Sunday December 7th - SAB/CFAD kidz day!

[English below]

Journée des Enfants!

Le Réseau de soutien des enfants de Montréal avec Solidarité sans Frontières et CFAD vous offrent une Journée des enfants, dimanche le 7 décembre. Nous allons faire des macarons et des pièces au St-Emilie skillshare et après nous allons nous baigner à la piscine de la Petite Bourgogne !

Les détails:

• Les activités sont GRATUITES,
• Les parents et leurs enfants de tout âge qui sont impliqués avec le Réseau de soutien des enfants de Montréal/ Solidarité sans Frontières /CFAD sont le bienvenue, ainsi que leurs ami(e)s et leurs allié(e)s. Les parents peuvent accompagner leurs enfants mais les enfants sont également le bienvenue sans leurs parents.
• Dîner et collation seront fournis
• Le transport sera fourni si nécessaire
• Veuillez amener avec vous votre mailot de bain, une serviette et un bonnet de bain (si vous n'avez pas de bonnet de bain, on le fournira pour vous).

Lieu où vous pouvez déposer vos enfants: 10h00 au Partage de savoir St-Emilie, 3942 Ste. Emilie (metro Place St-Henri)


Lieu où vous pouvez chercher vos enfants: 15h00 au Centre sportif de la Petite Bourgogne, 1825 Notre-Dame Ouest (metro Georges Vanier). Pour les directions, veuillez consulter:


La piscine nous oblige de lui dire d'avance combien d'enfants nous amenerons, alors veuillez vous inscrire avec nous par couriel : lesliebagg@yahoo.ca ou téléphone : 514-848-7583.

Nous ésperons de vous voir la semaine prochaine!
----------

[PHOTOS:
Journée des enfants (20 juillet 2008; BBQ avec Kader): http://photos.cmaq.net/v/kidzdaykaderbbq/
Journée des enfants (19 avril 2008; les papillons au Biodome): http://photos.cmaq.net/v/kidzdayapril19/ ]

::::::::::::::::::::
::::::::::::::::::::

Kids Day!

The Childcare Collective is teaming up with Solidarity Across Borders and CFAD to offer a Kidz Day on Sunday December 7th. We'll be making pins and patches to take home at the St-Emilie Skillshare then going swimming at the Little Burgundy Sports Center!

The details:

• The day is free,
• open to parents and kids of all ages within the Childcare Collective/Solidarity Across Borders/CFAD networks, as well as their friends and allies. Parents are welcome to accompany their kids, but kids may also attend without their parents.
• lunch and snacks will be provided
• transportation will be provided if needed
• please bring your bathsuit, towel and a bathing cap if you have one (if you don't have a bathing cap, we will provide one)

Drop off: 10:00am at the St-Emilie Skillshare, 3942 Ste. Emilie (metro Place St-Henri).


Pick up: 3:00pm at the Little Burgundy Sports Center, 1825 Notre-Dame West (metro Georges Vanier).


Because the pool requires us to know how many kids will be participating, please register by sending an email to lesliebagg@yahoo.ca or calling 514-848-7583.

Hope to see you there!
----------

[PHOTOS:
Kidz Day (July 20, 2008, BBQ with Kader): http://photos.cmaq.net/v/kidzdaykaderbbq/
Kids Day (April 19, 2008, Butterflies go free!): http://photos.cmaq.net/v/kidzdayapril19/ ]

Read more!

The Montreal Childcare Network is pleased to announce it's first event of the fall!

Join us on Friday October 17th at 5:30pm for a screening of the Albany Free School's "Free to Learn" at the 2110 Centre (2110 Mackay).

The film will be followed by a discussion. Food will be provided.
All welcome - bring your kids!



About the film:

Free to Learn is a 70 minute documentary that offers a "fly on the wall" perspective of the daily happenings at The Free School in Albany, New York. Like many of today's radical and democratic schools, The Free School expects children to decide for themselves how to spend their days.

The Free School, however, is unique in that it transcends obstacles that prevent similar schools from reaching a economically and racially diverse range of students and operates in the heart of an inner-city neighborhood.

For over thirty years in perhaps the most radical experiment in American education, this small inner-city alternative school has offered its students complete freedom over their learning. There are no mandatory classes, no grades, tests, or homework, and rules are generally avoided. As a last resort, rules are created democratically by students and teachers, often at the prompting of a student. At a time when our educators are mandated to march forward with no child left behind, the students of the Free School, many of whom would have fallen through the cracks of today's failing public school system, have managed to slip out of education's back door and have run away free.

Free to Learn follows a handful of these children courageously meeting the daily challenges of hope, acceptance, loss, friendship, conflict, and the difficult task of deciding, for themselves, what to do with each day.
Source:
www.freeschoolmovie.com/menu1.htm

Information on free schooling and how it started:
A free school, often intentionally spelled free skool, is a decentralized network in which skills, information, and knowledge are shared without hierarchy or the institutional environment of formal schooling. The open structure of a free school is intended to encourage self-reliance, critical consciousness, and personal development.
To read more go to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_school

Read more!

alternative orientation

childcare volunteers liz and charlie (alongside the lovely helen and the political prisoners calendars) tabling at Concordia's Alternative Orientation last week!

Read more!

we need a new suitcase!

that's right, the current childcare suitcase (used to cart around toys and crafts to wherever they're needed) is pretty crapped out. we're looking for something with wheels that is big, but not too big. whatever that means.

if you or someone you know has a suitcase lying around that is in good shape, let us know!

childcarecollective at riseup dot net

Read more!

mon. 22 sept. 7:30 - 9:00pm :: Childcare Collective Meeting!

@ MUCS: 2000 Northcliffe #218, near maisoneuve, Metro Vendome

New and old childcare volunteers and collective members,
You're welcome to join in a collective meeting next Monday 22 September
from 7:30 - 9:00pm. We'll start w/ a vegan/vegetarian dinner by the MUCS
Dining Coop ($2 donation) and meet upstairs after that.

Definitely on the agenda:
---Renewing QPIRG ConU. Working Group status
---Free To Learn film screening + discussion fri. 17 oct. 5:30pm at 2110
---Check in re: upcoming events: reclaim the streets 26 sept, CoCO
workshops sept/oct/nov, SAB Kidz day?, confirm childcare support for
Anarchist bookfair?, collaboration w/ CFAD? others?

MUCS is #218 in the big white building at Northcliffe and Maisoneuve. The
entrance is around the corner, by the driveway at the north side of the
building, NOT by going in th main entrance at 2000 Northcliffe.

Hope to see you there!

Read more!

you're invited...

what? a childcare collective meeting (all welcome!)
when? sunday september 14th, 1pm
where? QPIRG-C (1500 de maisonneuve o. suite 204)
why? because it's been a while...

you can bring: yourself, your ideas and renewed energy. snacks are cool too.

Read more!

PHOTOS: Sab Kidz Day!

The last Solidarity Across Borders/Childcare Collective Kids Day was July 20, 2008, in conjunction with a Solidarity BBQ with Kader Belaouni at the St-Gabriel's Church. Kader has been in sanctuary since January 2006.

More photos from the Kidz Day are linked HERE.

And, if you're interested, the pics from the Kids Day outing to the "Butterflies go free!" exhibit in April are linked HERE.

Read more!

good times!

thanks for the great day, everyone who came out to the SAB Kidz Day / Kader's solidarity BBQ yesterday!! there were more kids than we could count and plenty of good old fashion fun.

highlights included:

good eats
face painting
the "lock up jaggi" game
soccer soccer soccer
marching band dance offs
pinata anarchy

thank you volunteers, families, kids and Kader for inspiring the event!

(more pictures on the way)

Read more!

in case of rain

the SAB Kidz Day will be postponed until sunday july 27th.
check-in with LIZ at 514 482 0980 on the 20th before noon if you're having doubts.

Read more!

Childcare Charlie on CKUT

Check out this interview about the CCC on CKUT radio's "Wednesday Morning After" (July 9th, 2008) with volunteer, Charlie!

(the interview starts around the 35 minute mark)

Read more!

Next SAB Kidz Day!

[français ci-dessous]

Solidarity Across Borders Kidz Day!
A day-long series of activities for children
SUNDAY JULY 20, 1-6pm

Solidarity Across Borders and the Montreal Childcare Collective, in collaboration with the Committee to Support Kader Belaouni, presents KIDZ DAY – a day-long series of activities and fun for kids (and their parents).

SUNDAY, JULY 20, 1-6pm
The backyard of the St-Gabriel's Church
2157 rue Centre (métro Charlevoix)

All-day kids activities including:
3-legged races; dress-up; relays; frisbee; soccer; piñatas; sidewalk chalk; chess in the shade; water balloons; dodgeball; and more!!!

SAB Kidz Day is happening in conjunction with a BBQ organized by the Committee to Support Kader Belaouni.

-> Participating kids, parents and volunteers should RSVP BY PHONE (contact Liz at 514-482-0980). When reserving, please indicate any allergies, dietary requests, or other special needs for your child. For the convenience of parents and kids, we can arrange to pick you up at your home or at a nearby metro station. Don't hesitate to ask <-

BACKGROUND:

The Montreal Childcare Collective and Solidarity Across Borders (SAB) are together organizing a second "SAB Kids Day", this time in collaboration with the Committee to Support Kader Belaouni.

SAB Kidz Days are days where the children of parents we support and work with can participate in organized and fun kids activities (and parents can get a break from their kids, at least for a day!). Our first Kidz Day was visiting a special exhibit at the Botanical Garden; you can view photos here: http://photos.cmaq.net/v/kidzdayapril19/

We encourage you to get in touch with SAB network members, especially families we are supporting, and let them know about the next SAB Kidz Day which will be on SUNDAY, JULY 20 from 1-6pm (rain date is July 27; please phone Liz at 514-482-0980 to confirm whether the BBQ and Kidz Day is cancelled in case of rain).

-> The entire SAB KIDZ DAY is FREE!
-> Food and snacks will be available during the day, including BBQ!
-> The SAB KIDZ DAY is for kids of ALL AGES.
-> Parents are welcome to attend if they so choose.

Organized by:
Montreal Childcare Collective:
http://childcarecollective.blogspot.com

Solidarity Across Borders:
www.solidarityacrossborders.org

In collaboration with
The Committee to Support Kader Belaouni
www.soutienpourkader.net

INFO: solidaritesansfrontieres@gmail.com; Liz: 514-482-0980.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::
:::::::::::::::::::::::::

Journée des enfants - Solidarité sans frontières!
Une journée des activités pour les enfants
DIMANCHE 20 JUILLET – 13-18h

Solidarité sans frontières et le Reseau pour le soutien des enfants, en collaboration le Comité de soutien pour Kader Belaouni, organisent ensemble la 2e "Journée des enfants SSF!" – une journée des activités pour les enfants (et leurs parents).

DIMANCHE 20 JUILLET, 13-18h
En arrière de l'Église Saint-Gabriel
2157 rue Centre (métro Charlevoix)

Des activités pendant toute la journée, incluant:
course à relais; des déguisements; dessins sur la rue; les échecs à l'ombre; le ballon chasseur, jeux d'eau, frisbee, soccer, piñatas, et plus!!!

La journée des enfants est organisé en collaboration avec un Barbeque (BBQ) organisé par le Comité de soutien pour Kader Belaouni.

--> Les enfants, parents et bénévoles qui souhaitent participer doivent RÉSERVER PAR TÉLÉPHONE (communiquez avec Liz au 514-482-0980). Lorsque vous réservez, veuillez nous dire si vous avez besoin de transport depuis un métro ou chez vous. Informez-nous également de tout besoin particulier que pourrait avoir votre enfant (allergies, alimentation, etc.) <--
----------

La "Journée des enfants de Solidarité sans frontières" s'agit d'une journée où les enfants des parents que nous soutenons et avec lesquels nous travaillons peuvent participer à des activités amusantes pour les enfants. (Les parents ont ainsi la chance d'avoir un peu de répit le temps d'une journée!).

Pour notre première journée des enfants, nous avons visité le Jardin botanique; voici les photos: http://photos.cmaq.net/v/kidzdayapril19/

Nous vous encourageons à communiquer avec des membres du réseau de SSF, particulièrement avec les familles que nous soutenons, pour leur parler de cette journée d'activités qui aura lieu le 20 JUILLET (le 27 juillet en cas de pluie; svp téléphoner Liz à 514-482-0980 pour confirmer un changement de date en cas de pluie).

-> La journée des enfants SSF est GRATUITE!
-> La Journée des enfants SSF est pour les enfants de tous âges.
-> Les parents qui souhaitent participer sont les bienvenus.

Journée organisée par:
Le Reseau pour le soutien des enfants
http://childcarecollective.blogspot.com

Solidarité sans frontières`:
www.solidaritesansfrontieres.org

en collaboration avec
le Comité de soutien pour Kader Belaouni
www.soutienpourkader.net

INFO: solidaritesansfrontieres@gmail.com; Liz: 514-482-0980.

Read more!

Collective meeting - all welcome!

There will be a collective meeting this Sunday, July 13th at QPIRG Concordia (1500 de Maisonneuve E. #204) at 12pm (noon).

Come find out what's been happening with the Childcare Collective and see how you can get involved!

There will be snacks ; )

Read more!

Book/zine/movie recommendations?

QPIRG Concordia is updating their library and they're especially looking to revamp their kids' stuff. If you have any book, zine, graphic novel, image work, CD, film/video recommendations, (or anything you'd love to get your hands on but are having trouble finding/affording), let us know and we'll pass on the word.

Alternatively, you can contact Michel at library@qpirgconcordia.org or by calling (514) 848-7585.

Read more!

good ol' anarchist fun

Thanks so much to all the kids, parents, families, friends, workshop faciliators and volunteers who helped out with the KidZone at the Anarchist Bookfair last weekend! We had a total blast and couldn't have done it without y'all.

FYI we had over 80 kids come through our door on Saturday and Sunday, over 20 volunteers involved and 8 different workshops. Holy moly.

Stay tuned for more pics!

Read more!

KidZone at the Montreal Anarchist Bookfair! (May 17-18)

Saturday, May 17, 10am-6pm AND Sunday, May 18, 10am-5pm
at the CEDA, 2515 Delisle (métro Lionel Groulx)

Feel like wandering around the Bookfair without your kid(s)? Are they itching for some games, fun activities and snacks?? Alternatively, do you guys need a quiet space to chill out? Bring your kid(s) to the KidZone for tons of radical childcare fun! There will be outdoor activities, a craft/quiet room and workshops for any interested kids. Parents welcome!

Workshops include:
* Instrument making and musical mayhem with the Chaotic Insurrection Ensemble
* Drumming with Mark
* Face painting and body art with Emily "Mamma Bear"
* Hip Hop dancing with Dylan
* Zine-making with the St. Emilie Skillshare
* Pirate games with Loïc
* Learn how to DJ with DJ Diasporaface
* Soccer with Lissa and Mark

And more! For workshop times, check out the poster by the front entrance.

The entrance to the KidZone is located at the far end of the Main Hall, on the right side of the stage. Make sure to register your kid(s) before you drop them off!

Kids programming and childcare is organized by the Montreal Childcare Collective. If you're interested in finding out more about who we are, what we do, or you would like to get involved, come talk to us in the KidZone, or get in touch.

Info: childcarecollective@riseup.net - www.childcarecollective.blogspot.com
Montreal Anarchist Bookfair: www.anarchistbookfair.ca

Read more!

Zone d'enfants au Salon du livre anarchiste! (17-18 mai)

Samedi le 17 mai entre 10-18h et Dimanche le 18 mai entre 11-17h
au CEDA, 2515 rue Delisle (métro Lionel Groulx)

Ça vous tente de faire le tour du Salon du livre sans vos enfants? Vos enfants cherchent des activités amusantes, des jeux, et des collations? Amenez-les au Zone d'Enfants pour une grande sélection d'activités radicales pour les jeunes! Nous allons offrir des activités de plein air, des sports, une salle de repos et d'artisanat, et des ateliers pour les enfants curieux. Les parents sont le bienvenue!

Les ateliers:
- Fabrication d'instruments et le chaos musical avec l'Orchestre d'Insurrection Chaotique
- La danse hip hop avec Dillon
- Cours de tambourinage sur tambours et batteries avec Mark
- Match de soccer et pratique des techniques de soccer avec Lissa et Mark
- Réalisation des « zines » avec le partage-savoir Ste. Emilie
- Jeux de pirates avec Loïc
- Peinture de visage et autres activités artisanats avec Emily "Mamma Bear"
- Introduction à l'art de DJ avec DJ Diasporaface

Et plus! Pour l'horaire des ateliers, veuillez consulter les affiches près de l'entrée principale.

L'entrée au Zone d'Enfants est située au fond de la Salle principale, à droit de l'estrade. N'oubliez pas d'inscrire vos enfants avec nous avant de les déposer!

Programmation pour enfants et service de garde organisés par le Réseau pour le soutien des enfants de Montréal.

Info : childcarecollective@riseup.net - www.childcarecollective.blogspot.com
Salon du livre anarchiste de Montréal: www.salonanarchiste.ca

Read more!

PHOTOS! SAB Kidz Day! Journée des enfants SSF!

Solidarity Across Borders and the Childcare Collective organized a visit to the "Butterflys Go Free!" Exhibit at Montreal's Botanical Gardens and Insectarium (April 19, 2008). For more photos from the SAB Kidz Day, click HERE.

Solidarité sans frontières, en collaboration avec le Reseau pour le soutien des enfants, a organisé une visit à l'exhibition "Papillons en liberté" au Jardin Botanique et l'Insectarium de Montréal (19 avril 2008). Pour des photos de la Journée, cliquez ICI.

Read more!

}i{ Papillons }i{

Thanks to everyone involved for a fabulous SAB Kidz Day! Stay tuned for pictures and news about the next Kidz Day coming up in June (props to Jaggi for being our official photographer).

Have any suggestions for what we should do? Ideas so far have included going to the farm for a day, or maybe Oka beach.

Read more!

Kidz Day reminder

Interested in volunteering for the SAB Kidz day on April 19th? Know some kids who would like to come along? It's not too late! For volunteering, contact lesliebagg@yahoo.ca. To register kids, call Jos at (514) 377-0109 or jocelyn.porter@gmail.com.

Thank you to the People's Potato for providing lunch!!

(for more details about the day, see post from April 1st)

Read more!

9th annual Montreal Anarchist Bookfair (stay tuned for details about kids programming)

www.salonanarchiste.ca

www.anarchistbookfair.ca

Read more!

SAB Kidz Day - April 19th

The Montreal Childcare Collective and Solidarity Across Borders are organizing a "SAB Kids Day" for SATURDAY APRIL 19.

We will be visiting the butterfly exhibit at the Botanical Gardens!!

This day is entirely FREE! Kids can be dropped off at QPIRG Concordia (1500 de Maisonneuve O, #204) any time between 10am and 1pm. From there we will metro to the Gardens. Kids can be picked up at QPIRG at 5pm. Lunch and metro tickets are provided.

Pick-ups and drop-offs from homes or metros are available. For questions or to RSVP, please call Jos at (514) 377-0109.

Read more!

Article in the McGill Daily

Check out article "Daycare collective provides radical childcare" from the McGill Daily this week, in which Selena Ross and Leslie Bagg are interviewed about the Childcare Collective.

(Selena and baby Fiona. Holy cute)

Read more!

Come one come all

To the next collective meeting: Saturday March 29th at 11am, QPIRG Concordia (#204 1500 de Maisonneuve O, at Mackay).

All welcome!

Read more!

A Montreal Freeschool Workshop with the Montreal Childcare Network

Sunday 9 March 2-5pm :: Grassroots Childcare in NDG

@ MUCS: 2000 Northcliffe x. Maisoneuve, #218, Metro Vendome
(enter by the driveway at the north side of the building)

*All Ages Welcome; Free Childcare and Activities for Kids*
*Some snacks will be served, bring something to share if you like*

The Montreal Childcare Collective is a group of volunteers who provide
free childcare at community events and meetings across the city, in
solidarity with organizations working for social justice. They will share
their experiences coordinating this type of work, as well as their own
resources and knowledge about childcare, including the idea of an
anti-authoritarian approach, conflict resolution, and the politics of
childcare.

This workshop will also be a space for brainstorming, networking and
strategising about grassroots childcare in NDG - What do local community
organizations need? What concerns do parents have? What has worked in the
past? Please bring some of your own ideas, stories and goals.
More info: montrealfreeschool[at]gmail.com, 514 357 2090

http://montrealfreeschool.org/
http://mucs.ca/

Read more!

Listserv policy (once more with feeling)

Sorry, guys, I couldn't get that link to work. Below is a copy of the policy:

Policy and tips for using the Montreal Childcare Network’s listserves

Hi! This document has two main purposes: to fill members in about how the network functions, and to suggest ways of improving our communication in organizing.

It’s a bit lengthy, but please take the time to look it over. Essential stuff is highlighted. Being a group that relies heavily on email as an organizing tool, the more effectively we use it, the better organized we’ll be and the more energy we’ll have to put into other things… like spending time with the families we work alongside of, or inventing new things to do with play-dough, etc.

The two lists and when to use them.

The childcare network currently uses two lists. The main one is the ‘volunteers’ or ‘big’ list, which we use for callouts for volunteers, to announce workshops and other events, or to post paid childcare opportunities. For the purpose of this document I’ll refer to this as the volunteers list.

The small list, AKA ‘collective’ or ‘organizing’ list, is mainly used for coordinating meetings, setting up workshops, assigning tasks, and other communication between members who are involved in the organizational side of the network’s activities. For clarity, I’ll call this the organizing list.

An important thing to note is that the organizing list is a SUB-SECTION of the volunteer list, not a separate thing – i.e., all ‘organizers’ are volunteers. In practice this means that you should never have to send the same message to both lists. A message to the volunteers list should make it to everyone.

Requests

When the childcare collective receives a request it can go down one of two ways:

The first: someone on the organizing side of the network knows of a need for volunteer childcare (as in, a group that they work closely with needs childcare for some meeting or event). That person can post the request to the volunteers list, and folks who are available to do it can communicate with that person directly. Although they may not be doing the childcare for the event themselves, it’s assumed that this person (the requester) is ‘bottomlining’ the request, and so is responsible for communication between the group and the childcare volunteers, including on-site.

The second: a request comes in on our email account or by phone at QPIRG, or a group makes a request for childcare via an organizing member of the network who’s not in the position to take on bottomlining. In these cases, a preliminary callout goes to the organizing list to find a bottomliner who can be in contact with both the group and volunteers (see section on labels). Once that person has stepped up, the request follows the same basic steps as in the first case.
In either situation, bottomliners are accountable to the Childcare Network for their requests (we put a lot of trust in folks not to use the volunteer list abusively, for example, to recruit free childcare for neo-con rallies, etc.)

Bottomliners should try to provide as much advance information to volunteers as possible about the event they’ll be doing childcare for, including but not limited to: *

What the event is about
Relevant info about the group
How many children are expected to attend (including infants)
How many volunteers are expected to attend
What time volunteers should show up and when they can leave (if there are shifts, who takes over for who and when)
Directions to and from the event
Details about space and materials (will there be a separate, child-friendly room? Are any on-site childcare supplies available to use? Kid-friendly snacks? Is there outdoor access? Etc)
Special needs of kids, if known
Contact person on-site for the event

*(We hope to clean up/systematize this list in the near future…)

Labels are not always a bad thing

Writing clear subject lines for emails is really important and can save people lots of time!
Below is a set of suggested labels and abbreviations that our group can use at the beginning of the subject line to identify different kinds of emails. The list is not exhaustive so you can also modify or create new labels/abandon redundant ones as needed, as long as the meanings are clear.

Example:

Instead of:
RE: re: [kid net]RE:(Fwd: [anti-racists coalition] Demo against racism!) re: RE [kid net]I’m too busy can somebody bottomline…

You could write:
B/L? march 29th anti-racists demo

Suggested labels:

Volunteers list:
VOLUNTEERS : a volunteer childcare request sent out by the event bottomliner. People responding to this request should communicate directly with that person/people.
PAID GIG : a posting for a paid childcare opportunity. Unlike volunteer requests, people may be directed to communicate with someone outside of the volunteer network.
WORKSHOP : an upcoming workshop hosted by the childcare net.
ANNOUNCEMENT : (self-evident)

Organizing list:
B/L? : a request in search of a bottomliner
$ : an update or question about finances
MTG : a proposal to have a meeting; a reminder of a meeting; etc etc etc. Ideally in the case of proposing a meeting, one person should take responsibility for calling it, and getting people’s feedback and availabilities if necessary. People can then respond to that one person, instead of having an email ‘conversation’ with the whole group.
DOC : some policy document in attachment for people to review (like this one. Save stuff as RTF for best compatibility!)
PROP : some other kind of proposal made by the sender
QUESTION : a question for the entire group
OT : off-topic (you are invited to a potluck to celebrate my dog’s recovery from his kidney operation, thanks everyone for the great treats last meeting, etc. Anything that doesn’t fit elsewhere but you really want to say to the group before the next meeting)
ATTN: (SOMEONE) : you need to communicate something to one or two people in the collective but for whatever reason you don’t have their individual contacts

Working group info or other stuff that comes in on our email account can be forwarded to the list with a default subject line (usually the QPIRGS have really clear subject headings to begin with)

Cross-posting and reply vs. reply all

Please keep in mind that lists can quickly become very high-traffic and this makes it hard for people to use. In particular, we want the volunteer list to be as light-traffic as possible to keep it user-friendly (and to keep our volunteers!) So, in the interest of keeping traffic to a minimum, PLEASE consider the following:

- The childcare collective list is intended as an organizing tool for people who want to do political childcare. Please ONLY post childcare-related messages.

- Most e-mail exchanges only need to happen between a few people. Before sending something to the whole group, consider whether it would make sense to send it to an individual instead. Comments that you would like to have communicated to the group can also be sent to the bottomliner of the next meeting, who can then bring it to the group.

- We have a blog! A forum for more dynamic online conversations exists now, so go ahead and use it. (childcarecollective.blogspot.com)

Thanks for taking the time to read this over! Solidarity and happy organizing…

Read more!

Listserv policy

Check it out! Laura Mac has written a great new listerv protocol. Yes folks, we are geeking-out pretty hard, but it's full of funny laura-icisms and will help us use the listservs as efficiently as possible. As she points it:

"Being a group that relies heavily on email as an organizing tool, the more effectively we use it, the better organized we'll be and the more energy we'll have to put into other things… like spending time with the families we work alongside of, or inventing new things to do with play-dough, etc."

If you use one or both of the listerves (or would like to learn more about them and how they're used), please give it a read.

Read more!

Coffeehouse feedback

Thanks to everyone who came out to the coffeehouse discussion on Sunday! It was great to see new and old faces alike, and to hear people share their thoughts and diverse experiences. Among other topics, we had some productive discussions about practical ways to be anti-authoritarian and gender inclusive in the work we do (questions that come up frequently!).

Thanks for all the great ideas!

If you want to have some say in how this all plays out within the collective, or to contribute to the organizing side of things, come on out to our next meeting: Sunday Feb. 10th at MUCS 5pm.

Read more!

Fun at St. Gabriel's

At Kader's solidarity concert, Naeem's message is clear; the immigrant minister is seeing no/hearing no/speaking no justice!

Read more!

Coffeehouse Discussion

Dear Friends;

The Montreal Childcare Collective invites you to our ‘coffeehouse discussion’
Sunday February 3rd at the 2110 center (2110 mackay) from 1-4 pm.

We welcome new volunteers, old volunteers, parents, kids, friends and
allies to get to know us and engage in discussions over lunch and hot drinks.

We will be opening up discussions around the practice of childcare, the
politics of childcare, and representations of race and gender.

We especially encourage people who are interested in doing childcare to come
and find out more about us and how to get involved!!!!

Read more!