# Combustion Chamber Meeting
# Monday, July 6, 2015
# Facilitator: Kate
# Stack: Pixie
# Scribe: Chim-Chim
# Attendees (29): Izzi, Wrinn, Princess, Beth, Breezy, Kate, Prost, St. Tiki, Pixie, Turtlebunnie, Decibel, Sparky, Cheyne, Dick, T-Rey, Chim-Chim, Dahling, Andrea, Monkey, Problem, Adam, Clovis, Bonobo, Doug, Switch, Susan, Lori, Mayhem, Psyche
# 8:11pm AAR/LLC UPDATE (Problem, Adam)
- New Warehouse Update
o A couple of properties are currently being looked at
o One in particular, located north on 183 and Mopac: Brewery nearby; Rollerderby on the weekends; Plenty of parking; In the process of writing a letter of intent, including specifications
- Flooded Flipside
o Safety teams kicked ass
o Discussion of debriefing (specific to mud at Flipside)
o Meeting was facilitated by Ghost
o Agenda was consolidated for AAR/LLC—Discussion over ICS relative to flooding
# 8:15pm BURNING MAN REGIONAL CONTACT REPORT (Clovis, St. Tiki)
- Austin asked to be part of Carnival of mirrors as part of support group at midway . (sp?)
- Discussion of Operations to engage for Burning Man and support wooden nickel carnival.
- There is currently a yearly influx of Burners going to Burning Man; Any Burners in Austin interested on finding more information on heading out to the playa, please contact austin@burningman.org for more details
# 8:19pm AF UPDATE (Wrinn, Clovis)
- A debriefing between the AF and LLC occurred a couple of weeks ago; Discussion was over rain and mud at Flipside, volunteer issues, Leads selection, and Town Hall
- Discussion of a retreat before Town Hall
- Meredith F. has been selected as the new 360 AF Lead; Thanks to Reese and Augustin for doing a kickass job as former 360 AF Leads!
# 8:21pm TOPIC: PRE-EVENT COMMUNICATIONS
- QUESTION: Do we need to tweak the event?
- Discussion over consumable vs. combustible flame effects: There was a communication problem over placement of flame effects; No map was received, but was posted onto the website (Note: the Burnable Art Lead is in charge of consumable art, NOT combustible art)
- ISSUES TO BE DISCUSSED:
o Communication with people up to the event
o How to better inform participants with the conditions on the property
o What is the best form of media to use?
o How can we re-focus attention to the website
- A tentative date is being scheduled for the next Town Hall
- Discussion over the current methods being used to get information out to the community
- NOTE: When CC is carrying out information to the community, be careful when referencing historically known stuff; Be sure to check in with AAR/LLC first
- There are participants between the ages of 8-80; Communications is a multi-mobile approach
- Current trend is that nobody goes to the website or checks their emails; We currently have fragmented communication
- Use ‘Calendaring’ to point out key things (theme camp registration, art registration, etc.)
- Encourage people in the community to communicate
- Some people are intimidated to speak with Leads
- The Flipside Flame is encouraged to go on and provide further information clarification
- IDEA: Quit putting official information on the Burning Flipside Flipizens page on Facebook
# 9:06pm MOTION WAS MADE AND SECONDED TO CLOSE STACK; NO BLOCKS
- IDEA: Wifi mesh networks (firechat); Download the app; Turn on wifi; app works among whoever uses the app
- Art Communications Lead spoke with AFs; On the art registration form, there was a box that asked, ‘What is the best way to reach you?’
- Discussion over how to reach people in Houston; Contact Regional Outreach for further info
- KFlip is NOT an official means of communication
- Concepts in building a Flipside app are in the works
- Greeters provide the extra step in providing information to people
- ISSUE: Inconsistency where we put things (resources); It’s easier if we use the right tools where one can cross-post to other channels
# 9:24pm MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECONDED TO GATHER IDEAS AND ASK THE COMMUNITY HOW TO BETTER COMMUNICATE, AND NOMINATE A SUB-COMMITTEE (Sparky on sub-committee); NO BLOCKS; St. Tiki will lead with a survey and response; Will be taking suggestions and ideas and figure out how to put information out to the community
# 9:32pm TOPIC: ENSMALLENING THE EVENT (CLovis)
- QUESTION: Can we do the event? Is it sustainable? How does the AAR/LLC feels on liability?
- We have lost as many of 50% of leads in some depts. whether through burn out or life changing events ( marriages, pregnancies, divorce ) etc. on the plus side , oportunity for growth .
- Community decides whether to shrink the event
- TREND: Same volunteers are starting to get burned out; There is a current push for Leads to get a Lieutenant and divide the load out
- We are failing to communicate to the community; This will be a major focus at the CC retreat, with the question—How to act as Edjumication Leads and how to educate each other
- QUESTION: What’s the fun in volunteering? What is it that hasn’t made volunteering enticing?
- Replacements should be less guilt-based
- QUESTION: Ask community—Are you willing to accept less Gate hours?
- Based on the number of volunteers, census will determine population
- # of Guardians are based on the geographic size of the property; As we grow, it’s hard to cover the geographic area (distance, costs, etc.)
- Volume issue vs. Culture issue
- Stressors with growth will have communication issues
- Operational needs vs. Philosophical needs
- If people start volunteering, some say it’s a gateway
# 10:11pm MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECONDED TO CLOSE STACK; NO BLOCKS
- Issues with absenteeism rate is high, with people just wanting a ticket
- Discussion on ways to incentivize; There currently is a shortage of Leads; We must find ways to transition more shift people into Leads positions
- REASONS FOR SHRINKING THE EVENT: Flipside may be on new land; New land needs to be terra-formed
- Shrinking the event would also cut the # of people who could have volunteered
- Moving the event to new land took a couple of years to get used to
- EDUCATION: Different people will respond to different things
# 10:35pm TOPIC: CC BUSINESS—NEW MEMBER RECRUITMENT (Doug)
- Process will take 5-8 weeks to get in place; Should be accomplished either now, or before the holidays
- When CC members are at Flipside, they should be actively recruiting
- See Doug’s Notes
- With the number of current members, we are not overstaffed at the meetings; Specifically, the CC is asking—What do you have to bring to the table?; Members should use new technologies to reach people
- Flipside Ambassador Lead
o Include Ambassadors (people in other cities)
o Flipside Ambassador is a separate position; Leads in this position will have a commitment to have two people on the Google community; Each has a mentor and a connection to the Combustion Chamber
o AI: BOARD MEETING: To discuss the new position of Flipside Ambassador
o Document roles and responsibilities
o Zip code data to define
o Primary method of communication
o If CC decides to put off, suggest DATE
o Flipside Ambassadors will act as a conduit of Flipside information
# 11:05pm MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECONDED TO TABLE DISCUSSION AND SET AS A TOPIC AND TO BE DISCUSSED FURTHER ONLINE; NO BLOCKS; (Original deadlines): Friday—Wording; To be reviewed and edited through Sunday; If it looks good, then send out; If people block new wording on Monday, revert back to old wording
# 11:07pm TOPIC: CC BUSINESS—MENTORSHIP (Doug)
- Rename ‘mentor’ to one of the following: guide, guru, spirit animal, jock strap
# 11:23pm MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECONDED TO CONTINUE RECRUITING PEOPLE WITH A GURU; NO BLOCKS; Continue putting a call out also for Scribes (Note: 360 AF has veto power on Scribes); ADD ‘CC Scribes’ as a TOPIC for the next meeting (7/20) with a pre-meeting via email
# 11:33pm TOPIC: CC BUSINESS—RETREAT (Kate)
- Still currently seeking location within price range, including amenities
- Parameters: Friday night—2-hour meeting; Set agenda; Saturday morning—Breakfast; All-day meeting with a break in-between; Sunday—Meeting; Pack & go home
- 20 people tentatively scheduled
- Can be lodge or camping
- Price range: ~$80 Friday – Sunday
- Need to determine # CC members vs. those who actually show up
- AI: Discuss on CC list—Need a head count
- Location must be within a 2-hour drive
# Next meeting: Monday, July 20
# Facilitator: Decibel
# Stack: Breezy
# Scribe: Chim-Chim
# Topics: Photography (Kate)
Edjumicate—Safety, Enculturation, Community S’mores & Mores (Doug)
CC Scribes (Kate?)
# 11:45pm MEETING ADJOURNED