Patrick’s Musings

I’m on the train home from Powershift at UWS. I was up at 6am and left the house by 6.30 to setup the EWB stall not to bad an effort considering everything except the tables and chairs was taken onsite by me by train.

A huge thanks to Sophie from the AYCC who has received numerous txts, emails & calls from me in the last couple of days after I decided to attend at the last minute for Engineers Without Borders.

The keynotes were fantastic, if a little cultish, and it was a shame that some activists couldn’t let Nathan Rees have his say in peace. From 11.30 to 3.30 I manned the EWB stall with the help of a number of EWB volunteers, the interest was greater than I expected and we had a lot of interesting discussions and got a few new members and people for our mailing lists. Overall the time was well spent, though I feel a little more structure may have been better.

From 3.30 to 4.30 I was in the “Communicating the Climate Change Message” breakout, the discussion was good, but not long enough, only a few questions were asked. I think 2 hours per breakout might have worked better.

I then traipsed off to room 2.02 to hear Keillen from Greenpeace talk “Media Engagement”. After 15 minutes waiting I left. Advised the AYCC team at the front desk that our facilitator hadn’t shown and headed for a bus/taxi home. I didn’t have the good to walk up two flights of steps again.

I’m looking forward to tomorrow, and even more to future events, when AYCC can apply what it learns this weekend and hopefully hold many more successful events.

Yesterday afternoon, after almost a year in EWB I met our benevolent dictator, CEO & Founder of EWB Australia, Daniel Almagor. It was just a quick catch up, and mostly we talked about fatherhood and the growing pains of a young organisation like EWB Australia. I did take some time to show him some of the features of our new website that is coming up, and gave him a brief tour of Basecamp which we use for project management in the NSW chapter.

I had been told that Danny was a real presence in the room, and that’s true. He positively glows with energy and passion which is fantastic, and I’m looking forward to working with him in the future.

If you’re interested in Basecamp come along to Connecting Up 09 where I’ll be doing a 45 minute workshop and presentation on how EWB uses Basecamp and over tools to save time and money.

Recently I joined Engineers Without Borders and last night at the AGM I was elected un-opposed to the role of Director of Internal Communications. The stated responsibilities of the role are

The responsibilities of the director of internal communications include facilitating communication within the committee, and between the committee and the Chapter members. Responsibilities may include managing our Chapter website, developing regular Chapter newsletters, and informing members of upcoming events.

Additionally I’ve put my hand up to be the acting Director of Awareness until such time as someone can do it full time. As I don’t really have the spare time to commit to it permanently.

Next Thursday I hope to be approved by SHAG to stand in the Ashfield Council elections. Looks like I’m going to be a busy person for a while.