AGM decisions
The 2017 letsbuzz AGM on 29 April was well attended. Here are some of the key decisions:
Co-ordinator role
As announced in the last newsletter Jane, who has carried out this role for a number of years, (THANK YOU JANE!) is now resigning - and no-one has volunteered to step into her shoes. The main responsibilities of the coordinator are to chair meetings, circulate general messages to members on Cyclos and answer general enquires. After some discussion we agreed to try out the model used in MK Letnet where there is a central contact person for enquiries and members take turns to chair meetings. Jean (82) agreed to be the central contact point and we agreed that the person who hosts each Open meeting could act as chair for that meeting.
Subscriptions
Following discussion it was agreed that we would suspend the sterling subscription for a further year as we still have a good level of funds in our account. It was suggested that it would be good to have a base level of funds of around £100 and it was agreed that members would keep the level of our account under review at Open Meetings. The annual buzzard subscription will be 12 buzzards.
Newsletter We discussed the costs of producing a print newsletter and agreed to continue with a quarterly print newsletter for the next year. We will also offer members the option to receive an email newsletter instead of print. We also agreed that to share out the work involved in producing a print newsletter that the Editor would rotate, as at present, and we would also have a second person to organise distribution. Christine volunteered to take on this role.
Officers
All other officers agreed to continue in their posts (see list and contact details on back page).
You can find the AGM minutes on Cyclos in the Publications section.
AGM talk - Hemplets
Once the official business was complete we enjoyed an interesting talk about a neighbouring lets scheme, Hemplets, by one of our newest members, Graham (259).You can read his Member Profile overleaf.
We learnt from Graham that Hemplets currently has just over 40 members who pay a £12 annual membership subscription. Trading is high at several hundred 'Hemps' per month. Hemplets hold a Talk and Trade day every month and an annual auction. Recent activities (some ideas we could copy perhaps?) have included cheese tasting, an auction and a talk on creative writing.
Hemplets, like letsbuzz, are continually looking for ways to attract new members. At present they are planning presentations to organisations with similar values. They have also been interviewed on local radio.
(weblink http://www.hemplets.org.uk/hemplets_dacorum_radio.mp3)
All LETSBuzz members are welcome at Hemplets meetings. To encourage cross trading I am happy to convert your Buzzards to Hemps for any items or services that you may wish to purchase, or vice versa for purchases by HempLETS members. Our Talk and Trade meetings take place from 7:15 to 9:30pm on the second Wednesday of the month at Gadebridge Community Centre, Galley Hill, Gadebridge, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 3LG. That's on the Leighton Buzzard side of Hemel Hempstead.
New member profile - Graham (259)
I have been a member of HempLETS for many years. When I first joined I needed to find French lessons for my daughter. I found a lady in HempLETS. When I took my daughter for her first lesson the lady asked me "Are you handy? We agreed that there were several jobs that I could do for her while she was teaching my daughter. Of course this type of direct exchange of skills is not often possible, which is where the currency comes in. I think it's a great community concept. Now I am a Core Group member, I am HempLETS Treasurer and I also look after the Hemplets Directory.
Like several others I am a member of both HempLETS and LETSBuzz. My membership came about after we agreed at HempLETS Core Group that it would be useful to compare experiences and share ideas with our neighbours LETSBuzz. Having spoken with Jane I realised our two groups have a lot in common but also many differences. Clearly joining would extend my LETS community and the trading options available to me. The distance from Hemel is an issue but my son and his family live in Leighton Buzzard, so I do make regular visits. I decided to join, and would like to thank everyone for the warm welcome I have received.
Please contact me if you would like more information contact
Graham at graham@grajo.co.uk
An invitation from another neighbouring LETS scheme:
MK Letnet Taster day
We are planning another “Taster Day” – very much in the style of the previous “Day of Indulgence”, but we
wanted the name of the day to reflect that members can demonstrate any skill they may have from computing to ironing, cooking to knife sharpening and Hebrew to shiatsu!
The date will be Sunday 23rd July at Westbury Arts Centre, Foxcovert Road, Shenley Wood, Milton Keynes, MK5 6AA, from 1 – 5pm (we shall be setting up from 12.30pm).
Tea and cake will, of course, be provided!
LetsBuzz members will be warmly welcomed by MK Letnet, a great opportunity to swap ideas and take part in our skills “Taster Day”.
I think it is probably best if we keep the “offering” of skills to MK Letnet members at present until we know what the uptake is and we probably can’t offer ccs or buzzards for attending but thought it would be nice for you to see how Letnet operates.
It would be nice to know how many people are planning to come so if you could email valgommon@gmail.com that would be helpful.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Valerie (258)
letsbuzz Events
River walk and pub lunch (at The Globe), Sunday 9 July, 11.00am
At a recent Open meeting Rosemary suggested that those interested could meet at her flat in Town Bridge Mill for a walk along the river and canal, followed by lunch at the Globe Pub and then tea & coffee at her flat. We may need to book a table, depending on numbers Please tel Rosemary by 1st July (tel 01525 385169) if you're planning to go
Bring and share picnic, Sunday 20th August 12.00pm - 2.00pm
at Parsons Close - with the option of staying on for the afternoon band concert. Bring a blanket to sit on and food to share.
Find letsbuzz on Facebook and `like our page`.
Diary dates
letsbuzz Open meeting -
Monday 5th June 8pm at Christine`s house, 5 Church Avenue, LU7 1AD
Hemplets talk and trade
Wednesday 14 June, 7:15pm-9:30pm, Gadebridge Community Centre, GalleyHill, Gadebridge, HP1 3LG.
letsbuzz River walk and lunch
Sunday 9th July,
Meet at Flat 2 Town Bridge Mill, LU7 1LE for an 11am start.
Hemplets talk and trade
Wednesday 12 July,
7:15pm-9:30pm
Gadebridge Community Centre, Galley Hill, Gadebridge, HP1 3LG
MK Letnet Taster day
Sunday 23rd July, 1.00-5.00pm
Shenley Wood (see article overleaf for more details)
letsbuzz Bring and share picnic
Sunday 20th August 12.00pm - 2.00pm, Parsons Close
letsbuzz contacts
May 2017
General enquiries
Jean (82)
Tel 01525 371837
jeanvharding@gmail.com
letsbuzz directory
Bob (117)
01525 370250
lbdirectory@letsbuzz.org.uk
Sue (256)
01525 850067
sue@cyberwebspace.net
Marketing and publicity
vacant
Membership
Bob (117)
01525 370250
lbdirectory@letsbuzz.org.uk
Newsletter distribution
Christine (137)
Tel 01525 371952
Newsletter editor
rotating
Treasurer – Buzzards
Joan (156)
Tel 01525 217182
lbtreasurer@letsbuzz.org.uk
Treasurer – Sterling,
Sonia (121)
Tel 01525 376072
lbaccounts@letsbuzz.org.uk
Webmaster
Sean (18)
Tel 01296 682280 lbwebmaster@letsbuzz.org.uk
