I attended the inaugural meeting of the proposed National Community Activists Network held in Birmingham on 21st/ 22nd May.  Their Website went live on the following Monday and is accessible to allactivists.

One point to note and a matter which requires some attention. The NatCan Website contains a Yorkshire and the Humber section titled YCAN. Whilst that site is intended only to report the progress of our community Network, members should note that it is a seperate Website to this one and has a different, (if overlapping in some cases), membership. It will be confusing to anyone joining YCAN initially and it is going to prove to be unworkable if we have two seperate YCAN sites. There needs to be some action to either merge the two sites / organisations / memberhsips.

For my part, I will talk to Joe and Tony with a view to clarifying these issues and will post a blog on the NatCan Site, (and its YCan section), pointing out the difference between the two sites and that joining one does not mean you have automatically joined both. They are currently seperate entities.

NatCan Meeting.

There were reps from as far afield as Scotland and Cornwall, mainly grass roots people but a sprinkling of Voluntary Sector organisations, CDX and a London based organisation. Those people who attended now form a Steering Group to further the development of NatCan, sort the Constitution and organise a Conference / AGM. As stated, the Website is live and there are many thought provoking discussions already posted. If you are not already a member you can access the content by simply entering Natcan into your computer.

Its worth noting that though there were some strong personalities and views expressed at the Birmingham meeting, there was no attempt by any group / organisation to take over or impose their views on other members. Its very civilised and respectful of personal views and goals.

 I will post more information on the development of NatCan as it develops.

P Martin