The Foundation Programme

This is the Foundation Programme (FP) book on the Rebel Toolkit. It has chapters and pages like a hard copy book but the pages also have direct links to other pages of the book. In this book, you will find information about: - finding your Course Schedule on the XR Hub (our one-stop-shop for all XR tools and services) - the Foundation Programme Team - help using Zoom

Understanding the Foundation Programme

FoundationProgramme-graphic.png

This section explains the different methods of study used on the course.

One of our recent graduating students described the course as

“Inspiring, brilliant, rigorous, intelligent”

If we can help in any way to support you through the Foundation Programme, please get in touch by emailing xrfoundationprogramme@protonmail.com

The Foundation Programme uses various different platforms:
  1. ZOOM SESSIONS
    Click on the link above to find full information about your Course Zoom Sessions and click HERE for information on registering for them and what to do if you cannot attend.
    We recommend that you register for all of the live Zoom Sessions as soon as you are ready, but please remember that the Course Schedule is dynamic so things may change a little. If a session is moved to a different date, we will email you if you are registered but please recheck the schedule before you enter any live Zoom Session, in case you missed the email.

  2. XR TUBE
    XRUK has its own version of YouTube called XR Tube and the Foundation Programme has its own Playlist where all the recorded Zoom Sessions can be found. To access a recording via the Course Schedule, simply click on the link to watch.

    Recordings of live Zoom Sessions are for the convenience of students who cannot attend the live session. However, not all Zoom Sessions are suitable for being recorded. Please see the page on Zoom Sessions for more information.

  3. REBEL TOOLKIT
    This is XRUK’s amazing online resource library, the platform you're using right now! It's accessible to anyone, anywhere in the world.
    Click on the link above to go to the Rebel Toolkit homepage.

  4. REBELLION ACADEMY
    This is our online learning platform, offering a range of interactive study sessions. Every time you complete a session, you get a badge ... okay, it's a virtual one but it's still a badge!
    For information on all of the Foundation Programme's sessions on the Rebel Toolkit and Rebellion Academy, click the link below.
    Rebel Toolkit and Rebellion Academy - Foundation Programme Sessions

  5. Mattermost for chatting - a similar app to WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal.

GETTING STARTED

Here you will find all you need to know to start your course.

GETTING STARTED

Joining the Hub and Finding your Course Schedule

💚 Hello Students! Welcome to the Foundation Programme 💚

You've arrived at this page on the Rebel Toolkit because you've received an invite email to join the Foundation Programme, and you want support with what to do next.

This page will help you - follow the steps below.

What on earth is the Hub?

The Hub is our own incredible tool which contains all the info about XRUK groups, as well being a one-stop-shop for our other platforms, e.g. Mattermost and UK Cloud, that we use to organise online. Amazingly, all of our platforms run on secure servers in Switzerland using green electricity!

If you are concerned about using new tools and platforms – please don’t panic! The Foundation Programme team are here to help. You can get personal help by:

  1. Registering for the next Introduction to the Foundation Programme on Zoom for a warm welcome and all your questions answered.
    Register here for the Introduction to the Foundation Programme
  2. Emailing us at xrfoundationprogramme@protonmail.com
  3. Speaking to a human by calling our super-friendly technical support woman - Ned on 07949 069730

If you encounter any issues whilst following the steps below, or you already have a Mattermost account but not a Hub account, you can find additional support at the bottom of this page.

STEP 1

How to Join the Hub and Find Your Course Schedule

Please watch the video below
Foundation Programme | Students Support
and follow the steps on how to:

Or if you prefer to read written instructions on accepting your 'Invite to XR UK Foundation Programme' , here they are:

  1. Go to your email and find the one from ddat+hub@extinctionrebellion.uk
    Subject: Invite to XR UK Foundation Programme (you may need to check your spam folder).
  2. Click on your invite link. This will open a webpage containing a form that looks like this:

https://rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/uploads/images/gallery/2023-04/image-1681204393509.png

  1. Fill in the form with your name (this is visible to other users, so you can use a nickname if you like) and create a password and then click Confirm.

STEP 2

What Next?

Once you’ve watched the video or read the instructions above, you may want to:
A. Crack on and create your Hub account.
OR
B. Read the section below on 'How to Find your Course Schedule' first.

A. To Create your Hub account

Go back to the email we sent you titled 'Invite to XR UK Foundation Programme' - this is the only place where you can find your invite link to join the Hub.

B. How to Find your Course Schedule

Once you've created your Hub account, you can find your Course Schedule by clicking the green link 'Hub - My Forms' below, and then select the 'Foundation Programme - Course Schedule'

Link here → Hub - My Forms

When you click on the green link - Hub - My Forms, this is what you'll see. You may need to log into the Hub first before you get to this page.

To find your Course Schedule form again easily, you can bookmark the link. Click the green link to find out how to do this. How to Bookmark

Communicating with the Foundation Programme

Once you're on the Hub and then Mattermost (XR's dedicated chat platform), use the Students - Foundation Programme private chat channel in Mattermost to say "Hi" to your fellow students and the Foundation Programme coordinators - and you can also ask for support there.

Any Issues?

If you are encountering any issues, read this page for information on how to fix the most common problems, or call Ned on 07949 069730

Already have a Mattermost account?

If you already have a Mattermost account but not a Hub account, watch this video.

GETTING STARTED

The Foundation Programme Team

Who we are and how to contact us.

Our team is made up of Jacqueline, Di, Sheena, Ned, Michelle and Jenny. Some of us are established rebels who set up the Foundation Programme; some of us joined after taking the course ourselves.

Currently, Jenny and Michelle are the course coordinators, and Jacqueline and Di are in the role of 'Student Support'; so we are your main contacts and you will hopefully meet our other team members at our Zoom FP Community Meetings.

If we can help in any way to support you through the Foundation Programme, please get in touch either by messaging on Mattermost or emailing us:

GETTING STARTED

Pre-course Information and Preparation

Zoom Technical and Practical FAQs

We recognise that studying online is very different from hard copy reading materials and face-to-face learning. Using your Course Schedule form and attending Zoom sessions, as well as registering for them and keeping track of registration emails, can be a challenge, especially if you are not familiar with technology.

For these reasons, do please study our FAQ sheet FIRST as it has answers to many of the most frequent Zoom technical and practical issues you may encounter on the Course.

Zoom FAQ’s / Troubleshooting

Volunteer Agreement

Please read and sign the Volunteer Agreement

GETTING STARTED

Movement Calendar

The Movement Calendar is XRUK's calendar of events - a useful tool for viewing all actions and training across the UK

Movement Calendar

To be added - screenshot / instructions on how to use and download the app. Check vid to see if suitable.

LEARNING ON ZOOM

Here you will learn about registering for and joining Zoom Study Sessions, and what the Study Sessions contain.

LEARNING ON ZOOM

Zoom FAQs / Troubleshooting

Zoom Sessions

Helpful YouTube videos on all things Zoom!

Do I need a Zoom account to access Sessions?

You do not have to sign up to a Zoom account to join Sessions. You can access Zoom by clicking on the Zoom link provided.

  1. Click the meeting invite link you received from the host (the session facilitator/ person who invited you), for example in your email or calendar invitation.
  2. On your web browser (open up a new page from your internet browser, i.e. click on either Chrome, Firefox etc), a pop-up window will prompt you to open or download the application.
  3. In the pop-up window, click Cancel (do not download Zoom)
  4. At the bottom of the page, click the 'Join From your Browser' link.
    Note: If you don’t see the link to join from the browser, the host may not have it enabled and you will have to join the Zoom Session by opening the Zoom client (app) or downloading it first.
  5. In the pop-up window at the top-left corner of the screen, click Allow to allow Zoom permission for your microphone and camera.
  6. In the Your Name field, enter a display name.
    (Optional) Select the Remember my name for future meetings check box.
  7. Click Join. You will join the Session as a guest.
    Note: If you would like to create a Zoom account and join via an account, advice would be to set this up and download Zoom at least 15 minutes before the Session so it gives you time to set it up correctly.
Issues

That you have pop-ups blocked.

Try restarting and refreshing your computer.

Clear cache or browsing data

I cannot find the email for the Zoom Session for which I registered.
Sometimes emails are directed to spam

Using Zoom in a Session

When in Zoom, how do I mute myself / unmute and manage other Zoom settings?
Once logged into Zoom, you will want to ensure you are muted unless you are speaking.

See below image of the settings available in Zoom

In the above image you can see the Mute button on the bottom left-hand side of the Zoom meetings control panel.

Notes on when to keep yourself muted

When should I turn my camera off?

How do I write in the chat?

What must I do if I want to speak?

As mentioned earlier, to manage people speaking over one another, we have a method in XR for communicating whilst on Zoom and these are also used for in-person meetings - so, good to know!

Please note: - When you put one finger up to speak, you are added to a queue, as there may be a few people at one time who also want to communicate.

Note: - There will be more in-depth training on hand signals during the Course but this is a very quick overview to give you a head start!

If I can't make a Session do I need to let you know?

Can I cancel my place in a Session if I have pre booked?
As mentioned in the previous question - if you have registered for a Session in advance, you will be able to cancel the booking in advance on the confirmation email.

If I miss Sessions will I get another chance to go?

LEARNING ON ZOOM

Zoom Sessions - FP Community Meetings, Hosted Training Sessions and How to Register

This section describes the various Zoom sessions that you will find in the Foundation Programme, how to register for them and what to do if you can't attend.

FP Community Meetings
During your course, there are several opportunities to get together with the FP team and your fellow students. These FP Community Meetings are a great way to share information about how you are getting on, ask questions and find support.

Hosted Training Sessions

The Hosted Training sessions include:

For full information on the The Hosted Training sessions, click here


Registering for FP Community Meetings and Hosted Trainings

Students are asked to register in advance for all live Zoom sessions:

LEARNING ON ZOOM

Hosted Training Sessions

In the Foundation Programme, all live Hosted Training sessions are with expert trainers and it is best to attend these in person wherever possible.
If you can't manage to come to a session, you may have the option of booking a later date or watching a recorded version. Links to recordings are on the Course Schedule form.

Welcome to Extinction Rebellion

As it's name suggests, this session is a brief introduction to the movement.
It covers how XRUK began and why Nonviolent Direct Action was chosen as our main strategy for action. You'll learn about our Three Demands and our Ten Principles & Values, the various ways you can join in with XRUK, and where you can find lots of other useful information.

XR's Communication Tools - Hub and Mattermost

In this session, you'll learn how to join The Hub - XR's "telephone directory" - and get onto Mattermost. Mattermost is an app that is something like WhatsApp but better as it allows you to find and communicate with anyone in XR anywhere, in the world.

Nonviolent Direct Action (NVDA)

NVDA is at the heart of XR’s campaign strategy. It is very important for rebels to fully understand why it was chosen and how we use it, to be able to discuss personal views and hear those of others, and to ask questions. For all these reasons, active participation is key and so this training is NOT recorded.

Please note - if you are planning to attend any XR action, it is strongly recommended that you attend a live NVDA training first, and also a Know Your Rights (KYR) training.

Introduction to Meetings

XR runs on meetings - lots of meetings! - and we run them in a way that may not be familar to you. Come to this essential training and you will:

This is another training where physical attendance is central to the learning process and, therefore, it is also not available as a recording. Currently, there is no equivalent learning source, so please do your best to attend one of these sessions.

How XR Works and Who Makes the Decisions

In XR, we strive to disperse power and decision-making throughout the movement. This is accomplished through a Self Organising System. In this Hosted Training session we consider:

This session is run especially for the Foundation Programme. It runs from 7.00 to 8.00pm with an additional 30 minutes for Q&A. If you cannot attend, you can watch the recording here

Skills, Boundaries and Interacting with Your Team

This session is also unique to the Foundation Programme. It is ideal to attend in person to make the most of the opportunties for personal reflection and writing.

The session is essential for those wishing to join an XR team!

Joining an existing team can be scary. It’s hard to know where to start and it’s hard to get your head around what is going on (as you may have learned in Introduction to Meetings!). Feelings of anxiety and overwhelm are common even if we already have an idea of what we want to do.

This workshop aims to cut through the chaos.

We consider:

By the end of this Session, we hope you will:

Remember, we are volunteering our time to XR, not sacrificing it.

Rebel Toolkit and Rebellion Academy

XR uses a lot of different tools and platforms!

The Hub, Mattermost, UK Cloud, Rebel Toolkit, Rebellion Academy etc. The different platforms have evolved over time and been created by different teams. We know this can be confusing but we recommend rolling with it and with regular use, you'll build familiarity.

Rebel Toolkit (RT)
The Rebel Toolkit is an online library of resources where rebels can find information on how to make and do a huge range of things within the XR movement, from creating banners to writing mandates for teams.

For a guide to using the Rebel Toolkit, see here. For a useful video on how to add things like links to the pages on the Toolkit, and some tips on formatting text, click here.

In the Foundation Programme Course Schedule, you are asked to read the:

Rebellion Academy (RA)
The Rebellion Academy is our online learning platform, offering interactive modules about all things XR that you can work through at your own pace, where you can crank your activism up to 11! It's a different platform from the Hub and doesn't link back to your Course Schedule; so please remember to tick modules completed on the schedule.

When you go to the Rebellion Academy, select the option XR HUB LOGIN (see below).

RA-with-Hub-log-in.png

Please be assured that setting up an account does not mean you will be bombarded with emails.

The Rebellion Academy modules included in the Foundation Programme are listed on your Course Schedule form, but of course you can do any of the others that interest you.

FINDING YOUR PLACE IN XR

FINDING YOUR PLACE IN XR

The Foundation Programme is a Great Place to Start

Xr's Foundation Programme offers an excellent grounding for anyone wishing to become more active within the Movement and we have received positive feedback from our students:-

“Very informative and very welcoming”

“I was inspired and motivated by this course”

“I found the course very useful as a grounding to XR ( I wish I had done it earlier, I would have been better prepared for some actions) and to help me find where I could contribute in the working groups.”

“having now started to engage with SOS (Self-Organsing System team), I see that a lot of the training I did has put me in a very good position to understand most of what's going on in meetings”.

The Foundation Programme provides a solid understanding of our work and is useful for anyone simply looking to find out more about XR. It also provides support, personal connections and all the tools you need for a flying start if you are looking to contribute to a local group or move straight into a role with one of our amazing teams anywhere across the movement.

We're working to make XR UK a diverse and inclusive space and we welcome applications from everyone. You can being your studies at any time, choose which topics to study and take as long as you need to finish.

To apply, click here

If you have any questions, please email the Foundation Programme team at xrfoundationprogramme@protonmail.com.

FINDING YOUR PLACE IN XR

Groups, Teams and Roles

An Overview On Finding Your Ideal Role

Once you’ve completed the Foundation Programme, we hope you will be keen to find a role. We encourage you to join a Local Group first, if possible, to see how we work locally.

You can find your nearest Local Group and contact details on this map

Local groups are free to do what they want as long as they follow our Principles and Values, but we encourage them to follow XR's strategy and to support actions using whatever creative ideas they can.

You may want a ‘behind the scenes’ role with a regional, national or UK team. It’s fine to have more than one role in order to experience different aspects of XR. It’s also ok to leave a role if you find you no longer have capacity, or you would prefer to move to a different role, but please give your team a little notice.

To understand more about how a team should operate, read Healthy Teams

To find all the current vacancies within XR, visit our Volunteer Website

Roles are generally for regional, national or XR UK teams, each with a specific purpose, and this will be described by the team's mandate. If you successfully apply for a role, the team's Integrator will introduce you to the team at their meetings and work with you to agree your induction and training plan. Teams usually hold 1 or 2 Zoom meetings a week at a specific day and time.

Roles advertised on the Volunteer Website can be filtered by 'Role Type' from home (most roles) or in-person (e.g. Production & World Build Team).

You may be unsure what a role involves and the Rebel Pathway team is here to guide you and suggest roles that may suit you. We will help you apply, check that teams are responding to your applications and ask you to feed back with how you get on. We welcome feedback on your experiences as you become integrated. Also, if there's a team that would really suit your skills but isn't currently advertising a role, please let us know. You can contact the Rebel Pathway team here on MatterMost or by emailing integration@rebellion.earth.

Roles may be available in a wide range of groups and circles. Most of these have been grouped on separate pages. See also the XR UK Organism here .

UK Rebel Hive This is the broadest circle and represents rebels within and between the nations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the regions in England. The Hive exists to grow and empower XR UK through decentralisation. Most members are external co-ordinators from the regions, nations and immediate sub circles, so UK Rebel Hive may offer only admin roles.

Generic roles Many teams have important administrative or active roles to be filled such as :

Integrator : for recruitment and training of new rebels, a role that itself needs some training and a little knowledge of the team. Find more info here

Secretary : this role requires reasonable keyboard skills and very good listenin skills. The secretary

Facilitator : this role requires considerable training as XR meetings run in a specific way. The facilitator ensures that

Budget holder : a good understanding of figures and banking is required, or a willingness to train. The budget holder

Tech admin : sets up new group members and updates existing group info on the Hub and Mattermost. This role needs training and some experience in using the Hub and Mattermost. Keeping the group's Hub information up to date is crucial as this is the movement's telephone directory.

FINDING YOUR PLACE IN XR

Financial and Legal Services

Fundraising

XR operates almost entirely on contibutions from individuals. We never accept corporte sponsorship. Raising enough money for the rebellion to function, to amplify our wider messaging, deepen our relationship with supporters and create powerful content to serve the whole movement is the most crucial aspect of our work. Without it, XR would not exist!

Financial Services

Accounting, bookkeeping; Managing and monitoring expense claims, Volunteer Living Expenses (VLE) claims; Strategic finance, supporting budget preparation, supporting budget holders, reviewing XR's financial and tax status.

Integrated Budget Group (IBG) This group distributes income raised for XRUK in line with the movement’s strategy. This means responding to requests for a movement budget and to fund rebellions.

A movement budget comprises regular costs such as VLE, rent, software licences, tax, accountancy etc. A budget holder for a rebellion or specific action can ask for funding, which is typically for equipment, travel, accommodation and subsistence. For more info visit IBG.

The challenge is there is never enough money to go round and IBG has to see how a request aligns with our strategy by supporting one or more of these criteria
-fundraising
-mobilisation (growing the movement)
-providing critical funcionality (VLE to support NVDA, software licences, warehouse rent, rebellion equipment)
engaging with cultural influencers (VIPs, celebrities, public figures)
NVDA.

Certain roles may be for trained legal professionals, others for rebels who will be given all necessary training to provide support:

briefing rebels who may be arrested

observing at actions

supporting rebels who are arrested through legal advice and / or emotional support

FINDING YOUR PLACE IN XR

Digital and IT Based Roles

Digital (UK Tech) Our computer services and technical team support and develop the following:-

our websites

email campaigns and newsletters using the Action Network application

messaging systems such as MatterMost and social media

the Hub, which holds data about XR UK groups and the roles held in them

the Cloud where each group holds its documents

GDPR and Security

platforms and networks where these services run

Digital is responsible only for the platforms holding these applications and ensuring they are available and free of bugs. It also provides help and training on how to use the applications. Other circles are responsible for the content, but Digital welcomes requests for advice on best practice.

Messaging and Media Writing for newsletters, social media, film, Rebel Radio, leaflets, posters; reading or reviewing externa media and making contact with the press/other media.

FINDING YOUR PLACE IN XR

Direct Support For Rebels

Local Group Support This circle supports XR groups across the UK, brought together by community, location or other affinity and includes teams such as
Local Group Development
3.5 Campaign
Rebel Toolkit
Gardeners - helping goups at the local/regional level, to recruit and grow

(that leaves Reactive, Disabled Rebels Network, Connecting Communities )

Pathways This circle helps to bring people into the movement ... and keep them! It includes teams like
Talks & Training
Rebellion Academy
Rebel Ringers

Relationships Facilitates and nurtures our relationships with movements outside of XR whose objectives overlap with ours, in order to increase collective pressure on the UK Government to meet XR’s Three Demands. These movements must be Nonviolent and may not use Direct Action.

Feedback and Learning Seeks feedback from rebels and groups to learn and improve, by running, analysing and publishing surveys.

FINDING YOUR PLACE IN XR

Sustaining and Growing the Movement

Regenerative Cultures This is about creating a self-perpetuating system grown through community, ferocious love and genuine courage which sustains the understanding, exploration, development, training and sharing of regenerative practices.

UK Justice Steering Group (JSG) This group strives to bring in and amplify the unheard and silenced voices of historically and currently marginalised groups and to advocate that the movement becomes, and remains, radically diverse, equal and accessible for all through transformative and restorative justice.

Self Organising Systems (SOS) Provides governance by supporting teams on how to be self-organising, decentralised and non-hierarchical, by reference to the XR UK constitution and its principles of holacracy. You don't need to read the constitution thoroughly but do use it as a reference point.
SOS will help a group/team/circle to write their mandate, which describes their purpose and accountabilities and by which they should abide. Roles within a group can also have a mandate, which then becomes a role description and some types of role must have one. SOS can also be asked to conduct a "health check" on a group and then give advice. There are many types of groups and they need to decide which one is most appropriate. Here are the types of groups and how they work (Link to be added).

Guardianship and Visioning (G&V) This team helps rebels and groups to follow the XR UK vision, Principles & Values when acting on behalf of XRUK or taking part in any of its actions.

FINDING YOUR PLACE IN XR

Making Connections - Local, Regional, National and International

Nations and Regions

Roles may be for Scotland, Cymru Wales and Northern Ireland or for one of the UK regions - North East and Cumbria, North, Midlands, East of England, South West, South East, Bristol or London. You can find these roles quickly on the Volunteer Website by using the filter UK Region/Nation.

The role of Gardeners is to support the growth of new groups.



Global Support This is a worldwide network of rebels who help XR chapters grow and this is their website Extinction Rebellion Global


International Solidarity Network (ISN) Its purpose is to foster mutually respectful, co-operative and beneficial connections with people from existing grassroots communities of resistance on the front lines of the climate & ecological crises in both the Global South & Global North who are working on environmental justice.

FINDING YOUR PLACE IN XR

Ongoing and Specific Rebellions

Money Rebellion This exposes the economic systems that help to destroy life on earth and offer a path back to a regenerative economy. Its targets are organisations who support, develop or fund fossil fuels or other activities which damage the environment such as deforestation, flooding and pollution.

Digital Rebellion This takes action using social media, emailing or phoning campaigns to target specific organisations, eg fossil fuel companies or the financial institutions that finance fossil fuel extraction and use.

Political Lobbying Monitoring the activities of MPs, political parties, unions and Local Authorities, monitoring procedures and bills in Parliament.

Action and outreach campaign groups with an action strategy can generally use some extra hands e.g. Deepwater. These are promoted on Mattermost's Rebellion Broadcast channel and other social media.

Action planning, creative, production or wellbeing These groups plan and support specific actions and rebellions which need UK-wide involvement. Normally you would have some experience already through your local group since you will be in a position of trust. In some cases, your actual presence would be required on the spot eg to help build stages for an action, or act as a steward or provide wellbeing on a march.