This activity can help your group understand the idea of representatives. IT will also support the group to consider how it can make its views heard throughout the organisation, encourage active involvement and to raise awareness of the systems in place to ensure that Pioneer voices are heard.
What to do
Divide the group into two. Explain to them that they are part of a new radical green movement. They have a series of proposals that they want to implement. They can make some up – encourage the group to be pretty way out. For example:
- We should all stop using cars and start riding camels or horses.
- We all have too many clothes; we should all only own three outfits.
- We should knock down all cities and live in tipis.
- We should only shower once a week.
- We should get rid of all central heating.
See if they can think of some good arguments for their policies.
Each group will then elect one representative. They will try to convince the other group of their
policy. The other group should react as they imagine many of their peers would react to such
suggestions!
If a few people want to be a representative, let them have a turn.
Then as a group, discuss the experience of representation:
- What was it like to be the representative?
- What was it like to be represented?
- Are there any areas of their lives in which they are represented? Council, school, Woodcraft? Can they see any problems with representation? Can they see any advantages?
- Is it a relief to not represent themselves or would they like to?
- Should representatives be older, younger or the same age as them?
- Should their representatives talk to them?
- How might the group represent themselves within Woodcraft Folk? (writing letters, talking
- to leaders, writing a magazine about their group) Is there an issue they would like to have their opinion heard on – perhaps an outing for the group or choosing a camp venue. Perhaps the group would like to organise a visit to an outdoor centre or change the structure of their group night. Any other ideas?
- How could the group make this view known? Remind the group that people do not always get their demands, but they do have the right to know that their demands have been listened to and given due consideration.
Please don’t forget to record people’s thoughts and ideas throughout these activities, especially:
• Why members like coming to group
• What members think could be better about the group; and
• How things might be improved.