Preparing for the Movement Assembly #1

Facilitators and Note-takers

We need facilitators for small breakout room discussions at the Movement Assembly on Sun 27 July!

Assembly Facilitation Training via recorded video
Refresher session for Facilitators and Note-takers: Wed 23 July, 19.00–20.00 - Zoom link
Contact us to volunteer as an Assembly Facilitator (or to ask questions, stating whether you’re already trained or experienced): assemblies@extinctionrebellion.uk

Drop-in Sessions

Everyone’s welcome to the XRUK Assembly team’s weekly support sessions. You can come with questions about the Movement Assembly process, assembly facilitation, note-taking or Polis, XR's interactive polling tool.
Every Thursday 13.00–14.00 (during July) - Join the Zoom

Assembly Process

The first section before the breakout rooms, will be recorded. After the assembly, this will be shared for those that couldn’t attend but want to see the process and also take part in voting after the assembly. Click here for timings and registration link.

What Happens in the Breakout Rooms

• Once in the small breakout rooms, the group can decide on breaks and when these will be, or if you need a comfort break at any time, let the facilitator know.

• Each breakout room will have a facilitator and note-taker. If the breakout room doesn't have someone with an F or N before their name, please decide amongst you who will take on these roles.

• Note-takers: please join the assembly on a computer or tablet and not on your phone. Taking notes on a phone is too difficult. Note-takers will record the group's contributions using a harvest doc. Please ask people to slow down when needed to make sure contributions are recorded accurately.

• Facilitators are advised to join using a computer or tablet however, if necessary, they can facilitate if attending the assembly on a phone.

• Facilitators are there to support the group and to make sure everyone’s voices are heard. Please respect the process and use hand signals when contributing to the discussions. Facilitators will explain the hand signals in the breakout rooms.

• You will have an hour and a half in your breakout rooms. 75 minutes for your main discussion. Followed by 15 minutes to identify your three top ideas. The note-taker will then read the 3 ideas back to the group for agreement. Once the group is happy, the note-taker will enter the group's 3 ideas into Polis. Everyone will be able to vote on all the groups’ top 3 ideas over the following week.

How Will Polis be Used?

• Once your note-taker has added your group’s 3 top ideas, the Polis Moderators will check these to make sure personally identifiable information isn't included, e.g. names, email addresses, telephone numbers etc.

• Polis will then open for voting at 12:00pm midday Tues 29 July and will close 12:00pm midday Tues 5 Aug.

• The Polis results from this round of voting will be published on the Rebel Toolkit and everyone who registered for the Assembly will get these via email.

Optional Pre-Reading

This is not essential reading, however you might find it useful information to help your breakout room discussion.

• Our Story | Strategic communications guidance for Extinction Rebellion UK April 2025

• XRUK Strategic Comms Presentation Sept 2024

• XRUK Barriers to Engagement Presentation 2021

• Green energy and protecting nature get the thumbs up in climate change study in 68 countries
  Published: July 16, 2025 3.19pm BST

• Can you trust climate information? How and why powerful players are misleading the public
  Published: July 8, 2025 2.54pm BST

• Climate change reporting is not connecting with people and their real issues – what needs to be done about it
  Published: November 7, 2024 2.21pm GMT

• Five golden rules for effective science communication – perspectives from a documentary maker
  Published: September 20, 2023 2.20pm BST

• Three key drivers of good messaging in a time of crisis: expertise, empathy and timing
  Published: April 14, 2020 4.15pm BST

• Big Oil is bankrolling the UK’s election
  30 June 2024

Any questions? Contact the UK Assemblies Team

If you find any of these processes confusing or overwhelming, need adaptations, a buddy or have other access needs, please do contact wellbeing@extinctionrebellion.uk or contact 07773 193704