Guidance on Working Groups

Greens Organise is a grassroots, self-organising and volunteer-run network for members of the Green Party. Following our initial launch at Autumn Conference 2024, we aim to establish ourselves formally as a democratic, membership-led group. In the meantime, we collectively adopted an interim governance structure:

Wider Group

This consists of all the Green Party members who were involved in the August meetings. Until we have more formal democratic structures established, this group makes decisions and must sign off all proposals.

Working Groups

These are responsible for driving the work of Greens Organise by bringing detailed proposals to the Wider Group for decision, making interim decisions within the terms of a proposal that has been decided on by the Wider Group. Draft terms of reference for each group are below.

Core Group

This incorporates members from each Working Group (a max of two per Working Group at any one time, nominated by each Working Group). It does not make decisions, but acts as a forum for sharing information between Working Groups in between Wider Group meetings.

Membership and expectations

All members of Greens Organise are encouraged to join a Working Group to help establish ourselves as a network and productive organising space. We are committed to ensuring we empower and represent working class people, Global Majority communities, and other groups facing social marginalisation of any kind. These groups are particularly encouraged to join Working Groups and help drive their work forward.

To function effectively, and so we can hold each other accountable, Working Group members are asked to limit membership to two Working Groups, commit at least 2 hours per month to each group, and make reasonable effort to stay in contact with their group. Working Group members should ensure they have signed our open letter (the Manchester Manifesto) and all Greens Organise members agree to abide by the Green Party Code of Conduct. Any questions can be sent to info@greensorganise.uk.

If you’re ready to get organised, email info@greensorganise.uk.

Draft Terms of Reference (ToF)

Organise (Governance)

Lead: Haydn Osborne-Brookes

Draft Terms of Reference:

Greens Organise (GO) has launched on a provisional basis, taking this interim governance proposal as its governing document. In order to continue to grow and make decisions democratically, it needs to adopt a more permanent, democratic structure. It also needs to manage its administrative duties effectively, which include its internal communications channels and finances.

The activities of the Organise working group are therefore:
– To develop longer-term, democratic governance proposals
In the interim, to ensure that GO’s administrative process are as transparent, accountable and efficient as possible
– To ensure GO establishes and maintains accessible and effective channels for internal communications
Working with other working groups, to discuss and develop fair and transparent means of identifying and resolving issues of conduct in GO
– To oversee the management of member and supporter data, and GO documents and information, with a view to ensuring it is stored securely and that these processes are comprehensible to GO members

In the immediate term, the working group’s primary objective is to develop and consult on proposals for a longer-term, democratic structure. These proposals will be brought to the Wider Group for decision.

Educate

Lead: Jennie Smith

Draft Terms of Reference:

The Education Working Group is committed to scaling up political education across Greens Organise, empowering members across England and Wales with the knowledge and skills to navigate Green Party structures, understand ideological foundations, and analyse electoral strategies. We aim to build a dynamic culture of left wing learning, working with allies to inspire and equip members for transformative action. In the face of a corporate-controlled media environment pushing the agenda further right, building a shared vision for a desirable and possible future is crucial.

Aims:
– Deliver introductory courses on internal party structures and decision-making processes.
– Explore the party’s key left-wing ideological strands to develop informed, strategic, active members.
– Analyse election strategies and results and collaborate with allies on the left to develop knowledge and build a stronger, more effective and unified political movement.

Democratise

Lead: Rupert George + Emily Gulliksen

Draft Terms of Reference:

To support and develop engagement in internal Green Party democracy by ensuring that Greens Organise is active within internal election and selection processes. Objectives:

Considering mechanisms for accountability of those elected through the support of Greens Organise.
Raise awareness of and participation in (national and regional) internal elections and selection processes.
Creating tools and resources to encourage and support members to stand as candidates in internal elections/selections.
Improving the number and diversity of candidates for internal elections.
Developing processes and criteria for supporting good and competent members into important roles within the Party, including consideration of Greens Organise endorsements and slates.
Evaluating the importance and significance of roles within the Party when considering active support for candidates.
Offering support and coordination to Greens Organise members elected to internal roles.

Communication & Campaigns

Leads: Robert Magowan + Steve Jackson

Draft Terms of Reference:

We want to see the Green Party speak directly to the deep-seated desire for system change, and to help secure a popular mandate for our agenda.

Objectives:
– Communicate a positive identity within and beyond the party, and an exciting prospect for the wider left
– Support the party to issue more confident communications and positions on key policy / political strategy issues
– Platform diverse spokespeople who can speak powerfully to our aims and those of the Green Party

In the immediate term, this Working Group will develop proposals for specific strategic comms / campaign priorities where we can contribute the most.

Responsibilities:
– External comms activity (e.g. social media)
– Press relationships
– Criteria and processes for comms/campaigns priorities and output.

Build

Leads: James O’Nions + Benali Hamdache

Draft Terms of Reference:

We believe there is an opportunity for the Green Party to become the principle electoral expression of the movement for progressive change, and in so doing to help create that change through strong movement relationships. In order to get there, the Build working group of Greens Organise will:

Help to establish Greens Organise organisation among Green Party members in specific localities and regions where there is interest.

Collaborate with internal Green Party Special Interest Groups such as Green Muslims, Young Greens, Green Party Trade Union Group etc.

Map and approach social movements and trade unions, seeking to establish stronger relationships between them and the Green Party, including with the ultimate aim of involving key activists from such movements in the Party itself.

Party Culture

Leads: Nicola Day + David Simpson

Draft Terms of Reference:

Objective: To develop an intersectional, inclusive, and engaged group that look to support the aims of the Green Party’s agenda for social and environmental justice through analysis of patterns, behaviours and action within party culture.

Purpose:

To develop strategy and support Greens Organise and Green Party Leaders in an active hiring policy and accountability procedure for protected characteristics and recognised statuses of members within the Green Party.

To identify the strengths of the Green Party and the reasons people choose to join or leave the Green Party.

To analyse and review current party culture in relation to accessibility and allyship for under represented communities, and groups supporting members with protected characteristics. Particularly focused on working class voices and the intersectionality of other groups within traditional and non-traditional definitions of “working class” communities.

To explore the reforms and changes needed to make the party culture anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and anti-capitalist. This might range from enabling new and long-standing members to understand each other and work together as the party grows to exploring the accessibility of the party for no/low/middle income members, as well as barriers to getting elected.

To identify and develop reforms, working with Special Interest Groups, and building these into party structures.

To collaborate with Greens Organise – Educate to identify the learning and training needs for members of the Green Party to facilitate accessibility concerning leadership, Executive roles, committee roles, and engagement with influential processes for Green Party policy making, and to apply learnings from wider party culture to Greens Organise internally.

Working Group	Draft Terms of Reference	Leads
Organise (Governance)	Greens Organise (GO) has launched on a provisional basis, taking this interim governance proposal as its governing document. In order to continue to grow and make decisions democratically, it needs to adopt a more permanent, democratic structure. It also needs to manage its administrative duties effectively, which include its internal communications channels and finances. The activities of the Organise working group are therefore: – To develop longer-term, democratic governance proposals In the interim, to ensure that GO’s administrative process are as transparent, accountable and efficient as possible – To ensure GO establishes and maintains accessible and effective channels for internal communications Working with other working groups, to discuss and develop fair and transparent means of identifying and resolving issues of conduct in GO. – To oversee the management of member and supporter data, and GO documents and information, with a view to ensuring it is stored securely and that these processes are comprehensible to GO members In the immediate term, the working group’s primary objective is to develop and consult on proposals for a longer-term, democratic structure. These proposals will be brought to the Wider Group for decision.	Haydn Osborne-Brookes
Educate	The Education Working Group is committed to scaling up political education across Greens Organise, empowering members across England and Wales with the knowledge and skills to navigate Green Party structures, understand ideological foundations, and analyse electoral strategies. We aim to build a dynamic culture of left wing learning, working with allies to inspire and equip members for transformative action. In the face of a corporate-controlled media environment pushing the agenda further right, building a shared vision for a desirable and possible future is crucial. Objectives: – Deliver introductory courses on internal party structures and decision-making processes. – Explore the party’s key left-wing ideological strands to develop informed, strategic, active members. – Analyse election strategies and results and collaborate with allies on the left to develop knowledge and build a stronger, more effective and unified political movement.	Jennie Smith
Democratise	To support and develop engagement in internal Green Party democracy by ensuring that Greens Organise is active within internal election and selection processes. Objectives: – Raise awareness of and participation in (national and regional) internal elections and selection processes. – Creating tools and resources to encourage and support members to stand as candidates in internal elections/selections. – Improving the number and diversity of candidates for internal elections. – Developing processes and criteria for supporting good and competent members into important roles within the Party, including consideration of Greens Organise endorsements and slates. – Evaluating the importance and significance of roles within the Party when considering active support for candidates. – Offering support and coordination to Greens Organise members elected to internal roles. – Considering mechanisms for accountability of those elected through the support of Greens Organise.	Rupert George + Emily Gulliksen
Comms / Campaign	We want to see the Green Party speak directly to the deep-seated desire for system change, and to help secure a popular mandate for our agenda. Objectives: – Communicate a positive identity within and beyond the party, and an exciting prospect for the wider left – Support the party to issue more confident communications and positions on key policy / political strategy issues – Platform diverse spokespeople who can speak powerfully to our aims and those of the Green Party In the immediate term, this Working Group will develop proposals for specific strategic comms / campaign priorities where we can contribute the most. Responsibilities: – External comms activity (e.g. social media) – Press relationships – Criteria and processes for comms/campaigns priorities and output.	Robert Magowan + Steve Jackson
Build	We believe there is an opportunity for the Green Party to become the principle electoral expression of the movement for progressive change, and in so doing to help create that change through strong movement relationships. In order to get there, the Build working group of Greens Organise will: – Collaborate with internal Green Party Special Interest Groups such as Green Muslims, Young Greens, Green Party Trade Union Group etc. – Map and approach social movements and trade unions, seeking to establish stronger relationships between them and the Green Party, including with the ultimate aim of involving key activists from such movements in the Party itself. – Help to establish Greens Organise organisation among Green Party members in specific localities and regions where there is interest.	James O’Nions + Benali Hamdache
Party culture	Objective: To develop an intersectional, inclusive, and engaged group that look to support the aims of the Green Party’s agenda for social and environmental justice through analysis of patterns, behaviours and action within party culture. Purpose: – To identify the strengths of the Green Party and the reasons people choose to join or leave the Green Party. – To analyse and review current party culture in relation to accessibility and allyship for under represented communities, and groups supporting members with protected characteristics. Particularly focused on working class voices and the intersectionality of other groups within traditional and non-traditional definitions of “working class” communities. – To explore the reforms and changes needed to make the party culture anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and anti-capitalist. This might range from enabling new and long-standing members to understand each other and work together as the party grows to exploring the accessibility of the party for no/low/middle income members, as well as barriers to getting elected. – To identify and develop reforms, working with Special Interest Groups, and building these into party structures. – To collaborate with Greens Organise – Educate to identify the learning and training needs for members of the Green Party to facilitate accessibility concerning leadership, Executive roles, committee roles, and engagement with influential processes for Green Party policy making, and to apply learnings from wider party culture to Greens Organise internally. – To develop strategy and support Greens Organise and Green Party Leaders in an active hiring policy and accountability procedure for protected characteristics and recognised statuses of members within the Green Party.	Nicola Day + David Simpson