Saturday session
• Talked with I and person enquiring about setting up a shed in Port Chalmers
• Meet with J and M to discuss end shed cover plans
• Worked with M on shed cover
• Difficulties working with materials and producing an end product we were happy with
• Smoko and rugby talk, caught up with volunteer who met visitors at airport. Discussed numbers at the shed and workshop space.
• Finished cover project for the day with M
• Cleaned up work area
When I arrived I was talking with a person who was visiting and making enquiries about setting up a shed in Port Chalmers. I joined this discussion and I comments reaffirmed a number of foundation point of the shed that had been mentioned on previous occasions these being
• The making of place through renovating and constructing the shed and it facilities.
• A clear focus on what the shed does both community and individual projects. I acknowledged this was a difficult balance and one which had been discussed amongst the members as noted in last week’s journal entry.
• The need to have the support of others (organizations and communities) and a critical mass of people who organize and drive shed structure and progress. These points were seen as vital by I. The visitor from Port was currently in the process of holding community meetings. He wanted to orientate the shed at Port to the community and discussed using the label ‘Community Shed’ rather than blokes shed. The plan being to involve as many sectors of the community as possible. My thoughts are that this would be a difficult balancing act as there would have to be a degree of management of which groups used the shed and when. It may also transpire that in meeting with the community that there is a defined group who would benefit most from the shed and it may be more productive to meet this need rather than trying to cater for all. Catering for a distinct group such as the Blokes Shed does helps enable community and place through familiarity, similarity and a degree of commonality of purpose. Some of the literature reviewed indicates that sheds work best if they cater for this.
• The Port visitor said he’d keep the Blokes Shed informed of progress. I also plan to keep an eye on the local papers and media for developments.
Meet with J and M to discuss end shed cover plans. We looked at the tarp which a member had purchased for the end. A shared concern was that the quality of the material was nowhere near the same as the other blinds. Give the relatively low cost of the tarp and the availability of other materials we decided to fit the blind and see how well it lasted. Myself and M worked on the cover following steps from the previous week. We struck a number of minor difficulties and frustrations around using and fitting the material. We had to double over the tarp as cutting it to fit would have weakened it. This made the blind less tidy the front side. Neither M and myself were happy with the final product and other members commented that although it was functional it didn’t match the other blinds and wouldn’t be a s durable. After consulting with J we decided to revisit the cover fitting next Saturday. This highlighted to me the balance between making do a the shed and also producing a result that meet purpose.
Smoko comprised more rugby talk about the progress of teams in the world cup. I caught up with volunteer who met visitors at airport last week and he talked about how much he’d enjoyed directing the English visitors to local bars and night spots. I also got talking to P and E about how things were going in the workshop that morning. This lead to discussion about how busy the space was becoming and the difficulties of working around each other. To me this raises safety and productivity issues around how many can attend on any set day. Today was fine so a number of members worked outside, thus alleviating the problem however this is not always the case. Space and popularity of the shed had been noted in the Wednesday meeting and plans are being discussed to open on additional days.
Finished cover project for the day with M
Cleaned up work area. I noticed many of the member had departed by 12 noon and not all areas we as clean as at the beginning of the day. I have observed that I and J often are the last to leave and do lock up and tidy up. I’m unsure if this is a frustrations for them, something they see as their role or something the shed needs to reinforce as a shared responsibility.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Date: 10 September 2011
First Attendance on a Saturday continued with cover for the woodshed
• Meet with Jim to discuss moving shed cover to main wall not wanting to waste material
• Met M young member 14 years, members really seemed to enjoy having him around
• Starting to feel confident in putting my point of view across with the cover project
• Some dissention about J role amongst other members I work with
• Smoko and rugby talk, one member volunteering to meet visitors at airport
• Finished cover project for the day with M
• Took Photos
I arrived at 9.30 today the first Saturday session I’ve attended. As I arrived I meet with Jim to discuss moving the shed cover we had tacked to the side wall at the end of the last session to the main wall. Both myself and J had been thinking about this since last Wednesday and were not wanting to waste material. We untacked the sheet and laid it out and measured the length against the front wall (see photos). It turned out we had enough length to cover all of the front three bays.
In starting this project we were joined by M, the young member (14 years) who I heard the other members talking about at the August monthly meeting. We were also joined by IH a regular Saturday attendee who I meet at the Bunnings stock take. The members really seemed to enjoy having him M around and he appeared keen to be involved and learn off the members.
During our work around building the binds for the front three bays J came and went he said he wanted to leave it over to us, but he did return periodically to check on progress and question why we were doing thing as we were. I felt confident taking on the task and working with the other two who started to look to me for advice in leading the project. I tried to follow J lead and ask M and IH for their thoughts. IH was happy to suggest small things like doubling up saw horse as a mobile work bench. He however often differed to my judgment with good hearted comments like ’I know a trades man when I see one’. Other members came and went over the morning many commenting on how good the cover looked. During this task I felt my point of view and judgment were respected and I felt like a valued member of the shed.
During smoko I got talking with M about why he came to the shed. He was looking to get work experience in the engineering field and hadn’t had much luck until a family member suggested he approach the shed. He has been a regular attendee for the past few months and was becoming an official paid up member that day. M told me he really enjoyed attending and learning off the Men. To me he appears very mature in his approach to the work. He quickly asked for advice and made suggestions for example fixings for the blinds. A number of the other members like giving M a ‘hard time’ joking that they would write a report for his teacher or analyzing his work and making good humored comments. M seemed to respond well to this and even made comments on the work of other members.
During the mornings work and at smoko I noted some dissention about J and the way he offered advice on projects. IH sarcastically called him the ‘shed boss’ and ‘he who’s in charge’ to other members. I feel I’ve started to build a nice relationship with J through the work we’ve done together. This is the first time I noticed other members might hold different views to mine. This is something I plan to keep monitoring as a relationship dynamic in the shed.
At smoko there was a lot of rugby talk given the start of the world cup the night before, one member told me about his volunteering for the cup, meeting visitors at the airport. He was off there after the shed to meet some English visitors.
Myself and M finished the cover project for the day at 12.30 and talked with J about fixing plans for the blinds next session.
After tidy up I took photos of the sheds and surrounding environments See below) making sure not to capture any members as I’ve not yet had official ethics approval yet.
• Meet with Jim to discuss moving shed cover to main wall not wanting to waste material
• Met M young member 14 years, members really seemed to enjoy having him around
• Starting to feel confident in putting my point of view across with the cover project
• Some dissention about J role amongst other members I work with
• Smoko and rugby talk, one member volunteering to meet visitors at airport
• Finished cover project for the day with M
• Took Photos
I arrived at 9.30 today the first Saturday session I’ve attended. As I arrived I meet with Jim to discuss moving the shed cover we had tacked to the side wall at the end of the last session to the main wall. Both myself and J had been thinking about this since last Wednesday and were not wanting to waste material. We untacked the sheet and laid it out and measured the length against the front wall (see photos). It turned out we had enough length to cover all of the front three bays.
In starting this project we were joined by M, the young member (14 years) who I heard the other members talking about at the August monthly meeting. We were also joined by IH a regular Saturday attendee who I meet at the Bunnings stock take. The members really seemed to enjoy having him M around and he appeared keen to be involved and learn off the members.
During our work around building the binds for the front three bays J came and went he said he wanted to leave it over to us, but he did return periodically to check on progress and question why we were doing thing as we were. I felt confident taking on the task and working with the other two who started to look to me for advice in leading the project. I tried to follow J lead and ask M and IH for their thoughts. IH was happy to suggest small things like doubling up saw horse as a mobile work bench. He however often differed to my judgment with good hearted comments like ’I know a trades man when I see one’. Other members came and went over the morning many commenting on how good the cover looked. During this task I felt my point of view and judgment were respected and I felt like a valued member of the shed.
During smoko I got talking with M about why he came to the shed. He was looking to get work experience in the engineering field and hadn’t had much luck until a family member suggested he approach the shed. He has been a regular attendee for the past few months and was becoming an official paid up member that day. M told me he really enjoyed attending and learning off the Men. To me he appears very mature in his approach to the work. He quickly asked for advice and made suggestions for example fixings for the blinds. A number of the other members like giving M a ‘hard time’ joking that they would write a report for his teacher or analyzing his work and making good humored comments. M seemed to respond well to this and even made comments on the work of other members.
During the mornings work and at smoko I noted some dissention about J and the way he offered advice on projects. IH sarcastically called him the ‘shed boss’ and ‘he who’s in charge’ to other members. I feel I’ve started to build a nice relationship with J through the work we’ve done together. This is the first time I noticed other members might hold different views to mine. This is something I plan to keep monitoring as a relationship dynamic in the shed.
At smoko there was a lot of rugby talk given the start of the world cup the night before, one member told me about his volunteering for the cup, meeting visitors at the airport. He was off there after the shed to meet some English visitors.
Myself and M finished the cover project for the day at 12.30 and talked with J about fixing plans for the blinds next session.
After tidy up I took photos of the sheds and surrounding environments See below) making sure not to capture any members as I’ve not yet had official ethics approval yet.
Date: 7 September 2011
September’s monthly meeting and cover for the woodshed
I arrived late for the start of the sheds monthly meeting due to work commitments. I put in my apologies as I arrived. Below is an outline of the issues raised at meeting.
Tool wish list and maintenance: I has told me that one of the regular agenda items is to look at tool maintenance and consider which tools and equipment are required. It arose a number of issues around the development of the shed and how members viewed the purpose of the shed. At this meeting members noted that the shed has a number of duplicate tools, ‘more than is needed’, one member stated. A number agreed that with the donation of tools during the sheds first year of set up and the willingness of the shed to take all and any donations there was now an oversupply of tools, many of which required maintenance and were of poor quality. Two members commented the tools should be thinned out and that elected members should judge how many are required and whether we need to buy or look for better quality. This raised discussions that the committee should revisits past notions of having elected members who oversee the woodwork shed, the machine shed, and the welding shed. This was noted as being a potential AGM agenda item. A number of the members commented that the shed had developed very quickly with community projects coming in from the very beginning. Comparison was made this the Kings shed who had approx 12 months to plan and fit out their shed. Those who had been to the Kings shed spoke about the organization of their spaces being more purpose/project focused where as this shed had developed as members renovated spaces and set up areas as they went working around community projects.
The discussion then shifted to the balance between individual and community project. A number of the members openly talked about the focus on community projects being at the expense of their own projects. Members did not appear anti community projects but a number appeared to have more time on their own work. It was noted by I as the meeting chair that a lot of the shed development and community project were coming to an end and there may well be time for more individual projects in the near future. The discussion came to a close then but it is a theme that I intend to follow up in discussions with members and in individual interviews.
Ongoing cost and funding application: This was the first time I seen BB at the shed who was my original contact for the shed and founding member. BB struck me as being very opinionated in the meeting discussion around funding applications and invitations to join the Men’s Shed association. M one of the newer member with a job history in project management and planning offered suggestions around planning application for funding based on project and equipment requirements. BB was reasonable short in his response that this was under control at present. This to mean seemed like a lost opportunity as M indicated he would be willing to help with funding.
BB and I indicated that they had again been approached to join the Men’s Shed movement but had declined and were dismissive of the idea. Although, as previously stated a number of members have been reasonable negative towards joining this association I do want to check this is a prevailing view with all members
I introduced myself to BB once the meeting had concluded but did not manage to have a long talk.
Bunning’s Equipment Auction: the shed had been donated another load of ‘as is’ equipment from Bunnings. There was a good deal of discussion about how this equipment could be sold to make money for the shed. Two members noted to general agreement from the majority of members that if goods are to be sold again this needs to involve more than just the shed members. It was suggested by M that TradeMe is an option but this was discounted as the responsibility of selling goods through Trademe would fall on individual members and not the shed as a whole. A decision was made after discussion to invite King Shed members, The Areo Club and Partners of Shed members.
Smoko
After the meeting conclusion we had smoko and I talked with I about my impression of the meeting. I stated that I was pleased to see so many members engaged in the conversation. My other impressions not shared with I were that along with many members being involved in the discussion it was also interesting to see members passionate about the topics discussed and willing to share opinions. My opinion here is that this indicates strength of this community as members care about the shed operations.
Shed cover and talk with J
After smoko I meet with J who had not been at the meeting to discuss continued work on the wood shed. J seemed agitated at first with organizing other members I overheard him talking about members ‘wasting his time’. I’m unsure what this comment was about. We got talking about the cover I’d brought in last week and how to best use it. Jim was impressed by the quality of the cover and we both wanted to make sure it wasn’t wasted. We spent a lot of time discussing ideas for covering the end of the shed with a blind that could be rolled up (this can be seen in photos). In the end we tacked it to the end of the shed uncut. The plan being to look at cutting the sheet next week and re attaching the remaining material to the front side of the shed. This was how the project was left at the end of the day.
I also had a long talk with J after he asked me about my study and my time at the shed. After explaining the structure of the study J made the following comments about why he comes to the shed.
• He was not wanting to be part of committee organization just wanting to do and help out. He stated that he’d had enough management of people in his previous jobs and didn’t need the hassle. He was happy to provide planning advice and guidance but not wanting to take on the responsibility of a leadership role. He see it as the shed responsibility to make do, keeping cost down and not taking short cuts by buying materials and taking the easy way out. He talk about showing M how to fuse PVC piping for the woodshed spouting a skill he had learnt from a fellow worker and was proud to pass on.He was also concerned about the tidiness of the outside area, a current focus. He noted that the cover over should improve the look here.
Finished at 12.30 with a plan to attend this coming Saturday to work on the cover
I arrived late for the start of the sheds monthly meeting due to work commitments. I put in my apologies as I arrived. Below is an outline of the issues raised at meeting.
Tool wish list and maintenance: I has told me that one of the regular agenda items is to look at tool maintenance and consider which tools and equipment are required. It arose a number of issues around the development of the shed and how members viewed the purpose of the shed. At this meeting members noted that the shed has a number of duplicate tools, ‘more than is needed’, one member stated. A number agreed that with the donation of tools during the sheds first year of set up and the willingness of the shed to take all and any donations there was now an oversupply of tools, many of which required maintenance and were of poor quality. Two members commented the tools should be thinned out and that elected members should judge how many are required and whether we need to buy or look for better quality. This raised discussions that the committee should revisits past notions of having elected members who oversee the woodwork shed, the machine shed, and the welding shed. This was noted as being a potential AGM agenda item. A number of the members commented that the shed had developed very quickly with community projects coming in from the very beginning. Comparison was made this the Kings shed who had approx 12 months to plan and fit out their shed. Those who had been to the Kings shed spoke about the organization of their spaces being more purpose/project focused where as this shed had developed as members renovated spaces and set up areas as they went working around community projects.
The discussion then shifted to the balance between individual and community project. A number of the members openly talked about the focus on community projects being at the expense of their own projects. Members did not appear anti community projects but a number appeared to have more time on their own work. It was noted by I as the meeting chair that a lot of the shed development and community project were coming to an end and there may well be time for more individual projects in the near future. The discussion came to a close then but it is a theme that I intend to follow up in discussions with members and in individual interviews.
Ongoing cost and funding application: This was the first time I seen BB at the shed who was my original contact for the shed and founding member. BB struck me as being very opinionated in the meeting discussion around funding applications and invitations to join the Men’s Shed association. M one of the newer member with a job history in project management and planning offered suggestions around planning application for funding based on project and equipment requirements. BB was reasonable short in his response that this was under control at present. This to mean seemed like a lost opportunity as M indicated he would be willing to help with funding.
BB and I indicated that they had again been approached to join the Men’s Shed movement but had declined and were dismissive of the idea. Although, as previously stated a number of members have been reasonable negative towards joining this association I do want to check this is a prevailing view with all members
I introduced myself to BB once the meeting had concluded but did not manage to have a long talk.
Bunning’s Equipment Auction: the shed had been donated another load of ‘as is’ equipment from Bunnings. There was a good deal of discussion about how this equipment could be sold to make money for the shed. Two members noted to general agreement from the majority of members that if goods are to be sold again this needs to involve more than just the shed members. It was suggested by M that TradeMe is an option but this was discounted as the responsibility of selling goods through Trademe would fall on individual members and not the shed as a whole. A decision was made after discussion to invite King Shed members, The Areo Club and Partners of Shed members.
Smoko
After the meeting conclusion we had smoko and I talked with I about my impression of the meeting. I stated that I was pleased to see so many members engaged in the conversation. My other impressions not shared with I were that along with many members being involved in the discussion it was also interesting to see members passionate about the topics discussed and willing to share opinions. My opinion here is that this indicates strength of this community as members care about the shed operations.
Shed cover and talk with J
After smoko I meet with J who had not been at the meeting to discuss continued work on the wood shed. J seemed agitated at first with organizing other members I overheard him talking about members ‘wasting his time’. I’m unsure what this comment was about. We got talking about the cover I’d brought in last week and how to best use it. Jim was impressed by the quality of the cover and we both wanted to make sure it wasn’t wasted. We spent a lot of time discussing ideas for covering the end of the shed with a blind that could be rolled up (this can be seen in photos). In the end we tacked it to the end of the shed uncut. The plan being to look at cutting the sheet next week and re attaching the remaining material to the front side of the shed. This was how the project was left at the end of the day.
I also had a long talk with J after he asked me about my study and my time at the shed. After explaining the structure of the study J made the following comments about why he comes to the shed.
• He was not wanting to be part of committee organization just wanting to do and help out. He stated that he’d had enough management of people in his previous jobs and didn’t need the hassle. He was happy to provide planning advice and guidance but not wanting to take on the responsibility of a leadership role. He see it as the shed responsibility to make do, keeping cost down and not taking short cuts by buying materials and taking the easy way out. He talk about showing M how to fuse PVC piping for the woodshed spouting a skill he had learnt from a fellow worker and was proud to pass on.He was also concerned about the tidiness of the outside area, a current focus. He noted that the cover over should improve the look here.
Finished at 12.30 with a plan to attend this coming Saturday to work on the cover
Date: 31 August 2011
Bunning’s Stock take with shed
As noted earlier today I had agreed to attend the Bunnings Stock take. This is a reciprocal arrangement with the shed where Bunning have supplied material and goods in the past and continue to offer the shed discounts on materials. The stocktake ran from 7 until mid afternoon.
There appeared to be a good turn out from members of the shed, although I was only aware of this over morning tea as members had been split into work teams across the store. At morning tea I caught up with 5 members all of who were there appreciative of Bunnings support and many appeared in good spirits and enjoying the work. I noted some prominent members chose not to attend. I noted that some member of the club were a ‘little’ skepticism of Bunning not being an NZ company. Morning tea also gave me a chance to meet and introduce myself to members who attend on the Saturday only for the shed. I’ve yet to attend on a Saturday due to other commitments but plan to attend Saturday week. Thos who only attended on Sat talked about their other occupation during the week. Two members being keen golfer and one being in a walking group.
I left at 12.30pm, other members stayed on
As noted earlier today I had agreed to attend the Bunnings Stock take. This is a reciprocal arrangement with the shed where Bunning have supplied material and goods in the past and continue to offer the shed discounts on materials. The stocktake ran from 7 until mid afternoon.
There appeared to be a good turn out from members of the shed, although I was only aware of this over morning tea as members had been split into work teams across the store. At morning tea I caught up with 5 members all of who were there appreciative of Bunnings support and many appeared in good spirits and enjoying the work. I noted some prominent members chose not to attend. I noted that some member of the club were a ‘little’ skepticism of Bunning not being an NZ company. Morning tea also gave me a chance to meet and introduce myself to members who attend on the Saturday only for the shed. I’ve yet to attend on a Saturday due to other commitments but plan to attend Saturday week. Thos who only attended on Sat talked about their other occupation during the week. Two members being keen golfer and one being in a walking group.
I left at 12.30pm, other members stayed on
Date: 30 August 2011
Email contact around blog
I contacted D today, by email, to follow up on how he might want to progress with the blog for the shed. D replied as follows
Hi James
Have to confess I have done nothing to the blog at all, have had a bit of sickness myself and Isobel is also not to good.
But that said I have no other excuse and I am sure the Blokes would like to see the Blog, We are away to Australia for a couple of
weeks in Sep then our AGM so doubt if I will get anything done.
Sorry to be so negative because I appreciate your help and looking forward to seeing you at the meeting.
Regards
D
I responded
Hi Don, sorry to hear about the ongoing sickness. I hope you and Isobel come right before your trip. No pressure on my behalf about the blog just an offer to help if you wanted to work on it for an hour or two this week. I’m happy to tackle this in the future whenever you wish. I’ll be at the shed in the morning so might see you then.
Thanks James
I’m quite conscious in this situation not to burden D with the blog project and feel like it is an agenda I’m pushing. It is something I plan to discuss further with Don upon his return from Oz.
I contacted D today, by email, to follow up on how he might want to progress with the blog for the shed. D replied as follows
Hi James
Have to confess I have done nothing to the blog at all, have had a bit of sickness myself and Isobel is also not to good.
But that said I have no other excuse and I am sure the Blokes would like to see the Blog, We are away to Australia for a couple of
weeks in Sep then our AGM so doubt if I will get anything done.
Sorry to be so negative because I appreciate your help and looking forward to seeing you at the meeting.
Regards
D
I responded
Hi Don, sorry to hear about the ongoing sickness. I hope you and Isobel come right before your trip. No pressure on my behalf about the blog just an offer to help if you wanted to work on it for an hour or two this week. I’m happy to tackle this in the future whenever you wish. I’ll be at the shed in the morning so might see you then.
Thanks James
I’m quite conscious in this situation not to burden D with the blog project and feel like it is an agenda I’m pushing. It is something I plan to discuss further with Don upon his return from Oz.
Date: 29th August 2011
Supervision meeting with Linda
In my supervision meeting this week the following areas were discussed
Adding explanations around terminology and language used in the shed. This may relate to tools, techniques, or gender based language. In addition to this planning to add more detail to identifying relationships within the setting and issues of concern and issues of concern
My field journal should also include my ‘random’ and developing thoughts and musings
Plan to investigate means/ends literature and Rowels publications on occupation and geography. This would be benefited from discussions with fellow Masters students Kalian and Evelyn.
In my supervision meeting this week the following areas were discussed
Adding explanations around terminology and language used in the shed. This may relate to tools, techniques, or gender based language. In addition to this planning to add more detail to identifying relationships within the setting and issues of concern and issues of concern
My field journal should also include my ‘random’ and developing thoughts and musings
Plan to investigate means/ends literature and Rowels publications on occupation and geography. This would be benefited from discussions with fellow Masters students Kalian and Evelyn.
Date: 24 August 2011
Missed session dropped out woodshed cover
Although I couldn’t make it out to the shed today I drove out in the morning and left a note for I and J about my non attendance. This trip was also made to drop off an old cover I had which we had discussed (myself and J) using for the wood shed. Dropping this sheet off for me fitted with the reciprocal nature of the shed. Other members are willing to exchange materials and offer them to the shed without any recompense. There seems to be a willingness to offer materials but at the same time there is a growing awareness expressed by many members that the equipment and material must have a use, otherwise they will be added to the many other materials and equipment at the shed not being used. This has implications for storage space as well as the appearance of the shed, particularly the outside yard, this has been a concern presented by some members of the aero club.
I plan to catch up with J in two weeks to see if or how we can use the cover if he and other members haven’t already done so. Next week the shed members are booked to stock take at Bunnings. As previously noted I’ve also volunteered to help here.
Although I couldn’t make it out to the shed today I drove out in the morning and left a note for I and J about my non attendance. This trip was also made to drop off an old cover I had which we had discussed (myself and J) using for the wood shed. Dropping this sheet off for me fitted with the reciprocal nature of the shed. Other members are willing to exchange materials and offer them to the shed without any recompense. There seems to be a willingness to offer materials but at the same time there is a growing awareness expressed by many members that the equipment and material must have a use, otherwise they will be added to the many other materials and equipment at the shed not being used. This has implications for storage space as well as the appearance of the shed, particularly the outside yard, this has been a concern presented by some members of the aero club.
I plan to catch up with J in two weeks to see if or how we can use the cover if he and other members haven’t already done so. Next week the shed members are booked to stock take at Bunnings. As previously noted I’ve also volunteered to help here.
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