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Glossary of Terms

We know that for a newcomer to Extinction Rebellion our resources and newsletters can appear full of jargon, acronyms and nonsense. First of all, we sincerly apologise for this. Jargon is useful shorthand within a group but can be unhelpful to new rebels and so we have created this page to help!

Feel free to add new entries or add in terms you have come across which you do not understand. This is by no means a complete list.

Frequently Used Terms

Acronyms

  • A&LS - Arrestee & Legal Support
  • AG - Affinity Group
  • AGSN - Affinity Group Support Network
  • AP - Action Point
  • AN - Action Network
  • EC - External Coordinator
  • GS - Global Support
  • IC - Internal Coordinator
  • ISN - Internationalist Solidarity Network
  • KYR - Know Your Rights
  • LO - Legal Observer
  • LG - Local Group
  • M&M - Media & Messaging
  • MM - Mattermost
  • NVDA - Nonviolent Direct Action
  • SOS - Self-Organising System
  • VLE - Volunteer Living Expenses
  • WG - Working Group

Organisational Terms

  • Affinity Group - A small group, created for an action, of rebels who are willing to take the same kinds of actions. That is, one Affinity Group may be up for dancing naked in parliment or another may be up for flyposting, but everyone withing one affinity group agrees on the level of actio they are iinterested in. Affinity groups ought to be self contained, having their own wellbeing rebels, support rebels, media rebels etc.
  • Community Group - A group brough together by their identity, this could be their faith, culture, occupation or really anything! Out community groups include XR Grandparents, XR Muslims, XR Boatdwellers, XR Doctors etc
  • DNA - The things that make us XR. These include our Principles & Values, our Self-Organising System, our Ways of Working etc. Essentially our DNA brings together all the things that we, as XR, fundamentally agree on.
  • The Hive - The Hive is the widest circle in the XRUK organism. It is made up of representatives from each Nation and Region of the UK as well as some from the UK Support structure. It aims to hold XR UK’s shared purpose within the global XR movement, supporting it to achieve its 3 demands in the UK.
  • Mandate - Each role and circle within XR has a mandate, and this tells those in that role or circle what they can do and lets others know what that role or circle is responsible for. Mandates are typically written as a statement of purpose (why the role or circle exists) and a list of accountabilities (what those rebels are responsible for).
  • Self-Organising System - Is our system of organising. It includes how we make decisions, define roles and structure ourselves. The Self-Organising System is dynamic and evolving as we learn what works and what doesn't.

Other Terms

  • Action Network - An organisation that provides facilities for sending out emails to lists of subscribers, and allows people to sign up to those lists. Not part of XR. Web site at actionnetwork.org.
  • Citizens' Assembly - Citizens’ Assemblies are innovative processes that can empower people, communities and entire countries to make important decisions in a way that is fair and deeply democratic. Our 3rd Demand is that Government must create and be led by the decisions of a Citizens’ Assembly on climate and ecological justice.
  • Community Assembly - A way by which communities can have discussions and make decisions using the tools of a People's Assembly.
  • Demands - XR has three demands: see under Demands on the UK web site.
  • Hub - XR UK's communications centres around the Hub, connecting all rebels with Local Groups, Regional Working Groups and UK Circles. Ask your local Tech Champ for details!
  • Mattermost - An online chat platform. All rebels are welcome to join. Ask your local group for details, as the XR-specific documentation is not public on the Internet unless you have the correct encoded link.
  • Nonviolent Direct Action - See the NVDA page
  • Peoples' Assembly - A deliberative process in facilitated groups of 6-8 people where questions can be asked and all rebels can participate in forming a path forward.
  • Principles and Values - XR has 10 Principles and Values. See under About Us on the UK web site.
  • Rebel Agreement - Five rules which rebels should adhere to, including the "no alcohol" and "we are all crew" lines. See Rebel Agreement PDF on the UK web site.
  • UK Cloud - XR UK's secure alternative to Google-Docs available to you via the Hub. Local Groups and Working Groups have space for their own document storage. Guides and training material also available here.
  • UK Forum - An online message board platform, linked to the Hub. Longer term discussion organised into topics relevant to your Local Group or Working Group.
  • UMI - An organisation which has given some money to XR UK to form a project to help us develop our structure and be more organised. Also used to refer to the project itself.

Terms Needing Explanations

  • Action Design
  • Conflict resolution team
  • Global Support
  • Guardianship and Visioning
  • Operations
  • Regenerative Culture
  • Strategy Stewardship
  • UK Support
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