|
Want to form a similar Climate Change action group in your area? Here's how we did it. |
8 Easy Steps to Forming a Climate Action Group
The true power of a group like ours lies in numbers. Imagine if there were an active local group voicing their concern and pressuring their elected members about Climate Change in every electorate? Our experience is that Australians are already concerned, they just don't know how to voice it. Finding people willing to do something and getting organised is actually quite straightforward. The following were our first steps. 1. Seek others Find two, three or four people concerned about Climate Change. Try environment forums, local environment groups, school and community environment committees. Meet and share your concerns and ideas. Keep minutes of your meetings. 2. What's your goal? Agree upon your objective – what do you stand for? All members should be clear about these – document them/it. 3. Incorporate Choose a name and when you have five active members, incorporate the group. For more information go to http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/business/associations/incorporation.html 4. Go public Consider holding an event, running a project or staging an action that will raise awareness of your group and its goals. This will add a 'news element' and help you get media coverage. Our advice is to keep these friendly, local and inoffensive. This could be as basic as having a presence at local markets, outside supermarkets, or on busy street corners. We held a fundraising dinner and did a letterbox drop to the neighbourhood with a card introducing the group and its aims. 5. Contact media Prepare a short media release. Go to www.writing-world.com/promotion/release.shtml or the thousands of other pages on the internet that are full of great advice for writing a simple effective media release. Send this by fax or post to the editors of local publications and newspapers. Do not badger the editor. 6. Website Set up a simple website with an email contact. We use the very easy to use www.mrsite.co.uk program that costs only $100 to set up and host for a year. Collect contacts of interested people/supporters and produce an interesting e-newsletter to keep them informed of your activities. 7. Bank account, PO Box Set up a bank account and a PO Box address. 8. Meet with your member Ask for a meeting with your local member of parliament and clearly express your concerns and your wishes. That's it, you're there. Now you can start flexing your democratic rights. For assistance The Nature Conservation Council of NSW (NCC) is committed to helping kick-start similar groups active on climate change around Sydney. If you want to get active, or find out more information, please call NCC on 9279 2466 or visit www.climatemovement.org.au NCC can assist with: * promotion of the group and advertising in local area * running meetings * strategies and activities for the group * launch to local media * information on governance and how to become incorporated * materials and information on climate change |