Get Involved

Any individual with a commitment to non-heirarchical consensus decision-making (as described below), who supports the vision and objectives of the camp, and who is willing to work in good-faith to make the camp a success, is able to participate in organising the camp.

We have a general organising collective, which meets about once a month, as well as various working groups, with specific responsibilities.

The Organising Collective meets monthly via phone conference Please contact Vanessa for information about participating over the phone:
0413 817 597 or vanessa[at]risingtide.org.au

Working groups that you might want to get involved in are:

o Site Logistics
The site logistics team will find a site suitable for the camp to be held, with input from the organising collective. They will be required to:
- Scout potential sites for suitability
- Research the law and our rights related to potential sites
- Undertake any necessary liaising with relevant authorities.. e.g. local council (camping permit) fire brigade (fire permit)
- Plan and take appropriate steps to secure the best identified site, and backup sites if necessary.

o Food
- Sourcing ethical food
- Organising menus
- Organising kitchen cooking and eating logistics

o First Aid
Ensuring adequate first aid supplies and people with up to date training are readily available during the camp.

o Legal
This working group will combine law students, practitioners and other interested parties who will undertake various aspects of legal research for the camp as well as co-ordinate a legal observers team for the major action.

o Action Props
Facilitating the collective creation of theatrical props to illustrate our message during the actions as well as ensuring supplies are available during the camp for spontaneous prop and banner making.

o Indigenous Liaison
Initiating and maintaining strong links with local, regional and national Indigenous people. The Australian Climate Camp’s Indigenous Liaison working group will seek permission and acknowledge the traditional owners of the site we occupy – recognising that sovereignty was never ceded in this land and that genocide continues to this day.

This working group will encourage and foster Indigenous participation and recognition of Indigenous rights and issues, locally and in relation to the inequitable climate change impact felt by Indigenous people, here and globally.

o Communications
The communications working group has three main areas of responsibility: promotion of the camp; media and website development.

They will coordinate the creation and dissemination of promotional materials and information to all relevant networks across the country. They will focus on activating existing environmental activist networks, as well as forging new alliances with broader society e.g. social justice organisations, trade unions, parent’s groups.
- Stalls at summer festivals
- Fliering at political rallies
- Speaking at meetings and events to promote the camp

They will develop a strategy for liason between the camp and media outlets. The group will ensure that the philosophy and aims of the camp are as accurately represented as possible by media outlets, and work towards widespread coverage of the camp before, during, and after it takes place. They will provide media spokespeople for the organising collective, as well as write and disseminate media releases. They will also give support to individual affinity groups and, where required, help coordinate media during the camp.

Make a funky, interactive and informative website to promote and help coordinate the camp and the issues it is addressing. The website should include:
- Working group descriptions with a call out for people interested in getting involved
- Updates on camp planning, next meeting times, call-outs for specific projects, etc.
- Current media relating to the camp
- Promotion of any relevant fundraising events
- Space for people to register affinity groups
- Explanations of the organising structure for the camp, affinity group organising, non-violent direct action, etc.
- Outline of the camp's objectives
- A wish list of items needed for the camp
- A list of jobs that need doing

o Action
The action working group will investigate and coordinate the logistical aspects of the non-violent direct action activities of the camp.This does not preclude actions that autonomous affinity groups may organise over the duration of the camp.

o Program
This group will collectively workshop the program content for forums, workshops and entertainment. They will prepare a call-out for workshop facilitators and cooperate with the promotion working group to disseminate this request. They will contact and liaise with speakers, workshop facilitators and performers and compile a clear and detailed list of logistical support required for the program. They will finalise the time-table and space details of the program content.

o Transport
The transport working group will be a geographically disparate collective of organisers focused on the logistical aspects of transporting camp participants from their home to the camp and in back again.

o Support Vibe
The support vibe working group will develop and coordinate a support system and a counter surveillance system to minimise alienation and danger, and to promote a strong and healthy activist community, throughout the running of the camp?

o Fundraising
This working group will coordinate fundraising events, activities, sponsorships, requests for in-kind donations and grants.

o Networking
Liaise with and inform other groups in Australia about the climate camp, and encourage them to get involved. Liaise with the organisers of other international climate camps, as well as climate activists in other countries, to ensure an international perspective; encourage international participation through electronic communication and seek advice on aspects of camp organising where required.

o Budget
Plan and account for income and expenditure associated with the camp.