Engaging Our Rebels

Ways to activate Rebels Momentum building and online campaigning Ideas for simple things you can ask rebels to do, to encourage their activism.

Reactivating Rebels

With a Rebellion on the horizon your first step is to gear up the rebels in your local group! This can be done with Talks, Drop-ins, Campaigns, or Workshops among other things. The key is to get people talking! Start with a question and give them something small they can do! "Ready to rise out of self-isolation and stand up for all life on earth? Come to this short talk to learn about the next rebellion and how you together with your local fellow rebels can rebel without putting yourself or your loved ones in danger."

Reactivating Rebels

Reactivation Talk

No Time to Lose if we Want to Live

Summer 2020, the world has been in lockdown, rebels have been isolated for months and yet their apetite for Action has grown!

Lockdown has been tough. Our movement asked its rebels if they wanted to proceed with a Summer Rebellion. The majority said “You betcha” (not the exact words!). It’s still a tough choice to go ahead with a Rebellion with C-19 still hitting hard, so we have to inspire our rebels with why we have to go ahead. It’s simple: We Want to Live. And all the indigenous people. And all the world’s children. And all the species. And all the biodiversity and creatures.

And we have to ACT NOW because the science is getting worse. The science is screaming at us.

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The No Time to Lose talk is incredible. Horrifying and inspiring in equal measure. Each Local Group can organise and promote at least one No Time To Lose talk before the Rebellion, whilst larger Local Groups should aim for three No Time To Lose talks.

Note: This talk is aimed to re-engage and excite existing rebels rather than to reach and inform new audiences. That’s what makes it different from the Heading for Extinction talk.

The talk touches upon:

Who is this for?

Everyone who will be involved in the next rebellion in any possible way.

Who is responsible for this?

Your local Talks & Trainings team, you can find their email address Here

How long does it take?

1 hour

How do I organise it?

Check out this guide.

Designing an Activation Campaign

Consider your messaging narrative and timeline for the coming Rebellion, think about how it links to the actions you are planning, the story you are telling. Who are you talking to, what information do you need them to know, what are you asking them to do? Here we will look at how to design such a campaign and some of the tools available to carry it out.

Designing an Activation Campaign

Campaign Design

Consider your messaging narrative and timeline for the coming Rebellion, think about how it links to the actions you are planning, the story you are telling.

Who are you talking to, what information do you need them to know, what are you asking them to do? (Book time off work for the rebellion! Right now!)

Think practically:

GET ... TO ... BY ...

(Eg. GET grandparents TO join drop a banner BY introducing them to XR Elders)

To maximise the effectiveness of your campaigns aim for consistency across your platforms Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and beyond socials onto Email, Ringing and Events.

So consider the time between now and rebellion, how might you theme your days and weeks?

*Example Week: GET Local Communities & Organisations TO the Heading for Extinction talk BY reaching out through the connections we have within our group.

We can then use this framing to create daily Social Media Posts on exactly how our system is killing us – start ringing campaigns inviting people to the talk at the end of the week and asking them to bring their friends and organisations. We can host discussion spaces on these issues through the week and reach out into the communities though our own contacts and on Social Media.

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Designing an Activation Campaign

Using Social Media

When using Social Media as a part of your campaign it is important to consider the platforms you are using and how this may alter your content. Check out the hashtags and links Here.

If you find the idea of Social Media alarming check out our Nervous Rebel's Guide to Social Media.

Here are some key tips to help:

TWITTER
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM

There are also many ways rebels can boost posts on social media. Again more information can be found here.

Engaging with posts (not just liking them), selecting “Going”, sharing events, and commenting all boost the reach of posts. When running with a campaign you could get a group of rebels together to do some “Facebanking” by interacting with posts or going further and interacting with people and communities on social media!

We touch on Online Outreach methods in the next section.

Designing an Activation Campaign

Email Campaigns

An email campaign is an excellent addition to any messaging campaign for your area!

It allows you to send timed emails over a period, target your emails to specific parts of your mailing list, delay follow-up emails and send emails in response to actions your rebels may have taken. It’s easy, a great role for remote rebels.

Check out the How to Guide for creating email campaigns on Action Network.

And don’t forget to ask rebels to take time off for the Rebellion!

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Designing an Activation Campaign

Rebel Ringing

Rebel Ringing enables us to call Rebels in our local area, check in with them and let them know about local actions/events/talks etc.

It is a really effective way to re-engage dormant Rebels, spread the word about upcoming actions/events and strengthen the movement… exactly what we need to do in the run up to Rebellion! This kind of ‘high touch’ outreach takes time though. So we recommend building teams of Rebel Ringers in each local area. Here’s how:

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Get Cracking!

  1. Watch the promo video above together with your LG and encourage them to sign up.
  2. Follow the steps in this starter pack. Or signpost them to our weekly webinar on Thursdays at 7pm here.
  3. Request a campaign for your event/area on p.19 of the starter pack.
  4. Get Ringing! You can Rebel Ring whenever you have a spare hour or two, or tackle a campaign as a group. The Rebel Ringers host a weekly drop-in on Saturday mornings at 10am for anyone to stop by and ring for some campaigns together.
  5. Check out our guide on Regenerative Culture to help us build meaningful and caring relationships with our fellow Rebels

And if you want to be clever with your Rebel Ringing...

  1. Action Network and CallHub Tag use.
    Action Network has a concept of tags, a tag allows you to note information about your Rebels. So for example we could mark if a Rebel is First Aid trained or a Chef or has done your NVDA training... this means we can find these Rebels on Action Network easily, send them targetted emails etc. Action Network tags can be automagically synced with CallHub so Rebel Ringers can apply these tags during their calls - we just need to know what tags you would like to be able to apply when we got to make up your campaign. This video shows you how to apply a tag in CallHub

  2. Automation site for vouch and follow-up email.
    When a Rebel agrees to the Rebel Ringer Data Agreement an email will automatically be sent to their Local Group co-ord asking for a vouch and they go onto the Pending list. The Rebel's access into CallHub will be approved by the Rebel Ringer Guides once the email reply from the local group confirming that this Rebel is indeed a trusted and known Rebel is received.

Alternatively Regional and County co-ords can also vouch for Rebels directly by registering on the automation site and asking for Admin rights on the Telegram Group chat.

Once that is granted you navigate into "Approve Ringers" and click on the + beside your Rebel's name - add your reason for the approval, e.g. "long standing and known Surrey Rebel" and click the green approve button. The Rebel will then receive their CallHub activation email a min or two later.

Note that there is another page Rebel Ringing on the "02. Group Building" shelf.

Designing an Activation Campaign

Don't be Afraid to Ask!

“The good news for organizers who want to help build the political revolution is that people really are just waiting for you to ask them to do something big.” ― Becky Bond, Rules for Revolutionaries: How Big Organizing Can Change Everything

Every event should have a clear next step. Every conversation should end with “and this is how you can help”. Every interaction you have needs a small way that people can meaningfully tackle the climate crisis. They should be able to do it immediately or within 3 days, or their enthusiasm will be lost.

Show them they can make history!

Tiny Asks (5-10 min asks)

Small Asks (10 - 30 min asks)

Medium Asks (Can be done for a day or a week)

Large Asks (Longer term asks)

These are just a handful of suggestions, bring your group together and get creative!

Designing an Activation Campaign

Digital Team

Do you have a project in mind which has a digital side to it? See the Digital Team page for advice on how to get assistance.

We are Everyone

We have all agreed upon joining XR to welcome everyone and every part of everyone, therefore there is a duty for us to do as much as we can to ensure everyone has access to our resources and that we are welcoming to a diverse range of people. We cannot be perfect but we must be better.

We are Everyone

Principles Of Inclusivity

In order to build an inclusive approach towards involving all sections of society in the struggle to highlight the Climate Emergence, it is necessary for XR to pay particular attention to five activity areas:

What is inclusivity?

An inclusive product, service or environment does not exclude any section of society. Inclusive solutions consider all users and participants, including disabled people, and is a positive step towards a holistic, universal system.

The Principles of Inclusivity

Disabled Rebels Network

For further advice you can reach out to the Disabled Rebels Network either on Facebook or by Email at xr.inclusion@protonmail.com

For more on power and privilege check out this page from the Trust the People workshop! It's full of great advice, activities and resources.

We are Everyone

Organising Inclusive Meetings & Activities

When considering an accessible and inclusive meeting, there are 3 aspects you need to think about:

  1. Planning and preparation
  2. The equipment and information
  3. The conduct of the meeting.

Remember:
There have always been disabled people engaged in political activities but never to the extent that they are today.
It is not possible or practical for organisers of demonstrations or certain other political activities to consider the access needs of all the disabled individuals who may want to take part.
Disabled people for their part equally need to understand that with Rights come responsibilities and this includes their own safety.
Nevertheless in order to be able to make informed choices as to whether or not they can participate, disabled people require as much information as is possible to give.

Disabled people would find it useful to know for example:

1. Planning - Choosing a venue

When considering whether a venue is accessible, the first obvious thought may be to avoid entrances with steps.  There are however, many other things to watch for or that you can provide to make the venue accessible:

Consider:

If you have been unable to get an ideal venue, plan how you will overcome issues to accommodate individuals, e.g. arranging help to get people down slopes.

Always:

2. Providing Information and Equipment

Planning
Publicising
Prior to Meeting
  • If using a loop, check when booking, the area that the loop covers. Check before the meeting that the loop is working.
  • If Sign language interpreters, lip speakers and deaf blind interpreters are needed check well in advance for cost and availability.
  • It is useful to hold a briefing meeting for speakers to remind them to use microphones/talk through slide presentations etc.

    • 3. Conduct - During the meeting

  • Ensure those at reception are briefed on issues.  If sighted guides are available they should be dedicated members of staff and should be on hand.
  • If using PowerPoint presentations or other visual information, ask if people can read it.  Don’t assume people will read the slides: talk through the information.  Have printed copies available.
  • At the start of the meeting, raise your hand to attract people’s attention.  Check access e.g. whether people can hear; if the loop is working; if the people can see and read the OHP; if they can see the sign language interpreters.
  • When using a microphone, speakers should generally speak close to the microphone and preferably have an opportunity to practice using microphones prior to the event.
  • If using a loop, then all speakers must use the microphone including those responding to questions.  If the questioner is not within the looped area then the question needs to be repeated using the microphone.
  • Even when a loop is not being used, it is good practice to employ a roving microphone. This might seem to slow down proceedings however often it enhances the authority of the Chair and aids the discipline of the meeting thus saving time.
  • Allow time for breaks in the meeting. This is important for individuals but also for signers and lip speakers. It is extremely important if a meeting is longer then 75 minutes a break of 15 to 20 minutes is required for accessibility needs especially deaf rebels lip reading and BSL interpreters.
  • Time keeping is essential. Many groups of people need to know when breaks are and the finishing time. This is an access issue.
    • We are Everyone

    Accessible Documentation & Leaflets

    Here are some tips on good practice:

    When considering lay-out and design for posters and leaflets (as well as the points above):

    Take care to avoid, where possible:

    We are Everyone

    Website Accessibility

    Accessible website design

    1. Text

    Use a sans serif typeface, like Arial as it is easier to read for visually impaired people. A large font equivalent to Arial 14 is a good size – the alternative is to have a Large Print button at the top of the home page.

    The text should be colour-contrasted with its surroundings – like black/white, yellow/blue, green/white. Many visually impaired people find it easier to read reverse coloured text – e.g. white characters (#FFFFFF), on racing green (#006600)  background

    2. Images

    Pictures/pictograms/icons help many people with learning disabilities, but can be a hindrance to people using voice software like Hal/Supernova (text-reader software). Where pictures are included, make sure the alt tags say what they are or what they do (e.g.: click here for Toyota cars)

    3. Frames

    Frames are about the most unhelpful thing for blind and visually impaired people, firstly because it is not easy to see what is going on, secondly, because most Text Reader software works from left to right (in the West), so someone using, for example, Supernova or a screen reader may be jumping from frame to frame and what they hear wont make sense.

    4. Tables

    Tables are inaccessible for many with visual impairments and some screen readers

    5. Forms

    Web-based forms can usually be read by text readers, but it’s worthwhile including a “print” button, for people who can’t use the online version.

    6. Document downloads

    If written in Adobe Acrobat 7 or above, pdf.files can be read by text readers like Jaws, but not all screen readers, therefore it is best practice to offer documents in Word and in Pdf

    7. Structure

    A logical and easy-to-follow structure may be the most important thing in making a website accessible:

  • avoid clutter
  • keep the homepage as simple as possible
  • pay particular attention to how you map out the site – the fewer clicks for a person to get to the information they want, the better – it is a resource not a Treasure Hunt

    • Check Out

    Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. Available at: www.w3.org/WAI/

    Accessibility Guidelines for Web Authors. Available at: www.demon.ac.uk/access

    We are Everyone

    Good Communication

    Written Communication

    Do
  • ensure that the letterhead and contact details are in clear, large, lowercase print
  • use appropriate font size and script
  • ensure that the subject of the poster/leaflet is clear, and that the header makes sense
  • make the purpose of the letter/leaflet/booklet clear in the first sentence
  • write short sentences with subject and object
  • use the present tense as much as possible
  • at the end of the letter summarize what action you will take and what action the recipient must take
  • ensure that the contact person and their ‘phone number are clear, and in large print
  • where a mixture of graphics and text is used, make sure the layout is clean and avoids confusion
  • ensure that the graphics do not encroach upon the text, ensure that the graphics add to the understanding
  • make sure there is a large print footer saying where and in what other formats you can get the information
    • Don't
  • use jargon or in-house speak
  • use acronyms - where they are necessary, state them fully first
  • use adverbs and adjectives, they make sentences harder to follow
  • use passive expressions: “We offer 2 services” is easier to understand than “2 services are offered”

    • Audio information

    Audio information is especially important for people with a visual impairment, dyslexia, learning difficulties, non-English speakers and people who struggle to understand maps; non-disabled people may also find it reassuring and helpful.

    Etiquette for producing your own audio CD: use people with clear speaking voices.  Give an introduction and a summary e.g. this is an annual report of 20 pages.  Have gaps between sections; state page number at appropriate points so that people can retrieve information; give contact details at the end; if pictures are important to the text describe them.  Allow time for taping to be done in stages so that the reader does not sound bored.

    We are Everyone

    Communication Checklist

    Written communication

    Verbal Communication

    Signage

    We are Everyone

    Good Practice in Communicating with Disabled People

    The following information is a guide to issues which affect different groups of people with impairments in terms of communication. It is important to remember each individual has their own needs and strategies – ask them what their particular needs or issues are where possible.

    Who have visual impairments

    Face-to-face Communication:

    Who have physical impairments

    Ascertain the degree of personal independence of the individual in advance, for example, will they:

    Some individuals with physical impairments may have communication aids, or use speech that may be difficult to follow, or attend the meeting in a wheelchair and/or come with a personal assistant. Be prepared for these eventualities.

    Who have communication related impairments

    What implications are there for face to face communication?

    Having a speech impairment can be very tiring especially when in a new environment. Also consider that some speech impairments are affected by a person's emotional state. Patience and respect for what they have to say is very important. When talking with someone with a speech impairment:

    There may be other communication barriers to consider:

    Who have a history of mental ill health

    "Mental ill health" is an all encompassing term used to cover people who experience a range of conditions that are grouped together. These conditions may include: mood related disorders (depression), anxiety-related disorders (phobias, panic, post-traumatic stress, compulsive behaviour), psychosis (schizophrenia), eating disorders (bulimia, anorexia nervosa) and personality disorders.

    For some people with a history of mental ill health the following issues may need additional thought when organising a meeting:

    Who have dyslexia

    People with dyslexia are not a homogenous group. They are all individuals and the impact of their dyslexia will vary according to their degree of difficulty, the timing of their diagnosis, their particular strengths, and their coping strategies.

    When planning and undertaking a meeting it is vital to:

    Communication with a deaf person

    with a sign language interpreter
    who is a lip reader

    The individual may require technical support in the form of a radio hearing aid or a portable loop system in the room, to facilitate the use of the hearing aid.

    Lip reading requires a high level of concentration and can be extremely exhausting, as much as three-quarters of lip reading is intelligent guesswork and intuition, relying to some extent on contextual clues.