Regular readers will know I run a spoken-word event called Hotchpotch. In that capacity, I was invited last week to a meeting with people who run other spoken-word events around Scotland to discuss how the creation of a new network.
While we don’t know exactly what this will look like, members would be able to access support and a direct connection to Scottish literary and creative institutions.
Safeguarding was the first issue discussed, as everyone had a story about difficult attendees. In particular, we discussed how to stop someone from turning up at a given event after being banned from another, but within the bounds of data protection.
We also talked about how to make this network self-sustaining. I can think of previous similar initiatives that either didn’t have a chance to start or fizzled out from lack of motivation or interest.
There were other issues raised as well, and we’ll probably expand on those at the next meeting in just under a fortnight. Altogether, I look forward to seeing what shape this network will take.
Gavin Cameron 