Reconnect and Rebel
CONTENTS
Reconnecting
Growing the AG Spiderweb
Act now! Ideas and training
Let’s get Creative...
Community Outreach
RECONNECTING
The pandemic has taken its toll and left some Affinity Groups feeling depleted and/or low on energy and direction. Check out some of these revitalizing ideas:
REACH OUT to your Affinity Group
Call or personal message Affinity Group rebels: find out how they are, check in about participation in the Rebellion, and invite them to a meeting.
Include listening circles in your meetings or longer check ins.
Have an outdoor meeting (if permitted). Choose a local beauty spot, park or just accessible local space. Have a picnic! Genuinely check in - how has everyone coped over past year? Surprise bonuses? Surprise difficulties?
Build a Buddy System within your AG: MORE INFORMATION HERE
Meet Online:
Consider regular Affinity Group meetings for Action Planning
Host a discussion on a live topic, eg. Actions Strategy Update, Rebellion of one (see XR newsletter)
(Keep in mind these zoom security tips)
Start with our XR Story… https://rebellion.earth/the-xr-guide-to-the-impossible/ Send out a topical article to the group, or host a fully-fledged book club - discuss together during a meeting
Watch the Heading for Extinction talk again, to remind ourselves of why we’re here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2VkC4SnwY0
Trainings Together
Check out the Rebel Academy: https://rebellion.earth/act-now/trainings/
Run an Affinity Cafe to gel your AG or to start planning for something bigger
Visit Reset TV here for talks and trainings to explore and discuss together: https://www.resettv.co.uk/
Invite a speaker, eg. your Local Actions Mobiliser
Struggling to motivate your group?
Consider buddying with another local AG, forming a new AG, or grouping together to form a local AG Supergroup. Check out Rebel Academy or contact the AGSN for some of our Online AG Formation training.
Here is a 20 min Local Group and Community Group AG Formation Activity which can also be used in an AG meeting to connect and motivate: Quick AG formation
GROWING THE AG SPIDERWEB: Building connections AGs, Supergroups and AG Councils
Supergroups and Regional Affinity Group Councils
A Supergroup is a collection of rebels, both within or without an AG who link together to work towards a specific action or rebellion or to support small AGs to take action alongside others. Affinity Group (AG) Councils can be run regularly or when needed to support AGs across a region to share ideas and resources, coordinate regional actions or take decisions on a regional level, usually composed of AG representatives.
An Affinity Group Council is a space to:
Plan action ideas together
Have your voice heard and deliver real feedback
Support each other: emotionally and logistically
Build community
Collectively prepare for action and rebellion
Get involved! For more information about AG Councils, click here: MORE INFO HERE
If you would like help setting up a Supergroup or are interested in joining your Regional AG Council and would like to be looped in, email us at xraffinitysupport@protonmail.com
AG Action Cafés
Watch out for AG CAFÉS being advertised to support rebels to form AGs for action planning for G7 and COP26
There is nothing that knits an AG together like action! Actions are both the magnet and the glue. Check out the UK Action Strategy Update to find out what’s coming up nationally that you can get involved with
In the time of Covid-19, we have had to be more creative than ever. But this hasn’t stopped us. We need a bit of imagination, awareness and understanding of how to keep everyone safe. Gently does it... Start small, start simple. Here are some examples which link with current themes and rebellion waves coming upg: Mass Trespass: This Land is Our Land - 24th April and June An action for all levels of spice, suitable for families: Check out the Facebook information This Land is Our Land
Rebellion of one - 1st May A powerful action for a single rebel plus support team happening all across the UK. ’s gaining pace, with actions popping up internationally. There is so much info and training… get amongst it! Want to join or create a team? Find information and links, Action Network form sign up and Trainings calendar here Rebellion Of One briefing document Climate and Ecological Emergencies Bill - The 2nd anniversary of the UK Parliament declaring a climate and ecological emergency is 1st May. Join Rebellion of One or what will you plan to mark this date? Outreach - encourage people to write to their MPs Ask your MP to back the CEE Bill Money Rebellion Take action against bank investment in dirty industry. Ideas and briefings here: Money Rebellion Action Pack and here
Kill The Bill Watch out for demonstrations near you. KillTheBill information Be a Truth Teller Whistleblow within companies and target industries: TRUTHTELLER campaign information
Check out these Action Guidelines and Safety and Legal Guidelines for participating in action safely during the Pandemic. (Or host an Affinity Group Zoom meeting to make your own Face Masks!) And more Resources here.
Digital Rebellion
Most action designs come with digital action suggestions which enable more rebels to participate.
Here is one in support of the Climate and Ecological Emergencies Bill: Ask your MP to back the CEE Bill
A digital action for the Global Money Rebellion: Earth Tax Strike
The Digital Rebellion campaign against the Bank of England was a huge success, culminating in a written response from Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey (read more here). WATCH THIS SPACE for more Digital Rebellion campaigns targeting big corporate lobbyists and polluters in the future…
And check out the Digital Rebellion platform and tips from Australia: VIEW MORE ABOUT AUSTRALIA'S DIGITAL REBELLION HERE
Action Support and Trainings How To Action Guide and Little Green Book Read up on the NVDA How To Action Guide here: CHECK OUT THE GUIDE HERE And refresh your memory on the AG Little Green Book here: READ THE LGB HERE
Don’t Panic! Action Guide
Handy pocket book for actions from the Regenerative Culture team. It was designed for use during London rebellions but still contains useful information: READ IT HERE
RISE CWUP Training
Explore this pre-Action emotional, practical and legal preparation document. Perhaps invite your Affinity Group to experience it together, in preparation for your next Action. It is a LIVE DOCUMENT and is updated regularly EXPLORE IT HERE And remind yourself of how to support each other during future actions. Start with this video about Witnessing an Arrest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKqLWUsL81s&app=desktop