stepping up your leadership with amnesty international

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So you want to join the Branch Committee?Stepping up your leadership with Amnesty International Australia withBranch PresidentsPaul Toner QLD/NNSW - 18 MarchNishara Fallon ACT/SNSW - 20 April Tracey Foley, Activist Leadership & Development Coordinator

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● Please mute yourself as background noise can be loud and distracting to attendees;

● If you have questions/contributions etc click on the hand icon and we will come to you at intervals for questions

● If your microphone doesn’t work you can use the question box to ask questions - we will check this at intervals too.

● Please do participate, ask questions etc (using either of the above).

● We are recording this session for people who can’t make it. Is that okay for everyone?

● Thanks for coming along!

Webinar protocols

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This session will cover ...

● Amnesty International Australia’s (AIA) 2020 Vision● AIA Behaviours● The AIA structure● How to join the Branch Committee and what do they do?● Roles and responsibilities● Time commitments● Important dates● Branch Presidents

Amnesty International stands for equality, justice, freedom and human dignity and will uphold these values:

● Persistence - we are resolute in pursuit of our goals

Our EPIC values

● Empowerment - we build people power

● Integrity - we hold ourselves to the highest standards

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● Courage - we are fearless in upholding human rights

Check out our Vision online: https://www.amnesty.org.au/what-we-do/our-vision/

By 2020 Amnesty International Australia will:

● Be an unstoppable movement

Branch Committees are integral in achieving our 2020 vision

● Protect and defend more lives

● Inspire outstanding passion and commitment

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As leaders of AIA Branch Committee members should always uphold and act in accordance with AIA behaviours:

● Respecting the human rights and dignity of all people. And behave in a manner free from discrimination, harassment and bullying behaviour.● Representing AIA in good faith and consistent with the values, vision and independence of AIA.● Responsible use of AIA resources - both in the community and the Amnesty Action Centres.● Recognising the need for privacy and confidentiality.● Respecting AIA social media guidelines.● Respecting AIA conflict resolution procedures and participating in them should conflict arise.

Amnesty International Australia behaviours

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You must be a financial member of AIA to be eligible

You will need to nominate yourself and be seconded by two other members.

What do I need to do to nominate for the Branch Committee?

* Become a member online at: https://www.amnesty.org.au/membership/or phone 1300 300 920

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Following the 2016 changes to membership at NAGM, all new members need to be members for at least 90 days before they can nominate to join their BC or vote at BAGMs OR sooner than that if the Activism & Membership Committee (AMC) approves their membership in accordance with our Constitution during the 90 day period. There is no change for existing members.

If you are not a current member join now. This should allow time for the AMC to approve your membership prior to BAGM.

New Constitutional provisions affecting membership & nominees

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What is Branch Committees’ role?

● Motivate, coordinate and develop your regional human rights activism strategy;● provide support to activists and action groups;● participate in consultations on Amnesty International Australia’s vision, campaign

priorities and policies;● attend, participate and vote in regional and national decision making forums, and● have the chance to participate in national and international meetings, and to be

members of subcommittees of the National Board.

Branch President – Two year term

Regional Representative – Two year termBranch Vice President

Roles & Responsibilities

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Branch Treasurer

Branch SecretaryBranch committee membersBranches may define additional roles as part of the committee

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The Branch Charter

● Detailed information about all roles can be found in the Branch Charter.

● All workshop participants will receive a copy of the Branch Charter along with this PowerPoint and accompanying guide.

● Please take the time to read through these resources if you are considering nominating to join your Branch Committee.

● These resources combined plus this workshop will provide you with an expectation of what our Branch Committees are responsible for.

How much time is involved?

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Two hours per month to meet with and support Action Groups.

Two hours per month attending Branch Committee meetings.

One hour per month for meeting preparation.

Two hours per month for Branch projects (BAGM, policy

consultations, regional events etc.)

Minimum of 6-8 hours per month.14

Important datesBAGM essentials workshopSaturday 8 April & Tuesday 11 April - not applicable RSVP: no longer

Governance & Resolutions Essentials workshopSaturday 29 April & Tuesday 2 May - times tbcRSVP: (tbc)

Draft resolutionsSubmit 7 days prior to BAGM - 13 May

Nominations to join the BC:Submit your nomination by - 13 May

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Important datesBranch Annual General Meetings (BAGMs) Saturday 20 May

National Annual General Meeting (NAGM)Saturday 1 & Sunday 2 July in Sydney Action Centre

Reps from each region attend NAGM: ● 1 observer and 2 delegates attend (except in NSW & VIC - they

have 3 delegates)● These volunteer roles are elected at BAGMs in May. ● It is not necessary to be on the Branch Committee to nominate for

these roles, but you must be a current financial member.

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ACT & Southern NSW – Nishara (actbranchpresident@amnesty.org.au)

NSW – Carol (nswbranchpresident@amnesty.org.au)

Need more info? Get in touch with your current Branch President

QLD & Northern NSW – Paul (qldbranchpresident@amnesty.org.au)

SA & NT – Saras (santbranchpresident@amnesty.org.au)TAS – Adele (tasbranchpresident@amnesty.org.au)VIC – Mario (vicbranchpresident@amnesty.org.au)WA – Leonie (wabranchpresident@amnesty.org.au)

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ACT & Southern NSW – phoebe.howe@amnesty.org.au

NSW – amanda.atlee@amnesty.org.au

Need more info? Get in touch with your organiser

QLD & Northern NSW – andy.scott@amnesty.org.au

SA & NT – nicole.donnelly@amnesty.org.auTAS – alex.kline@amnesty.org.auVIC – anouska.teunen@amnesty.org.auWA – sarah.gooderham@amnesty.org.au

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For further info check out the following webpages:

● Who are our people? https://www.amnesty.org.au/how-it-works/how-were-run/our-people/Learn who are current leaders are within the organisation.

● How we’re run https://www.amnesty.org.au/how-it-works/how-were-run/

● Democracy in Action https://www.amnesty.org.au/skill-up/democracy-in-action/

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Any questions?

If you want to know more after tonight’s session please feel free to contact your Branch Committee or Community Organise for more info.

This PowerPoint and the guide will be available shortly on the Portal here:https://www.amnesty.org.au/tag/skillup-democracyinaction-resources/

You will receive an evaluation form for this session via email. Please take a moment to complete it. Your feedback is helpful.

Thanks for your time and ongoing commitment to Amnesty.

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