Meeting notes for 11th September 2019

Here are this weeks meeting notes:

Please bring food for the bring and share meal each meeting please.

Jeannie C – XR Central call out for admin workers 6hr shifts in London. Please respond on Facebook or contact us.

A Welfare list has been compiled for London, please donate anything on the list.

Contact Gerry or Jeannie for arrestee support and legal training.

Meeting Sat 14 @ The Beacon to learn more about XR and London – message the Beacon to find out the time.

XR Funraising Party @ Stroud Brewery on 5/10 all day – Jamie & party group

44 MPs came to the Heading for Extinction talk on Monday at Houses of Parliament. 8 MPs have signed up to a Private Members Bill for the XR 3 demands: Tell the Truth, Act Now and become carbon neutral by 2025 and a People’s Assembly to guide this in the right direction.

We’re also Celebrating Red Rebel Brigade action at the Houses of Parliament this week.

XR Crowdfunder has gone live this week to raise funds for XR Stroud – please donate and share on social media.

On Saturday 7th September the Nailsworth group held an outreach event which distributed 350 leaflets and had 55 sign ups on the day which was very encouraging! Nailsworth meet every Thursdays at 7pm to 9pm (upstairs at the Britannia pub). XR Nailsworth group is now also set up on action network!

Stop Ecocide concert at Sub Rooms on 25th October, Pretty Things are amongst the act that will be playing.

We need help feeding the rebels at the next Rebellion in October. We’re calling out for chefs and crew who can help with cooking. Please sign up here if you can help.

Beetles and XR logos printed on different coloured fabric.

XR website – you can now add your own events on the site xrstroud.org/add

Stroud District climate breakdown leaflets are at the Beacon for collection and distribution.

Paint the Streets 14th to 21st September – kick this off with leafleting on Saturday and a redeclaration on flyposting

XR Youth meet at the Beacon every Tuesday at 6.30 to 8pm Tues.

A poster detailing events at the fundraiser event

Please donate to this Crowdfunder for arrestees in Gloucestershire.

Wotton XR meeting 18th September at Church hall check facebook group for times

Call out for anyone who can run a kid workshops at the Funraising on 5 Oct We slso a lifting and shifting crew to help set up on Friday 4th October and clear up on Sunday 6th October. We need some people to help and commit time for this. 

Red Rebel Brigade (RRB) will be supporting the youth action (die in) at Shire Hall on 21st September. They are also looking for helping building a canopy to shield from rain or red umbrellas.

International Earthstrike

XR Stroud support international Earthstrike

Lots of painted protest banners laid out on a wooden floor.

International Earthstrike on Friday 20th September – 25 companies have now pledged to join us. Still need steward and wellbeing support. Alarm clocks and phones will be used on the day at 1pm. We also need a for a live streamer for the day. There will be food on the day (at Wallbridge) – call out as gas rings and gazebo are needed.

Events for this day:

  • Steward briefing will be held on Saturday 14th September at 10am to 11am at The Beacon.
  • Earthstrike voices rehearsal Sat 14th September at 11 am to 12.30pm at the Beacon
  • Greenpeace banner making workshop Saturday 14th September at 11am to 2pm at The Beacon
  • Sharing Circles – Friday 10am to 11am and Monday 2pm to 3pm at The Beacon.
  • Songs at Yoga Nidra Sunday 15th 11am to 12.30 pm
  • Gloucestershire wide banner is being produced to be hung on 21st September (banner is 6 meters by 3 meters).

The Beacon is looking for an IT skills person for the events calendar for XR & the Beacon.

Stroud is the first Earth Protector town in the UK and in fact the world!

Affinity groups

The remainder of the meeting was spent organising and preparing affinity groups for the next rebellion in October.

Meeting notes for 4th September 2019

Announcements

Come make boats with us on Saturday 7th at the Beacon 11-12:30pm. Pallet boats and cardboard boats we can use for upcoming Earthstrike!

XR Legal Crowdfunder will be going live and is to support arrestees Glos wide. To cover costs including court fines/legal fees etc. This is a try out and will be up for 30 days. There is a £3k target hopefully rising to £10,000 if possible. People are asked to share this information. We’ll post the link to this when it is ready.

Disrupt business as usual before the climate crisis does. Join the global climate strike 20th September

Earthstrike – 20 Sept. – Stewards are much needed. The Earthstrike group have been busy enlisting local businesses to sign up to strike on Friday 20th Sept including Derbyshire Framers, Star Anise, Moonflower, many still in the process of deciding.T his strike is for all adults to join supporting the Youthstrike. Meeting at the Archway at 11am. Bring banners and placards/flyers.

Earthstrike international logo

Offer of self care sessions at Frankie’s Yoga Centre on 15 Sept at 12.30 – Contact us to find out more.

Last Saturdays leafleting group around town and markets went well (reported Nicola). More leaflets will be kept at the Beacon for people to pop in and take. There is de-escalation info on the leaflet.

Nicola also talked about setting up a Shamanic Journey group. Contact us for more for more info. A supported space for young people is happening at the end of Oct post rebellion for teens to 25yrs.

Liz (Wellbeing Coordinator) is holding a session at the Beacon from 2-3.30 on Fridays.

Register if you are going to London form on Facebook to complete giving XR Central information about who’s coming. There are also opportunities for volunteering and what your skills are.

Val is due to do more printing at the Beacon every Thurs evening until the rebellion 7-9pm. Come along and get printed up.

Ames did a call out for people to sign up to the outreach team. There is a short induction and you can do a lot to grow XR in Stroud by joining.

Equinox ceremony on 21 Sept on the west side of Rodborough 7ish. This is also on the Stroud FB page.

Sam Povey who has relaunched the Stroud Instagram page has some of her photographic postcards for sale at the Beacon.


There is now a legal Whatsapp group – contact us for info. If you are interested in becoming a legal observer, or want to get involved in arrestee support which is a valuable role if you are not going to London you can welcome and give lifts to arrestees returning. There is zoom legal training online and on FB.

Effect of Climate Breakdown leaflet is being printed (1000). The idea is for everyone leafletted their own area and recorded this in a book at the Beacon it would be a good way to spread the word!!

Banners & Signs painting session at the beacon on Fridays 2-6pm. For Youth banner session on Sat 14th Sept. 11-2pm

Red Rebel Brigade will be supporting the youth action in Glos on 21 Sept. If you would like to be part of this come to the workshops at The Old Library (The Old Library/Lansdown, Stroud GL5 1BU). A full technical rehearsal will be held on 19th Sept. Contact Stroud Rebel Brigade on Facebook for more information. Rebecca also did a shout out for chaperones for the RRB to talk to public about the actions as RRB don’t speak during performance and this can be misunderstood. Chaperones can hold bags, be their security, talk and leaflet public. They are also looking for someone to livestream the action on Sat 21st. This is an important role to keep RRB safe and supported.

Learn the Earthstrike songs – an Earthstrike choir! Sat 14 Sept at the Beacon. 11am for an hour.

Sharing Circles at the Beacon Mons 2-3pm and Fridays 10-11am. To share thoughts and concerns.

Mental Health Support group for arrestees for anyone struggling after their arrest and is afraid to ask for help. Contact Gerry and Lyndon. Local therapists have offered their time and experience for free to support this group. A black book for Rebel Support can be found at the Beacon.

Core Team needed to hold and organise meetings at the convent inc. facilitators and food organising.


Training Day at the Lansdown on Sun 22nd Sept for all Glos groups. On FB. Including NVDA training, know your rights, NV communication training.

Two days before the Rebellion on Sat 5 Oct there is the XR FUNDRAISING party at Stroud Brewery from midday to 11pm with an after party nearby at Studio 18. Over two floors there will be an Auction extravaganza including offers of holiday cottage, roundhouse stay, therapies and much more. A variety of local bands, outspoken word, poetry, comedy, children’s activities and family area, drumming, mask making, storytelling workshop, a fantastic art exhibition, singing, Ecocide stall, afternoon tea, pizzas and loads of fun in readiness for 7th October. All soon on FB. Please offer help towards the time to make this an amazing day.


Sharing circles. This space is for all feelings arising from the climate and ecology crisis, not to mention the social, economic and political turmoils that impact on us indirectly and directly. We are all interconnected.

The circles will take place at 10-11am on Fridays and 2-3pm on Mondays at The Beacon in Kendrick St, Stroud. Cost per circle: donations £2-4 sliding scale to cover costs.

The Sharing Circles last an hour, gathering in a mutually supportive and confidential Circle space. The Circle structure is simple, sharing time is divided equally with your choice to share as much or as little as you need. The Circle mutual agreement will be explained and each person present agrees to the structure and intention to connect to what we are sharing together.

We attempt to accommodate people as they are but we need to care for the conditions that support this kind of listening space, where interruptions affect the feeling of safety and focus in sharing. We will begin at the start time and any late comers will be invited to enter quietly and join the circle. Please plan to be on time to support the sharing space.

Meeting Notes for 23rd August 2019

Multicoloured clothes drying on a drying rack
Multicoloured clothes drying on a drying rack

Banner-making 30 August, at the Beacon. Children welcome.

Outreach group is starting regular Saturday leafleting around the town and the market, followed by Q&A.  First session Saturday 31 August to meet at 10am at the Beacon to gather for a briefing which will include de-escalation training.

Affinity Group forming will be the main business at next Wednesday meeting, 4 September.

Heading for Extinction talks: 5 September, Stroud Brewery, 7.30pm.

Rising Tide, South-West Rebel Fest, 6-8 September, starting 6pm Friday, Tapeley Park, Devon EX39 4NT. Ticket details on facebook

Paint the Streets will be taking place from 14 September, leading up to the Earth Strike. More details on Facebook.

Printing workshop every Thursday at the Beacon, 7-9pm.

All day preparation for Rebellion on Sunday 22 September at the Lansdown Hall. Anyone willing to join a core team to organise, please contact us.

Website is now up, please visit xrstroud.org and start clicking to lift up search engines!

An illustration of a skeleton showing into a extinction rebellion megaphone.

Auction for XR Party gathering some wonderful offers. If you have any offers you could add, please contact us.

Wellbeing and Regen group now has a google group. Please pm Emily on the Facebook group if you want to join.

Gerry reminded everyone again that there is now a Whatsapp group for Stroud arrestee support.  Please contact us to find out more.

Policemen gather on the green in Westminster.

We are launching a crowdfunding appeal specifically to support Stroud arrestees with fines. Watch this space for more info.

Call-out for help at the Beacon with carpentry and painting and decorating. Please contact Marcus or Tracee at the Beacon. NB! The Beacon is entirely run by volunteers and offers space and resources to a wide range of environmental activist groups and causes. XR benefits hugely from this so please pitch in and lend a hand.

XR Stroud now has its very own Instagram page, courtesy of Sam Povey.

Finally – if you haven’t already seen this – the Climate Emergency Fund have promised to match fund Extinction Rebellion if a certain amount of money is raised before the end of August – please see and donate here!

Meeting Notes for 21st August 2019

Three t shirts hang with act now written on them, papers and a blaock stamp in the foreground.

Announcements

Please use our contact form if you are interested in any of these announcements.

21 August – Sign making organised by Greenpeace at the Beacon 14 Sept 10am-1pm for the Youthstrike/Earthstrike.

Gerry is new Coordinator for legal and is setting up arrestee support group. Can be contacted at XRLegal@gmail.com.

29 Sept – Heading for Extinction Talk at Chalford.

28 Sept – Grief Circle run by Mari Winkleman & Peter Gill at the Stroud Community Agriculture roundhouse.

Glos Recycling Centre at Horsley takes electronics and devices to reuse/recycle. The Stroud Valleys eco shop also takes laptops and mobile devices for recycling.

There was a Glos County XR meeting at the Beacon on Monday 19th attended by Cheltenham, Glos, Nailsworth and Forest of Dean XR members to discuss the way forward for the county and how to work together towards Earthstrike and 7 October Rebellion.

Sun 22 Sept – Midday onwards – There is a Rebellion Training Day at Lansdown Hall including training and affinity group building, ready for the October actions. More info coming soon.

The Red Rebels are part of the Earth Strike on the 20/9/19. We are taking part in an action on the 21/9/19 as part of the XR youth action in Gloucester. They need a livestreamer and support person. Please contact Rebecca in the Facebook group if you can help.

XR Bristol are planning to produce an XR free paper and are looking for local distributors and coordinators. Contact Senan.

Sat 24 Aug this weekend – Training the Speakers for the Heading for Extinction Talk is now full. There will be further NVDA training coming up.

25 October – Ecocide event at the Sub Rooms £20 Stop Ecocide!

Clothes Swap – organised by Esme at the Beacon. Val will be printing onto clothes and there will be some upcycling of garments ready for the Rebellion.

28 Sept – It’s Judy’s birthday and she has invited all XR at the Scout hut off Parliament St. Pete the Temp is entertaining and the suggestion is to wear something interesting on your head!!!

Sat 31 Aug – There will be leafleting about the Earthstrike on Sat 31st at the Farmers Market. Many hands are needed to bring this to the attention of people and their employers.

21/22 Sept is the Autumn Equinox – Ames is suggesting a get-together on Swifts Hill.

Thurs 5 Sept – Heading for Extinction talk will take place at Stroud Brewery with Jo Robins and Sarah Lunnon at 7pm Small groups. There will be leaflets produced for this to distribute.

Sat 5 October XR fundraising – will include an auction of a variety of pledges, i.e. massage, dinner for 2, therapies, art, wine tour, boat trip etc. However, we are still looking for some special donations. If you know someone with a caravan, boat, cottage etc. who would be willing to offer a trip, weekend stay please get in touch. We need to raise some serious money for the rebellion! Please contact us if you have any donations for prizes.

There is a SW training weekend in Barstaple, Devon on FB before the Rebellion.

XR Stroud meeting with people sat in a circle in the convent room.

Meeting Notes for 14th August 2019

We’ll try to put a summary on here each week (where possible) for members who are unable to attend.

Here are the summary of announcements and topics discussed as yesterdays meeting:

Announcements:

XR legal – legal is stepping up work in order to fill the gap for arrestee support. A chat group has been setup for those who need it, please contact us if you require this service.

Extra wellbeing work – new sub groups are being setup mental health support within XR Stroud, to assist people in distress due to climate breakdown, or any mental health crises in general.

Clothes sale fundraiser for XR Stroud – 30 August during the day on Fri set up after 4pm open 5/6pm, £3 entry. Ready steady swap! Set up gazebos outside. 

Print workshop – every Thursday evening 7 to 9pm at Val’s printing shed.

Stop Ecocide – there will be a protector town event outside sub rooms on the 7th September. Event time TBC.

XR Youth – There is a new actions lead for this group. XR Youth will continue to meet on Tuesdays 7 to 9pm at the Beacon (old art shop in Stroud).

Earthstrike – 20th September – call for adults to assist the Youth strike in Stroud. More information available on Facebook page or on newsletter. Help is needed with organising, printing leaflets.

Red Rebel Brigade – the original global group is going a fundraiser to help setup similar groups internationally.

Sharing circles – for coping with climate breakdown or other issues that are distressing. Monday at 2pm or Friday 10am at the Beacon.

The beacon – group is working on improving the XR Stroud presence in the new shop. Additionally they are working towards having a weekly presence at the shop. They’re aiming to setup sessions there every Saturday at 1pm. More volunteers are needed to help with this and handing out leaflets to people in town. There is also an outdoor space at the beacon that can be used for growing plants. Plant donations are welcome.

XR Stroud party – 5th October 12 to 11pm at Stroud Brewery. Fundraising event for XR Stroud. Lots of help needed to organise. Bands needed.

Local XR groups – there is a meeting coming up about how all of our different (South West) groups can work together more – date TBC.

If you can help with any of these requests for help, please get in touch using our contact form.

Issues raised at meeting

Some people still not on XR Stroud newsletter despite giving out their email multiple times.

People’s assembly

We also had an explanation of how peoples assemblies worked, and the differences between them and a citizen’s assembly (which is much more formal requiring participant training, moderated recruitment and a formal structure.

We used the people assembly time in three groups to discuss the London rebellion and the April rebellion and what worked well and what we learnt from the experience of both. This information will be used to help XR Stroud plan their actions for the October rebellion. Each group wrote down three main target areas for improvement, and these were documented and will be discussed further in a future meeting.

Upcoming training

There was also a request for training to prepare for upcoming actions, particularly as we have new members, this will be arranged shortly. There was a bit of discussion about how we could do smaller training sessions as part of meetings as there is sometimes not great turn out to training events.