meeting people, going to workshops
- Julian Boal workshop on legislative theatre at beginning and end
- Opening ceremony not unpleasant but not as big a success
- Therefore opening ceremony is very important – Shannon woman reciting letter line-by-line with translation in Spanish
- Native American woman keynote – a bit them/us, then they left; talked about 53 hangings at Fort Snelling – heavy, heavy, heavy, heaviest
- Problem: Boal’s death not acknowledged until 11:00 pm
- Spontaneous memorial Sat.
- Spanish speaking community appreciated being listened to
- Organizers were very approachable, open, nice, waned to share
- Food Not Bombs session to talk
- Workshop on Sunday morning – Gender in Science
- Workshop on last day day – kids show was highlight – about young black males and invisible father
- Simon found keynote speaking out of context → you became a spectator during the keynote presentations; felt a little monologic
- Presented legislative theatre at 10:30 – going to City Hall – only 3 people came from City
- PO/TO balance – Victor Cole workshop; Deborah Arts & Activism
- TO group divided – Weinblatt – oppression; Boal purification
- Jokers meeting in Rio in July
- PO/TO confused
- Pre and post conference
- Mixed Company and Catalyst will do one-pagers describing pre and post conference ideas/proposals
- Pre and Post will liaise with/join program committee
- Stephen suggested thinking about themes for pre and post which would remove pressure form theme for conference
- Committed to approaching community organizations soon
- Robyn will talk to 519
- Committee will prepare outreach package
- Chris will contact some TCHC folks – youth human rights course participants
- We could do an Outreach event in late August/September
- Report in E-mail
- Look at U of T theatre space
- 2007 expenses were ~$120,000; revenue was ~$106,000 leaving a shortfall of ~$12,000
- see draft budget – chris spoke to this briefly pointing out the need to decide on a base registration rate – e.g. past conferences have charged ~$75/day (including early reg fees, student and unemployed rates, etc.)
- Finance committee to meet
- There were 7 retirees from PTO Board
- Simon Malbogat joined PTO Board
- Kelly – president elect
- Brendan will continue to be liaison to Board
- Brendan will send timeline for input
- June 26
- July 24
- August 28
- All subcommittees to meet
- Subcommittees to write descriptions of what they do
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Mixed Company Theatre: Joker's Symposium Proposal to PTO 2010 Steering Ctte
Our plans for the symposium are to create a tribute to the work of Augusto Boal and Paolo Freire by inviting five world renowned Jokers to create Forum theatre with five neighbourhoods in the GTA. The presentations will be in the local communities and we plan to perform them at downtown venues hopefully using the University of Toronto contacts. These presentations will celebrate and honour the two founders’ contribution.
During the preconference there will be a continuous collection of plays, presentations and workshops available to the public and conference attendees. We will be opening these slots to interested organizations and individuals who specialize in Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed. We will promote and market the various and diverse presentations from the community groups in the GTA raising awareness of the PTO conference. These performances will continue into the weekend, offering the conference attendees entertainment at night and a chance to see the work that Toronto is doing.
Community workshops will be led by the five world renowned Jokers and they will also offer workshops focused on their Joking and creation methodologies. This will create a spectrum of choice for attendees to learn from these practitioners.
During this time there will also be discussion panels that question aspects of Theatre of the Oppressed. Topics for these panels will cover a range of themes such as aesthetics, challenges to Joking, style developments, etc.
As a way to incorporate artists from in and around the city as well as bring awareness to the opening of the conference, we plan on orchestrating a public event in Dundas Square. This event will be a mix of music, dance, puppetry, theatre, visual arts and education. The goal is to “Take back the Square” and bring attention to the work of Augusto and Paolo.
We will offer a wide range of TO performances and skill workshops for the incoming conference attendees. We will be flexible and adaptable to the ideas that will come to us in the next few months and provide a space to showcase the various works that will be created for the conference.
Over the next couple of months we will solidify our budget and come to the PTO steering committee and board for start up funds. What we ask of the board is that you help to provide us with space to use during the preconference at OISE and any U of T theatre venues, and your contacts and connections in the city.
During the preconference there will be a continuous collection of plays, presentations and workshops available to the public and conference attendees. We will be opening these slots to interested organizations and individuals who specialize in Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed. We will promote and market the various and diverse presentations from the community groups in the GTA raising awareness of the PTO conference. These performances will continue into the weekend, offering the conference attendees entertainment at night and a chance to see the work that Toronto is doing.
Community workshops will be led by the five world renowned Jokers and they will also offer workshops focused on their Joking and creation methodologies. This will create a spectrum of choice for attendees to learn from these practitioners.
During this time there will also be discussion panels that question aspects of Theatre of the Oppressed. Topics for these panels will cover a range of themes such as aesthetics, challenges to Joking, style developments, etc.
As a way to incorporate artists from in and around the city as well as bring awareness to the opening of the conference, we plan on orchestrating a public event in Dundas Square. This event will be a mix of music, dance, puppetry, theatre, visual arts and education. The goal is to “Take back the Square” and bring attention to the work of Augusto and Paolo.
We will offer a wide range of TO performances and skill workshops for the incoming conference attendees. We will be flexible and adaptable to the ideas that will come to us in the next few months and provide a space to showcase the various works that will be created for the conference.
Over the next couple of months we will solidify our budget and come to the PTO steering committee and board for start up funds. What we ask of the board is that you help to provide us with space to use during the preconference at OISE and any U of T theatre venues, and your contacts and connections in the city.
Mixed Company Theatre
157 Carlton St, Suite 201
Toronto, ON, CAN
M5A 2K3
416 515 8080
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Outreach Prep Materials
BACKGROUND INFO ON PTO:
Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed (PTO) is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is “to challenge oppressive systems by promoting critical thinking and social justice.” We organize an annual meeting that focuses on the work of liberatory educators, activists, artists and community organizers.
The PTO organization grew out of an annual conference held in Omaha. The conference has since been held in various locations throughout the U.S. (e.g. New York, Toledo, Los Angels, Minneapolis-St. Paul). The people who attend the PTO conferences are popular educators, theatre practitioners, activists, academics, teachers and artists who work with, critique, and are inspired by the ideas of Paolo Freire and Augusto Boal.
In 2010, the PTO conference will be held in Toronto, marking the first time it's ever been held outside of the USA. The conference steering committee is looking for as much input as possible from groups and organizations in Toronto, in order to base the conference on the needs, desires, concerns and interests of Toronto communities. We are also interested in connecting with organizations across Canada and internationally.
WHERE ARE WE AT NOW?
The next PTO conference is scheduled for June 2010 and will take place at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto. Currently, we have a steering committee who meets once a month, as well as a number of sub-committees (Outreach & Communication, Fundraising & Finance, Space, Hospitality) who meet regularly to discuss the various details of the conference. As we begin organizing more intensely next fall, we are looking for input, participation and dialogue from anyone who feels they or their organization might benefit from this conference.
OUTREACH QUESTIONS
What does your organization (or do you) do?
What community(ies) do you serve?
What are the needs of your community? Your organization?
What are some of your goals/projects/desires for the next year?
OUR CONTACT INFO
email: ptotoronto@gmail.com
blog: www.pto2010steering.blogspot.com
PTO official website: www.ptoweb.org/
Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed (PTO) is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is “to challenge oppressive systems by promoting critical thinking and social justice.” We organize an annual meeting that focuses on the work of liberatory educators, activists, artists and community organizers.
The PTO organization grew out of an annual conference held in Omaha. The conference has since been held in various locations throughout the U.S. (e.g. New York, Toledo, Los Angels, Minneapolis-St. Paul). The people who attend the PTO conferences are popular educators, theatre practitioners, activists, academics, teachers and artists who work with, critique, and are inspired by the ideas of Paolo Freire and Augusto Boal.
In 2010, the PTO conference will be held in Toronto, marking the first time it's ever been held outside of the USA. The conference steering committee is looking for as much input as possible from groups and organizations in Toronto, in order to base the conference on the needs, desires, concerns and interests of Toronto communities. We are also interested in connecting with organizations across Canada and internationally.
WHERE ARE WE AT NOW?
The next PTO conference is scheduled for June 2010 and will take place at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto. Currently, we have a steering committee who meets once a month, as well as a number of sub-committees (Outreach & Communication, Fundraising & Finance, Space, Hospitality) who meet regularly to discuss the various details of the conference. As we begin organizing more intensely next fall, we are looking for input, participation and dialogue from anyone who feels they or their organization might benefit from this conference.
OUTREACH QUESTIONS
What does your organization (or do you) do?
What community(ies) do you serve?
What are the needs of your community? Your organization?
What are some of your goals/projects/desires for the next year?
OUR CONTACT INFO
email: ptotoronto@gmail.com
blog: www.pto2010steering.blogspot.com
PTO official website: www.ptoweb.org/
Monday, May 11, 2009
Minutes for Steering Committee Meeting, May 8th 2009
In Attendance: Matthew, Adam, Sara, Robyn (minutes), jes, Duncan (chair), Heather, Alisha, Simon, chris
Regrets: Emily, Brendan, Bonnie, Corvin , Jennifer
1. Report from Programming Committee
• difficult for program committee to move forward without a theme
• Melt This” proposed as a potential theme: issues of the economy, boarder crossing, environment, conference/symposium
• capacity building for local groups – support through skills in popular education or theatre
• global outreach using technology
• evaluation criteria for proposals, diversity of T.O. communities in steering/programming committee
• proposal for “Melt This” as theme, from programming committee to steering committee
2. Heading to Minneapolis
• Simon, Duncan, Stephen, Corvin
• 8 hours of volunteer work, shadowing conference organizers to learn structure of conference
• 1 hour facilitated discussion at end of conference (Sunday and/or Monday?)
• Duncan and Simon remaining for post-conference wrap-up
Questions from steering committee that members will take to Minneapolis:
• internal processes around scholarships/bursaries, criteria for workshop evaluations
• success they’ve had drawing groups both locally and nationally
• how does the conference balance pedagogy with the theatre?
• how they specifically overcame obstacles they faced?
• how details (like food, accessibility, youth) were dealt with?
• place of the conference – did things happen outside of the central location? (reflecting on our own ability to facilitate travel around Toronto)
• Simon notes that in the pre-conference promotional material there is very little about the Twin Cities community
• how does AGM fit into conference? Does the issue of membership and leadership have any greater clarity with “new generation” of PTO members? How does the election process go?
• if there is a surplus, does it come to this conference? What does Minneapolis have to offer us? $500 speaker’s fees
• how does conference apply for grants? Do individual steering committees apply, or does PTO apply? –chris: we are responsible for 95% of the budget
• how has Minneapolis mobilized their local communities for the conference? When does that mobilization start?
• how many international people in Pop Ed are attending Minni, and funding for that?
3. Final Session at PTO 2009 (on Sunday and/or Monday)
• Corvin (and chris) designing structure for session
• could Deb Barndt co-facilitate on Sunday?
• ask Brendan and Emily how the PTO 2008 session went?
• lots of feedback regarding PTO 2009
• did PTO 2009 ask us for Sunday or Monday? chris had assumed we were asking about Monday. Are they asking us for both? Do both sessions exist?
• Simon will send message for clarification from PTO
4. Finance
• chris will have draft budget for those going to Minneapolis conference
• who would we be applying under officially for grants? Catalyst centre? Symposium?
• we have to take Symposium into account in PTO 2010 budget. Importance of continuing dialogue between Symposium and conference organizing.
• meet with granting officers re: pre-conference, outlining local participants, festival concept throughout conference
• institutions committing to registering their members. How do we entice organizations to do this?
5. Space
• we need preliminary budget
• OISE thinks it’s problematic that we’re asking for 3 full floors for an entire weekend
• Daniel sent rubric where we must specify rooms and times
• can we use model from TCDI conference?
• can Adam get us U of T space?
• space committee/outreach should be talking to U of T theatre department
• OISE does not have outdoor space—but U of T has lots, can we find out how to book it?
Next meeting: June 5th, 3:30-5:30 at OISE Peace Lounge (7th Floor)
• We ask that all sub-committees commit to meeting before the end of May.
• Chair: ? Minute Taker: ?
Regrets: Emily, Brendan, Bonnie, Corvin , Jennifer
1. Report from Programming Committee
• difficult for program committee to move forward without a theme
• Melt This” proposed as a potential theme: issues of the economy, boarder crossing, environment, conference/symposium
• capacity building for local groups – support through skills in popular education or theatre
• global outreach using technology
• evaluation criteria for proposals, diversity of T.O. communities in steering/programming committee
• proposal for “Melt This” as theme, from programming committee to steering committee
“Melt This” discussion:
• provides lots of potential for imagery/graphic
• how do we proceed with the decision-making process?
• 11 or 12 members of both programming and steering committee are in favour of “Melt This” as theme—unanimous consensus among those present at May 8th steering committee meeting
• provisional decision to make “Melt This” the theme of PTO 2010, major objections should be raised within a week of the minutes being posted• provides lots of potential for imagery/graphic
• how do we proceed with the decision-making process?
• 11 or 12 members of both programming and steering committee are in favour of “Melt This” as theme—unanimous consensus among those present at May 8th steering committee meeting
2. Heading to Minneapolis
• Simon, Duncan, Stephen, Corvin
• 8 hours of volunteer work, shadowing conference organizers to learn structure of conference
• 1 hour facilitated discussion at end of conference (Sunday and/or Monday?)
• Duncan and Simon remaining for post-conference wrap-up
Questions from steering committee that members will take to Minneapolis:
• internal processes around scholarships/bursaries, criteria for workshop evaluations
• success they’ve had drawing groups both locally and nationally
• how does the conference balance pedagogy with the theatre?
• how they specifically overcame obstacles they faced?
• how details (like food, accessibility, youth) were dealt with?
• place of the conference – did things happen outside of the central location? (reflecting on our own ability to facilitate travel around Toronto)
• Simon notes that in the pre-conference promotional material there is very little about the Twin Cities community
• how does AGM fit into conference? Does the issue of membership and leadership have any greater clarity with “new generation” of PTO members? How does the election process go?
• if there is a surplus, does it come to this conference? What does Minneapolis have to offer us? $500 speaker’s fees
• how does conference apply for grants? Do individual steering committees apply, or does PTO apply? –chris: we are responsible for 95% of the budget
• how has Minneapolis mobilized their local communities for the conference? When does that mobilization start?
• how many international people in Pop Ed are attending Minni, and funding for that?
3. Final Session at PTO 2009 (on Sunday and/or Monday)
• Corvin (and chris) designing structure for session
• could Deb Barndt co-facilitate on Sunday?
• ask Brendan and Emily how the PTO 2008 session went?
• lots of feedback regarding PTO 2009
• did PTO 2009 ask us for Sunday or Monday? chris had assumed we were asking about Monday. Are they asking us for both? Do both sessions exist?
• Simon will send message for clarification from PTO
4. Finance
• chris will have draft budget for those going to Minneapolis conference
• who would we be applying under officially for grants? Catalyst centre? Symposium?
• we have to take Symposium into account in PTO 2010 budget. Importance of continuing dialogue between Symposium and conference organizing.
• meet with granting officers re: pre-conference, outlining local participants, festival concept throughout conference
• institutions committing to registering their members. How do we entice organizations to do this?
5. Space
• we need preliminary budget
• OISE thinks it’s problematic that we’re asking for 3 full floors for an entire weekend
• Daniel sent rubric where we must specify rooms and times
• can we use model from TCDI conference?
• can Adam get us U of T space?
• space committee/outreach should be talking to U of T theatre department
• OISE does not have outdoor space—but U of T has lots, can we find out how to book it?
Next meeting: June 5th, 3:30-5:30 at OISE Peace Lounge (7th Floor)
• We ask that all sub-committees commit to meeting before the end of May.
• Chair: ? Minute Taker: ?
Saturday, April 25, 2009
April 24th Steering Committee Minutes
PTO Toronto Steering Committee Meeting April 24th 2009
Present: chris, Sarah, Adam, Brendan, Emily, Simon, Fiona, Corvin
Regrets: Robyn, Stephen, jes, Matt, Bonnie, Hartley, Jenny, Margo
1.Travel to PTO 2009
-Duncan looked into travel and driving only makes sense if 5 of more are going.
-Duncan and Simon will be flying from Buffalo on the 19th at a cost of ~$150
-People can contact Duncan for flight info if they want to fly
-Right now only Duncan, Simon and Corvin are going for sure.
-Corvin will coordinate a “What's Happening”-type workshop for people at this years conference
-chris suggests that as many of us as possible become members of PTO regardless of whether we are going this year.
2.Space
-Adam has confirmed with Daniel that we can book space for the weekend of June 17th 2010.
-We should book 2,3,4,5th floors, the auditorium and the Peace Lounge.
-Simon suggests that if we find other spaces we can always scale back our OISE space
-some space ideas include Transac, Taragon, Inest, 519, St. Chris.
-space committee will examine other space options
-brendan suggests that the space committee focus on an auditorium space for performances 'cause anything is better than the OISE auditorium
3.Budget
-chris will prepare a draft budget for the next steering committee meeting based on the TCDI budget.
-Mixed Company has been looking into funding grants for Jokers' Symposium
-chris suggests that a coordinator position would be useful and suggested an Artist in Residence -grant from the Toronto Arts Council might be able to be used for this.
-possibly a GA position could be used for coordinator; budget committee will research GAships with contacts at FES York, OISE and UofT.
-Margo has offered assistance in applying for grants
-chris asks that people email him all funding deadlines and he will coordinate grant writing schedule
4.Theme
-Still have not received a list of past themes from PTO board
-Fiona suggests the theme “Resisting Precarious Times”
-Email with theme brainstorm has been circulated
-there was discussion of having a theme before PTO 2009
-theme debate will continue
5.Program
-the Programming committee is strongly encouraged to meet
6.Pre Conference Event
-Mixed Company has sent out a call for proposals to around 1000 people worldwide for a Jokers' Symposium
-Simon will be talking to Julian in Minneapolis about participating
-other Jokers could include: Sanjay from Sanskriti; David Diamond from Headlines; Michel from Stage Left; Format Amsterdam; Robert Macinni from Italy
-The Symposium would run June 14, 15, 16th
-Mixed Company has been looking in to space; Transac wants $5000 for 5 days
-Symposium could include shows and facilitated discussions
-Some theme ideas include “best practices”, Western Jokers in developing regions
-event would bring together Canadian Pop Theatre groups for the first time in many years
-highlight the diversity of practice in Pop Theatre (not just TO)
7.Post Conference Event
-Emily suggests having a post-conference Open Space event
-Build a schedule during the conference and provide space after
-Brendan mentioned that Stephen has hoped to incorporate Open Space and that feedback from past conferences had called for its use
-some concern about whether this would draw enough interest for post-conference event
-suggested that a Pop Ed post event might balance out Jokers' Symosium
8.Anti-Colonial Organizing
-Hussan wanted to know if group was committed to incorporating anti-colonial analysis into every meeting.
-people were in strong support of doing this but some wondered if we needed a “training”
-group acknowledged our whiteness and our so far unsuccessful attempts to do outreach to other communities in the city doing PTO stuff
-chris pointed out that we are “still on the ground floor” and that the problem will only become more acute as planning continues
-Brendan will talk to Hussan
9.Date of Next Meeting
- The next meeting was set as Friday, May 8th 3:30-5:30pm at OISE Peace Lounge
Present: chris, Sarah, Adam, Brendan, Emily, Simon, Fiona, Corvin
Regrets: Robyn, Stephen, jes, Matt, Bonnie, Hartley, Jenny, Margo
1.Travel to PTO 2009
-Duncan looked into travel and driving only makes sense if 5 of more are going.
-Duncan and Simon will be flying from Buffalo on the 19th at a cost of ~$150
-People can contact Duncan for flight info if they want to fly
-Right now only Duncan, Simon and Corvin are going for sure.
-Corvin will coordinate a “What's Happening”-type workshop for people at this years conference
-chris suggests that as many of us as possible become members of PTO regardless of whether we are going this year.
2.Space
-Adam has confirmed with Daniel that we can book space for the weekend of June 17th 2010.
-We should book 2,3,4,5th floors, the auditorium and the Peace Lounge.
-Simon suggests that if we find other spaces we can always scale back our OISE space
-some space ideas include Transac, Taragon, Inest, 519, St. Chris.
-space committee will examine other space options
-brendan suggests that the space committee focus on an auditorium space for performances 'cause anything is better than the OISE auditorium
3.Budget
-chris will prepare a draft budget for the next steering committee meeting based on the TCDI budget.
-Mixed Company has been looking into funding grants for Jokers' Symposium
-chris suggests that a coordinator position would be useful and suggested an Artist in Residence -grant from the Toronto Arts Council might be able to be used for this.
-possibly a GA position could be used for coordinator; budget committee will research GAships with contacts at FES York, OISE and UofT.
-Margo has offered assistance in applying for grants
-chris asks that people email him all funding deadlines and he will coordinate grant writing schedule
4.Theme
-Still have not received a list of past themes from PTO board
-Fiona suggests the theme “Resisting Precarious Times”
-Email with theme brainstorm has been circulated
-there was discussion of having a theme before PTO 2009
-theme debate will continue
5.Program
-the Programming committee is strongly encouraged to meet
6.Pre Conference Event
-Mixed Company has sent out a call for proposals to around 1000 people worldwide for a Jokers' Symposium
-Simon will be talking to Julian in Minneapolis about participating
-other Jokers could include: Sanjay from Sanskriti; David Diamond from Headlines; Michel from Stage Left; Format Amsterdam; Robert Macinni from Italy
-The Symposium would run June 14, 15, 16th
-Mixed Company has been looking in to space; Transac wants $5000 for 5 days
-Symposium could include shows and facilitated discussions
-Some theme ideas include “best practices”, Western Jokers in developing regions
-event would bring together Canadian Pop Theatre groups for the first time in many years
-highlight the diversity of practice in Pop Theatre (not just TO)
7.Post Conference Event
-Emily suggests having a post-conference Open Space event
-Build a schedule during the conference and provide space after
-Brendan mentioned that Stephen has hoped to incorporate Open Space and that feedback from past conferences had called for its use
-some concern about whether this would draw enough interest for post-conference event
-suggested that a Pop Ed post event might balance out Jokers' Symosium
8.Anti-Colonial Organizing
-Hussan wanted to know if group was committed to incorporating anti-colonial analysis into every meeting.
-people were in strong support of doing this but some wondered if we needed a “training”
-group acknowledged our whiteness and our so far unsuccessful attempts to do outreach to other communities in the city doing PTO stuff
-chris pointed out that we are “still on the ground floor” and that the problem will only become more acute as planning continues
-Brendan will talk to Hussan
9.Date of Next Meeting
- The next meeting was set as Friday, May 8th 3:30-5:30pm at OISE Peace Lounge
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Minutes from Steering Committee, March 20, 2009
March 20, 2009 – OISE Peace Lounge 3:30 – 5:30
Attending: Hartley, jes, Emily, Brendan, Matt, Duncan, Bonnie,
Regrets: Deborah, Jenni, Robyn, Simon, Margo
1. Steering Committee Commuication
9. Looking Ahead:
Attending: Hartley, jes, Emily, Brendan, Matt, Duncan, Bonnie,
Regrets: Deborah, Jenni, Robyn, Simon, Margo
1. Steering Committee Commuication
- Google Groups doesn’t seem to be working consistently for everybody; this could be because some people’s e-mails are awaiting moderator confirmation
- look into Google Groups and who’s receiving info; jes will talk to Robyn about this
- Brendan had a quick meeting with Warren
- Warren is willing to work with us on a proposal: vision, theme
- Re: coming to PTO Warren recommended that as many as possible attend
- They could possibly waive conference fee as well as arrange billets
- Warren suggested that some come early and “shadow” Minneapolis organizers
- who’s definitely almost possibly going: Simon, Duncan, Steven, Deb Barndt
- wants to / maybe: Jes, Matt, chris, Emily, Brendan (and Kai), Adam L, Hartley
- can’t: Robyn, Bonnie,
- look into memberships – perhaps create membership fund to support
- Brendan will talk to Warren about financial constraints
- last weekend of June 2010 is G8 in Huntsville
- Corvin suggestions: OISE is okay; alternatively an OISE prof could book space at UofT; Judy Rebick & Ryerson
- Moved and agreed that we take OISE as space for last weeks of June: 18, 19, 20
- confirm G8 dates; confirm pre or post and this opens up possibility for pre-G8 events
- Mixed Company – Jokers Symposium – we support Mixed Company in organizing their symposium as a pre or post event
- Adam will contact Daniel to confirm acceptance of OISE
- We’re not gonna take it
- whose gonna take it: not us
- connecting to other 2010 things happening
- migration
- colonialism
- something fun and light
- who are our heroes
- what is a heroes
- role of heroes
- twisted sister and The Who
- Qui Bono – Who Benefits
- What is Peace
- Carnival – circus
- tie into Joker Symposium
- Batman Begins
- The Joker’s Not Dead
- Seize the Moment
- Repeat the Moment
- Make the Moment
- Borders
- Crossing Borders
- Breaking borders
- Defining Borders
- Drawing Borders
- Erasing Borders
- Jokering borders
- Remembering Borders
- Mapping Borders
- History of Oppression
- Remembering our History
- Resistance and Rebellion
- Global Problems, Local Solutions
- When is Enough Enough
- G8 is Enough
- Be the Change
- Holding Ourselves Accountable
- Responsibility
- Troubling the Waters
- Patti Lather’s new book
- Re: Public
- Re: framing
- send out e-mail for continued discussion and decision at pre-Minneapolis meeting
- chris will spawn an e-mail on theme brainstorm on Google Groups
- Brendan confirming Hussan’s interest
- check community mapping report
- Regent Park Focus – Adonis Huggins
- Children’s Peace Theatre – Karen Emerson, artistic director
- Sketch – Phyllis Novak, Rudy Ruttiman
- Native Earth – Jes can do outreach
- COBA – Collection of Black Artists
- Artists Mentoring Youth (AMY) – Claire Calnan
- Supporting Our Youth – Clare Nobbs
- 519 Church – jes has contacts
- Montreal – University of the Streets, Concordia Institute
- Jumblies – Ruth Howard
- PARC – Bob Rose
- Jack Pierpont – Inclusion Press
- No One Is Illegal
- KWIC
- chris will spawn e-mail on google groups about this
- everyone asked to add, and also inform whether contact as been made to avoice doubling up on people
- Matt apologizes
- add Margo to Finance & Fundraising
- decided to split up hotels, hostels and university residences research
- one hostel in Toronto won award
- suggestion of asking $25 for billeting for entire weekend which is given as subsidy to billeter to reduce conference fee
- suggestion to stay at Unionized hotels – e.g. Sheraton…
- check number of “accessible” rooms at hotels
- check services etc
- create ‘zine/map of our own of downtown Toronto
- think about storytelling event on Toronto Islands – history of Islands (talk to Shadowlands); Native Bus Tour; etc…
- check out Tourism Toronto support
- research transportation discounts – Greyhound
- Laura Copeland’s advice
- Mixed Company interested in being connected to coordinate grant applications
- All subcommittees urged (STRONGLY) to meet before next steering ctte meeting
- Brendan will e-mail everyone ctte lists and e-mails
9. Looking Ahead:
- Friday, APRIL 24th – 3:30 – 5:30
- Friday, MAY 8TH – 3:30 – 5:30
- Matt to confirm Minute taking
- chris to facilitate
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Report from Feb. 26th Steering Committee Meeting
So attendance at the last meeting was pretty slim - just Emily, Sara, Hartley Bonnie and I. We felt that we lacked quorum to make any decisions of a substantial nature.
We propose that we have the next meeting Friday, March 20th, 3:30pm at the OISE Peace Lounge. If it's ok with chris, he and Hartley will get their chance to facilitate and take minutes.
We are starting to get to the point where some serious decisions need to be made. The five of us spent the time this past Thursday assembling an outline for an agenda for the 20th. Feel free to add to this...
1. Set a date for the conference.
2. Decide on a (or some) place(s) to hold the conference.
3. Choosing a theme for the conference - Brendan will contact the PTO Board and get a list of all past themes (to be distributed by email).
5. Report from meeting with Warren Linds and discuss the creation of a "conference proposal" in conjunction with Warren, Ellie and Alejandra (Liaison committee from PTO)
6. Discuss Hussan's offer to do some anti-colonial education with the steering committee.
7. Reports from the sub-committees.
We propose that we have the next meeting Friday, March 20th, 3:30pm at the OISE Peace Lounge. If it's ok with chris, he and Hartley will get their chance to facilitate and take minutes.
We are starting to get to the point where some serious decisions need to be made. The five of us spent the time this past Thursday assembling an outline for an agenda for the 20th. Feel free to add to this...
1. Set a date for the conference.
2. Decide on a (or some) place(s) to hold the conference.
3. Choosing a theme for the conference - Brendan will contact the PTO Board and get a list of all past themes (to be distributed by email).
5. Report from meeting with Warren Linds and discuss the creation of a "conference proposal" in conjunction with Warren, Ellie and Alejandra (Liaison committee from PTO)
6. Discuss Hussan's offer to do some anti-colonial education with the steering committee.
7. Reports from the sub-committees.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Minutes for January 23rd Meeting
Minutes for January 23rd Meeting
Peace Lounge at OISE, 3-5pm
Facilitators: Adam & Sara
Minute-taker: Robyn
Time-keeper: Emily
1. Sara (IF Theatre), Robyn, Hartley (McMaster/York), Jana (York), chris (catalyst/York), Bonnie (SPIKE), Matt (catalyst), Laura (York), jes, Emily, Brendan, Kye, Adam (IF Theatre), Corvin (catalyst)
Regrets: Jenny, Stephen, Simon
2. Change Agenda item 9 to “Structure of Conference Sessions”
Add “Attending PTO 2009 Conference” as Agenda item 10.
3. Report from Meeting with Ellie Frieland: chris & Brendan
Sonia from Minneapolis and Ellie from the Board compiled a handout for our organizing committee
--note from president
--background
--budget 2007
--PTO conference timeline
--more documents (evaluation sheets, etc.)
--notes from evaluation meeting with conference participants 08.
No history of formal process with formal vote in deciding where conferences will be held; Ellie is enthused that we want to take the conference on in 2010. They recognize us as the organizing group for PTO 2010. Casual meeting with advice, conversations about the history of PTO
Dates: last 2 weeks of April (non-starter for American participation – hinders participation).
Or end of June (which might not be out of the question – might become more accessible for public school teachers)
PTO has a mandate to work with groups to get their proposals to an acceptable level. 99.9% of proposals are accepted for the conference – but this might be something we want to reevaluate. Our local committee nominates speakers and PTO board invites them. PTO board has $500 budget for speakers. Boal workshops in past have funded part of the rest of the conference.
4. Committees: Written Brainstorming Exercise
-Actions Needed: accommodation, fundraising, billeting, interpretation, making the program, food, coordination between/across communities, childcare, contacting presenters, phone tree, website/blog, budget, registration/database tracking
-Committee Headings: Space/Accessibility, Communication/Outreach, Programming, Hospitality/Housing, Fundraising/Finance, Making it to PTO 2009, Steering Committee
--Communication/Outreach: Matt, Brendan, Robyn, jes (youth advisory), Hartley, Corvin
--Programming: Matt, Sara, adam, chris, Stephen
--Fundraising/Finance: chris, Laura
--Hospitality/Housing: Brendan, Emily, Sara
--Space/Accessibility: Laura, Bonnie, Adam, Corvin
--Volunteer Coordination: Laura, chris
--Attending PTO 2009: jes, Robyn, chris
--Anti-Colonial Committee:
--Executive/Admin Committee (Committee of the Whole)
BREAK
-Committee signup and contact information exchange (committees are provisional)
5. Decision-making
Can committees make decisions or do decisions having to go through organizing? How will decisions me made? How will the steering committee be formed? How big should steering committee be? How do we start now with a steering committee?
--Informal (but rigorous) consensus – with capacity for anyone to invoke formal consensus
--Group autonomy (task policy), but no large decision made without consulting with committee of the whole
--Less structure as it emerges
--Conference has not been pulled off in this way (democratic) before
6. Are we using OISE?
--Food? Cafeteria has been closed, but there should be storage room
--Available for free
--Most presenters request A/V – making it difficult/expensive for non-campus conference space; we cannot get it for free at OISE, but free space might ameliorate the cost
--Bahn Centre: UofT (St. George just above College) – new, lecture hall and lots of room
--housing/space committee should have a chance to look around
--OISE as a hub – jumping off point for self-organizing
--get a deadline from Daniel for booking OISE space
--Corvin: getting a campus group to sponsor for space at U of T
7. Outreach – Building on Community Mapping
--How can we diversify our core group?
--Making concerted effort to get out of academia – get out of communities that are predominately white, academic
--Laura will do outreach with film fest she is helping to organizing
--Recruiting through community centres sustainable participation
--TCDI: solidarity and communication with that group
--Should we think about how to market this conference to community groups?.
--Conduct analysis of why this group is so white?
--How did each of us come to know about/be invited to this group?
8. Communication
--We have no one way of communicating, and that’s confusing
--Have we been losing people by our lack of/mis-communication
--Phone tree and email – prioritize communication methods (ex. for a meeting cancellation, we should use the phone)
--Listserv: use Google group we already have in place (subscribe people rather than inviting them to subscribe)
9. Structure of Conference Sessions
--Comments by Stephen (see comments to the Tuesday, January 20, 2009 post)
--Matching issues/community organizers with the programming of the conference
--Delegate these comments to programming and outreach
--Fringe approach: invite people to host sessions
--We don’t need to wait until 2010 to do something (ie, we could program events in the fall – PTO events as well as outreach and networking opportunities)
--Open Space Technology: meeting is decided at time of meeting; agenda drawn up democratically. Have sessions in the program where agenda is decided upon people showing up to the session (which happened at PTO 2007)
--Stephen: bringing in fieldworkers or taking visits around Toronto visiting communities
--How can outreach and programming engage with each other (because they need to constantly be in touch
--Coming up with theme for conference sooner than later (delegate this task to every committee)
10. Next Meeting and Task Review
Next Meeting:
7:30PM Thursday February 26th (Tentative location: OISE Peace Lounge)
Facilitator: Hartley Jafine
Minute-taker: chris cavanagh
Peace Lounge at OISE, 3-5pm
Facilitators: Adam & Sara
Minute-taker: Robyn
Time-keeper: Emily
1. Sara (IF Theatre), Robyn, Hartley (McMaster/York), Jana (York), chris (catalyst/York), Bonnie (SPIKE), Matt (catalyst), Laura (York), jes, Emily, Brendan, Kye, Adam (IF Theatre), Corvin (catalyst)
Regrets: Jenny, Stephen, Simon
2. Change Agenda item 9 to “Structure of Conference Sessions”
Add “Attending PTO 2009 Conference” as Agenda item 10.
3. Report from Meeting with Ellie Frieland: chris & Brendan
Sonia from Minneapolis and Ellie from the Board compiled a handout for our organizing committee
--note from president
--background
--budget 2007
--PTO conference timeline
--more documents (evaluation sheets, etc.)
--notes from evaluation meeting with conference participants 08.
No history of formal process with formal vote in deciding where conferences will be held; Ellie is enthused that we want to take the conference on in 2010. They recognize us as the organizing group for PTO 2010. Casual meeting with advice, conversations about the history of PTO
Dates: last 2 weeks of April (non-starter for American participation – hinders participation).
Or end of June (which might not be out of the question – might become more accessible for public school teachers)
PTO has a mandate to work with groups to get their proposals to an acceptable level. 99.9% of proposals are accepted for the conference – but this might be something we want to reevaluate. Our local committee nominates speakers and PTO board invites them. PTO board has $500 budget for speakers. Boal workshops in past have funded part of the rest of the conference.
4. Committees: Written Brainstorming Exercise
-Actions Needed: accommodation, fundraising, billeting, interpretation, making the program, food, coordination between/across communities, childcare, contacting presenters, phone tree, website/blog, budget, registration/database tracking
-Committee Headings: Space/Accessibility, Communication/Outreach, Programming, Hospitality/Housing, Fundraising/Finance, Making it to PTO 2009, Steering Committee
--Communication/Outreach: Matt, Brendan, Robyn, jes (youth advisory), Hartley, Corvin
--Programming: Matt, Sara, adam, chris, Stephen
--Fundraising/Finance: chris, Laura
--Hospitality/Housing: Brendan, Emily, Sara
--Space/Accessibility: Laura, Bonnie, Adam, Corvin
--Volunteer Coordination: Laura, chris
--Attending PTO 2009: jes, Robyn, chris
--Anti-Colonial Committee:
--Executive/Admin Committee (Committee of the Whole)
BREAK
-Committee signup and contact information exchange (committees are provisional)
5. Decision-making
Can committees make decisions or do decisions having to go through organizing? How will decisions me made? How will the steering committee be formed? How big should steering committee be? How do we start now with a steering committee?
--Informal (but rigorous) consensus – with capacity for anyone to invoke formal consensus
--Group autonomy (task policy), but no large decision made without consulting with committee of the whole
--Less structure as it emerges
--Conference has not been pulled off in this way (democratic) before
6. Are we using OISE?
--Food? Cafeteria has been closed, but there should be storage room
--Available for free
--Most presenters request A/V – making it difficult/expensive for non-campus conference space; we cannot get it for free at OISE, but free space might ameliorate the cost
--Bahn Centre: UofT (St. George just above College) – new, lecture hall and lots of room
--housing/space committee should have a chance to look around
--OISE as a hub – jumping off point for self-organizing
--get a deadline from Daniel for booking OISE space
--Corvin: getting a campus group to sponsor for space at U of T
7. Outreach – Building on Community Mapping
--How can we diversify our core group?
--Making concerted effort to get out of academia – get out of communities that are predominately white, academic
--Laura will do outreach with film fest she is helping to organizing
--Recruiting through community centres sustainable participation
--TCDI: solidarity and communication with that group
--Should we think about how to market this conference to community groups?.
--Conduct analysis of why this group is so white?
--How did each of us come to know about/be invited to this group?
8. Communication
--We have no one way of communicating, and that’s confusing
--Have we been losing people by our lack of/mis-communication
--Phone tree and email – prioritize communication methods (ex. for a meeting cancellation, we should use the phone)
--Listserv: use Google group we already have in place (subscribe people rather than inviting them to subscribe)
9. Structure of Conference Sessions
--Comments by Stephen (see comments to the Tuesday, January 20, 2009 post)
--Matching issues/community organizers with the programming of the conference
--Delegate these comments to programming and outreach
--Fringe approach: invite people to host sessions
--We don’t need to wait until 2010 to do something (ie, we could program events in the fall – PTO events as well as outreach and networking opportunities)
--Open Space Technology: meeting is decided at time of meeting; agenda drawn up democratically. Have sessions in the program where agenda is decided upon people showing up to the session (which happened at PTO 2007)
--Stephen: bringing in fieldworkers or taking visits around Toronto visiting communities
--How can outreach and programming engage with each other (because they need to constantly be in touch
--Coming up with theme for conference sooner than later (delegate this task to every committee)
10. Next Meeting and Task Review
Next Meeting:
7:30PM Thursday February 26th (Tentative location: OISE Peace Lounge)
Facilitator: Hartley Jafine
Minute-taker: chris cavanagh
Monday, January 26, 2009
Resources From the PTO Board and Past Organizers
Here are some documents given to us from the PTO Board and past conference organizers...
"Standard Features" was created by the PTO Board to help us and future organizers know what has to happen at a PTO conference and some traditional elements of the conference.
Standard Features of a PTO Conference
These three documents are the compilations of participant feedback forms from the 2007 (Minneapolis-St.Paul) and 2008 (Omaha) conferences.
Evaluations from 2007
"Final Report" from 2007
Evaluations from 2008
These two documents were created by long-time popular educator and PTO member Larry Olds.
Larry Olds' Ideas on Making a Better Conference
Larry Olds' Ideas on Conference Programing
The "One Year Time Line" document is from the organizers of the PTO conference in 2006 (Chapel Hill). The budget is from the 2007 conference.
One Year Timeline of a PTO Conference
Final Budget of the 2007 PTO Conference
"Standard Features" was created by the PTO Board to help us and future organizers know what has to happen at a PTO conference and some traditional elements of the conference.
Standard Features of a PTO Conference
These three documents are the compilations of participant feedback forms from the 2007 (Minneapolis-St.Paul) and 2008 (Omaha) conferences.
Evaluations from 2007
"Final Report" from 2007
Evaluations from 2008
These two documents were created by long-time popular educator and PTO member Larry Olds.
Larry Olds' Ideas on Making a Better Conference
Larry Olds' Ideas on Conference Programing
The "One Year Time Line" document is from the organizers of the PTO conference in 2006 (Chapel Hill). The budget is from the 2007 conference.
One Year Timeline of a PTO Conference
Final Budget of the 2007 PTO Conference
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Agenda for January 23rd Meeting
PTO-Toronto Organizers' Meeting
January 23rd, 2009
3pm - 5pm @ The Peace Lounge (OISE)
Convener:
Minutes: Robyn Letson
1. (re)Introductions
2. Review Minutes from Last Meeting
3. Report from Meeting with Ellie Friedland (PTO Board Member).
4. Committees and Decision-making
5. Location(s) of Conference (OISE needs to know)
6. Outreach - Building On Community Mapping
7. Stephen's comments on structure of conference sessions (matching issues with fieldworkers) and on open space technology (as a form of decision making)
8. Communication: how we're failing and ways to improve
9. Next Meeting and Task Review
January 23rd, 2009
3pm - 5pm @ The Peace Lounge (OISE)
Convener:
Minutes: Robyn Letson
1. (re)Introductions
2. Review Minutes from Last Meeting
3. Report from Meeting with Ellie Friedland (PTO Board Member).
4. Committees and Decision-making
5. Location(s) of Conference (OISE needs to know)
6. Outreach - Building On Community Mapping
7. Stephen's comments on structure of conference sessions (matching issues with fieldworkers) and on open space technology (as a form of decision making)
8. Communication: how we're failing and ways to improve
9. Next Meeting and Task Review
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
November 28th Meeting Minutes
PTO Toronto Organizing Meeting
Friday November 28th, 2008
Convene and Welcome
Welcome to the TLC Peace Lounge
Quick explanation of Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed in Toronto
Introduction
People at the Meeting: chris, jes, Emily, Adam, Robyn; Brendan; Hartley (Theatre @ York); Laura (Environmental Studies @ York U); Leah (Environmental Studies @ York), Jenny (Aiding Dramatic Change in Development); Stephen (Aiding Dramatic Change in Development), Hannah (Environmental Studies @ York); Stephanie (Drama @ University of Guelph); Katherine (Environmental Studies @ York); Jana (Environmental Studies @ York); Ainsley (Mixed Company Theatre); Simone (Mixed Company Theatre); Margo (evaluating community arts practices); Bonnie (homeless and disability issues); Hussan (No One is Illegal - Toronto); Ravi (OISE/UT?)
Background to PTO and their Board
Brendan gave a brief background to what the Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed Organization is and what the conference series has looked like in the past.
He also explained the shift from Omaha to Minneapolis and the attempt being made to produce a more “community-based” conference and possibilities for a lasting network.
Community Mapping: Who’s involved, who should be involved?
Hannah gave an introduction to community mapping and explained the process.
The group used this process to reflect on who is involved at this point and who is not involved but should be. The results of the process are available in a separate document prepared by Hannah.
Issues raised in debriefing:
Do people have personal contacts with the organizations mentioned?
Heavily represent the Toronto/Southern Ontario region.
Very few Francophone and/or Québécois organizations
Some of the ideas are very general (e.g. “Aboriginal communities of North America”)
Initial Funding Ideas for Conference 2010
Informal brainstorm of possible sources of funding (see “Funding Brainstorm” posted on blog)
Issues raised in debriefing:
Should this be a consideration so early?
Ideological/ethical implications of funding
Need to know more about what the conference will look like before funding proposals can be drafted.
Structure of the Toronto Group: How do we organize ourselves and make decisions?
Robyn and jes presented the group with some ideas for possible committees. People were asked to sign up for a committee if they desired or give their email address to be invited to the organizing blog.
What will this thing actually look like? .
Organizing committee ultimately needs to be accountable for decisions made.
The organization of the Toronto group will need to be an on-going debate (occurring on the blog) and we will hopefully have some structure that can be approved at the meeting in January.
Last Thoughts and Discussion
How long will the conference be?
Keep this downtown – exclusionary?
Working for years for one conference seems like a lot.
2010 organizing offers possibilities for solidarity/support
- Year of resistance
- 10 000 – 20 000 organizers coming for G8
- Free Schools organized by resistance 2010
What does this mean for organizing popular theatre in Canada?
Why did Canadian Popular Theatre Alliance die?
How do we address issues of the past in the future?
Next Steps, Next Meeting, and Closing
What will happen before next meeting?
People invited to join organizers blog to discuss themes for the conference, agenda for next meeting, organizing models, etc.
Meeting with Ellie Friedland at chris’ place between Dec 26th and Jan 3rd.
Next Meeting
Chris suggested the 16th or the 23rd of January at the same time and place. A ‘straw pole’ of the meeting set the date as the 16th
Next meeting will take place Jan 16th, 3pm in the Peace Lounge at OISE
Simone will convene.
Robyn will take minutes.
Friday November 28th, 2008
Convene and Welcome
Welcome to the TLC Peace Lounge
Quick explanation of Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed in Toronto
Introduction
People at the Meeting: chris, jes, Emily, Adam, Robyn; Brendan; Hartley (Theatre @ York); Laura (Environmental Studies @ York U); Leah (Environmental Studies @ York), Jenny (Aiding Dramatic Change in Development); Stephen (Aiding Dramatic Change in Development), Hannah (Environmental Studies @ York); Stephanie (Drama @ University of Guelph); Katherine (Environmental Studies @ York); Jana (Environmental Studies @ York); Ainsley (Mixed Company Theatre); Simone (Mixed Company Theatre); Margo (evaluating community arts practices); Bonnie (homeless and disability issues); Hussan (No One is Illegal - Toronto); Ravi (OISE/UT?)
Background to PTO and their Board
Brendan gave a brief background to what the Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed Organization is and what the conference series has looked like in the past.
He also explained the shift from Omaha to Minneapolis and the attempt being made to produce a more “community-based” conference and possibilities for a lasting network.
Community Mapping: Who’s involved, who should be involved?
Hannah gave an introduction to community mapping and explained the process.
The group used this process to reflect on who is involved at this point and who is not involved but should be. The results of the process are available in a separate document prepared by Hannah.
Issues raised in debriefing:
Do people have personal contacts with the organizations mentioned?
Heavily represent the Toronto/Southern Ontario region.
Very few Francophone and/or Québécois organizations
Some of the ideas are very general (e.g. “Aboriginal communities of North America”)
Initial Funding Ideas for Conference 2010
Informal brainstorm of possible sources of funding (see “Funding Brainstorm” posted on blog)
Issues raised in debriefing:
Should this be a consideration so early?
Ideological/ethical implications of funding
Need to know more about what the conference will look like before funding proposals can be drafted.
Structure of the Toronto Group: How do we organize ourselves and make decisions?
Robyn and jes presented the group with some ideas for possible committees. People were asked to sign up for a committee if they desired or give their email address to be invited to the organizing blog.
What will this thing actually look like? .
Organizing committee ultimately needs to be accountable for decisions made.
The organization of the Toronto group will need to be an on-going debate (occurring on the blog) and we will hopefully have some structure that can be approved at the meeting in January.
Last Thoughts and Discussion
How long will the conference be?
Keep this downtown – exclusionary?
Working for years for one conference seems like a lot.
2010 organizing offers possibilities for solidarity/support
- Year of resistance
- 10 000 – 20 000 organizers coming for G8
- Free Schools organized by resistance 2010
What does this mean for organizing popular theatre in Canada?
Why did Canadian Popular Theatre Alliance die?
How do we address issues of the past in the future?
Next Steps, Next Meeting, and Closing
What will happen before next meeting?
People invited to join organizers blog to discuss themes for the conference, agenda for next meeting, organizing models, etc.
Meeting with Ellie Friedland at chris’ place between Dec 26th and Jan 3rd.
Next Meeting
Chris suggested the 16th or the 23rd of January at the same time and place. A ‘straw pole’ of the meeting set the date as the 16th
Next meeting will take place Jan 16th, 3pm in the Peace Lounge at OISE
Simone will convene.
Robyn will take minutes.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Blog Update! by Robyn
So, the Blog is no longer on "private" status. This means we don't have to invite you on as readers in order for you to access it. This decision was made after struggling to make the Blog both accessible and private (we should have known! haha); it just doesn't look like that is going to happen. Now you can check out the blog whenever you'd like, regardless of whether or not you have a Google account.
You can now subscribe to the Blog's RSS feed. This means you can be updated whenever a new entry is posted. If you'd like to do this, please take the following steps:
1. Click on "Posts" in the "Subscribe To" Box on the sidebar (right-hand side) of the blog.
2. If you use Google Reader, or My Yahoo, or one of the other RSS reader options, click its box and you'll get set up. If you do NOT use these, click on "Atom" at the bottom of the list. This will give you the option of making the Blog a "Live Bookmark," which means it will appear on your browser's toolbar and when you click on it, you'll get a drop down menu of all the posts.
Yikes, this probably sounds really complicated. If you don't want to do all this, I'd recommend bookmarking the Blog and checking it whenever you think to. If folks are still confused/frustrated by this Blogging business, I'm hoping we can dedicate some time to it during the next meeting.
Not everyone can make blog posts, but everyone can make comments to Blog posts. Please do so! If you scroll down a bit, you'll see that posts have been made on Community Mapping and on Groups and Committees.
Once again, if you have questions, please email me: robynletson@gmail.com and I'll do my best to help you.
You can now subscribe to the Blog's RSS feed. This means you can be updated whenever a new entry is posted. If you'd like to do this, please take the following steps:
1. Click on "Posts" in the "Subscribe To" Box on the sidebar (right-hand side) of the blog.
2. If you use Google Reader, or My Yahoo, or one of the other RSS reader options, click its box and you'll get set up. If you do NOT use these, click on "Atom" at the bottom of the list. This will give you the option of making the Blog a "Live Bookmark," which means it will appear on your browser's toolbar and when you click on it, you'll get a drop down menu of all the posts.
Yikes, this probably sounds really complicated. If you don't want to do all this, I'd recommend bookmarking the Blog and checking it whenever you think to. If folks are still confused/frustrated by this Blogging business, I'm hoping we can dedicate some time to it during the next meeting.
Not everyone can make blog posts, but everyone can make comments to Blog posts. Please do so! If you scroll down a bit, you'll see that posts have been made on Community Mapping and on Groups and Committees.
Once again, if you have questions, please email me: robynletson@gmail.com and I'll do my best to help you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
