Coordinators' Corner
New Coordinator Pack
Congratulations for taking on this valuable role. We hope the information below will help you co-ordinate the group smoothly. Please contact your Network Developer at any point if you have any queries.
What do you need to do now?
1. Make sure we have the correct contact details for the group:
- Tell your Network Developer that you are taking over as Coordinator.
- Email them the completed Local Group contact details form. This will enable us to contact the right individual in the group with key campaign and organisational information.
- Check that your group's website is correct, both in terms of the contact details provided for members of the public to get in touch with your group, but also information about your meeting times, current campaigns etc. Use the local group website instructions to help you update the site (or email us if you don't know the username and/or password for your group, or have any difficulties updating your group's website).
2. Familiarise yourself with the key local group policies:
- Have a read through the Policies & Procedures section, which includes information on insurance, data protection, corporate funding and applying for charitable status.
- Your group signs a Partnership Agreement with us each year - this document details what's expected of your group and what you can expect from Friends of the Earth.
- Each licensed local group is covered by our Employer's Liability and Public & Products Liability insurance policies - read the insurance guidance to understand what activities your group is permitted to do.
3. Find useful resources:
- For up-to-date information on key tasks, news and resources, visit the "things to do this month" section within Coordinators Corner. Check this out before meetings, as well as your most recent monthly Coordinator Update email.
- Coordinators Corner hosts lots more information and resources, designed to make it as easy as possible for you to find what you need.
- Before your first meeting as co-ordinator, you might like to have a read of the Local Group Handbook. This is our detailed guide to coordinating a successful group. It's available online, but the outgoing Coordinator should hand you your group's hard copy too.
- The guide - Change your world: Get a group going - might also give some useful advice on running meetings, recruiting group members and allocating roles.
- Looking for something specific? Almost everything you need can be quickly found via the Local Group Resources' Index.
4. Make sure your group has the publicity materials it needs:
- Visit the Fundraising and Publicity pages to view the publicity materials and resources on offer, and to order additional stock needed to help your group make an impact in your local community.
5. Get a handle on your group's finances:
- Your group should have a Treasuer in position, so it's up to them to manage your group's money and bank account. You can direct them to our Treasurer's Tips if they need some help.
- If your group doesn't have a bank account and wants to set one up, you might need an authorisation letter from us so that the bank knows that you are an official Friends of the Earth group. Contact your Network Developer to ask for thiis.
- All licensed local groups are eligible to apply for grants up to £1500 from our Local Group Support Fund, so bear this in mind if you are planning a big event or campaign and need some extra financial help.
6. Use the links below to make sure you get sent the updates you need, and for advice on sharing out the Coordinator tasks:
