[CPT-UK] Proposal for CPT gathering in UK in summer 2006: Feedback Needed

[Tim Nafziger]

Dear friends,

In November six of us met at the London Mennonite Centre for a meeting to
talk about the possibility of a UK-wide gathering sometime in summer 2006.
Due to various factors including the CPT crisis in Iraq, I've delayed
sending them out. So now, two months later, I want to share with you all
some of the ideas we discussed.

Ideas from 5 November 2006 CPT London Meeting for CPT gathering

Possible Locations
- York would support formation of North England CPT group and be closer for
Scottish participants
- London might attract a few people who otherwise wouldn't travel all the
way to York

Timing
- John Lynes and Maureen Jack are the UK CPTers who spend the most time in
the field, so it'd be nice to have it at a time when they were in the
country.
- Perhaps in conjuction with other conference or action. Suggestions for
tie-ins include God Save the Queen: Anarchism and Christianity
today<http://uk.jesusradicals.com/>,
in Leeds, June 2-4 and Trident Ploughshares Devonport Disarmament Camp
2006<http://www.tridentploughshares.org/article984>in Plymouth, UK,
May 18-21
- others suggested that it would be better to focus on our event and another
event would overshadow CPT event in an unhelpful way
- Tim Nafziger will be leaving on 28 July, so if he's involved in organising
would need to be before that

Content
- something specific to draw people to event. Maybe get a CPTer from the US
or Canada to come over would give focus?
- workshops offered by CPTers and others
- role plays, similiar to those used during CPT training
- importance of having plenty of time around meals and tea for social time
- interactive elements
- opportunities to share stories
- information on how CPT works and practicalities
- bible study
- making arts and crafts or creating something as a group

Action
- CPT gatherings in the states traditionally include an action or
demonstration as part of the gathering
- could a local planning group work on finding an issue or local group to
support with a vigil or prayer gathering?
- chalk drawing as part of action?

Scale
- could be small and fairly informal with focus on getting to know each
other and developing a vision for CPT in the UK
- could be larger with focus on introducing a wide range of people to CPT

Mobilisation
- Tim has mailing labels for a one-time mailing for everyone on the CPT
mailing list in the UK and Europe.

Which of these ideas appeal to you? Which don't? If there is interest, I'm
willing to move forward with some of these ideas, but I'd like to get a
clear idea of how many people would be interested. It would also be really
good if someone would be willing to act as a co-coordinator.

The more concrete and specific your response, the better.

Thanks,
Tim Nafziger
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