Minutes of the meeting of the meeting of the Student Christian Council
9^th June 2004, K11a, Fitzwilliam College

Present: Becky Bowtell (Fusion); Steven Cooper (CCMS); Martin Harker (new MethSoc rep.); Kelly Hockey (Fisher House); Korey Maas (Lutheran); Geoff Martin (Ark); Clare McQuitty (Taizé Worship); Simon Perry (Senior Treasurer); Chris Rayson (MethSoc); Geoff Stevenson (new Fusion rep.); Carys Underdown (Retiring Convenor).

Apologies: Rachel Gooderson (SPEAK); Connor McDonough (Fisher House); Chau Diem Nguyen (CGS); Hannah Vaughan-Spruce (Fisher House).

Action points underlined

 Opened in Prayer

 Minutes of last meeting, etc.

Apologies for Absence, Notification of AoB, etc., were given.

New society reps (Geoff, Korey and Martin) were welcomed.

The Minutes of the last meeting were read; Matters arising:

• We now have a Lutheran rep. :-)
• Fisher House is OK for next term's Ceilidh - still awaiting info about the bar.
• CCMS's May Week Show is, in fact, on Wednesday 16^th June, 1.30pm & 4.30pm, venue still TBC.
• Ark will be performing at the Fisher House garden party.
• The Freshers' Fair application will be made this week.

 Society Plans

• Fusion are holding a celebration tomorrow, 5-7pm, in Emmanuel URC, followed by a barbecue (cost of barbecue £2).
• Fisher Society Dinner also tomorrow.
• CCMS, Ark, etc. - see Matters Arising.

 May Week Events

• Punt Race: commences on Saturday (14^th June) at 2pm, preceded by a Bring'n'Share-type picnic from 1pm on the grass opposite the Mill (pub).
  Carys will provide a prize for the first punt to Grantchester.
  No paddling! (Except to retrieve pole, etc.)
• SCC Football: Tuesday 15^th June, on Jesus Green near Jesus Lock Bridge, starting at 1pm - bring picnic materials once again if so inclined.
  Please ask anyone with a football to bring it if possible.

 New Vision

Feedback from member societies on the (revised) proposal for the SCC's "New Vision" was received. Points raised:

• Fisher House: The committee meeting discussing the proposals was under-attended (owing to exam pressure), but those present were happy with the New Vision - they felt members of Fisher House already belonged to the SCC.
• Fusion: In agreement with the principles of the New Vision, though the structure of Fusion, and that not all those attending would self-identify as Christian, means the arrangements for membership would have to be adapted.
• MethSoc: In broad agreement, but unhappy with the proposed name, and the idea of membership cards. It was suggested that term cards or similar could be substituted.
• Ark: Strongly support the principle of revitalising the SCC, and like the new Purpose. There were a few objections/questions to individual points:
  • Membership cards could be seen as exclusive, bringing no material benefit at the expense of materials and extra administration.
    (The suggestion that they be replaced with term cards was welcomed.)
  • The question was raised whether individuals should be required to concur with the purpose of the new body, as member societies already are.
  • What do Council-elected representatives do?
    (Represent members not involved in member societies/involved in societies not members of the Council.)
  • Would the e-mail list be exclusive to members?
  • The name - semantic and political considerations.

It was agreed:

• (Eventually...) that the name of the new body be Christians in Unity in Cambridge (abbreviated to CUC).
• That 'term card' should replace 'membership card'. These would serve to define membership, so non-members could, e.g., be on the e-mail list. Such persons would be encouraged to become members, if they so wished.
• That all members being required to subscribe to a particular viewpoint was too exclusive, but it was reasonable that Council representatives should concur with the purpose of CUC.

The proposal with these latest amendments was voted on and passed unanimously. The following actions were agreed:

• Becky, Steven, Geoff M. and Carys to draft a new constitution over the summer. The text to be circulated so that feedback from societies can be gathered at the next meeting; a formal proposal to replace the SCC constitution can then be made.
• Chris to draft a letter to Deans and Chaplains regarding the changes (also mentioning Michælmas events, e.g. the Ceilidh), to be sent out ASAP.
• College reps still need to be sorted out.

 Arrangements for Michælmas

 Freshers' Fair Stall - See Matters Arising.

 Booklet

It was agreed to try to produce a booklet, aimed primarily at freshers, about Christianity and students in Cambridge. Fisher House have offered funding/photocopying, but it was unclear on what scale/quality level the booklet would be produced. It would also be good for the project to be (at least partly) self-financing; Becky to look into sponsorship.

Steven agreed to produce the booklet, as he is already working on the societies/church guides; the booklet would essentially be an amalgamation on these, plus some extra material:

• Each society to be responsible for producing their own page, to be sent to Steven.
• Regarding societies not represented at the meeting: Becky to ensure SPEAK have a page, Carys to check on OrthSoc and CGS.
• A separate section to contain details of non-SCC societies, etc., who it would be appropriate/agree to be listed.
• Becky and Geoff M. volunteered to work on page(s) re. basic Christianity (including reading recommendations) and ecumenism. Any relevant materials to be sent to them.

Copies to be sent to Deans & Chaplains at the beginning of Michælmas; also posters and leaflets about the SCC and the Ceilidh.

 Discussion Groups

It was agreed to arrange one meeting at the start of Michælmas, to see how such a venture would be received. Details to be finalised later, but a panel discussion/Q&A session on different traditions'/denominations' approaches to ecumenism was considered appropriate.

Becky volunteered to ask Rev'd Maggi Dawn about being involved, as she has organised similar events before.

 Date of next meeting

Monday 4^th October, 9.30am.

 Closed in Prayer