[Pil-pc-oceania] PIL to Permaculture Australia? & lobbying

[permaculture at apollobay.org.au]

Hi Robyn, Tim and all

Is it correct that international permies can join PIL, but they just can't
serve on the board if they're not a resident of Austtralia (due to ASIC
rules)?

>From my survey on PRI's forum
http://forums.permaculture.org.au/ftopic5230.php
there's a couple of international permies who have just become aware of PIL
and have indicated interest in joining.

In my opinion, if PIL is promoted more it's membership will rise.

Perhaps PIL can still have an international arm, but a national
"Permaculture Australia" body, like Permaculture UK has?  They seem to have
a good working model there.

I agree with Robyn that permaculture needs a higher public profile,
credibility and large membership base to be an effective lobby.

I have managed to meet with John Thwaites (although briefly) and Elaine
Carbines (who was Environmental Secretary and MP for Geelong Province). 
She was great!  She really listened and even came on a field trip! 
Unfortunately at the last state election, her party (ALP) put her third on
the ticket, and she fell behind the Greens candidate (Marcus Ward), and
then all of her above the line (ALP) preferences went to the DLP, and the
DLP got in (on a 2% primary vote).
Persistence is needed when lobbying, I didn't just send one email or one
phone call... but if an organisation has a large membership base, then it's
easier and you are listened to more by the pollies.  They (or their
assistants/advisors) always ask you about your membership base.

Cheers!
Fern
Otways & Coast Bioregion    


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