Growing Futures Minutes 15-09-21
New assistants being taken on - Fair recruitment policy has been agreed in the logistics circle. This will be circulated.
Action - All members to read and adopt this protocol.
Job Descriptions - Everyone to write a description of what they are doing now (using the template in the fair hiring policy above) as a starting point for discussion.
Action - job descriptions for Lead Grower / Assistant Grower to be circulated via email ahead of next meeting.
New Schools in January - 1 x Secondary School, 1 x Primary School.
High School agreed as Forest High to link with Rekindle Youth Amy is already in contact and they have agreed. Scott and Duncan to share the lead role.
Action - Amy & Scott to circulate Video of Forest High grounds - currently a dangerous site with lots of potential. Not suitable for regular volunteer days.
Action - Amy to look at funding to see if October start date possible.
Action - Scott to make contact with corporate groups to see if they can assist.
Primary Schools: Berry Hill; St Whites; Steam Mills; St Johns Coleford - discussion about criteria to choose. Group feel that children more in need should take priority.
Action - Becky will look up demographics and report back to the group.
Action - Scott and Dunc to take lead on new primary school.
Anna does not want to take any more new schools until next year, and Beki would take a new school if she could drop one of the current ones, so is happy to stick with current 2.
Training & certificates / HR
Logistics circle have formed a new HR team who will be responsible for safer recruitment and keeping track of crew training and certificates.
ACTION - Amy to arrange Dunc DBS.
Anna would like to update first aid - Amy updated group about Thriving Communities grant applied for to pay for first aid plus other training. We will hear about this 31 October and will look at staff training needs and run training groups at Kensley.
Beki told the group about ‘Keeping Safe in Education’ a useful document to be aware of when working in schools and shared details of scenarios in schools and good practice.
Growing Futures Agreement to be circulated. - Action this needs to be scrutinised by HR before being agreed and adopted, there may be some legal framework with regard to self employment vs zero hour contracts.
Action - this will be taken to the HR meeting.
Banners - discussion on placement and Rewild Project visibility.
Question from Anna - who is being paid for these meetings. Answer - those who are working for GF can put hourly rate into next invoice. Amy, Emma and Scott have a pot of admin money they divide equally currently and do not count hours (as the hours they put in to the project are not covered by current finding)
Tree work. Scott is a fully qualified professional and insured Tree Surgeon and Arborist so any Tree work required by any of the Schools can be done to link in with the project, using the wood to create sculptures etc.
Pictures and updates - Emma has been working hard trying to keep the news section of the website and the newsletters current and up to date. Some of the new project leaders have been writing news pieces after each session / project which has been fantastic PR for the project. Generally we try to document and write social media and website posts after each session delivered. Can the Growing Futures leaders and assistants at each school think about the best way to make this a regular part of the work they do. They could have access to social media, or website, or alternatively email / send pictures regularly to a website / social media team. Also bearing in mind school safeguards - pictures of little hands / backs of heads where possible.
Bream Raised Beds - Beki would like to install new raised beds.
Actions: Kermit to source Scaffold planks, Beki will let him know how many.
Scott will source well rotted cow manure, which can be tipped directly over fence, into the new bed!!
Pond at Bream - work day suggested 22 October - Action points???? (Please let me know to add)