Local Groups Conference
Friends of the Earth's local groups conference is the biggest event
in the calendar of the local groups network. It's a great opportunity
for local groups, staff and Board members to get together.
It includes a number of events including the John Preedy Memorial
Lecture, presentations on campaign successes by both local groups
and staff, setting the agenda for the year ahead, workshops, a
Motions Debate, exhibitions, plenty of networking time, a party, and
much more.
Conference 2008 - Loughborough University
12-14 September 2008
Earthmovers Awards 
Loughborough
University, venue for
Conference 2008
These awards are presented at Conference each year to acknowledge the diversity of contributions that people from across the local groups network make to Friends of the Earth.
Nominations for this year’s awards are now closed. Our panel of judges are currently deciding our 2008 winners, who will be announced at the special Earthmover Award and Review of the Year ceremony at Conference.
Our 2007
winners were presented
with Earthmover awards under the categories of Campaign of the Year,
Group of the Year, Successful Solutions, Commitment to Friends of the
Earth, and Communicating Powerfully.
Motions to Conference
An important part of Conference is the Motions
process. Local
groups can present campaign and organisational ideas to
Conference; if they are passed they become Resolutions for the
Board of Friends of the
Earth Ltd. to integrate within Friends of the
Earth’s policy and strategy as appropriate.
If passed, Motions to Conference become Conference Resolutions. Resolutions
are not binding on Friends of the Earth Ltd. - they are addressed to
the Board of Directors, who ultimately decide about whether and how
to act upon them. Resolutions are looked at closely by the staff,
Organisational Management Team, and the Board after Conference.
Once
Resolutions are agreed by the Board, a Resolutions paper is circulated
to all local groups detailing how (or whether) each Resolution will
be enacted; this will normally be in the February following Conference.
An Implementations report detailing action that has been taken on
each Resolution will then be circulated approximately one month prior
to the next Conference (i.e. 11 months after the Resolution was passed).
The Motions process for 2008 is now underway. Local groups have proposed 11 Motions, with some groups submitting subsequent Amendments to them.
All the Motions and Amendments are detailed in the Motions to Conference paper 2008 , along with staff responses to each one. Groups now have the opportunity to vote on their top five Motions using the Prioritisation Ballot Form. The deadline for returning the ballot form (by post or by email) is 12 noon on Friday 15 August.
All Motions and Amendments submitted follow the guidance detailed in the background briefing and adhere to the Standing Orders of Conference. Proposing groups were asked to outline how their Motion related to Friends of the Earth’s Draft Strategic Plan 2008-2013 and staff responses are also set in this context.
Please note that this year the Chair of the Motions, Board member Dave Coleman, is proposing Revised Standing Orders of Conference. Groups have had two opportunities to comment on these and the feedback received has been incorporated. Groups will vote on whether to adopt the updated Standing Orders at the start of the Motions debate at Conference 2008. If adopted, the revised Standing Orders will govern this year’s debate.
Results of the 2007 motions process
Elections to Friends of the Earth Ltd's Board
The voting
for regional Board representatives occurs at Conference. Local group coordinators in the
regions where elections are occuring receive information on how to nominate a candidate in advance.
For 2008, elections are being held for the South Central, East Anglia and North East (including Yorkshire & Humber) regions. Prospective candidates and their nominator must complete and return the Nomination Form by the deadline of 20 June 2008.
Please also refer to the following documents:
Local group run workshops
Groups have the opportunity
to share their expertise with others through a dedicated slot at each Conference for local
group-run workshops and networking.
These sessions are an opportunity to exchange information
and ideas on any subject of interest.
It’s not about providing all the answers – it’s
a chance to pick each others brains to solve problems together.
A look back at Conference 2007
Transcripts, pictures and reports from last year's Conference.
Image © Loughborough University
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