There are 2 reasons for this email. The first is an update about what I have been up to in 2017 and plans for 2018, and the second is cos I/we need money.I know, urgh, who really likes talking and asking for money? Not me, that's for sure. But the cold hard fact is unless my basic wage is covered I can't do the work that needs to be done.
So, let me deal with the second thing first, and then keep reading below for updates and plans...You can go directly to this link, make a monthly donation and then skip to the next section if you want to save time :)
I've been crowdfunded to work as an independent climate justice campaigner since November 2013.
Over 120 people have contributed 626 times to keep me waged and active.
This is incredible and given you are receiving this email you are one of those who have donated. Thank you.
Without your support I could not have spent the past few years training and mentoring campaigners and activists to work for a just climate future. We wouldn't have built the coalitions and networks we have and many volunteers wouldn't have known how to make the difference they were capable of.
Problem is though, in recent months my crowd funding campaign has not been as successful as it needs to be to keep it sustainable. I am only raising a third of the monthly amount I need to cover a basic wage. I need to raise $2,500 per month and I am currently only raising on average $800.
So, I have a couple of requests:
For those of you already donating monthly thank you (please keep doing that).
For you my request is that you share with between 2 and 5 people why you contribute to me regularly and ask that they consider doing the same. I'm happy to come and have coffee with people or chat on the phone if anyone has questions about how they could do this. Direct requests work more effectively than generic social media sharing (although that's great too) so maybe having a cuppa with someone, or asking someone take this on as a gift over the festive season. Personal emails highlighting why it's a great idea to contribute to this campaign and myself also work well. You can send them to this link to make their donation.
For those of you who have donated in the past could you consider becoming a regular monthly donor?
As you know all donations are tax deductible and whilst many of you already donate regularly to other fabulous groups and organisations, donating to 'It's Up 2 Us' ensures we continue to build our movement here in the West and support dozens of individuals and organisations in taking climate action. Currently people donate between $20 and $150 a month. Will you become 1 of 100 and commit to a monthly donation to support my work?
It's difficult asking for money over and over again, however I truly believe it's beneficial that I continue to do the work I do. There are very few people in Perth and WA that get to spend most if not all of their work time focusing on climate justice bridging the gaps between organisations, linking academics up with practitioners, connecting the dots between social justice and environmental concerns.
So what have I and the team been up to in recent months and what for 2018? (this is quite an extensive report back, have you got a cuppa?)
The Perth Community Organising Collective* has had a successful year delivering monthly training (free) for campaigners and activists across the Perth metro area and across campaigns. We have delivered a full day program on Common Cause and shorter sessions on topics ranging from 'writing for change', 'decolonising solidarity', 'power, oppression and privilege' 'building coalitions', 'conversations for action' and 'facilitation skills'.
In the new year we are planning the 12 month calendar including monthly free training and a couple of day or weekend long intensives. We are going to extend the work on decolonising and oppression and privilege along with core orgnaising skills and leadership. Email perthorganising@gmail.com to jump on the mailing list for 2018.
Through building up The WA Climate Network* we have continued to facilitate conversations and relationships across sectors with a couple of specific wins in recent weeks including the inclusion of Climate Justice and Housing Vulnerability in the Tenancy Conference 2017 and the agreement to run a number of think tanks in the coming year. Some of the think tanks we will run include: Climate and Housing (possibly with a focus on vulnerability), Climate and Health with a focus on mapping the current policy mechanisms and highlighting openings for action and influence, Youth, Climate and Mental Health - bringing together the different players and supporting their future collaboration whilst looking for strategic projects. We are also going to facilitate a 'politics in the pub' type conversation around the 'future of work' with the aim of exploring technology disruption, climate, automation and equality with some key folk in the Union movement and beyond.
The Tenancy Conference led to a number of initiatives being progressed including highlighting climate adaptation as an issue for policy makers within the housing sector and the need for adaptation plans for some of our most vulnerable families and communities - for example, a small group of us have begun asking about heat wave plans at a local government level for homeless and street present people.
There is a major review of the health system happening at the moment and I am a member of the Consumer and Carer reference group with the personal aim of integrating climate as a systemic risk within the health system. It's an epic undertaking and in the 96 page scene-setting document climate didn't get a mention as an emerging trend or issue to address. Oh soooo many meetings, policies to read and conversations to have. It's been a huge learning curve and there are many issues of justice and equity to address through this process. It also means I am working alongside senior members of the public service and health service providers, so whilst I am learning much I also get to 'mainstream' climate as a conversation within all areas of health care.
I continue to mentor and collaborate with the 350 Perth team and a couple of other front-line campaigners including people within the StopAdani campaign and people within the Climate and Health sector. This work will continue in 2018. As a volunteer co-ordinator recently commented "it makes a huge difference having you available to check in with and get support from, if you weren't available I'm not sure how we would progress". And whilst being appreciated is fantastic in 2018 the question will be how can we continue to provide systemic support to those working for climate justice and a progressive future without relying on a very small number of people?
The Women's Climate Justice Collectiveis running a climate justice camp in March 2018 and I am a part of the organising collective supporting this. We recently held an organising and planning camp where we began to develop the agenda for March. In February we will be meeting together as a collective to develop the agenda further and begin to articulate some specific campaigns and conversations in relation to a women's agenda on climate justice. For example do local governments have integrated domestic and family violence policies in their emergency procedures? How can we reduce the impact of climate impacts on specific vulnerable communities and whose voices need to be elevated in this conversation.
Going forward...
So 2018 will be about continuing to 'mainstream' climate justice into our work of social justice, health, employment, planning and education. I will continue to train and mentor campaigners and activists, provide advice and guidance to policy makers, connect people across different sectors and work to have the academic work being done in this space influence activism, advocacy and policy.
None of what I do is alone, and I want to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible work of volunteers such as Caroline and Annie who have enabled me to reach further in my impact. I acknowledge the support, hard work and guidance of colleagues and know that together we are stronger, without you I could not do what I do.
And thank you to my husband Brad, none of this would be possible without your support.
And finally *[FNAME]*, if you got this far down the email congratulations. I wish you a restful and restorative festive season and again ask that you consider amplifying your support for my crowd funding campaign. That link again is here
Thank you for all that you do and for being a part of the transformation of our society - it really is Up 2 Us.
Jaime
P.S. If you want to know more about my work contact me by return email or on 0406 722066.
P.P.S. *PCOC and The WA Climate Network are collectives I helped create and continue to work with. There are numerous people involved in both projects and combined our work is making a substantial difference. To both the PCOC organising collective and The WA Climate Network steering committee thank you.
