We’ve been busy here at Fairfield Bike Shorts (FBS) headquarters! Over the past few weeks the FBS crew have been meeting up to discuss workshop schedules and ways in which we can improve your experience during the workshops.
During our first meeting at the Smithfield Tavern we spoke about our different backgrounds and how we might be able to contribute to the FBS program. We also spoke about our different skills, experience and connections we had to the local area and how we might be able to take advantage of our varied knowledge. One of the key discussions we had during this first meeting was around our decision-making model as well as expectations for the program. This was important as it really solidified and brought to the foreground where everyone was at so that we were all clear about what we were getting ourselves involved in.
Overall, we agreed on a modified consensus process. A modified consensus model is one whereby we would aim for consensus (for everyone to be in agreement by way of negotiation), and if that fails then to use majority voting. For items we deemed to be ‘important’ (items relating to timing of events and those that have financial implications) we would use the modified consensus process and for the rest we were happy to defer decisions to sub-committees or to those present at meetings.
In regards to expectations of the program some of us were happy to see an innovative project themed around cycling happen in the Fairfield City area while others were excited about having the opportunity to work collaboratively in a creative project with other locals.
Some other items on the agenda for the evening included:
- Dates: confirming dates for cycling events organised by the Western Sydney Cycling Network as well as dates proposed for the filming workshops and how these two might be able to compliment each other.
- Budget: a discussion around the proposed budget for the project and how we might be able to better capitalise on the money we’ve received from Council as well as allocation of the funds.
- Fundraising: there was discussion on the need for additional funds to be sourced in order to meet project requirements. We’ll be launching a Pozible campaign as well as approaching local businesses to help assist with costs for post-production. (We’d love to do it for free, but our poor artists need to pay the bills!)
- Roles and Responsibilities: a list of roles, responsibilities as well as estimated hours of contribution were distributed so members of the FBS team could go away and consider what they were willing to commit to.
- Meeting schedule: the FBS team collated their availability for future meetings.
The meeting for the evening concluded with much enthusiasm and we were set to continue our journey preparing workshops and planning for the Fairfield Bike Shorts project.
We’ll be keeping you updated on our meetings and project planning as well as the workshops themselves so you can see how it all comes to fruition and learn from what we’ve done here.
Fairfield Bike Shorts 