Partnership Agreement terms between Friends of the Earth local groups and Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland (EWNI)

PleasekeepacopyofthePartnershipAgreementtermsforyourownrecords.Subsequent copies canbe requestedbycontactingtheCommunity ActivismTeamvia .

Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland · National Office 1st Floor, The Printworks, 139 Clapham Road, SW9 0HP

Tel 020 7490 1555 ·Fax 020 7490 0881 · Website

Friends of the Earth is the collective name for Friends of the Earth Trust, registered charity 281681, company number 1533942, and Friends of the Earth Limited, company number 1012357, both of which may use your information. In both cases the registered office is 1st Floor, The Printworks, 139 Clapham Road, SW9 0HP. Printed on paper made from 100 per cent post-consumer waste.

Background

FriendsoftheEarthEWNIistheUK’smostinfluentialgrassrootsenvironmentalcampaigningorganisation. Local groups enjoy some autonomy from the national organisation (they chose what to work on within agreed parameters)butarelinkedto the national bodyvia this PartnershipAgreement.

FriendsoftheEarth’svisionisoneofworkingwith otherstocreateasustainableglobalcommunity;societieswhere peoplehavedecidedtobuildtheconditionsforeveryonetoenjoyadignifiedexistenceandgoodlivelihoodwhile notimpinging ontherightsofothers.Thesustainablesocieties weareseekingwillconserveadiverseplanetand improveconditions for people nowandfuturegenerations.

Thegrassrootsnetworkdrivesmuchofthesuccessandethosoftheorganisation.Localgroupsareintegralto shapingthedirectionoftheorganisationandindeterminingtheorganisation’scampaignsonanongoingbasis. LocalgroupsareencouragedtotakeaproactiveapproachtoopportunitiestoshapeFriendsoftheEarthEWNI’s work. SeetheInvolvementFramework(RelatedDocumentNo.6)forfurtherdetailsontheareasandapproaches that areavailablefor localgroups tohaveavoicewithinFriends ofthe EarthEWNI.

LocalgroupsarefundamentaltoachievingFriendsoftheEarth’svision.Theyaregroupsofindividuals whocome togethervoluntarilytocampaignonenvironmental andsustainabilityissuesandsupporttheworkofFriendsofthe Earth.Eachgroupcoversadefined geographiclocality, typicallyaunitaryor districtlocal governmentarea.

Youare oneof manylocal groupsacrossEngland,WalesandNorthernIrelandoperatingunderthesameagreement. As a local groupyouhavetheroleof electingBoard members of Friendsof theEarth Ltd.Eachlocal group is assigned toaFriendsoftheEarthregionandthelocalgroupsineachregionhave therightto electoneBoardmemberafter a vote.Alllocalgroupscanalsoparticipateintheannual MotionstoConferenceprocess.An annualfeeispayablefor renewalofthePartnershipAgreement.

What is the Partnership Agreement?

ThetermsofthePartnershipAgreementsetouthowFriendsoftheEarthEWNIandeachFriendsoftheEarthlocal grouprelatetoeachother.

Friendsofthe EarthEWNIseekstocreateaspirit oftrust, respectandgenuinepartnershipbetween allofthe individualsandgroupsinvolvedintheorganisation. ThePartnershipAgreementis animportantelementinachieving thisaim.ItisanagreementbetweenFriendsofthe EarthEWNIandindividuallocalgroupsornetworks oflocal groups,encouragingallpartiestoconsiderandagreetheirexpectationsofeach other.The PartnershipAgreement termsinformthegoalsthatlocalgroupssetthemselvesandclarifiesthelevelof supportthattheycanexpectfrom FriendsoftheEarthEWNI;italsoincludesalegalagreementgrantingpermissiontousethe‘Friendsof theEarth’ name.

PartnershipAgreementterms

Therearethreecomponentstothese;ourintentionisthattheseexpectationsareasclearandunrestrictiveas possible.

A.‘Bothpartiestothisagreementshould’:thisis whatwe willexpectof eachother.

B.‘AFriendsoftheEarthlocalgroupshould’:thisiswhatFriendsoftheEarthEWNIwillexpectfromlocal groups.

C.‘FriendsoftheEarthEWNIwill’:thisisthesupportalocal groupcan getfromFriendsof theEarth EWNI.

Related documents

Available from Community ActivismTeam on02074900210orvia .

  1. Resources andsupport available tohelplocal groupswith theirwork.
  2. The Complaints Procedures detail the systems for either party to feedback about any breakdown of the
  3. Agreement,soas toresolveiteasilyandconstructively.
  4. FriendsoftheEarthEWNIcampaigns: a listof current campaignsand thedefinition of‘activecampaigning’.
  5. TradeMarkLicenceAgreementgrantingalicenceforalocalgrouptocampaignundertheFriendsoftheEarthnameandexplainingthelimittorightsanduseofthatname.
  6. Dataprotection guidancetohelplocal groups knowmoreabouthow tocomplywith data protectionlegislation.
  7. TheInvolvementFrameworkwhichsetsouthowlocalgroups canparticipatein shapingthefutureworkof the organisation.
  8. TheSafeguardingpolicyguidelinesforlocalgroupstohelpyouensure you’reactingwithinour Safeguarding policy

Terminationof the Partnership Agreement

Thisisashortstatementattheendofthedocument,detailingtherightsbothpartieshavetoterminatethe

Agreement.

Partnership Agreement terms

A. Bothpartiesto thisagreementshould:

  1. Work towardsachievingFriends ofthe Earth’svision.
  2. Worktogetherinaspiritofpartnershipandmutualrespect,recognisingthateveryonehasacontributionto makeindifferent ways.
  3. Seektodiscuss issuesinan open andnon-confrontational manner,listeningtoand respectingother people’sopinions.
  4. Seektobuildconsensus, butbeabletoagreetodisagree.
  5. Seekto keep ourcommitments,inotherwordswedowhat we’ll saywe’ll do.
  6. Exchangeinformationbetweeneachotherandwithother groups.
  7. Respondtorequestsforinformationin a timelyandreasonableway.
  8. Abideby theComplaintsProcedure.
  9. Complywith thetermsoftheTradeMark LicenceAgreement.

B. AFriendsoftheEarthlocalgroupshould:

  1. Campaign on environmental and sustainability issues and support the work of Friends of the Earth.Campaigningistakingactiontoachievechange-it encompasses abroadrangeofactivities oninternational, national,regional and local campaign issuessuch as:lobbying,actions, mediawork,stalls,letterwriting, awarenessraising,projects,fundraising,education,workinginalliances,work withschools,talks,e-actions, andso on.
  1. ActivelyworkonatleastoneFriendsoftheEarthEWNIcampaign(seedocumentonFriendsoftheEarthEWNI campaigns).
  1. Determineitsownactivities.Whatagroupdoesislikelytodependonlocalopportunitiesandpeople’s interests withinthatgroup.Itisuptoeachgrouptodecidewhichactivitiestotakepartinandhowmuchto do.
  1. Ensure that all its activities are lawful and/or in line with Friends of the Earth policies and guidelines. Local groups and individuals representing local groups who engage in activities with children and young people where their parents or guardians are not present (e.g. in schools or youth clubs) must adhere to Friends of the Earth's Safeguarding policy.
  1. Haveapublicprofileintheirareaofactivity.Forexamplethroughlocalmedia, daysofaction,stalls,posters, membershipleafletsinpublicplaces,awebsite,anewsletter, open meetings,andnetworkingwithother organisations.
  1. Encourage members to attend relevant training opportunities, networking events (such as regional meetings, consultationandplanningmeetings),andtheAnnual Conference.
  1. Haveeffectivewaysofcommunicatingwithinthegroup.Forexample,e-mailupdates,newsletters,phone trees,an accessiblelistof contactdetailsforofficersandactivists.
  1. Holdregular, accessiblemeetings thatareopentoallmembersandto thepublic.
  1. HoldanAnnualGeneralMeeting(AGM)atwhichofficersoftheGroupareelected,areviewofactivitiesand financesismadeandaplanforfutureactivitiesis presented.A reportfrom theAGMshouldbesentto FriendsoftheEarthEWNI,includingfinancialrecords.All members ofthelocalgroupshould begivenat leastfourweeks’notice of theAGM,andbeableto bothstandforelectionandtonominatecandidatesfor election.
  1. Haveatleasttwodemocraticallyelectedofficers,tobeelectedattheAGM.Eachgroupshouldhavea treasurerandgroupcoordinator,and oneoftheofficersshould actasacontactwithFriendsoftheEarth EWNI.
  1. Beaccessibletonewcomersandhaveawelcomingandengagingattitudetowardsthem.Membershipofa FriendsoftheEarthlocalgroupshouldbeopentoallpeopleregardlessoftheirrace,gender,disability, sexualorientation, religion,class,maritalstatus, ageor politicalaffiliation. Local groups aim to involve and engage the diversity of the local population.
  1. NotendorseanyPoliticalPartynorworkwithanyPartyduringanelectionperiod;thisdoesnotpreclude collaboratingwithPoliticalParties onspecificcampaigns wherethereareclear, shared goals.
  1. Notengagein hostileactionagainstanyotherpartsof Friends oftheEarth.
  1. ParticipateinFriendsoftheEarthEWNIsurveys andconsultations wheneverpossible.
  1. Keeprecords ofitsincomeandexpenditure,assets andliabilities.Theserecords shouldbeopentomembers of thelocal groupandsentinannually toFriendsof theEarthEWNI.
  1. NotapplyforcharitablestatuswithouttheconsentofFriendsoftheEarthEWNI.IfFriendsoftheEarth EWNI givesconsentfor thegroup toapplytotheCharityCommission for charitablestatus,thegroup must allowFriends ofthe EarthEWNI toactively monitor theprocess of application. Thisincludesnotifying Friends oftheEarthEWNIofeachstageoftheapplication,providingacopyofallcorrespondencebetweenthe groupandtheCharityCommissionwhensubmitted orreceived,andinformingFriendsofthe EarthEWNIof the outcomeof theapplicationonceknown.
  1. Local groups and their members should aim to protect the reputation of Friends of the Earth.

Localgroups arestrongly recommendedtoadopttheir ownconstitution, andamodel constitutionisavailable for this purpose.Downloadfrom orcontacttheActivist Development Teamon0207490 0210orvia .Localgroupsarealsoencouraged toparticipate in their regional elections to theFriendsof theEarthLtd Board.

C. FriendsoftheEarthEWNIwill:

  1. Providepublicliabilityinsuranceforlocal groups.
  1. Provide a comprehensive range of support materials for local group activities, for example campaign, fundraisingandrecruitment materials.
  1. Supportthe developmentoflocal groups tohelpthemorganise andcampaigneffectively.
  1. Invitelocal groups toparticipatein Friendsofthe Earth’s strategyand policy making.
  1. Organise andsubsidiseanAnnual Conferenceto which local groups areinvited.
  1. Provideagrantfundtosupportlocal group activities.
  1. SupportnetworksoflocalcampaignersthatareworkingonFriendsoftheEarthEWNIcampaigns(see documenton Friendsof theEarthEWNIcampaigns).
  1. Communicateregularlywithlocalgroupsaboutcampaignsandorganisationalissues.Forexamplethrough regional newsletters, thelocal groupsmagazine,atmeetings, via e-mail andtheinternet.
  1. Providetraining, informationandadviceoncampaignissues, andoncampaigningandorganisational skills.
  1. Disseminatebestpractice.
  2. AdministerthePartnershipAgreement forlocalgroups and networksoflocal groups.
  3. Inform a local group of any activity that Friends of the Earth EWNI is planning within their defined geographical area,with goodnoticewhereverpossible.
  1. AdministertheFriendsoftheEarth’sconstitutionalprocessesthatlocalgroupsareentitledtoparticipatein: electionof BoardmembersandConferenceMotions.
  1. InvitelocalgroupstoparticipateinFriendsoftheEarth’scampaignandotheractivities,andprovidethem with all relevantmaterialswith goodadvancenotice.
  1. Respondtolocalgroupcommunicationswithinfiveworkingdays(aninitialresponseatleastwillbesent, andadetailedresponsemayfollow). Provideresponsefor mediabackupassoonaspossibleoraccordingto theenquirer'sdeadline.PublicationsandgoodsfromtheSupporterServiceUnit willbeprovidedwithin21 workingdays.
  1. Provideamechanismforfeedbackfromlocalgroupsonthequalityandeffectivenessoftheservicesand materialsthatareprovidedtothem,andimprovethequalityofthoseservices and materialsin thelightof that feedback.
  2. ThespecificrangeofservicesthatFriendsoftheEarthprovidestolocalgroupsislikelytovaryfromyeartoyear.A listanddescriptionoftheservicesthatarecurrentlyofferedtolocalgroupsissetoutintherelateddocument entitled“Resourcesandsupport”.

Termination

EitherFriendsoftheEarthorthelocalgroupareentitledtoendthePartnershipAgreementforanyreasonandat anytimebysendingawrittennoticetotheotherparty. Theagreementmaybeendedforanyreasonat thesole discretionofthepersonendingitalthoughthewrittennoticeshouldstatethereasonfordoingso. Terminationof the PartnershipAgreementwill resultintheautomaticterminationoftheTradeMarkLicenceAgreement.

Trade Mark License Agreement

TheTrade Mark LicenceAgreementmustbesigned bythelocalgroupCoordinator whoalsosigns the Partnership Agreement. The PartnershipAgreementwill onlycomeintoeffectwhenbothagreementshavebeensigned.The TradeMarkLicenceAgreementsetsoutthetermsonwhichFriendsoftheEarthallowsthelocalgrouptouse FriendsoftheEarth’sTradeMarksandisnecessarytoprotectFriends oftheEarth’simportantandvaluablerights. TheTradeMarkLicence Agreementonlyneedstobefilledinwhenalocal groupstarts,changes itname

Partnership Agreement for Friends of the Earth EWNI local groups

This Partnership Agreement is made the ______day of ______20__.

Between:

1)Friendsof theEarthLimited whoseregisteredofficeis at 1st Floor, The Printworks, 139 Clapham Road, London, SW9 0HP;

and

2)______(addnameof thelocal group)

This localgroupwillcoverthefollowinggeographical area:

(typically a unitary ordistrict local government area)

Signed by Coordinator: ______(signature)

Name: ______

Address: ______

Postcode: ______

Phone Number: ______Email address: ______

These details are forour internalrecords only andwillnotbe given outtomembers of the public or other organisations. Ifyou are completingthese details on behalfof someone else, please ensure thatyou have their permissionto provide us withtheir contact details.

Pleasenotethatyoualsoneedtotellusthecorrectcontactdetailstouseforthegroup–pleasecompletetheform overleaf.

Witnesssection:

Inthepresenceof: (signature)

Address: ______Postcode: ______

Occupation: ______

Please return this Agreement to Friends of the Earth

C/O Diane Leonard, Supporter Services Unit, 56 - 58 Alma Street, Luton LU1 2PH.

For office use only
Name:
Position: Community Activism team member
Address: National Office 1st Floor, The Printworks, 139 Clapham Road, SW9 0HP
Signed on the:
Source code: LGPANEW

Group contact details

To help us communicate with the right person in your group, one person needs to be the designated Internal Contact. TheInternal Contact will receive all communications from Friends of the Earth for your group. Unless you tell us otherwise, the Co-ordinator will be the Internal Contact. If you wish someone else in the group to receive these internal communications, please list their details here:

Internal Contact (if different to Co-ordinator’s details)

Name: ______

Address:______

______Postcode:______

Phone Number:______Email address:______

These details are for our internal records only and will not be given out to members of the public or other organisations. If you are completing these details on behalf of someone else, please ensure that you have their permission to provide us with their contact details.

If your group would like to have more than one Internal Contact, we can accommodate this. All Internal Contacts will receive the same information. Please provide the additional name(s) and contact details on a separate sheet.

External Contacts

Please fill in the External Postal, Email and Telephone Contact details for the group. Any details added here will be displayed on the Friends of the Earth website and given out by us to enquirers wanting to contact the group. If you are completing these details on behalf of someone else, please ensure that you have their permission to provide us with their contact details and for their details to be given out and displayed on the website.

Postal contact

Name: ______Address:______

______Postcode:______

Email contact

Name:______Email:______

Telephone contact

Name:______Phone Number:______

All licensed local groups are provided with their own microsite as part of the main Friends of the Earth website (i.e. and the details you have listed above for postal, email and telephone contact will be listed on this page. However, if your group also has its own website, please state the web address here - Local group web address:______