The Idler
11th July 2011, 22:22
Seeds For Change Network (http://www.seedsforchange.org.uk/free/resources) is a non-profit training and support co-op helping people organise for action and positive social change. The network started in 2000 with informal co-operation between people who were doing workshops in their spare time.
Consensus and Facilitation
Consensus decision making is a creative and dynamic way of reaching agreement between all members of a group. Instead of simply voting for an item and having the majority of the group getting their way, a consensus group is committed to finding solutions that everyone actively supports - or at least can live with. This makes sure that all opinions, ideas and concerns are taken into account. By listening closely to each other, the group aims to come up with proposals that work for everyone.
Consensus is neither compromise nor unanimity - it aims to go further by weaving together everyone's best ideas and most important concerns - a process that often results in surprising and creative solutions, inspiring both the individual and the group as whole.
Groups and Meetings
Whatever your group does, good meetings are vital to working together well. Meetings make all the difference between a motivated and dynamic group or one feeling lethargic and lost.
Meetings that work for everyone involved will make your group more effective and more fun. Below are some basic steps that you can take to make your meetings work well and be fun. For more ideas and an in-depth discussion of the issues involved take a look at our other briefings that you can find on our website.
Practical Skills for Campaigning Groups
Planning your Campaign
Ideas, tools and skills for organising and taking action in a non-hierarchical and autonomous way - using affinity groups, buddies, quick consensus and spokescouncils.
Projects and campaigns usually start because we feel inspired - our first impulse is to throw ourselves into action straightaway. But if we take a little time to analyse the situation and to develop a plan of action we can increase our effectiveness and our chances of success.
Media, Publicity and Outreach
Most campaigns end up dealing with the mainstream media at some point, whether they choose that contact or are thrust unwillingly into the limelight. This is a guide to getting your message across in the mainstream media, and tips on how to deal with the darker side of the press.
Funding
There are many different ways of raising money and getting materials and equipment. You'll find some of them in this guide together with general tips on raising cash and writing funding applications.
Consensus and Facilitation
Consensus decision making is a creative and dynamic way of reaching agreement between all members of a group. Instead of simply voting for an item and having the majority of the group getting their way, a consensus group is committed to finding solutions that everyone actively supports - or at least can live with. This makes sure that all opinions, ideas and concerns are taken into account. By listening closely to each other, the group aims to come up with proposals that work for everyone.
Consensus is neither compromise nor unanimity - it aims to go further by weaving together everyone's best ideas and most important concerns - a process that often results in surprising and creative solutions, inspiring both the individual and the group as whole.
Groups and Meetings
Whatever your group does, good meetings are vital to working together well. Meetings make all the difference between a motivated and dynamic group or one feeling lethargic and lost.
Meetings that work for everyone involved will make your group more effective and more fun. Below are some basic steps that you can take to make your meetings work well and be fun. For more ideas and an in-depth discussion of the issues involved take a look at our other briefings that you can find on our website.
Practical Skills for Campaigning Groups
Planning your Campaign
Ideas, tools and skills for organising and taking action in a non-hierarchical and autonomous way - using affinity groups, buddies, quick consensus and spokescouncils.
Projects and campaigns usually start because we feel inspired - our first impulse is to throw ourselves into action straightaway. But if we take a little time to analyse the situation and to develop a plan of action we can increase our effectiveness and our chances of success.
Media, Publicity and Outreach
Most campaigns end up dealing with the mainstream media at some point, whether they choose that contact or are thrust unwillingly into the limelight. This is a guide to getting your message across in the mainstream media, and tips on how to deal with the darker side of the press.
Funding
There are many different ways of raising money and getting materials and equipment. You'll find some of them in this guide together with general tips on raising cash and writing funding applications.