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The Study Sessions

In the Foundation Programme, all the live Study Sessions are with expert trainers and it is best to attend these if possible. If you cannot 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 in Column 6 of the Course Schedule

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 will 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.

  • The Session runs every Tuesday from 7.00-8.30pm plus 30 minutes for Q&A
  • If you are unable to attend, you can watch a recording here
  • You may register for another date using the registration link in Column 2 of the Course Schedule

UsingThe ourHub and Mattermost (Our Communication ToolsTools)

In this Session you will learn how to join The Hub - XR's "telephone directory" - and get onto Mattermost. That is an app a bit like WhatsApp but it allows you to find and communicate with anyone in XR anywhere in the world.

  • This Session, actually called The Hub and Mattermost - Thursdays for Training,Training runs every Thursday from 6.30-7.60pm.
  • You may also attend The Hub and Mattermost - Mondays Drop In Support, which runs every Monday from 5.30-6.00pm: ideal for quick questions and fixes.
  • There is no need to register for either Session - simply "drop in" using this link for both.
  • You can watch a recording of the Thursday session here

Nonviolent Direct Action (NVDA)

This is 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.

  • This Session usually runs on alternate Sundays from 10.00am to 1.00pm (including two breaks)
  • You can register for other Sessions on the Events Page of the XRUK website.
  • If Sundays are not a good day for you to attend, there is a basic version of NVDA training on Rebellion Academy. Click here

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:

  • Understand how our meetings work
  • See how our Principles & Values are reflected in how we work together
  • Learn how to be, what to say and when to say it in our meetings
  • Learn how to use an agenda document
  • Find out about our Self Organising System (SOS) and how the movement works

This is another training where actual attendance is central to the learning process and it is not recorded either. Currently there is no other learning source.

  • When you click on the link to register, it opens a document with more than one date on it. Please make sure to register for the correct date: it usually says "Recommended for Foundation Programme Students".
  • If you wish to attend on a different date, please make sure it does not clash with another of your Study Sessions.
  • Alternatively, please contact us and we will check future dates with the Facilitation Circle.

How XR Works and Who Makes the Decisions

In XR, we strive to disperse power and decision making throughout the movement. This done through a Self Organising System. In this Session we consider

  • What is a Self Organising System [SOS]?
  • Who makes the decisions?
  • Are we centralised or decentralised?
  • What is "The Hive"?
  • How can I have a say?
  • What does the evidence on civil disobedience movements tell us about how we need to organise?

This Session is run especially for the Foundation Programme. It runs from 7.00-8.00pm with a further 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 run especially for the Foundation Programme. Ideally, it is best to attend in person as there are 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 will have learned in Introduction to Meetings!). Feelings of anxiety and overwhelm are common and that’s if we already have an idea of what we want to do.

This workshop aims to cut through the chaos. We consider

  • our individual skills and which ones we wish to offer
  • who to talk to and how teams are structured and get work done
  • how we can tailor a role to fit our individuality
  • how to give back tasks we don’t want or can’t take on
  • where we set our own boundaries.

By the end of this Session, we hope you will

  • feel more confident in taking your first steps -have an idea of the direction you wish to go
  • have formulated a touchstone to come back to in times of stress.

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

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