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I have submitted a motion to @YoungGreenParty Convention, alongside @itsellenparry @robertjnixon_ & @thomashazell1 - and @MartinOsborne_.
This motion would create an independent role to work alongside/in EC, as a Welfare Support Officer.
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This motion would create an independent role to work alongside/in EC, as a Welfare Support Officer.
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I hope this opens up a wider conversation surrounding activist burnout.
Background:
More often than not we hear of active members of the YGs feeling disheartened, disconnected or burnt out from activism.
Being in politics in general can take a large hit, let alone the current political climate.
More often than not we hear of active members of the YGs feeling disheartened, disconnected or burnt out from activism.
Being in politics in general can take a large hit, let alone the current political climate.
Disadvantaged groups & minorities are constantly fighting for rights & recognition. This is incredibly tiring.
It’s easy to forget the low-income, disabled, BAME & LGBTQIA+ communities fight for their right to exist every day.
It’s easy to forget the low-income, disabled, BAME & LGBTQIA+ communities fight for their right to exist every day.
It’s also important to remember members who are not in the South East (sorry) or London who feel left out or forgotten.
More often than we like to admit, members take a step back from internal politics, running for positions, campaigning externally or even the party as a whole.
We have to understand there is a huge complexity to these issues - but a major factor is members are just exhausted.
We have to understand there is a huge complexity to these issues - but a major factor is members are just exhausted.
We have to protect our membership & empower them, whilst understandinng the harsh and brutal environment that political activism breeds.
A (potential) role description:
1. Providing support to members suffering from activist burnout - through email, calls, video chats etc or general conversation.
2. Offering advice to members feeling helpless or hopeless.
1. Providing support to members suffering from activist burnout - through email, calls, video chats etc or general conversation.
2. Offering advice to members feeling helpless or hopeless.
3. Providing advice to EC when voting on welfare-based debates.
4. Being a general advocate for good mental wellbeing & welfare.
5. Promoting positive but realistic attitudes towards political affairs.
4. Being a general advocate for good mental wellbeing & welfare.
5. Promoting positive but realistic attitudes towards political affairs.
*please note* - the motion is only calling for a WSO.
The exact role description & duties would be decided by elected members of the YGs & the staff members, and anyone they would like to include in discussions.
The exact role description & duties would be decided by elected members of the YGs & the staff members, and anyone they would like to include in discussions.
Basic information:
1. This is an *extra, add-on* role, not taking up an EC space.
It allows all 9 (?) elected members of EC to undertake their portfolio to their best ability without the need to undertake this extra responsibility.
1. This is an *extra, add-on* role, not taking up an EC space.
It allows all 9 (?) elected members of EC to undertake their portfolio to their best ability without the need to undertake this extra responsibility.
This role doesn’t necessarily *belong* on EC as it’s independent, but to avoid confusion and any overlap it’s been put forward as an extra EC member.
I would imagine on the website it would be described as “2xCo-Chairs, 1xTreasurer, 6XNPO & 1xWelfare.”
I would imagine on the website it would be described as “2xCo-Chairs, 1xTreasurer, 6XNPO & 1xWelfare.”
2. This role is non-voting.
I would imagine if an incident or issue arose where welfare played heavily, the WSO would be consulted & their opinion trusted.
EC have been elected on a mandate they choose & it’s important they are given the tools to do this.
I would imagine if an incident or issue arose where welfare played heavily, the WSO would be consulted & their opinion trusted.
EC have been elected on a mandate they choose & it’s important they are given the tools to do this.
3. It’s a co-option, not an election.
It’s important that the WSO is someone the membership can trust, but it’s also vital that this person has the necessary skills & experience.
We have to ensure no crappy advice or dangerous information is shared to our vulnerable members.
It’s important that the WSO is someone the membership can trust, but it’s also vital that this person has the necessary skills & experience.
We have to ensure no crappy advice or dangerous information is shared to our vulnerable members.
We have elected our EC to represent YGs and the issues we face.
It’s important they are given the authority to co-opt the WSO to reduce any risk of a popularity contest.
It’s important they are given the authority to co-opt the WSO to reduce any risk of a popularity contest.
Additionally, I understand that constitutionallly, a Safeguarding & Deputy should be appointed every year - and an aspect of their role is protecting the welfare of members.
I don’t believe this role has been fulfilled to the highest capacity, nor to the benefit of YG members.
I don’t believe this role has been fulfilled to the highest capacity, nor to the benefit of YG members.
In the constitution, this role could be the staff member and/or any elected member of the YGs EC, SPC or C&D.
This creates a few problems which I will explain in this thread.
This creates a few problems which I will explain in this thread.
1. Safeguarding usually falls behind the “priority” portfolio. It gets overlooked behind the other (amazing) work elected YGs do - such as elections, E&D and Comms.
Welfare deserves to be its own priority & its own portfolio.
Welfare deserves to be its own priority & its own portfolio.
2. Members of EC & other elected YGs are at the heart of YG politics and often face verbal attacks and abuse from non-members.
It’s vital that EC members are supported, just as they support the membership. They are people too & deserve to have someone to speak to.
It’s vital that EC members are supported, just as they support the membership. They are people too & deserve to have someone to speak to.
3. Safeguarding is very different to welfare. Safeguarding is a much more broad portfolio - welfare is *purely* mental wellbeing and capacity. This is specific.
I understand there is overlap, however it’s vital that mental wellbeing is given its *own* role.
I understand there is overlap, however it’s vital that mental wellbeing is given its *own* role.
4. As it is not promoted or shared widely on social media or the website, “regular” members are unaware of who holds these positions. This is dangerous.
It should be accessible information that people can easily find when needed.
It should be accessible information that people can easily find when needed.
To conclude this point, it’s important that all members of the YGs are supported and this support is easily accessible.
I understand that there may be some objection, as life brings, but I can’t currently see an alternative that provides the support that our membership deserves, to the same scale.
We are currently in a mental health crisis, especially in young people & the YGs should be at the forefront of this battle.
It would be a huge step towards not only general wellbeing in the party, but the conversation & stigma surrounding mental health in politics.
It would be a huge step towards not only general wellbeing in the party, but the conversation & stigma surrounding mental health in politics.
I encourage you to vote through this motion at Convention.
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch. :)
#YGConvention2020 /End
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch. :)
#YGConvention2020 /End
