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How do we recruit, welcome and empower more new rebels?

Date: 20th January 2021

Context

Covid has been hard on us for so many reasons but it has also made it harder to recruit and retain new rebels. Lots of groups have reported a drop-off in engagement and energy over the past year as people turn their attention to immediate problems. However January is traditionally the time when people make plans to take action on the things that matter to them. XR's vision of change involves mass participation; how can we bring people into our movement - and keep them?

Input

Around 70 people attended the assembly. Everything below is feedback from the assembly; we've tried to capture the main ideas in order of the number of times they were mentioned.

1. Our own experience

Why did we join?

  • Unsuprisingly we come largely out of fear for the future (key words: kids, planet, tipping points)
  • We see XR as our best chance of doing something about this (key words: commitment, passion, energy, creativity, best solution)
  • We believe we will meet like-minded people in XR
  • ...and we think we might have some fun too! (key words: creativity, mischief)

Why did we stay?

  • We felt appreciated (key words: welcome, support, positive feedback)
  • We felt part of a community (key words: like-minded, first action together)
  • We thought XR had great qualities (key words: efficiency, organisation, training, structure)
  • Our worry about the future was lessened (?) (reading between the lines - only one person mentioned at this stage when several did as a reason for joining).

When did we feel part of XR?

  • When we got to know people (key words: family, like-minded, welcome, support)
  • When we worked together on something (key words: unity of purpose)
  • When we got to know and appreciate XR's qualities (key words: open to ideas, creative, proactive)

2. Ideas on growing the movement

How do we bring more people into XR?

  • Engage with local issues (key words: out-of-touch, tree planting, child friendly activities, door knocking)
  • Connect with other groups with similar aims/struggles (key words: BLM, encourage to fulfill green commitments)
  • CEE centres/local hubs (https://climateemergencycentre.co.uk/handbook/)
  • Bring a friend meetings
  • Digital events _(e.g London one: https://xrldn.gitbook.io/best-of-ldn-festival)

How do we help new rebels feel part of XR?

We have linked some of the sections which exist in the Toolkit which could inspire you. If you have extra ideas do get in touch with the Toolkit Team via Mattermost.

  • Joint activities! This was mentioned more than 4x the next most popular option. There were a wealth of creative ideas, including:

    • digital messages group Toolkit Link to Remote Rebels
    • tree planting
    • samba bands
    • cultural events online
    • HfE talk online
    • meditation mobs
    • art/tree trails
    • empathy circles
    • door knocking
    • bringing projects to fruition
    • Impactful events
    • story telling sessions e.g. arrest stories
    • direct public engagement - postcards through doors
    • surveys
    • reading group (could be XR reading)
    • Discobediance
    • door knob hangers
    • actions!
    • agenda-free meetings (key words: space to listen to one another; talk about things other than XR)
    • reflecting on what brings us together _(key words: locally, globally)

  • Meeting rebels' personal needs e.g.

    • disability access needs - meeting breaks (15mins after every 45mins of meeting)
    • disability access needs - speaker visible
    • clear advance schedule
    • gender pronouns (labels in attendee name)
    • online meetings (helps different people take part than in person)

  • Learning more (about XR etc) (key words: training, Rebellion Academy, interactive, Tech tool training)

  • Onboard several newbies at once ('it is hard to be new')

  • Strengthen Integration roles

  • De-jargon! (use plain English)

How do we help 'sleeping' rebels re-engage?

  • Rebel Ringing (friendly chat...+ email follow up?)

  • A role

    • small starter tasks
    • offering several different options of how to join in
    • offering different roles from previously
    • roles that feel relevant/play to strengths

  • Buddies

  • Be non-political (key words: leavers due Burning Pink? 4th demand not helpful right now, twitter rows (- violent language). Danger too cliquey)

  • Support from UK teams (key words: feel lost, not sure what to do, need knowledge sharing, support)

  • Reach out via Facebook

  • Empathy, welcome, friendliness (relevant for any of above)above, don't get too cliquey)

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