# Welcoming New Rebels

When welcoming new rebels there are several key
things that help do: 

• **Plan** – Have a plan for some welcoming events to
direct new rebels to and nominate welcomers.<br>
• **Say hello** – Be welcoming, friendly and honest.<br>
• **Meet them** – We thrive on connection. Set up events,
socials, welcome spaces and talks after the rebellion.
Give new rebels a space to land!<br>
• **Get them connected** – Direct new rebels to Mattermost,
Whatsapp, Signal, Telegram whatever platform you use!<br>

## Getting in touch
#### Finding your new rebels information
New rebels and those interested will have been encouraged to sign
up with us on the website throughout the rebellion. These names
should be pushed into your space on Action Network (AN) and so
the graph on your AN dashboard should be slowly increasing over
time - if this is not the case please contact either your regional tech
team or [tech@rebellion.earth](tech@rebellion.earth).

#### Rebel Ringing
Those of you who have used Rebel Ringing before will know
how helpful that friendly call is for welcoming people into the
movement. It’s a way of reaching out to Rebels in your local
area, many of whom will have signed up onto XR’s database
during the Rebellion.

#### Set up an automatic email
All groups with an email address should set up an automated
email response with an upbeat welcome message to explain
how rebels can get involved. Include links to your exciting
welcoming events, or explain there may be limited contact
post-rebellion and signposting new rebels to centrally provided
online formats. Your new rebels may be fired up and want to
start doing things so give them a few simple tasks they can do
right now without personal contact.

#### Social media automatic reply
Those with social media accounts can set up automated
messaging, pin a post to their feed or change banner image to a
message such as: We are rebels in recovery. We will be back soon
to welcome you. Visit [Rebellion Academy](uk.rebellion.academy) or check out our
National Campaigns to find out how you can get involved NOW.

#### Resources
[Suggested Welcome Email](https://xrb.link/c1BLw8xB7c)<br>
[Rebel Ringing Guidelines](https://xrb.link/lm88iaq)<br>

### Meet your New Rebels

#### Induction
There’s no better way of introducing rebels to XR than telling
them what they’re signing up to. Running an introduction to XR
isn’t complicated but it should be well thought through, especially
how to strike a balance between making the session participatory
while getting the most crucial information across and what
information rebels should have about your XR group versus what
will just result in information overwhelm.

#### The Heading for Extinction talk
Due to lockdown, a new HfE Zoom version has been created.
It is a bit shorter but it’s impact will be just as big and it is the
perfect tool for explaining XR’s rationale to potential recruits and
getting them emotionally involved. If you don’t have a speaker
in your own local group you can organise a talk event together
with other local groups in your region. You can request a Heading
for Extinction speaker from your regional Talks & Trainings
coordinator. See the [Contact Page](https://extinctionrebellion.uk/contact/) of the XR UK website.

#### Buddies support systems
XR can be a confusing place – there is a lot to learn! It takes
around a month for most people to find their feet. One way to
help new rebels feel welcomed and supported is to form buddy
groups. The aim of a buddy system is for rebels to feel heard,
respected and valued, to have their initial questions answered and
any worries or barriers to joining listened to and addressed.

#### Meetings
Meetings are a good option for groups with minimal spare
capacity. If all else fails, keep your regular meetings going so
interested new recruits can drop in. If a new rebel comes to these
spaces make sure they are welcomed and ask what they might be
interested in so they can listen in to those conversations. Ensure
you have a few people aware of new rebels during social moments
such as tea breaks, and initiate conversations, asking about their
experiences and interests. At the end of a meeting ask new rebels
what they thought, stay behind to chat, invite them to something
else, add them to group chats, or offer to connect them to a
Working Group.