The Gaitherin

Gaitherin Special Meeting

You may be aware that earlier this year, the Gaitherin moved from being what is known as an “unincorporated body”, to become a Company Limited by Guarantee.

Many charities have gone down this route and the move has put us on a much firmer footing. We are still a charity and we still need lots of support from parents and friends!

However, there is one piece of business still to finish up on the previous organisation. The annual accounts for the Gaitherin to the end of March 2007 still need to be approved. This is normally done at the Annual General Meeting. However we do not intend having an AGM for the new company until after March 2008.

So we are going to have a Special Meeting of the unincorporated body on Sunday 2 December 2007 at the Port Elphinstone Community Flat starting at 7 pm.

The only item on the agenda will be the approval of the accounts. It won’t take long but we will need at least seven people to be there in order for it to be official. The meeting is open to anyone with a genuine interest in the continuing good health of the Gaitherin. We welcome participants, parents and friends.

If you are able to come it would help if you can let us know by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or by calling us on 01467 628118.

After the Special Meeting there is a meeting of the Gaitherin Board to which all are welcome to stay.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 15 January 2008 )

Youth Worker Evaluation Oct 07

How do you rate the information and training you received prior to the Gaitherin this year?
EXCELLENT	GOOD	ADEQUATE	POOR
1	5	0	0
Any suggestions for how we might improve this in the future?
Info packs on details and child protection – More planning into evening activities – no clear info available
What other training might you like to do in the future?
First Aid training x2 – Mini bus training ( fantasy land I know) – Positive approaches to challenging behaviour – none,thanks
What did you think of the food provided at lunchtime?
EXCELLENT	GOOD	ADEQUATE	POOR
5	1	0	0
Comments? Dodgy 1^st day (residential) but recovered well – not enough at Sags
If you were at Sir Arthur Grants, were there enough youth workers?
JUST RIGHT	ABOUT RIGHT	TOO MANY	TOO FEW
5	0	0	0
Anything that could be done to improve things?
We should have pre-organised more activities
At Meldrum was there enough things organised to keep participants occupied
JUST RIGHT	ABOUT RIGHT	TOO MANY	TOO FEW
2	4	0	0
Do you think that the meal and time spent on the Sunday evening with all the other staff and volunteers is helpful?	Yes - 5	Didn't attend - 1	No - 0
Good for youth workers and tutors to meet – but not many tutors attend?? – its perfect for meeting new tutors
Are you interested in coming back to the Gaitherin?		Yes - 5	No - 1
Do you have any other comments you would like to make which would improve the Gaitherin for youth workers in the future?
New games age appropriate – New coordinator!! (Ha Ha) – Valium for bedtimes for the kids – Arts and Crafts did not have any choices only one option which was long and drawn out Thank you to all who have been involved and made my experiences here so pleasurable and will take many fond memorieswith me xxx

Last Updated ( Saturday, 29 November 2008 )

Tutor Evaluation Oct 07

How do you rate the information you received (verbal and written) prior to the Gaitherin this year?
EXCELLENT	GOOD	ADEQUATE	POOR
1	7	0	0
Any suggestions for how we might improve this in the future?
E-mail or phone numbers seem to work fine – I wasn’t informed that I was doing whistle till I arrived, hence I didn’t have all the music I needed – only to get directions/maps for those who are not familiar with the area
What did you think of the food provided at lunchtime?
EXCELLENT	GOOD	ADEQUATE	POOR
5	1	2	0
I love soup – T-bone steak? – Chicken soup fabulous – It was yummy – simple soup and sarn canny beat it!
What did you think of the size of your group?
JUST RIGHT	ABOUT RIGHT	TOO BIG	TOO SMALL
2	4	1	1
Bit noisy though – Could take a few more – would be nice to have a bigger class – ok but lacked equipment - talked to Cathie about mixed inst groups being split to 2 smaller ones if numbers are over 10
What did you think about the room you had to work in?
EXCELLENT	GOOD	ADEQUATE	POOR
4	4	0	0
A bit hot though – Great to have sound proof – Good size
Was the number of instruments/equipment provided...
JUST RIGHT	ABOUT RIGHT	TOO MANY	TOO FEW
3	2	2	1
Was the quality of instruments/equipment provided...
VERY GOOD	JUST RIGHT	ABOUT RIGHT	POOR
2	4	1	1
Are you interested in tutoring at Easter Gaitherin (Primary school age children p4-7)?		Yes - 7	No - 1
Would you like to tutor October Gaitherin again?		Yes - 8	No - 0

How did you find the accommodation at Boatleys (if you used it)?
Excellent, Good(2), No prob

Do you think that the meal and time spent on the Sunday evening with all the other staff and volunteers helpful?
	Yes - 2	No - 0	Couldn’t make it - 4

How did you find the communication between all members of staff during the week?
Very good – Great – Not bad at all! – Good(2) - They were friendly – very efficient

Do you have any other comments you would like to make which would improve the Gaitherin for tutors in the future?
None what so ever,Gaitherin is fabulous – Fiddles need a bit of an overhaul, some repair work to instruments and cases – maybe a decibel meter to cut off electricity when amps go too loud – for mixed instrument group think of renaming it something like “make a band” and if numbers are more than 10 split group into two smaller ones. Emphasis should be put on working as a group to come up with arrangements of songs/tunes. Participants should be of a competent level on their instrument or if demand is high for those less competent then a separate class could be scheduled for them. I must say these are only suggestions!! Thanks for a great Gaitherin experience

Last Updated ( Saturday, 29 November 2008 )

Parent Evaluation Oct 07

How did you hear about the Gaitherin?
Website	Friend	Newspaper	Leaflet through schools	Youth group
3	10	0	2	0

How could we improve Gaitherin publicity?
Publicity through schools - Go through Music/Media department heads(2) - Newspaper - sending a DVD to schools to take home - Ensure all Aberdeen/Aberdeenshire schools receive handouts - Article in community news letter, they are always looking for articles, it’s free and covers most of Aberdeenshire. Also local publications newsletters - If you want to attract children from other parts of Scotland, flyers to schools, e-mails, community youth workers. I can help out with advertising in Edinburgh and East Lothian - Son and daughter have attended previous Gaitherins - more leaflets thorugh schools, the Gordon schools didn’t seem to have any this year, posters in local shops/post offices - send principal ready for newsletter

What did you think of the information you and your child or children received before the event?
EXCELLENT	V.GOOD	GOOD	ADEQUATE	POOR
7	1	9	1	0
Any suggestions for how we might improve this in the future?
Confirmation of residential places sooner?

If you made use of the transport the Gaitherin provided, what did you think of the arrangements?
EXCELLENT	V.GOOD	GOOD	ADEQUATE	POOR
4	0	2	0	0
Any suggestions for how we might improve this in the future?
We had asked for transport and were not aware that it was not available until Monday morning – didn’t use

The Tutors Concert was on Tuesday evening at the Kemnay Bowling Club.
Did you know about it?			Yes - 16	No - 1
Did you attend?			Yes - 5	No - 12
Any suggestions for how we might improve this in the future?
Needs a higher “billing” on the joining instructions – ask expectantly for more donations for raffle

How did you enjoy the participants concert?
Concert good, venue good for the concert – fantastic as always, Meldrum school good venue – having been at several Gaitherins it is “simply the best” yet. From an audience perspective excellent venue – Great – Excellent x2– Fantastic! Fun lively showcase of talent! – Brilliant!! X2– Best yet – Very enjoyable, kids were excellent, venue perfect, everyone could see very well. Sound (acoustics) were great – Good – Very good, high standard – excellent performances cleverly and creatively brought together and absolutely effective in involving every participant – outstanding!

Do you think the cost of the Gaitherin is:
		TOO HIGH	ABOUT RIGHT	TOO LOW
		0	16	Good value!
Did you know that you could pay by instalments?			Yes - 9	No - 7

Would you be able to help in any way from time to time?
Preparing food(4), Ideas/help with arts and crafts(2), Help in charity shop(2), Donations(2), Promotion in your area(7), Marketing(1)
Adult Gaitherin?			Yes - 10	No - 5

How early to register for the October Gaitherin?
January(1), May(2), June(3), July(1), August(8), September(2), Just after the summer holidays so as to get organised, time and money!

Anything else you’d like to say?
Is there a DVD for sale this year of the concert? – Thank you to all those who put so much effort into organising it James has had a great week – Thank you all very much – Just this, the Gaitherin is a great experience/opportunity for all participants but I am surprised how many folk I speak to with teenagers who have never heard of the Gaitherin, perhaps some more advertising? – My daughter had a great time – Please sell t-shirts to the public – I think it is the best concert yet. Everyone should feel very proud of themselves – It’s fantastic, keep going! – This is my son’s second year, I remain deeply impressed by the Gaitherins organisation vision and achievement, it seems a very worthwhile endeavour, tho’ I think Meldrum venue for the concert is too big and characterless, worked better in April! – thanks to all for fabulous work and evening.

Last Updated ( Saturday, 29 November 2008 )

Participant Evaluation Oct 07

What did you think of your Youth Workers?
	THE BEST	OK	DIDN'T LIKE THEM
	56	0	0

What did you think of your tutors and your choices?
	THE BEST	OK	DIDN'T LIKE THEM
Drama	16	7	1
Drums	16	14	5
Fiddle	3	0	0
Acoustic Guitar	12	0	0
Electric Guitar	18	1	0
Dance	22	0	0
Keyboards	4	5	0
Voice	3	0	0
Clarsach	8	0	0
Tin Whistle	4	1	0
Mixed Instruments	13	7	0
Pipes	3	0	0

Do you feel that you have gained new/more skills?		Yes - 55	No - 0
Do you feel that you have gained in confidence?
Yes - 28	No - 0	Dunno - 7	Already confident - 18

Any ideas for new workshops?
DJ!!(4), Hairstyling(2), Fashion, Rave, No(9), Eat off, "Sexy" with Deco, – um – , More Drumkits, none, Mouth organ, Kilt making, Art, Bass guitar please please please, Rap, Band workshops, Bass guitar separate, Connect 4, dressmaking or the art of stealing cheesecake!, Nope(3), Keep on doing that!, face painting/sleeping bag time, Negative, nothing fun cuz I can’t do them, cheese making, ? fun things, not really, n/a, spelling, painting pictures of Michael Massie

Please tell us what you thought of:
	THE BEST	OK	DIDN'T LIKE
FOOD	32	20	2
ARTS AND CRAFTS	15	24	4
GAMES HALL	15	14	2
TUTORS CONCERT	35	6	1
TUCK SHOP	35	17	0
TRANSPORT	28	9	1
Comments: Something new every day in Arts and Crafts x3 - Get more cards x3– it was cool – Everything was awesome – Pod – pretty good keep it up – Yum – Tutors concert was ace x2– different types of sweets – Fizzy drinks x2 – set seats on buses would stop fights – games hall to smal – bigger range at tuck – none – I like the bus driver – every think is ace – Banter! – Gaitherin is beast – It’s all good

If you were staying at Sir Arthur Grants can you please tell us what you thought of:
	THE BEST	OK	DIDN'T LIKE
FOOD	18	5	1
YOUTH WORKERS	22	0	1
ACTIVITIES	15	7	0
Is there anything we can do to make the stay at Sir Arthur Grant's better?
No its hott! – Aye, nae plastic beds! – a tuck shop – 2 weeks at Gaitherin – If Tony didn’t leave but I know he has to – Tell people to shut up in quiz nd stuff – we should be allowed in the upstairs lounge x3– no, Sags is great everytime – better beds – Don’t let Tony leave – bigger portions of food at sags – emm… employ me as a youth worker?... – Didn’t go – stay for longer – It was ace, want to live there, so no not really – No it is all good – No, but I LOVED the food especially fajitas and lasagne

Was there anything you didn't like about the Gaitherin this year?
Location – No – It’s the gaitherin, theres never anything bad – No! ( apart from when 2^nd and 3rd choice joined for show really confusing and no space) – Arts and Crafts but nothing really – Kemnay is more fun than Oldmeldrum – The voice class was with mixed instruments – Nope x6– not really – No x13 – felt a little bit old – Meldrum Academy x4 – Tony leaving x2– no Gaitherin is amazing – not enough bagette bread for sandwiches – Tony going, I only got 1 week with him – Drum tutor – Drums – It’s at my school – Too short – Nope its always good! – Nitt

What is your best memory of the Gaitherin?
The show and the youth workers I’m really really going to miss Tony! – All – Meg and her heroism,all dance and Joe – Tony x2 – Tony’s song AWWW! – wining the dance off – don’t know – mission impossible but you would have to have done acoustic guitar to understand – Meeting people and working at the tuck shop with Lucas – selling at the tuck shop – everyting – The banter and the folk there! – everything x4– All the friends I made x2 – Sags x3 - Seranading from Julie, dance off – I don’t really know, probly the banter – Tactical Bine x2 we have to record this – Dance x2– Food x2– Sags banter x2– getting to no different people and being/working with the most influential workers/tutors ever – all my sisters that I have gained x2 – spoons – AC/DC bagpipes – Playing “Tactical Binds” to Tony – the socal side of it …..- seeing Dave the drum guy trip on the stairs – getting two do all these ace choices – pulling down Catty’s trousers, followed by a bogie in her juice /upside down kitchen – The tutors, how funny theyb were and how fun it was to take part – banter of the last night at sags, my trousers being pulled down – pillow fright – the youth workers – Meg doing a back flip off a wall!! – The lovely fun things and sags – Laughing at Hamish "trying" to play Bopit – Me doing Tony hair, Deco and Erin giving me a huge scare! – meet awesome friends! – It’s the Gaitherin, theres never anything bad – dance off
Would you like to come back next year?	Yes - 53	No - 0	Can't - 1
Would you like to be considered as a “shadow” at Easter?	Yes - 45	No - 2	Maybe - 4

Last Updated ( Saturday, 29 November 2008 )

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