DF Rough Guide to Althing

The Rough Guide to all things

Althing

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“I liked feeling like I was making a difference to the events that I enjoy so much. I’ve gone to camps and training since where I’ve seen the impact of discussions I took part in”

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Althing is the event where we decide the future of the movement, elect people to roles and select our campaigns. Be a part of it to shape the movement you want to see.

Sometimes democracy can make you think of soundbite policies from media-obsessed politicians with uninspiring manifestos. Not so in DFs, because we know that if you do it properly, democracy is AWESOME! Althing was the name of the Icelandic parliament where everyone had the right to speak, and our own Althing aims to be just as empowering and inclusive. We use a combination of consensus discussion techniques*, voting and elections by secret ballot. We vary our discussions using plenaries, small groups, open space and “silent discussions” on paper. We also stay energised with games and stay focused with tip-top chairing skills. This guide will explain our processes and any words you don’t know as well as showing you how you can be involved. *See the awesome Guide to Good Discussion

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Making the movement If you see a problem for DFs but you don’t know how to solve it, or if you have an aim for DFs but don’t know how to achieve it, write a MUSING. Musings are about collectively finding solutions and strategies that can then be agreed together. e.g. We believe that people should be more excited at pudding time. How do we solve this?

MOTIONS are useful when you already have a solution or action. The secretary can help you write the motion clearly and accurately. e.g. This Althing resolves to have a minimum of three flavours of Jelly for pudding every day.

A motion needs to have a DF proposing it and another DF seconding it. They are discussed and voted on. If no one speaks against a motion it automatically passes.

If you see a motion that you agree with in principle but want to edit or add to in order to support it, write an AMENDMENT. e.g.. Add “vegetarian” before “jelly” The amendment can be accepted or declined by the proposer of the original motion. If accepted, the motion is discussed as amended but if it is declined, the amendment is discussed and voted on before the motion as a whole.

Any DF can nominate any DF (including themselves) for a role. All nominees who accept their nominations give a hustings about why they want to stand for ELECTION after which everyone else can ask questions of the candidates.

Voting takes place by secret ballot under a Single Transferrable Vote system.

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“My first DF event was an Althing. I didn’t know anyone but ended up on General Council as well as being a regional rep.

It really helped me get to know DFs and make friends in the movement but it was very hard work!”

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“I loved my first Thing. It made me really want to go to Althing.”

“People think I’m joking when I say I love DF business!”

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There are more ways to make DFs the best it can be than just submitting musings, motions or standing for election Make a point Raise your hand and the chair will make a note of you on the speakers list and let you know when it is your turn.

Don’t make a point If someone else has made your point already, or if you are going off on a tangent, think about whether it might be better to listen rather than speak.

Help out with housework Business events need food and tidying as much as any other event and we rely on everyone mucking in to get stuff done.

Share a skill This could be anything from an in-depth explanation of consensus decision-making to a playwork skillshare to spending five minutes explaining a new way of making friendship bracelets.

Offer to chair You would need to keep people focussed and manage the speakers list. Want to give it a try? Let the chairing team know and they’ll find a discussion for you to chair and help you do it if you’re new to facilitation.

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Suggest an energiser Make sure that people aren’t getting too restless by running a quick game, song or dance to wake everyone up.

Remember, there’s no such thing as too much Ninja.

Snacks Making a pot of tea or mixing some squash makes you a lot of friends and keeps everyone hydrated. Bonus points if you can find some biscuits, fruit or hot, buttered toast to help everyone keep their energy up.

Be a teller You can only do this if you are not standing for election. Tellers count votes according to the STV system and make sure that the election results are accurate.

Commit Don’t just talk about what needs doing. As a volunteerrun organisation, nothing happens unless someone like you volunteers to do it.

Encourage other people DFs works best when lots of people are involved and we hear a huge range of opinions. Encourage others to attend, and once you’re there, try to get as many people participating as possible.

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“Talking in a big group can be scary but at Althing I actually felt fine!”

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Glossary DF Committee: The team of volunteers that you elect to look after the movement. They give support to DFs running projects, campaigns and events as well as making sure that everyone is safe, happy and working towards the Aims and Principles.

Thing: Things are smaller business events that rotate around the country, taking place three times a year.

GC: General Council is the board of directors of Woodcraft Folk who are legally responsible for the charity, its finances and members’ safety.

AG: Annual Gathering is the Althing of Woodcraft Folk, where groups and districts get to vote for GC and crucial decisions about the movement.

DevCon: Development Confrerence is the Thing of Woodcraft Folk.

STV: Single Transferable Vote is a voting system that allows you to choose the person that the most people would be happy with rather than one with a narrow majority in first past the post. You list your options in order of preference. The votes for the least popular option are redistributed to their next choices and so on until there is a winner.

Quorum: At Althing, a certain number of people need to be present in order for a vote to be valid. Quorum is having thirty-three registered DFs, or twice the number of existing Commiee members plus one, whichever is the lesser.

Ninja: A game so good, it is only matched by Ratchet Screwdriver.

If you encounter other confusing words or phrases, you can wave your hand in front of your face (the “jargon-buster” hand signal) to indicate that you need a clarification. Or just ask the nearest friendly DF.

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Use this space to make notes, jot down points you want to make, what to say in your hustings or any jobs you have volunteered for.

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The rough guide to navigating the world of DF business This resource and so much more at: spanthatworld.com

Woodcraft Folk runs co-operative youth groups in towns and cities all over the UK where young people can have fun, make friends, build self confidence and learn about big ideas from climate change to social justice. If you are interested in finding a Woodcraft Folk group in your area get in touch. woodcraft.org.uk/where E: info@woodcraft.org.uk T: +44 (0) 20 7703 4173 Woodcraft Folk. Registered charity in England & Wales (1148195) and in Scotland (SC039791). Registered in England & Wales Company No. 8133727

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