News From the Centre

The Nonviolence Facilitation Collective started 1995 by meeting at
Commonground in January. 

The processes of interstate and international networking continue to run
well, with information-sharing, and we paid some more attention to the role
of Key Contact People.  There is an article by Margaret Pestorius and Peter
Jones in the current issue of Peace News about the history of Nonviolence in
Australia, and the development of ANN. 

We looked at providing a facilitator for nonviolence workshops in Alice
Springs, but costs are high, and local people too busy to organise from a
distance.  We decided instead to offer support and practise to an Alice
Springs activist who visits Melbourne regularly.  Outreach issues continue to
be thought about. 

The Centre operating budget is higher than expected ($450/month instead of
$290) so we're looking for ways to increase income.  The Centre is operating
well now, with the filing system re-organised and a folder created of basic
introductory material, case studies, workshop agendas etc.  We're looking at
costs to produce a groovy Centre letterhead.  We now await the new Laser
Printer. 

Margaret is doing a lot of good work with ANN involvement in the Women's
Peace camp at Benalla this Easter.  Network women in Melbourne are organising
affinity groups with leadership from Anita and Bernadette.  This will
certainly lift the profile of ANN amongst women activists around Australia
and extend the Network.  It is also good to see the Centre finding use in
this way.  It is our first organised experiment in ANN campaigning outreach. 
There will be reports on this at the Gathering. 

Bryan is taking up the role of coordinating this year's Gathering, and we
spent a fair bit of time thinking about what needs to be done and how.  Glen
is helping with agenda proposals.  Jo (Daylesford) and Robert (Melbourne) are
working productively in their own areas, and contributing regularly to the
Network and Centre.  Feelings about the Network from the Facilitation
Collective are positive and optimistic. 

The proposal for a North Queensland Node has been developed at some length,
and will be discussed at the next NFC meeting.  Watch out for this at the
Gathering. 

The next meeting, Feb 28, will discuss the ANN/Commonground relationship, how
ANN relates to other organisations and look at Gathering needs again.