Fwd: [US Youth] US Youth Structure Proposal!
Zachary Stark-MacMillan
From: Ethan Buckner <ethanb...@gmail.com>Date: November 2, 2010 10:50:32 AM PDTSubject: [US Youth] US Youth Structure Proposal!Reply-To: ethanb...@gmail.com
Hello US youth!
Below is my proposal for formalizing the US Youth coalition for UNFCCC organizing into a cohesive structure. This proposal is based off of comprehensive feedback I have received from numerous delegates from COP15 and COP16. I hope that this structure can provide a greater sense of connection, collaboration, and accountability to our role as young people representing the US Youth constituency in the COP process.
CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK is greatly appreciated :D Any recommendations on how to move forward on this proposal would also be wonderful.
Thanks and keep up the great work,
Ethan Buckner
Sierra Student Coalition
COP16 Delegation Steering Committee
Proposal: Formalizing the US Youth Coalition
Structure
The US Youth Coalition structure will be composed of delegations and individuals who agree to a broad set of principles to be drafted by an equally represented steering committee and approved by each delegation. The US Youth Steering Team will be comprised of two delegates from each participating organization. These individuals will be appointed by those organizations utilizing internal processes. The Steering Team will oversee the US Youth Coalition's internal communication, campaigns, and media work. They will facilitate the flow of information, tools, and resources within the coalition, and oversee any working groups that form organically from within the coalition.
Recommendations for focused working groups include:
- New and Traditional Media
- Pre-COP domestic campaigns
- YOUNGO engagement
- Policy
Recommended Roles
A recommendation for the US Youth Coalition structure is to establish specific roles that will help to ensure that the coalition operates in manner that is effective, cohesive, transparent, and empowering to its members. These roles do not necessarily have to be filled by members of the Steering Team. Some potential roles include:
1) Internal Communications Coordinator: Oversees coalition internal communication and transparency. Accountable for compiling monthly updates throughout the year, weekly updates in the month leading up to COP, and daily at COP.
2) Safe Person: Ensures that all members of the US Youth Coalition feel comfortable within the group and understand ways they can plug in. This will help ensure that we are able to maximize the leadership potential of all our organizers.
3) Policy Guru: Ensures that members are up-to-date in US and international climate policy developments. Would likely send reports to the communications coordinator to be sent out with the monthly/weekly/daily updates. Serves as a point of information for delegates unclear on how to navigate the US/International climate policy arena.
4) Working Group Coordinators: Each standing/ad-hoc working group created by coalition members both prior to and at COP will be accountable to one to two delegates that will oversee the progress of the group towards its stated goals. Ensures that the direction of each working group follows the principles outlined in the coalition statement of principles (drafted by the steering team; see above).
Communication
Members of the US Youth Steering Team will communicate via conference call once per week in the month prior to each upcoming round of negotiations. Throughout the rest of the year, the Steering Team will hold calls at least once per month. Working groups will determine internally the communication needs of the group.
Decision-Making
The US Youth Steering Team will agree on recommendations via a consensus model. Proposals that are processed by the team will be reviewed and approved by each delegation. Representatives on the team should not vote without the formal approval from their delegation (utilizing internal processes to determine what 'approval' means).
Procedures for organizing at COP16
As with COP15, US Youth will hold a general body meeting once per day to brief coalition members on policy developments, facilitate working groups, and prepare for upcoming actions and events. Under the proposed structure, the US Youth Steering Team will be accountable for the planning and facilitation of those meetings. The team will hold the coalition accountable to decisions it makes as a collective, and ensure that standing and ad hoc working groups are operating in a cohesive, transparent manner.
SUGGESTED PROCESS FOR MOVING FORWARD
Step 1: Present this proposal to each delegation as soon as possible, compile feedback, and send it to me. Utilizing all the feedback I receive, I will draft a final proposal to be approved by each delegation (utilizing internal decision-making processes).
Step 2: Each delegation appoints two leaders to serve on the steering team.
Step 3: The steering team drafts and approves the 'principles' document after receiving feedback
Step 4: After conducting outreach to identify delegations who may wish to align with our coalition, the 'principles' document will be distributed and approved, thereby completing the formal creation of the US Youth Coalition structure and setting all ensuing processes into motion.
--
Ethan Buckner
Youth Organizer
Sierra Student Coalition -- www.ssc.org
Vassar College Class of 2013
612-718-3847
ethanb...@gmail.com
etbu...@vassar.edu--
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