Developing a National Network for GRTHM
There are going to be Regional Network meetings around the country to discuss GRTHM and how best to develop this and the focus is very much in involving the GRT communities in this - there were GRT community members at a meeting in London 8th February when all this was decided and eveyone supported this being the best way to promote everyone's involvement across the country, as not everyone could be invited to the London meeting and so this seemed to be the best way forward.
These are the areas that have been identified so far are, we do need to have someone to organise in the south west and also central and any other area that might be identified as not covered.
North West: Kath Cresswell
kath.cresswell@bolton.gov.uk
North East: Peter Saunders
peter.saunders@educationleeds.co.uk
Central: TBC
East: Tim Everson
Tim.Everson@educ.suffolkcc.gov.uk
South East: Jake Bowers
jake.bowers@btinternet.com
London: Rocky Deans
rocky.deans@brent.gov.uk
South West: TBC
One other region: TBC
There is debate about the best month for GRTHM and the value of Roma Day on the 8th April. No one is disputing the importance of International Roma Day.
This year there is a great opportuntiy to move forward together and achieve what many have struggled for over generations the recognition and celebration of the achievements of the GRT communities across the country and also the understanding of history and languages that have survived the extremes of genocide, both here and in Europe.
These will happen in 8 areas in March
- Target 100 people in each area including TES, schools, GRT organizations and individuals, other organizations including the Arts, libraries, museums, academics, historians, health etc.
- Each area will be given £2,000 to organize this event and they must manage the budget and keep accounts
- Each network group will develop the national activities in their regions and their own programmes and link up via the web site www.grthm.co.uk
- They will promote awareness of other funding opportunities in their areas
- They will give information and encouragement to progress and develop the GRTHM agenda in each city or region
- They will do a small Report with photos to go on the GRTHM website of the meeting(for April) and report back to the national networking strategy group
- They will develop the list of GRT artists/ musicians/ storytellers willing to offer workshops/commissions to schools
National Coordinator
The meeting decided a national person was needed to coordinate and develop the activities already outlined for the months February to July so that they would be the link person and also develop the materials with all the GRT communities for the website, the magazine and the guides.
Jake Bowers from the Gypsy Media Company said that he would advertise and recruit a GRT community member, if possible, to do this job.
Regular Monthly Meetings
The groups decided we need to have regular monthly meetings to co-ordinate and develop the GRTHM and the DCSF said they could host these meetings and the next meeting is scheduled for 10th March for a 1.00pm light lunch and then the meeting from 1.30 to 4.00pm.
Everyone must send details of who is attending the meeting to Geoff Brown (DCSF) before the day so they can get security clearance and also everyone needs to arrive at 1.00pm so the meeting can finish on time.
Further meetings will be needed and these are suggested Mondays 21st April, 19th May, 16th June and 14th July. We hope everyone can make these meetings and the DCSF can accommodate the group.
Funding Expenses
The funding of GRT community members for time and travel was raised and the solution for this meeting was that all professionals would try and ensure their organisations covered their travel.
The funding for each area would pay for the travel of community members from the £2,000 allocated for the regional network meetings. Each network co-ordinator must keep a financial account of the £2,000. They can access the funding by invoicing Leeds GRTAS.
If these meetings can be in free venues then there may be surplus funding to continue to pay travel for future meetings for community representatives.
