NEC/Minutes/24th July 2011
From Pirate Party UK Wiki
Contents |
Attending
Andy Halsall AH
Loz Kaye LK
Ed Geraghty EG
Gavin Meredith GM
Apologies
John Barron
Miah Gregory
Minutes
Minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
Actions from this meeting
LK to check through new web Tuesday evening.
Matters Arising
It was noted that deadlines for the web update had been missed due to further technical issues, and understandable personal reasons.
Web
EG and AH confirmed that significant technical problems with putting out the interim version of the website, in particular a new landing page, had been ironed out.
LK once again emphasized the importance of a new home page, as despite a higher media profile, this has not been converting in to many more members or people spending enough time on the site.
It was agreed that the next stage was to check through the content to make sure it is accurate and as we want it.
LK to check through content Tuesday evening. LK to recruit people for the blog. GM to start the process of drawing up specifications for the Party Secretary role.
Blog
The role of various party communication channels was discussed. It was agreed that the blog no longer should be used for internal party communications, as it has been in the past, as a blog is an outward facing communication channel. The content of the blog should be topical issues, in more depth, with a clearly identified author rather than a general sense of it being 'from the party'. A target of at least 2 posts a week was set initially. AH emphasized that candidates should be brought in to writing. LK suggested further down the line inviting other, preferably high profile, individuals to guest blog, once the identity of the channel had been established.
A more general discussion of communications identified the primary channels as: internal communications with the membership - email external individual communication- blog external party communication- website, press releases, social media
ACTION LK to recruit people for the blog.
Data controller
It was noted that following the closing of the Nominations Officer elections, the next election will be for Data Controller, though it is noted the NEC favours the broader role of Party Secretary. GM pressed for the drawing up of more specific specifications for this broader role. AH wanted part of this role to include responsibility for the IT team. ACTION GM to start the process of drawing up specifications.
Press
The new press set up is up and running with Harry Percival and David Neal taking the lead, making contacts, following up emails and calls. They have drawn up a week and a month plan.
It was agreed that work AH and LK had been doing on social media should be passed on to lighten their work burdens. AH and LK also emphasized the possibility for a heightened presence on Reddit, following recent successes on that platform.
One of the calls to the new press number was from a magazine selling advertising space. Apparently we have taken advantage of this in the past, but as no stats were available to show that it had any useful effect AH proposed that we not go down that route again for the moment.
Candidates
LK is in the process of contacting candidates individually .
It was agreed that discussing policy with the candidates should be the first step of moving to a new more detailed manifesto in October.
AH proposed a physical meet up with candidates 2 weeks prior to the new manifesto launch to talk policy.
Local by-elections were discussed, looking to a goal of being ready for May 2012. LK emphasized the need for candidates to be visible and recognizable in their local community.
AOB
GM noted he had not received Scotland '11 receipts from Finlay.
GM to speak with AH about accounts.
GM noted serious concerns about the current voting system, and that the new nominations officers first job should be to address this question before any new elections are opened. The NEC all agreed that this was a pressing matter and that it was vital that elections were conducted in a proper manner. EG has secured the system better, but welcomed further discussion on this matter.
EG is to outline technical requirements for new system
LK emphasized that it was important to start the process of involving more people and delegating in tasks.