Arise4Change
How we do things
The Hub
The organising hub (from now on called the hub) will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the organisation such as managing funds, membership subscriptions, GDPR etc. The hub will be made up of volunteers from the membership. The volunteers will be accountable to the membership but trusted to perform the organisational duties as required.
The volunteer roles and vice-roles will include a facilitator, membership secretary, minutes secretary, treasurer, web-site administrator, social media administrator and a members’ representative.
Each hub volunteer will commit two years in each role.
The hub will actively listen to, consult, and communicate with members on a regular basis.
How members become hub volunteers.
Volunteers present a written case to the membership on why they wish to have a particular role in the hub. Each case is discussed amongst the members (in the absence of the proposing volunteer) and any objections noted. If there no reasonable objections the volunteer is accepted into the role.
The decision-making process
Decisions in the hub will be made by consent and facilitated by the facilitator. The consent process allows decisions on proposals to be made based around reasonable objections. A reasonable objection is one where there will be a foreseen negative consequences or harm to the Hub or Arise4Change’s organisational aims. The key steps in a consent process are: presenting the proposal, listening to the proposal, asking clarifying questions, and deliberating, followed by a round of objections. Objections are seen as ensuring rigour in decision-making and allow for suggestions to make the proposal non-objectionable.
Working groups
Strategic direction and priorities for campaigns and actions will be proposed by members to the hub, who, if there is no reasonable objection, will facilitate the establishment of a working group.
Once established the working group will have full autonomy and responsibility to develop their given project using the same decision-making processes as in the hub. To facilitate organisational learning and knowledge flow the working group will have representation on the Hub via the group’s facilitator and a group representative.
How we treat each other
We recognise that through our diversity we will all have a diversity of experiences, values and viewpoints. We will celebrate this diversity as it will help us find solutions to complex issues. We may disagree at times or not like what we hear. However, we will always strive to listen actively, learn from each other and deliberate our differences openly, compassionately, gracefully and without judgement. We recognise it is OK, to disagree, but we should not be disagreeable. We shall not resort to personal attacks, gossip or criticism but focus on the argument or issue to hand. We recognise that the freedom to express different values and opinions is very important in any social democracy. It will allow us to make sure issues are fully deliberated leading to resilient, robust and fully informed decision-making. Freedom, and hence empowerment, comes from listening to each other and sharing our humanity. This is what will help unite us in our common goal to improve all lives on this planet, and maximise our collective talents, creativity and humanity.
Grievances
Any member who has a grievance against another member, working group, process or the hub is free to make it without any fear of reprisal.
The grievance should be in written form and given to the group’s facilitator. The group’s facilitator will ask the hub to identify three impartial adjudicators. They will inform the implicated party of the grievance and ask them for a written response. Once both parties have had a chance to respond, the adjudicators will hold separate meetings with the two parties to hear both points of view and find out their desirable outcomes. A joint meeting will then be held with both parties, where further questions will be asked by the adjudicators, and where an amicable resolution is agreed by both parties. The adjudicators will ensure that the agreed resolution is carried out.
If an agreement cannot be found the adjudicators will call a members’ meeting. The adjudicators will present the case and the members will decide the outcome.