Minutes of the meeting of the meeting of the Student Christian Council
27^th April 2004, Fisher House Library

Present: Steven Cooper (CCMS); Kelly Hockey (Fisher House); Geoff Martin (Ark); Clare McQuitty (Taizé Worship); Chris Rayson (MethSoc); Carys Underdown (Retiring Convenor); Hannah Vaughan-Spruce (Fisher House).

Apologies: Bex Bowtell (Fusion); Connor McDonough (Fisher House); Simon Perry (Senior Treasurer).

Action points underlined

 Opened in Prayer

 Minutes of last meeting, etc

Apologies for Absence were given and Hannah welcomed (no objections being raised to an extra Fisher House rep).

Matters Arising:

 Groups to be contacted by the SCC:

Chris has contacted a worker with the URC students and young adults fellowship; their details to be put on the SCC's 'links' web page, and Audrey's e-mail to be added to soc­scc;

Kelly has drafted a letter to the Young Friends, to be e-mailed to the list for approval before sending;

Other groups (Thomas Aquinas, CGS, Lutherans, Orthodox) still to be contacted or to hear back from.

 Ceilidh:

The Fisher House committee are reluctant to hold a ceilidh this term because of fears people are too busy, and there may not be sufficient attendance to cover costs. It was agreed to hold the SCC Ceilidh in Michælmas.

The band contacted by Clare charge £65 per band member (we would probably need 3) plus £70 for a caller. Alternatively, The Timber Merchants^[1] have offered to play the ceilidh for free. A decision to be made next meeting.

 May Week:

Other events this term (Punt Race, Football) set to go ahead, with enthusiasm from societies. It was suggested teams for the punt race be drawn from a hat over lunch.

The Fisher House Garden Party is on Mon. 14^th June; MethSoc's is Sun. 13^th.
Full details of these and any other appropriate events to be forwarded to list by reps.

 Other things:

CUSU are in hand. Unity24 to be discussed at a later later meeting.

 "A New Vision for the SCC"

It was agreed that the SCC lacks direction and is unclear of its aims, a state from which it is difficult to achieve anything. A discussion as to what its objectives were, and how to find direction, was held, resulting in several ideas and decisions:

Ideas:

• Individual membership of the SCC? Some form of involvement on the personal level was felt to be needed, but what would 'membership' then mean - would it compromise the SCC's 'umbrella' rôle (important), or cause problems for students who want to join an SCC society, but do not wish to get involved in the SCC?
• More events - maybe speaker meetings on topics with ecumenical appeal. Previously, "Them and Us" discussion groups have been held for society reps - these could be held again and opened up to anyone interested.
• An open e-mail list for SCC events, rather than relying on ChristianCambridge (which tends to be erratic) and society e-mail lists (some of which place restrictions on what can be promoted).
• An open(-ish) meeting, where any society members/others interested are invited to discuss the SCC.
• Look for ways of building stronger relations with Colleges and Deans/Chaplains.

It was agreed that:

• Societies' input is needed, but it would be better to have a clear vision to take to societies for consultation. All reps to ask their societies what they consider SCC is for, and bring ideas back to the next meeting;
• soc­scc­events (moderated) to be set up for posting details of communal events;
• A Squash to be held in Week 2/3 of Michælmas - possibly in conjunction with the Ceilidh;
• "What's Christian in Cambridge?" leaflets to be sent out to Deans/Chaplains before the start of Michælmas Term.

 Any Other Business

Hannah to be added to appropriate e-mail lists.

 Date of next meeting: To be arranged

 Closed in Prayer

^[1]  See http://www.thetimbermerchants.co.uk/