Welcome to StART's 2020 AGM

Marlene Barrett

I have been actively involved in StART from its beginning until last year, in particular helping to develop StART’s vision and strategy, negotiate with the GLA, and fundraise. Now that a developer for the site is about to be announced it’s vital for the communities around St Ann’s to continue to have a say in how the development is shaped and to make sure that the commitments to affordable and community-led housing are upheld. I want to support StART to work out its role in this and to ensure that community-led housing and involvement in St Ann’s reflects the diversity of the communities around it. I want to use my facilitation and project management skills, and experience of collective organising, to support StART to move forward.

 

Ivana Ćurčić

As an active member of StART of three years, I would like to offer my application for Director. I bring years of work with community groups, both in my past job as public librarian and local resident, active volunteer in StART and Friends of Chestnuts Park, as well as St Ann’s Mutual Aid. I have worked with past StART Directors and members of various StART subgroups to promote the aims of genuinely affordable housing, strong environmental and sustainability principles for development, and health equality. I have been active in the Outreach subgroup, regularly attended the Strategy subgroup and Directors (Main) meetings, followed the work of the Environment subgroup, and also contributed to various ad-hoc groups that addressed issues relevant at the time, such as decision-making. Although I have attended various events relevant for StART, my favourite activity is outreach in the community.

I hope to contribute with my past experiences of school/public/university librarian, used to working effectively in teams and with community stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, with strong administrative, communication, and organizational skills. While I have worked with volunteers in libraries, I myself have volunteered actively in local groups, especially since moving to Tottenham in 2013. People I have worked and volunteered with consider me to be person who thinks creatively, independently, and shows good will. Being trilingual and multicultural, and having lived, studied, and worked in four different countries, I have often been in the position of initially being an outsider, but eventually acting as a bridge between different cultures. Moving across countries, languages, and cultures, I have learned to see the bigger picture, be flexible, and learn quickly. I believe strongly in the principles of equality and social justice. While my strength is particularly in working with community-led groups and outreach, I also understand that a Director needs to have commitment to responsible governance.

 

Ruth Moulton

Having had a break for the last year i'd like to return to being a director to support and help guide StART into it's next phase where the local community can become involved in guiding development, building a strong on site community and facilitating local people to aply for homes on the site. I believe StART should use it's experience and expertise to support a housing group, such as a local housing coop, to develope the 50 clt homes. I bring experience of IT, finances and teaching, and all the knowledge and skills gained as an active member of StART for some 4 years

 

Sinéad Rushe

I am a long-standing member of START and have lived in Haringey for over 20 years. Given that the GLA are about to announce the developer for the St. Ann’s site, I’m standing for election to help determine what is the next best stage for StART. I’m committed to StART’s vision of delivering affordable homes on the site for local communities.

I’m Irish, I work as a theatre director and am Senior Lecturer at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, London (part of University of London). Up to a year ago, I was part of the strategy sub-group and wrote the monthly START newsletter.

 

Chris Setz

A community-oriented person with direct experience helping achieve positive, community-led change. Performed almost every function in the technology industry from trainee to President of a professional association, over four decades. A range of housing experience, from Shelter whilst a teenager to consulting for the government body issuing billions to Housing Associations. Long-term ex-volunteer and organiser for the Transition Towns movement. Been an active StART member for a few years now. Good communication skills. Passionate about social justice, I want to help StART negotiate the best possible outcome.

I would like to nominate myself to stand for election as a StART director.

 

Natasha Sivanandan

I am a local resident and an active member of StART. I have campaigned for many years for decent social and genuinely affordable housing and on issues of equality and justice. I am a former teacher, equalities advisor and barrister. I recently gave evidence to the Examination in Public on the Mayor’s new draft London Plan on issues of equality and social housing. I am the lead contact person in StART’s CLH sub group with the consultancy firm Campbell Tickell who carried out the StART feasibility study and I chaired the meetings held with the developers prior to their bidding for the GLA contract for the site. I am efficient, organised, transparent and democratic and have time to commit to StART. I have good legal and negotiating skills, financial management experience and sound strategic vision and independent judgment. I believe that my values, knowledge, skills and experience will be a valuable asset to the StART board of Directors.

 

Tony Wood

I was instrumental in setting up StART and have a huge amount of both knowledge and connections within the Community-led Housing community in London and further afield. I was a director of the organisation from its start until last year when I needed space so stepped down for a short period. I have good knowledge of StART’s governing documents and all the relevant legislation, and am passionate about StART pursuing its objective. While involved in StART I was heavily involved in its Strategy sub group and would hope that everyone active at that time felt I contributed towards StART’s strategic direction and overall policy. As Treasure of the organisation for around three years I feel I can help ensure the organisations financial stability and proper management. In respect of the specific skills StART needs I feel I can contribute actively and in a meaningful way with the following: organisational management; people management; property management; community engagement and inclusion; financial management; fundraising and income generation; publicity and media work; housing and planning