Transition Chelmsford became an official Transition Town on the 14th March 2011
Transitioning is a community-led response to the challenges of climate change and peak oil. The emphasis is on making the most of local resources and local people, and building resilience. Seeing the abundance on our doorstep and so reducing dependency on fossil fuels, reducing vulnerability to increased energy costs, and actually making life better. For example our home-grown apples more delicious than those freighted from the other side of the world .... Think global, act local.
We aim to reduce energy waste and the long supply chains dependent on fossil fuels. Additionally, to encourage the smart use of alternative energy technologies. If you already care about the issues and want to do more then it would be great to meet you. If you're into crafts, have a hobby, make things, fix things or have practical skills then you'll find like-minded others amongst us. We can teach and learn from each other, through a skills or time bank, or simply a swap. If you're an existing community group then we'd like to know about you so that we can work together and promote each other. If you're a local business we'd like to support you.
Lets weave a social fabric that better connects our community, reduces isolation, nurtures caring, and sees possibilities and opportunities rather than problems.
Through doing this we'll build local resilience, tread more lightly on the planet, and find the kind of happiness that we all want. In short, make a future that we choose rather than have one imposed on us that we don't want.
We aim to reduce energy waste and the long supply chains dependent on fossil fuels. Additionally, to encourage the smart use of alternative energy technologies. If you already care about the issues and want to do more then it would be great to meet you. If you're into crafts, have a hobby, make things, fix things or have practical skills then you'll find like-minded others amongst us. We can teach and learn from each other, through a skills or time bank, or simply a swap. If you're an existing community group then we'd like to know about you so that we can work together and promote each other. If you're a local business we'd like to support you.
Lets weave a social fabric that better connects our community, reduces isolation, nurtures caring, and sees possibilities and opportunities rather than problems.
Through doing this we'll build local resilience, tread more lightly on the planet, and find the kind of happiness that we all want. In short, make a future that we choose rather than have one imposed on us that we don't want.
Our Constitution
Transition Town Chelmsford: Governing Principles
Aims and Purpose
The core purpose of Transition Town Chelmsford (hereafter called TTC) is to mobilise and facilitate community action in order to respond effectively and positively to climate change and peak oil.
We hope to achieve this by:
§ Raising awareness in the Chelmsford area of climate change and peak oil
§ Creating a vision for a sustainable, happy Chelmsford
§ Engaging and building networks with people and groups already active with these issues, and working both to support local council initiatives that are in line with our own, and to inspire new initiatives.
§ Providing a framework for an effective response to climate change and peak oil, including the creation and implementation of an Energy Descent Action Plan
§ Creating visible practical projects that will reduce our C02 emissions, reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, and empowering residents to participate.
§ We do this with the aim of creating a world that uses less energy and fewer resources and because we believe that by doing so Chelmsford will become a closer-knit, more self-sufficient and thus resilient community.
§ We are non party political and non- sectarian.
How we Work
These are the principles that guide the way TTC works. These continue to develop and evolve:
§ Leadership for TTC is shared by everyone in the Steering Group (see appendix 1). In representing TTC, individuals agree to abide by and uphold all TTC principles and take responsibility for their own decisions, actions and results.
§ This constitution recognizes that the Steering Group has formed organically out of concerned local citizens who are in broad agreement with the aims of the Transition movement. It acknowledges that human institutions are frail and easily fall prey to unnecessary bureaucracy, and that rigid rules tend to divide people rather than bring them together. It acknowledges that a constitution is only as strong as the group it represents.
§ This constitution recognizes that in the face of unique historical circumstances a new, more supple way of working together is needed and that our practice of talking things through until consensus is achieved has served us well. We will therefore resist the temptation to elaborate formal roles, voting rules etc.
§ We trust that those who step forward have good intentions and will make good decisions. We give autonomy and support to those who wish to be part of TTC.
§ Individually and as a group we identify what needs to be done and people volunteer for tasks when they already have the skills or want to develop the skills. We will continue to encourage those with specific skills to employ them to the good of TTC.
§ We don't have a blueprint. We will continue to learn as we go.
§ We will be transparent in everything we do.
§ We support the UN Declaration of Human Rights (General Assembly resolution 217 A (III) of 10 December 1948). And will adhere to its principles in all we do.
Structure
§ TTC will be co-ordinated by a Steering Group which will meet every month to six weeks. Meetings will be recorded and circulated to the Steering Group and members on request.
§ The Steering Group will ensure that TTC is run in accordance with Transition Town principles
§ TTC groups will form as needed and will dissolve when the need is gone.
§ We will convene a general meeting at least every 13 months, giving our members 21 days notice. Members are defined as those who have asked to be kept informed of our activities at one of our events or through our website. This general meeting will agreethe membership of the Steering Group for the next year
Fundraising / Finances
§ Funds will be held centrally by the Treasurer on behalf of the Steering Group and TTC. Funds raised will be held in a bank account and administered by the steering group and Treasurer.
§ Two Steering Group members plus the Treasurer will be cheque signatories and will be responsible for the administration of TTC funds on behalf of the Steering Group. The Treasurer plus one of the steering group will be required to sign cheques.
§ Each group will be responsible for spending its funds in accordance with the agreed purposes for which the funds were provided. Projects for which funding is sought need to be agreed with the Steering Group. Projects must support the aims of TTC.
§ Individuals to whom funds are allocated will account for them publicly, and monitor the project, its process and the success of its outcomes.
§ If anyone in TTC does not agree that a project is in line with TTC aims and principles then that person can take the matter to the Steering Group for decision.
Ongoing Development
§ We will make changes to these principles where necessary. It is anticipated that this governing document will be reviewed and improved on a periodic basis.
§ This constitution was adopted on 17th February 2011
§ First revision:
Appendix 1:
The steering group is the target for the short to medium term. In the interim the Core Team is guiding TTC towards attaining a Steering group. This is standard practice in many Transition Initiatives.
Aims and Purpose
The core purpose of Transition Town Chelmsford (hereafter called TTC) is to mobilise and facilitate community action in order to respond effectively and positively to climate change and peak oil.
We hope to achieve this by:
§ Raising awareness in the Chelmsford area of climate change and peak oil
§ Creating a vision for a sustainable, happy Chelmsford
§ Engaging and building networks with people and groups already active with these issues, and working both to support local council initiatives that are in line with our own, and to inspire new initiatives.
§ Providing a framework for an effective response to climate change and peak oil, including the creation and implementation of an Energy Descent Action Plan
§ Creating visible practical projects that will reduce our C02 emissions, reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, and empowering residents to participate.
§ We do this with the aim of creating a world that uses less energy and fewer resources and because we believe that by doing so Chelmsford will become a closer-knit, more self-sufficient and thus resilient community.
§ We are non party political and non- sectarian.
How we Work
These are the principles that guide the way TTC works. These continue to develop and evolve:
§ Leadership for TTC is shared by everyone in the Steering Group (see appendix 1). In representing TTC, individuals agree to abide by and uphold all TTC principles and take responsibility for their own decisions, actions and results.
§ This constitution recognizes that the Steering Group has formed organically out of concerned local citizens who are in broad agreement with the aims of the Transition movement. It acknowledges that human institutions are frail and easily fall prey to unnecessary bureaucracy, and that rigid rules tend to divide people rather than bring them together. It acknowledges that a constitution is only as strong as the group it represents.
§ This constitution recognizes that in the face of unique historical circumstances a new, more supple way of working together is needed and that our practice of talking things through until consensus is achieved has served us well. We will therefore resist the temptation to elaborate formal roles, voting rules etc.
§ We trust that those who step forward have good intentions and will make good decisions. We give autonomy and support to those who wish to be part of TTC.
§ Individually and as a group we identify what needs to be done and people volunteer for tasks when they already have the skills or want to develop the skills. We will continue to encourage those with specific skills to employ them to the good of TTC.
§ We don't have a blueprint. We will continue to learn as we go.
§ We will be transparent in everything we do.
§ We support the UN Declaration of Human Rights (General Assembly resolution 217 A (III) of 10 December 1948). And will adhere to its principles in all we do.
Structure
§ TTC will be co-ordinated by a Steering Group which will meet every month to six weeks. Meetings will be recorded and circulated to the Steering Group and members on request.
§ The Steering Group will ensure that TTC is run in accordance with Transition Town principles
§ TTC groups will form as needed and will dissolve when the need is gone.
§ We will convene a general meeting at least every 13 months, giving our members 21 days notice. Members are defined as those who have asked to be kept informed of our activities at one of our events or through our website. This general meeting will agreethe membership of the Steering Group for the next year
Fundraising / Finances
§ Funds will be held centrally by the Treasurer on behalf of the Steering Group and TTC. Funds raised will be held in a bank account and administered by the steering group and Treasurer.
§ Two Steering Group members plus the Treasurer will be cheque signatories and will be responsible for the administration of TTC funds on behalf of the Steering Group. The Treasurer plus one of the steering group will be required to sign cheques.
§ Each group will be responsible for spending its funds in accordance with the agreed purposes for which the funds were provided. Projects for which funding is sought need to be agreed with the Steering Group. Projects must support the aims of TTC.
§ Individuals to whom funds are allocated will account for them publicly, and monitor the project, its process and the success of its outcomes.
§ If anyone in TTC does not agree that a project is in line with TTC aims and principles then that person can take the matter to the Steering Group for decision.
Ongoing Development
§ We will make changes to these principles where necessary. It is anticipated that this governing document will be reviewed and improved on a periodic basis.
§ This constitution was adopted on 17th February 2011
§ First revision:
Appendix 1:
The steering group is the target for the short to medium term. In the interim the Core Team is guiding TTC towards attaining a Steering group. This is standard practice in many Transition Initiatives.