Background

This document summarises the decisions, tasks, volunteers and discussion about this topic during the National Digital Hui Jan 2019.

Purpose

To discuss a national decision-making process that is consistent with Extinction Rebellion affiliation requirements.

Discussion

There are some differences between XRUK and XR International. The general principle is that each XR has their own processes. XRANZ have agreed to use a participatory model. We need to determine what our structure is (which doesn’t have to be the same as XRUK) and how we go about agreeing it. We want to balance the need to be emergent and the need to allow people to act as things arise, while also managing growth through local and regional structures.

There was a brief discussion about the difference between holacracy https://www.holacracy.org/ and sociocracy 3.0 https://sociocracy30.org/. Other really helpful resources are 
http://www.reinventingorganizations.com/
 and 
https://falkvinge.net/2013/02/14/swarmwise-the-tactical-manual-to-changing-the-world-chapter-one/.

There was a long discussion about whether XRANZ is either a federation of local groups with representatives coming together or a national body (managed centrally) with people mobilising locally. In a federation model, decisions are made as close as possible to those that affect them. If it affects beyond a local group there is a structured process. There are some things that absolutely can’t change. A group of representatives come together with delegatory authority from their local groups to work on national issues. There needs to be balance between autonomy and structure. (See Friends of the Earth: https://www.foe.org.au/our_structure)

We can mitigate the challenge of different groups going in different directions by making sure that we are all working within a central framework/set of principles that’s “good enough”. Decentralisation is ideal but at the same time we need to have some more centralised support structures to people who are working alone/in very small groups. We would need a database of really good resources and people to help keep us all on the same page, and to reduce the risk of local groups continually “reinventing the wheel”. This could include clarifying what the official stance is on contentious issues, and who is the best person to talk to for help with particular issues. This would hopefully help people work to their strengths and their particular circumstances, while keeping channels open for discussing any problems that arise.

It was suggested that we look at the possibility of funding a representative from each group to attend the Wellington hui in February. It was pointed out that a face to face hui excludes people who don’t have the time or money to travel, and the alternative option of another digital hui was suggested, possibly with the option of inviting a wider range of people to attend. Another option might be to meet both digitally and face to face at the same time; however, this would require a substantial amount of work to arrange. It was agreed that the February hui needs to involve people who are mandated representatives of the local groups. National-level decisions need to be made by active people who are participating and following through at local level.

Decisions

  • Until a national decision-making structure is agreed, the current Interim National Coordinating Group will co-ordinate national work.
  • Any major decision should only be with local group agreement.
  • Participants felt a “federation” model was most aligned with our ideal structure.
  • Create a National Decision Making Working Group.
  • The purpose of the group is to:
    • Identify different decision-making options that align with XR International principles
    • Engage local groups and members
    • Facilitate a national democratic process with local groups to develop a recommendation
    • Submit a final recommendation prior to the next hui, with enough time for final discussion and debate before the hui.
    • Present the recommendation at the hui and answer any questions, if requested.
  • The recommendation will be discussed, amended (if necessary) and decided on at the next face-to-face national hui following a democratic process.

Tasks

  • Tamati to check with Francie if she is interested in joining or leadning this group by ?
  • We will aim to finalise the decision-making structure at the next Hui.
  • ? to reinforce an invitation from each group to send a representative by ? (before next Hui).

Volunteers

  • Coordination: –
  • Team members: Tamati (Wellington – from Feb), Francie (Wellington)?
  • Interested: Julie (Nelson), Simon (Auckland)

Get involved

This issue/project is now owned by the National Coordinators Working Group.

Original notes