Agenda item

11am opening speech

Rock choir 12

IWD award 1:30

Rock choir 2:30 to close.

 

Catwalk/fashion show in the courtyard.

 

DM: do we want to add more things onto the stage or are we happy?

 

NAS: If theres too much going on, it stops people from networking but then again the performances bring people into the hall.

 

DM: I think it would be good to have a performance before the award to bring people in.

 

SB: Are there any films or videos that could be shown?

 

SBa: Can’t have too much noise on the stage, we found it difficult to talk to people.

 

SB: We work with a local company, could see if they could be involved.

 

NAS:  We could have a slideshow of previous days.

 

Forum discussed what could be put on a slideshow or screen.

 

MW: Could get the girls school or the high school involved, they may have videos or something to contribute. Would be good to get younger girls involved.

 

DM: Do you have contacts?

MW: Yes, for both.

 

NAS: This could be something we could really focus on for next year, see how many groups have activities and services for women and we could advertise those groups and show what they have to offer.

 

RP: Could build it year by year to show the evolution of the event.

 

SB: We could also look to have involvement from Q Space or Lowdown regarding LGBTQ.

 

DM: NAS group to perform around 1pm?

NAS: I can check that they are available and to perform as a welcome for the award.

 

DM: Will be doing child’s crime scene activity again to occupy children whilst parents enjoy the activities downstairs.

Helen Puk to do activities in the Jeffery Room.

Elsie’s to do hot and cold drinks and cakes but because of the catering contact, we cannot have any other organisation preparing and selling food.

Court Room will be set out as a café space.

 

DM: there will also be an internal IWD award for NBC, looking to also have museums set up a display with inspirational women from Northampton.

 

SB: is there anything for children?

DM: Yes, we have a children’s entertainer and also the crime scene activity.

 

ACTION: MM to send form to Townswomen’s Guild and IHWO.

 

SB to share information with St Andrews staff.

 

DM: If there are no pamper session we could do an arts/crafts session instead.

 

AR: Could you share more info about IWD19 other organisations are hosting events too.

SB: We would be happy to share the information.

 

MW: Shall we leave out the school this year?

PW: As it is images it would be fine to contact them.

 

AR: The rock choir took a lot of the time and it was almost exclusively white older women, I think we should look to prioritise getting young women into the event.

 

SB: There are younger women in the St Andrews choir.

 

AR: Look to be more diverse with what’s on the stage.

 

PW: Recommendation taken on board, will look to improve this for the following year.

 

MW: We need to find the balance, to be welcoming for all communities within Northampton.

 

PW: Maybe we could look at mixing it up next year, having one community choir and the Rock Choir if they are willing once again.

 

AR: Could you use the time in between the fashion shows outside for other performances?

DM: One main issue last year from the feedback is that there was too much on, wouldn’t want to do this again.

 

NAS: Could identify some women to share their stories, this can be powerful but may not be suitable on the stage, could be done in a workshop format.

 

DM: The Godwin Room is still available and this would be more suitable. Maybe an hour from 12am-1pm with tea/coffee.

 

MW: We need some signage outside.

DM: It’s difficult to get permission to put anything outside, we had to jump through many hoops to get the car on there last year.

 

TWG: Wasn’t there people walking around the town?

Yes, but not all day.

 

SB: Could we get posters in the shops on St Giles’ street? I have friends with shops on that road who would promote.

 

PWh: Could it be broadcast over BBC Radio Northampton?

It is as they promote the IWD award.

 

MC: It would be good if you could put promotional materials in the Cllrs trays so they can help to spread the word out.

 

TWG??: My group only meet once a month, would need to know a lot further in advance:

DM/PW: We understand, these events are always changing so it is difficult to print and promote in advance. Date has been known for months and that is the best we can do.

 

DM: Look to advertise the story sharing experience.

 

SB: The Good Loaf and C2C have women’s groups and we could invite them.

DM: The Good Loaf could lead on this.

SB: Yes, they do this thing anyway and they could offer support following the event also.

MW: I do not mind taking the lead on that. I would like to invite an ex Cllr’s wife who is Polish who came in on the Windrush, she has a great story. Would be great to have a mixture.

DM: If you could let me know about people who may be interested then we can contact them to see if they’re interested.

AR: We won a case for a Hungarian woman who would be great.

NAS: These sound perfect, even if we only have 2 or 3 stories, giving them enough time is key.

RP: We had something similar before and found it hard to get people out of the Great Hall.

DM: With less on the stage, this gives us more time to announce what is going on elsewhere.

SB: At the I’m Still Me conference, there were 2 transgender females who spoke and they were very interesting.

 

MW: Talking on the stage needs to be kept to a minimum as the acoustics and the stalls in the Great Hall make it very difficult to hear and hold the attention of the attendees.