You send Lucy an email introducing yourself, and asking if she can provide copies of the previous Minutes, Terms of Reference and Membership List for the Committee.
That afternoon you receive an email reply. Lucy thanks you for getting in touch, and has attached the Terms of Reference, previous Minutes and the Membership list. You save each of these documents into a file on your computer. Lucy also explains that they can reimburse you for your travel expenses, by reimbursing parking fees or public transport fares; or providing taxi vouchers in advance.
When you look at the documents she has sent you, you realise they are quite large; too large for your small home printer. You phone her and ask if she can post the documents to you as well, along with the taxi vouchers. Lucy agrees, and you give her your postal address.
Lucy provides you with the street address and meeting time. You remember that one of your peer consumer representatives is required to maintain absolute confidentiality about the Committee work they do. You ask Lucy about this, knowing you are supposed to report to the Consumer Coalition after each meeting. Lucy explains that it is fine for you to report on the work of the Committee, provided the Consumer Coalition does not discuss this work outside of the organisation. She also explains that sometimes the Committee will ask members to keep certain items confidential, but that these will be clearly identified.
A short time later, you receive an email from Lucy, thanking you for getting in touch. She confirms that she has put the previous Minutes, Terms of Reference, membership list and taxi vouchers in the post to send to you.