Transition Towns Forum

Transition Towns Forum » TransitionGroup: Cities

1. sinergyinaction
   Member

   Hi
   we are on the endeavour to set up a city hub group for the city of Barcelona
   It would be great to have some feedback from people in a similar position
   about what would be a minimal set of tasks that this hub should at least
   accomplish in order to exist.

   Most probably the functionality of the hub will be determined by the situation
   on the ground, and the vision we have for this particular city toprogress toward transition. We have so far detected a few:
   1) Since the trend seems to be that cities are best approached "chunck by chunk", like by the district or even by the street, one such task could be to go to the most promising districts (barrios), those that have already grassroot groups etc. and explain them what TT is all about, etc, ie: act as catalizers of more local initiatives + awarene raising.
   2) support these local groups that wish to start a TI in their "barrio" and learn what they actually need from us
   3) maintain contact with other hubs and the TN
   4) share and spread info about the local initiatives of the different "barrios"
   5) may be organize events so that they can know each other
   6) Training?
   7) localize TT ti the local culture
   8) Perhaps start getting in touch with the local council?
   8) what else?

   What do we need toi do in order to be accepted as an official transition hub?
   Any help would be appreciated, especially if you have anything else to share from your personal experience.
   All the best
   Antonio

   Posted 11 months ago #

2. DaveDann
   Member

   "minimal set of tasks that this hub should at least accomplish in order to exist"

   I suggest that the spirit of the early Transition Movement statements is that the MAXIMUM set of tasks that such an organisation should undertake would be those demanded by the community initiatives that set it up.

   In contrast, you seem to keen to set up an organisation and then to define what it should do. Surely this will create a playground for every time-waster, politician, hack and quack and bureaucrat?

   Posted 11 months ago #

3. neckie
   Member

   I've been meaning to post this for a while now but this thread has spurred me on. when we began talking about transition in Nottingham a few years ago the idea was still very new and we had to do a lot of work to explain the concept. Just over a year ago our local groups sprang into being and we had to work out how best to develop the "hub" We were keen that the hub was representative of the local groups and that everyone who was a member of the "hub" was a) accountable to the membership and b) approved by the membership. We recently held our first AGM and dissolved the old Nottingham hub and "elected" people to be part of the Transition Nottingham Support Group. The remit of this new group is to support the local groups in Nottingham and to carry out administrative tasks etc decided by the membership. Strategic work carried out by this group would only be done with the approval of the membership and these decisions would be made at regular open space events.
   In reply to Dave. I agree that the only tasks a hub should undertake are those demanded by local groups (although in a large city a hub can ensure difficult areas are not forgotten), but I think a hub can do a lot of work to help those groups come into being. This seems to be the case in Barcelona. When their are sufficient barrios established then I would reccomend taking a similar approach to us. Hopefully we've addressed how to plan the demise of the initial steering group. I'll keep you all posted as to how well it works on the ground.
   Paul
   www.transitionnottingham.org.uk

   Posted 11 months ago #

4. DaveDann
   Member

   It's good to hear that things are so far advanced in Nottingham as to need a hub. My nearest practical experience to this situation comes from the formation of a local federation of housing co-ops in Bristol in about 1980. The federation was very important in providing a more powerful political voice for the existing co-ops in difficult times (Tory spending cuts) and also in providing information for new groups. However disadvantages were the increased bureaucracy (which actually attracts bureaucrats) and increased number of meetings. There is a danger of creating a power base for people who drool over the idea of organisations or who just happen to be more articulate than others or who have no responsibilities that stop them getting out to more meetings. I also think that there is a fine line between helping new groups to form and actually doing too much for them. I still think that the crucial thing about a local group is that it is initiated by local people.

   Posted 11 months ago #

5. sinergyinaction
   Member

   Hi
   many thanks for your feed back.
   From both the posts received so far I gather that the hub is something which is usually created after the local groups already exist. Which means I (we) have probably misunderstood what a hub is all about or that here we have attached to it further functionalities that it should have.

   Our idea of creating a hub, was mainly due to the fact that TIs are pretty much unknown in Spain, apart by a few grassroot groups, so we would create a group (hub or whatever) in order to foster local 'spontaneous' initiatives in the districts.

   The question is that the people participating in this group all live in different districts of Barcelona so by themselves don't feel capable of starting a TI on their own, whereas if we work together and do awareness raising (and some other things as specified in my initial post) perhaps we can reach out to other people/groups that might want to start an initiative, and if they are in our district we can even join them.

   On the other hand, during our transition training we were told that at the beginning, TIs in London districts sometimes barely knew of each other existence and that situation called for the existence of a hub. I just thought this situation could be avoided in the first place if a local city support group already exists.

   Dave: why do you think that "..Surely this will create a playground for every time-waster, politician, hack and quack and bureaucrat? " ?

   All the best
   Antonio

   Posted 11 months ago #

6. DaveDann
   Member

   "why do you think that "..Surely this will create a playground for every time-waster, politician, hack and quack and bureaucrat? ""

   Just long experience. A decentralist style of organisation would have all the basic action happening in the local groups with the hubs just acting as co-ordinators and under the control of the local groups (as Nottingham). A more centralist style would actually give power to the hubs and attract the power-hungry.

   (As an aside, the struggle in the socialist movement between these two approaches to organisation seems to have surfaced powerfully in Barcelona, centre for "Anarcosindicalismo comunismo libertario anarquía auto-organización y auto-gestión" in the 1930s?)

   It sounds like you are keen on forming your hub anyway. This seems to be the way that Transition is moving. For instance, I notice that this website has acknowledged an official initiative in Houston, Texas that appears to be a hub without any mention of existing local groups (http://transitionhouston.wordpress.com/)
   and to have its own membership. I have to say again that I consider this to be very much against the spirit of the early Transition literature but I seem to be in a one person minority here. Maybe I should start up a 'Network for Transition' (only joking).

   Posted 11 months ago #

7. neckie
   Member

   Initially I don't think theres a problem setting up a city wide hub. There may be only 3 people in Barcelona who've heard of transition and they may live in the north, south and west of the city. So my advice would be set up your hub, have awareness raising amongst groups and the public as your main remit, organise events to encourage local groups to form and to publicise existing groups and when it is appropriate turn the hub into something that a) is accountable and b) made up of people who have specific jobs to do and c) only doing things it is mandated to do by the local groups. the list of jobs that we have is available to view on our forum, but these are obviously not set in stone.
   details can be found here if anyone wants to read the finer details
   http://forum.transitionnottingham.org.uk/index.php?board=22.0
   We also agreed to review this structure 3 months after our AGM

   Posted 11 months ago #

8. Cliff
   Member

   I'd go with DaveDann on this one - by all means get active, raise awareness, encourage local initiatives, and connect existing related groups, whether on one street or one planet. But do so as grassroots activists who are burning to do this.

   Issues will arise that deserve attention at more than a single neighbourhood level, (and these issues have been needing attention for years, decades, centuries?)but unless the movement is grounded in local activity and local ownership of that activity, it will become top-heavy and fall over. Or become rigidified and incorporated into regular maintenance of the status quo.

   Organising others into cooperation is a wicked diversion!

   Posted 11 months ago #

9. neckie
   Member

   I dont think were talking about "organising others into cooperation" . I do think though that having a hub/initiating group or whatever under the transition name at least gives an email address etc that someone can get in touch with if they want advice etc. One of the key things about transition is that the original steering group should dissolve and if that doesn't happen it will become top heavy and rigified. But ultimately if you think theres a danger that you won't be able to move the hub into a group that only does what the members want then don't go there. Concentrate on working in your local area. The danger of this approach though is that transition may be something that only happens in middle class areas.

   Posted 11 months ago #

10. DaveDann
    Member

    "One of the key things about transition is that the original steering group should dissolve and if that doesn't happen it will become top heavy and rigified."

    But it HASN'T dissolved itself has it? It's in Totnes hiring P.A.s and fundraisers.

    Posted 11 months ago #

11. DaveDann
    Member

    ... and I have to add that I don't think that you need a formal organisation in order to put people in touch with each other. Indeed it may well slow down the process.

    Posted 11 months ago #

12. neckie
    Member

    Dave- example. I've just heard about peak oil and transition on the radio. I'm not part of the green community, in fact my friends and family and work mates all believe in BAU. I want to do something but want a bit of support and advice. I can google transition nottingham and get an email address and a phone number to ring. And they would say, well theres a local group near you or there isn't but if you want to start a group we can help or you can come along to this event and find out more. I don't think we could do this without being a "formal organisation" but if you know how to do it then let me know!!
    The important thing is making sure the formal organisation is the tool and not the master.

    Posted 11 months ago #

13. Cliff
    Member

    My last post was quite 'ideological' - apologies.
    So, instead, real dilemmas: in real life, in a city in central england, I am part of a small group that has successfully introduced a particular new social enterprise. As well as ecological benefits, we see social justice as part of our aims.
    (and it is a small part of a response to climate change and peak oil. We don't make a big deal about this as we've decided we'll gain more commitment quicker on the basis of financial self-interest).
    We launched in a gentrified part of town, and have spread to another. We have had some support from the Local Authorities (and plenty of inertia). Now, another branch of the local Council is offering us a few thousand pounds to expand into an area of deprivation. From the top, down.
    I don't know anyone who lives there.I haven't found anyone I know who knows anyone who lives there. (Yes, the class divide is still as strong as we ever imagined!)
    I strongly doubt whether it is likely to succeed as a project 'injected' into that area by the Council. I believe it needs a few local residents to be excited and take ownership. Do I let these beliefs stand in the way of taking the money and trying it out?
    Sometimes I take the risk and seek to be proved wrong.
    Sometimes that feels a risk with others' wellbeing, and not mine to take with integrity. (The danger is that once tried from above and failed, it would be far far harder for a locally-based group to make it work)
    Any thoughts?

    Posted 11 months ago #

14. sinergyinaction
    Member

    HI
    I just lost a long post to this group.
    I was writing my post for quite a while and after I clicked on "Send Post"
    i had the feeling that it just went out but when I returned to the forum I saw
    my post was not there.
    Is there anyone to communicate this to? a Forum master of sorts?
    Thanks
    Antonio

    Posted 11 months ago #

15. edmittance
    Administrator

    Hi Antonio,

    I'm the web co-ordinator so this falls into my remit for now :)

    hard luck - I doubt your post is around but will check ...

    Posted 11 months ago #

16. DaveDann
    Member

    Neckie - I still don't see why you need a formal organisation in order to publicise a contact point. Ordinary people manage to co-ordimate things like getting the kids to school by using telephone trees and the like. Football fans manage to co-ordinate joint actions without formal organisation. But I agree "The important thing is making sure the formal organisation is the tool and not the master. "
    Cliff - it always amazed me, when living in the city, how the social workers and consultants were used by the council to decide how to spend money allocated to the less well off. I imagine a very large percentage disappeared that way. I've no idea about the answer to your problem but it certainly shows that the council can't communicate with the residents. I suppose that if I was in that position that I'd only get involved if I knew of a near-perfect project.

    Posted 11 months ago #

17. DaveDann
    Member

    Cliff
    Actually you may need a year of awareness raising before anyone can take action...

    http://transitiontowns.org/forum/topic/question-from-oz-about-groups-forming-too-early

    Posted 11 months ago #

18. sinergyinaction
    Member

    Hi
    one reason why one might want to have an organization to outreach in different districts of a large metropolitan area, especially in a country where english is not the local language, so 99,99% of people are not even aware that a movement like TT exists, is that you need some sort of visibility. But not only to people that can spontaneously find themselves simpathetic with it. We (as TT) are not aiming just to green minded people, we're aiming at the population at large.
    We don't want to remain in the green/hippie ghetto that other environmental organizations have got stuck into. TT is aiming to go mainstream (and it has)
    and it takes much more than a telephone tree in order to do that, believe me.
    Also, small informal organizations like the ones you mention, already have some kind of bigger organization in common, be it the school or the football club or the stadium, which are already very highly visible and very organized. Without them they would not be there in the first place.

    This is one of the main reason why I also think some kind of initiating group needs to "pave the way" so to speak, for other initiatives (the real ones) to start forming.

    On the other hand, the Transition Primer specifically states that:

    "In exceptional situations where a coordinating hub or initiating hub needs to be set up (currently Bristol, Forest of Dean, Brighton&Hove) that hub is responsible for making sure these criteria are applied to all the initiatives that start within their area. Further responsibilities for ongoing support and possibly training are emerging as we see this role develop."

    And:

    "[...]the "Local Transition Hub" - based within a large congruent/contiguous area with its own identity (eg a city). Helps establish and support "local transition initiatives" [...]"

    So, it appears that the initial TT spirit had already considered this possibiliy from the beginning, I wonder why DaveDan considers it was otherwise back then?

    But I agree that the hub should be the tool and not the master. I have actually never considered that the hub should be organizing anyone, just stimulate and inspire (or even train) others to set up their own local groups

    Neckie: in the Nottingham forum I could not find the job list you mentioned, there was no document attached in the post.
    All the best
    Antonio

    Posted 11 months ago #

19. Cliff
    Member

    Whatever texts or 'trainers' say, there is a tension within the Transition movement: how to be genuinely grounded in a place, and a community, whilst interacting with organisations and issues that apply beyond the boundaries of that community. One on hand, there is a commitment to 'localism' and grassroots empowerment, and on the other the seductive appeal of attention and status in the eyes of the mainstream. Which can appear to offer funds and 'effectiveness' and influence. Whilst grassroots activity appears often to offer repetition, demoralisation and sharing of disempowerment.
    How to reconcile that tension is a living issue I don't see 'unpacked' or discussed much. Where would be the place to see that conversation?

    Incidentally, can't 'action' be very stimulating of a rise in awareness? And doesn't the word 'awareness' beg lots of questions... like politics, the negotiation of discordant perceptions, when to accommodate or confront exploitation, etc etc.
    Those of us seen to be 'aware'- is it also seen that we don't always agree, and some of us welcome the surfacing of conflict for the release and the lessons it offers?

    The Transition Movement has not yet matured enough to say 'this works' (and 'that does not work'). Even in Totnes.

    Posted 11 months ago #

20. sinergyinaction
    Member

    Yeah Cliff, I agree, still we need to start somehow (or find something else).

    Nobody's got all the answers here for good or bad that this can be, and who knows, something like TT might even reveal to be of total irrelevance for the local culture here in Barcelona or even Spain....given that most of the people trying to foster it are expats, not certainly locals.. which is somewhat worrying or it's just that those that might be interested are not confident enough with their english to want to read/know more.

    By the way how many official transtion hubs are there (UK and beyond)?
    How many local initiating hubs?
    Cheers
    Antonio

    Posted 11 months ago #

21. neckie
    Member

    Hi Antonio
    try this link
    http://forum.transitionnottingham.org.uk/index.php/topic,164.new/boardseen.html#new
    neckie
    ps Is it possible to p.m on this forum?

    Posted 11 months ago #

22. Juan del rio
    Member

    Hi to everybody,

    i'm juan from barcelona, i've just made a post explaining about the final disertation of the 2 years sustanaibilitu master i've just finished. the title is "the la idea a laaccion; aprendiendo sobre el movimiento transition towns". it's about transition movement and it tries to be a good divulgative study about the subject in spanish and research how transition model could be adapted to another contexts like the mediterranean for example in barcelona. hopefully can be useful.

    here is the link: http://movimientotransicion.pbworks.com/f/De+la+idea+a+la+acci%C3%B3n%3B+Aprendiendo+del+Movimiento+Transition+Towns+-+Juan+Del+R%C3%ADo.pdf

    let's keep in touch.

    sincerely

    Juan del rio

    Posted 10 months ago #

23. RuthWallsgrove
    Member

    Antonio,

    Just wanted to say we started a hub-y-thingy here in Sydney because those of us who first got together came from different parts of the city. Transition Sydney sees itself as supporting local initiatives before, during and after formation - being a contact point, holding events, offering T4T training, website with resources, back office help such as 'auspicing' grant applications and holding public liability insurance, as well as starting and being involved ourselves in local groups.

    I believe we should work from where we are - and who else wants to work with us; in fact I don't really think any of us can do anything else. Through offering to go and speak to any organisation that wants to discuss Transition, TS made contact with people in my own area.. who then wanted to start a local Transition initiative, which I couldn't be happier about. But I didn't know them before.

    A small group of people getting together and asking what they can most usefully do for Transition sounds exactly what most of us do. Go for it, Barcelona - and keep in touch. (Transition Houston is also a good bunch of people we're in communication with.)

    warm wishes
    Ruth

    Posted 9 months ago #

24. HarrietSJ
    Member

    And similar situation (to Sydney) in the BH postcode area on south coast of England (large conurbation pop. 350,000 including Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, Wimborne). Although we are called Transition BH Hub I'm not that keen on the word "Hub" - we're not a central, controlling group, we exist to raise awareness of Transition in the area and to support and encourage the formation of local groups. The four local groups that have formed so far are completely autonomous but can rely on the BH group for help with publicity, communications and shared resources.
    I agree with Ruth, don't worry about structures - give people the opportunity to get together and the groupings will form - with time. The Hub has been in existence for a year and we have only just now formalised a steering group and constitution (because we needed a bank account).
    Harriet

    Posted 9 months ago #

25. sinergyinaction
    Member

    Hello Ruth and Harriet
    many thanks for yuor replies. I've been disconected from this forum for a while
    but what both you say I think is relevant and helpful to me.

    What I'd like to ask you is in what form do you provide support for those groups.
    Basically what do you provide them that they can't already do by themselves (especially because of the nowadays already huge amount of information available in English).
    All the best
    Antonio

    Posted 5 months ago #

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