Belong and TSS Group Meeting
Meeting Minutes
28/07/21
I. Call to order
The acting-facilitator, a TSS volunteer, called to order the ad hoc meeting of Belong and the volunteers of The Moorooka Social Space (TSS) at 1830 on 28/07/21 at The Social Space, Clifton St., Moorooka.
II. Roll call
Kevin gave acknowledgement of country and took roll call at 1837. Present and in attendance were Trish Cattermole (Belong CEO), Kevin Leong, and 18 representatives of the volunteers and community groups that operate out of the space (at time of roll call). Also present, via video call, was Liz Woods.
III. Open Issues
- Volunteer’s concerns regarding the installation of several audio-visual security cameras, with facial recognition capacity, on site at the Moorooka Social Space.
The primary business on the agenda was the installation of several security cameras at the Moorooka Social Space by employees of Belong, without prior discussion between Belong and the representatives of the TSS volunteers. Kevin explained the concerns of the TSS volunteers, specifically outlining that many raised objections to Belong following the installation of the cameras on the 22/06/21, without any significant response until 19/07/21. Volunteers had felt that the installation of these cameras without warning was a breach of trust and interfered with the reasonable expectation of privacy that they had when working at a space that caters to a diverse community, with vulnerable members that attend the space for sensitive activities such as counselling. Kevin outlined that the main objective of the meeting was to reach a resolution for this concern. - Response from Belong to the volunteer’s concerns.
Trish, acting in her capacity as CEO of Belong, responded to the complaints of the volunteers by first assuring that the complaints of the volunteers had been heard and understood, and that the cameras were going to be shut off. She explained to attendees that the cameras had been installed as part of a broader, necessary upgrade to the security of Belong’s properties (including repairing faulty doors, damaged locks and windows, etc.), and that the specific installation of security cameras was not a conscious decision on behalf of any agents of Belong. It was clarified that the cameras were selected by a third-party firm, funded by a grant Belong had received from the government for said upgrades, and that an employee had signed off on them without realizing the possible concerns. Trish apologised to the representatives of the volunteers and community groups present, and explained that the delayed response was due to her being out of the office for an extended period and unable to respond directly, which she felt was necessary due to the complex nature of the concerns raised. She further attributed this to a lack of communication, and with unanimous support moved to have the issue of regular meetings between TSS representatives and Belong added to the agenda of the meeting. Resolution – Cameras will be shut off at Belong Social Space properties, and representatives of TSS will be contacted via email by the 3/8/21 confirming whether or not they can be physically removed, pursuant to concerns raised regarding apparent surveillance. - Floor Opened to attendees to raise concerns to Trish directly.
Volunteers took this time to address specific questions, giving Trish a chance to reply. Facilitators were active in moderating discussion to ensure Trish was able to reply to concerns as they came up. Some of these have been moved to the following agenda item, as they were concerned with future meetings, but some sought clarification on who had called the meeting initially. Other volunteers wanted to know what steps would be taken to ensure trust between Belong and TSS volunteers going forward, and whether discussion of meetings had been broached in the past, and one attendee raised concerns regarding the legality of the surveillance equipment. Trish clarified that she had called the meeting, that these meetings were her answer to the issue of trust between Belong and the volunteers at the spaces they own, and that she had brought up the potential of meetings in the past, as well as organising events, but that lack of interest or attendance had prevented their successful organisation. Finally, she explained that the cameras would be taken down if possible, and at minimum removed, which she felt addressed the legal issues. Discussion ended when a volunteer noted that it had begun to go in circles, due to the personal nature of the security concerns.
IV. New Business
- Trish moved to organise regular meetings between Belong and TSS volunteer representatives.
Trish sought agreement from attendees to organise regular meetings, in order to keep communication open and clear between the different organisations that are stakeholders in decisions made regarding the Social Space. She explained that she sought monthly meetings, and that no specific attendance would be required to reach a quorum so long as representatives of TSS and Belong were in attendance. She asked that all who could attend do, and explained that this was her solution to the many concerns raised in discussion, by ensuring a positive and communicative relationship could be maintained between Belong and the volunteers.
Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 1930 by the facilitator. The next general meeting will be at 1830 on 25/08/21, in The Moorooka Social Space.
Minutes submitted by: Lachlan Hoy (TSS volunteer)
Approved by: Name
Original Document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17AVfo893e6dz9JlgfL_ApwcyoBYmnE2J