SPRING GATHERING – 26 August 2007
2.00 – 5.00pm (Including mid way adjournment for cake eating!)
With warmer weather and Spring in the air
A breezy atmosphere and daffodils everywhere (thanks Gillian)
We gather at PIM – although that’s not rare
To everyone’s delight the following people were there…
IN ATTENDANCE:
Lethe Gaskin, Gillian Blackwell, Phil Smalley, Ted Bugarski, Sue Daniel, Dianne Kearney, Kath Kelly, Helen Fryer, Patricia Green, Cheryl Rippingale, Tabitha, John Barton and Marie Watt.
Danielle Forer arrived with another cake a little later too,
We already had so much food we didn’t know to do,
So we boiled the urn again and had another brew
And wash down some more… wouldn’t you!
APOLOGIES:
Margaret Shanahan, Katrina Gaskin, Nikki Alderman, Lorraine Michael.
WELCOME FRIENDSHIPS/CELEBRATIONS:
Lethe sported a lovely “overlay” skirt
Ted flashed his stripy coloured socks, we were all alert
So we compared each others “under shoe wear”
As Sue warmed us all up as she does with attentive care…
Kiwi connections were made between John and Lethe
Poets Phil and Kath were named with no apparent disbelief!
Dianne was acknowledged as psychodrama assistant and welcomed back
And congratulations were extended to Kath for completing her prac.
REPORTS:
Treasury Report
Patricia very ably presented the Treasury Report
We were hearted to know the balance sheet was more than naught
With revenue being raised from a median range of 50 –70 annual membership fees
And the successful monthly Friday night Theatre of Spon-tan-eities.
With a healthy budget the discussion turned to what more we could do
It was decided that IAGP* group membership was something we would pursue.
Sue has already primed the International body that MPS should get a discount
She’s argued that we’re on a par with Angola and should pay the same amount.
(* International Association of Group Psychotherapy)
IAGP membership benefits were subsequently described
These include being on an email news group, and belonging to a larger tribe (d)
MPS membership benefits were also discussed
Helen has large copies of the Charter, at $5 a pop ownership is a must!
Other Reports
Other reports were provided although in no particular order
We kept to tight meeting procedures... Well, sort-a
Helen reported that Writers Group have been meeting rather reg-ul-ar-ly
They have been producing great work but not necessarily for others to see.
The Central Pod was named as consisting of Patricia, Nikki, Gillian and Sue
With Lethe and Katrina being off shore having just as much to do.
Sue said that whilst there are no other formal pods currently in existence
Anyone can form anytime as the urge presents - with little persistence.
Kath mentioned that an Inner city worker’s group meets on a Friday afternoon, occasionally.
Simulating conversations are had over drinks that are stronger than a cup of tea!
OTHER BUSINESS:
Practice Certificates
The concept of “Practice Certificates” as a joint venture for ABP* and MPS was presented.
Issuing yearly certificates for current PIM Psychodramatist entitlement was not lamented.
In fact the suggestion was received enthusiastically with MPS membership covering the cost.
“If someone fell in a hole, we would have to look at them” was the solution for anyone lost!
(* Australian Board of Psychodrama - Members: Nikki and Sue D.)
Journal of Psychodrama Writing
Discussion ensued about the idea of a non-academic Moreno Psychodrama Society Journal.
We talked of whether it should be on the blog, a hard copy for sale or something internal.
There was mention of existing student articles at PIM that would be great for publication.
Establishing a purpose (eg exciting the readers, a forum for writing) provided clearer indication.
Phil expressed concern that for him papers take about 7 months be born.
Whilst our gestation periods may vary, we agreed an article birth was not something to scorn.
We vaguely talked of subscription costs and whether it should be an annual or bi-annual edition
Sue said that when she’s on a run she could push out a few - now there’s an admission!
Theatre of Spontaneity
The next Theatre of Spontaneity, or to use the acronym TOS,
Will be this Friday 31st August and Lethe is to be the facilitator or boss
They are held on the last Friday of each month if you are apt to forget,
Except for November when it will be on Friday Dec 7th if the dates aren’t in your diary yet.
Phil will be running the TOS on the 26th of October.
If you are coming you had better make sure you are sober
The theme is “PSYCH-ODE-DRAMA” or Poetry in Motion
If you are still reading these minutes, I’m sure you’ll get the notion!!
The Lunch Time Reading Groups have been going well too that is for sure
If you’re coming along don’t forget your $10 cover change before you go out the door
This small fee covers costs for the discussant, goes toward library resources and pays for coffee
Gathering at 12.30, starting at 12.45 and ending at 1.45 promptly is great, don’t you agree?
Summer School
The Central Pod’s suggestion of a Summer School in Jan or Feb 2009 was warmly embraced.
Patricia spoke of booking the Footscray Arts Centre and our creative minds raced.
Imagine; activities for children and using the amphitheater for Living Newspaper themes.
The gallery space and performance area with things happening and the public enacting scenes!
The Giving Life Choir out of recess…… the ideas go on it seems.
Phone Patricia on 0413 016 694 if you have further dreams.
Other Events of Interest to Note
a) Book Launch –
There’s a new book on “Psychodrama: “Advances in Theory and Practice” now released.
Sue Daniel has a Chapter in it worth reading ... so when you buy it don’t get it creased!
The event is mooted for 7pm Thursday 22 November.
It’s at Reading’s bookstore in Lygon Street Carlton so be sure to remember!
b) Art Exhibition -
Tabitha warmed us all beautifully to her art exhibition opening that is coming up soon.
When prompted she spoke of “stuff on paper” that has emerged from her art room.
The theme is loosely around people and where they live, well she said that’s what’s been mounted.
That and a psychodramatic relationship with ancestors, and cats in windows waiting to be counted.
So get along to Northcote Library on Monday 1 October from 6 – 7.30pm to provide support
Or come anytime between then and the end of the month, for there is great art to be bought!
c) IAGP Conference -
The IAGP conference to be held from 22 – 28 August 2009 in Rome, Italy is certainly a goer!
Quite a few MPS members are keen and a group flight booking is in order, so get on the blower.
More detail about the event is at www.iagp2009.coirag.org - that is the web site.
I’ve just checked and yes, Sue did get the address right!
If interested in other international conferences John Barton has details he is happy to pass on
So for the Baltic experience in English or the United States one in American, contact John.
d) Play Therapy Conference -
For information about this conference to be held in Brisbane in August 2008,
Contact Dianne for more details as it sounds as if it will be great.
Christmas Party
Discussion around this item did not take long,
We were into our cake eating so we couldn’t get it wrong.
The details are below under the “Next Gathering” heading,
No need to bring gifts or dress up too much. It’s a Christmas party not a wedding!
Moreno Psychodrama Society Meeting Structure
Toward the end of our time together we reflected on these gatherings - a kind of review
The short minute note is to record that we resolved to do more of the same of what we currently do.
We agreed that four times a year for these meetings is perfect, following the cycle of the seasons.
There’s a good balance of flexibility, freedom and formality so to change would be without reasons.
Lethe mentioned that PIM was like home and it needs nurturing, which was important to be spoken.
We affirmed to keep going, building on what is resolving not to fix what’s not broken.
Next Gathering
Sunday 2 December for a Bar-B-Q to be followed by Carols. Now that should be fun!
Stay tuned; watch out for emails and fliers for there is more information to come.
