[Pil-pc-oceania] Local to National Model

[penny pyett]

As you are
all no doubt aware by now, day 5 of APC9 will be looking at Future Directions
and Opportunities for the Movement and the various ideas that will be raised.
Obviously, there will be some contention and difference of opinion but
hopefully we will be able to embrace a diverse set of actions and models to
include a diverse range of people.



In looking towards
the next 30 years of permaculture some of us feel we need a more organised and co-ordinated
movement if we are to help each other and make a significant difference in the
world - or indeed survive. 



Here in Sydney we have been
working toward this approach for some time and would like to share with you our
model of how we have organised ourselves. Essentially, Permaculture North, Permaculture
West, Permaculture Central Coast
and other regional reps around Sydney
make up a Greater Sydney Bioregional Pc group. These regional groups auspice
local permaculture groups based on council boundaries.  Permaculture Sydney North is establishing eleven
such local groups under our “Go Local” plan.  It all works rather well, but we are lacking the
next logical step, a representative National Pc Group.



Like most
sports groups or associations, when you join at the local level you become a
member of the whole movement. The groups perform different functions associated
with the different levels and the members elect their representatives. Some of
us don’t want to have to join two separate groups such as PIL and their own
local groups, paying two separate membership fees, and would rather belong to a
movement as a whole that could offer its members a whole lot more.  A body with a formally representative
structure encourages a dispersed membership where local people can form
permaculture groups that have a clear relationship with regional and national
bodies.  A truly “bottom-up” approach.



We would
like to see a national body perform functions such as designing and
administering a national permaculture website so we can all be connected,
assisting with national conferences, providing a national newsletter or journal
and perhaps obtaining funding for employment and a range of projects and
resources.  UK permaculture employs several permaculture
people to do such things and it works well.  
      



Please take
the time to consider the attached model and how your group might fit into it so
we can have some informed discussion at APC9. It looks rather formal and perhaps might be more appealing to some if it were drawn into more traditional permaculture zones. I trust we will all be tolerant
and respectful of each other as well as our views. 

Penny Pyett President 2008 
Permaculture North Inc.(02) 9888 2575 or 1300 887 145 
"mail to: president at permaculturenorth.org.au" 

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