Wollumbin Biosphere Reserve Project Committee. Byron Environment Centre - upstairs Santos building, Burringbar Street, Mullumbimby. Friday 13 June 2003 - 1pm. Meeting Minutes Agenda: ### Reveiw Murwillumbah/Gold Coast, Mullumbimbay and Nimbin Forum/Presentations setup and structure ### Where to now? ### Database ### Project Incorporation status - type or model ### Website content/Yahoo groups/online forum/s Meeting opened: 1:15pm Present: Kishisko, Anne Whittington, Dudley Leggett, David and Jo-Ann Palmer, Paul Hopkins, Michael (Suffolk Park), Inga, Jean Francois Aymonier, Apologies: Tora, John, Knapen, Jim Warburton Initial time spent briefing newcomers on Biosphere concept and answering questions. ### Reveiw Murwillumbah/Gold Coast, Mullumbimbay and Nimbin presentations Reveiw of Murwillumbah/Gold Coast (GECKO/World Env. Day), Mullumbimbay and Nimbin presentations highlighted differences in attitudes, interests, attention spans, and levels of feedback from attendees, dependant on place, type of presentation and length e.g. Stall static poster/board display at World Environment Day at Murbah and GECKO contrast with 2 and 6 hour presentations at Nimbin and Mullum. Analysis: Stall display poster/board events more of a "fair" atmosphere and for profile raising, but still required knowledgeable, enthusiastic volunteers manning stand/stall, with plenty of brochures for interested people to take away. This raised the issue of printing and other costs, currently borne personally by some c'tee members. Stall/static display stand presentations could also benefit from more "interactive" display e.g. powerpoint or video, useful when volunteers busy with interested individuals and to get attention of passersby, who'll take away brochure/s. Downside: would require more equipment (computer and/ or TV), Solution: ***** Powerpoint presentation available for download from UNESCO MAB site, as is a video, which isn't very good quality. ***** Mullum and Nimbin impact differed as they were 2 hour and 6 hour (full day) events. Powerpoint presentations by Bruce Graham were effective, but volunteer presenters noted time constraints and space issues setting up, with speakers ignoring time limits, going off topic and distractions outside their control. Over all though good feedback from participants, attendees. Solution: ***** Paul Hopkins suggested presentation to various business and industry groups e.g. Chambers of Commerce, Tropo etc. Time for a PR sub committee? It was felt that it maybe time to restructure the presentations and methods. Jo-Ann Palmer asked who were primary presentation volunteers. Anne Whittington replied that a core group of herself, Dudley Leggett and Bruce Graham for 2 and 6 hour workshops in Byron, Mullum, and Nimbin, with Paul Hopkins and Jim Warburton manning display stalls in Murbah and Gold Coast. ********** Everyone present acknowledged the contribution of these core committee members and stalwart volunteers! Time for others to come forward and help take some of the load off, there's lot's that just a few minutes or an hour or so a week can do! ### Where to now? Paul Hopkins and Jim Warburton are already processing UNESCO forms for LGA, State and Federal Govt. so in principle support can be obtained. Inga - handouts for people very popular but cost money. Solution: **** Wollumbin Biosphere brochures can now be downloaded as PDFs from web site at www.bigvolcano.com.au/custom/biospher.htm and be printed out and photocopied as needed by supporters for distribution as they see fit. This will assist in both dissemination of information and spreading of costs! **** David Palmer suggested project c'tee needs to start supporting /endorsing local initiatives e.g. whale research, and linking from Wollumbin Biosphere web site. Anne to draft and email "letter of support" to Jo-Ann to include on web site, so organisations can get listed. Paul Hopkins - Display at sustainability expo in Lismore August 16-17 2003. Michael reiterated that we need to think globally and act locally - ESD. ### Database David Palmer briefed gathering on status of database and content. Will change from ACT to Lotus Millennium Suite which is full version FREEWARE available on APC April cover CD or online at just about any download site. Explanation of various sorting options. ### Incorporation Incorporation: Dudley suggested two options for incorporation: Environmental organisation/voluntary conservation organisation status OR Approved research institute Moved to next meeting for full discussion. See additional comments below. Other related items: some accounts for payment, Anne and Dudley to co-ordinate for now. ### Web site content/Yahoo groups/online forum/s Jo-Ann Palmer - brief explanation of Yahoo groups as possible way for online discussion forum and decision making without need for c'tee members and Biosphere reserve supporters to travel. Dudley informed meeting that a local solution similar to yahoo groups would be in BETA within next 2-3 weeks. Kishiko concerned about spam, email addresses need to be hidden. Meeting minutes on site to be password protected? Dudley to put local guru in contact with Jo-Ann to tutor on same. David raised concern about c'tee information management protocol, as meeting minutes and unrelated material being propagated across web without controls in place. Jo-Ann to contact local sites with WBRPC meeting minutes and request removal from those sites. Meeting closed: 3.25pm NEXT MEETING - time and place tba AGENDA: Incorporation PR/Marketing - (Presentation kits, contact "mainstream" groups/industries, battle plan) Available resources (deferred from 13/06/03) Other items or presentations to be submitted to biosphere@bigvolcano.com.au. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ***************************************** If you have an incorporation solution/option please email Jo-Ann at biosphere@bigvolcano.com.au to be included on agenda. Have a single sided A4 brief with model type, 3 example organisations that use it and list of pros and cons. Also make sure you have 5 copies for dissemination and be prepared to present your option/s to the meeting. ***************************************** Dudley and Jo-Ann: Further to Paul's suggestion during the meeting proper about presentations to chambers of commerce etc. We'll discuss possibility of presentation kits which target specific groups to be made up for presenters to handout at workshops/presentations etc. Your chance to contribute - ideas - talent - grunt! Come along to the next meeting with your sleeves up! ***************************************** Jo-Ann: Newcomers please brief yourselves using the web site and other resources available on the Biosphere Reserve concept. C'tee meetings are working gatherings which are to advance the primary object of the project which is "to get the Wollumbin Biosphere Reserve declared, with a formal administration working group in place". If you have basic questions about what a biosphere reserve is or how it can be applied in our region please check the web site first at www.bigvolcano.com.au/custom/biospher/index.html.