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How to Regenerate Your Group

Guidance for Regen Advocates and Their Teammates

This guide is aimed at helping new and seasoned rebels to learn more about Regenerative Cultures. You can either choose what you would like to learn from the table of content below or work your way through the document from start to finish. It is a living document, and we hope for your insight and contribution.

A small team is working on this website. Please, be patient with our mistakes and support us in your heart.

What is Regen and why is it important?

Our 3rd Principle says that regenerative human cultures are healthy, resilient, and adaptable. They care for the planet and they care for life, aware that this is the most effective way to create a thriving future for all of humanity.

To save our planet we need to start with ourselves. We need to save ourselves from the insanity of the self-destructive civilization we grew up in. We need to build regenerative cultures within our movement. That means constantly changing, evolving… and struggling with all the toxic patterns we once embraced. As our principle says: regenerative cultures mean improvements year on year, taking small steps to heal and improve, on all levels, including individuals, communities, our soil, water, and air.

More than being a network of “activists”, we seek to find ways of being and doing that positive change. Regenerative Cultures are about relationships. Our relationships with our personal histories, and our relationships with what we struggle against. Our relationships with other persons, and our relationships as a group. This is almost a psychotherapeutic group process. It is not easy but we need to do it. We need to reconnect with ourselves, and our friends, fellow activists - to be able to reconnect with people alongside, with society, and the natural world. 

Regenerative reminders

To spread regenerative cultures…

We call for Regen Advocates in every group and every team. Regen Advocates pay particular attention to regenerative aspects of our movement. And they focus on the regenerative elements of our activity. They actively search for regenerative opportunities, invite and mobilize their teams to regenerate, they initiate and invent new regenerative ideas. They listen to their teammates for inspiration and to discover needs growing in a group. And they help build the Network of Regen Advocates where they can learn and support each other. 

We hope this document will help you in your journey.

How do you feel about your Group?

Think about your Group. If we want to meet the group’s regenerative needs, it is important to understand what those needs are. How much do you know about each other? The following questions may help you recognize the needs of your Group:

  • Do you ever eat together or sleep in one place? Do you relax together? Do you spend leisure time together - walking, enjoying nature, playing together, sharing life experiences, discussing viewpoints, etc.? Do you feel comfortable and relaxed doing that?

  • What do you know about each other? About your lives beyond XR? About your families? About your pets? Your jobs? Your favorite activities, hobbies? Favorite foods? Where do you live?

  • What are each person’s special needs and concerns during actions? How much time will you spend together? Are there any medical issues or needs? Does anyone have any disabilities which need to be taken into account? 

  • What kind of action does each member of the group feel capable of? What does each person feel strong and confident doing? What does each member feel unsure about? 

  • How can you participate together as a group in different actions, while respecting each person’s boundaries, and managing their expectations? How do you spread different roles and tasks within the group so that everyone feels prepared and supported in their roles?

  • Do you ever cook together? Perhaps you can meet to make props for the actions together?

  • Do you have a good system for communication and information sharing within the Group? (a separate group on Telegram, Signal, etc.) 

  • Do you have a contingency plan, so that everyone can feel safe and secure in the team? (for instance: a meeting point in case you lose contact during an action and/or phones don’t work)

Regenerative Practices and Activities

Do you use any tools or practices to build a safe community within the Group?

Have you tried any other regenerative activities? 

You may find some helpful suggestions in the Collection of Regenerative Activities. Check with members of your group - they may have their own ideas, better than ours, and which are more enjoyable as they come from your group itself. 

Start with small things

If most of your answers to the above are negative or not often done, you may need to find time to spend together. Start with small things:

  • Eat together. Drink a cup of tea, coffee, a glass of wine together... 

  • Find a quiet and comfortable place and sit together, maybe with a cup of tea, and do a round of long introductions (for instance: each person talks about themself for 7 minutes).

  • Do another round of sharing and talk about your expectations and worries regarding actions, stewarding, your role within the group, etc.

  • And so on (you may use the questions above). Do what feels okay and comfortable at the time (not everything is possible).

You could try some of these things online before you meet in person.


If you have more time, you could all attend a regen session or workshop:

  • Christie Wilson with her team will introduce you to the basics of Regenerative Cultures. Regen 101 is a beautiful introduction for those new to XR and an essential experience for those already involved in the movement. As a workshop, it is experiential, practical, and educational and weaves through the topics so that the group leaves with an understanding of embodied Regenerative ActivismThey will cover:

    • What are Regenerative Cultures?

    • Earth Emotions

    • Community/Self-care & Burnout

    • Emotional Debriefing

    You may look at the Regen 101 booklet and use it as your compendium of Regen.

    You may check the current dates in Trainings XR Global Support events.

  • Klaudia van Gool and David Smart Knight explore the patterns of regeneration in nature, and how we can apply those patterns to consciously create regenerative cultures within our lives, workplaces, and communities. The intention of this series is for participants to explore their own innate regenerative wisdom, to feel empowered to trust it and inspired to embody it, thereby modeling regenerative behavior in life - as Gandhi said: to be the change we want to see in the world.

    The workshop is free to attend, though Klaudia and David invite participants to make donations to Survival International.

    For upcoming workshops check XR UK Regenerative Cultures

  • Klaudia van Gool and David Smart Knight explore the patterns of regeneration in nature, and how we can apply those patterns to consciously create regenerative cultures within our lives, workplaces, and communities. The intention of this series is for participants to explore their own innate regenerative wisdom, to feel empowered to trust it, and inspired to embody it, thereby modeling regenerative behavior in life - as Gandhi said: to be the change we want to see in the world.

    The workshop is free to attend, though Klaudia and David invite participants to make donations to Survival International.

    For upcoming workshops check XR UK Regenerative Cultures.

  • In this follow-up of Roots of Regen Klaudia van Gool and David Smart Knight explore the question: Given the urgency of the Climate Code Red, and the fact that we cannot afford to burn out, how can we design EFFECTIVE ACTIONS that are also REGENERATIVE?
    For upcoming workshops check XR UK Regenerative Cultures.

  • Debbra and Stu invite you to ...nurture a spark to reignite your passion! Activism is demanding work that can take a lot out of us – time, energy, finances, emotions. Our work is so important, and we can't sustain it if we're burnt out. When we invest so much of ourselves, it can be heart-breaking when reality doesn't meet our expectations. That's normal. And it helps to process this in a group, to know we're not alone.
    Discover your own activist path, receive tools to support you, and resource yourself to keep you moving in the way that is right for you. This is a 2-part workshop, you need to attend the Foundation session before attending the second Advanced session. Each session is 2-hours long:
    Session 1: Foundation. In the foundation workshop, we introduce some practical tools for building resilience, learn about activist burnout, and explore our inner experiences.
    Session 2: Advanced. In the second workshop, we’ll go deeper, encountering some of our blockages and struggles, and working with them as we gain awareness and strength. Attendees will also gain access to ongoing monthly support spaces.

    To participate and reignite your activism check and REGISTER HERE.

  • Alima and Karl invite You to their Oppression, Movement Building, and our Relationships as Activists. This workshop addresses the importance of understanding the structural nature of oppression (such as racism, sexism, classism, ableism, the oppression of young people, ...), as well as doing personal healing work – both of which are necessary if we are to work together effectively in a united movement. Karl island Alima will help you to look at how movements can be divided when oppression goes unaddressed, offering practical tools to heal these divisions which affect our relationships as activists.

    Practicalities: Please arrive from 15 minutes before the start time for a prompt start. This workshop is interactive so it's useful if each participant can join the call on a separate device. Because we will be breaking out into smaller groups for timed 'listening exchanges' it will be very helpful if you can bring a timer to the workshop, e.g. you can use the timer app on a mobile phone (use a spare mobile if you are using your mobile for the Zoom call).

    For upcoming sessions check Description (preferred by authors).
    You may also check Facebook XR UK Regenerative Cultures.

  • XR Empathy Circles invites you to the series that is happening with the same topic on two different days every week. We use a particular form of active listening called Empathy Circle. During the session, each person has an opportunity to speak and be heard a few times. The method is simple and easy to learn. You may watch a 9 min video or read our leaflet. You may also watch an instance of recording.

    Thursdays 9 -11 am UTC / other timezones
    Thursdays 5-7 pm UTC / other timezones
    ONLINE: Zoom Link, Meeting ID: 868 2871 2443.

    You may check the current topic in the Facebook event.

  • Ann and karO address their session to the groups as teams who seek the opportunity to learn more about each other, understand their needs, and build connections, mutual care, and trust. During the session, each person has a chance to speak a few times and feel heard. The session lasts for 2 hours. The Empathy Circle format is simple and easy to learn. You may watch a 9 min. video about the method format we use in the process, but it is not necessary. You may also read our leaflet and watch an instance of recording.

    They will arrange the time of your Empathy Cafe directly with you.
    Check with your teammates and REGISTER HERE.

  • Marcus and Holly invite you to rebel through singing. Singing carries our message louder than a banner and it's fun. Join them to learn the chants and songs to sing in XR actions and rebellions. Their workshops offer a mixture of empowering and nourishing songs for the soul. If you haven't been to any yet you might be interested to know:

    • no experience necessary

    • 1h workshop, followed by optional time for sharing/feedback, etc.

    • sessions are weekly, alternating between Wed evening and Tue morning

    • we'll repeat songs

    • no need to register twice, you'll keep receiving email reminders for follow-up sessions

    • any suitable songs you want to suggest which are not in the PDF: let us know about them

    Singing is a Regen Action! To participate REGISTER HERE.

  • Frances, Kirsty, Tom & Zoe - a team of ‘Work that Reconnects’ facilitators, offers a practice of mindful walking: “To step out into your surrounding landscape for a nourishing walk, alone, with one other, or more if appropriate. As you walk you will be guided through a spiral of ‘The Work that Reconnects’, a journey designed to help us experience firsthand that we are larger, stronger, more creative – and more deeply interconnected – than we knew. A body of work used to support and nourish activists around the world for the past four decades, these are practices that nourish and resources our Active Hope – hope that we ‘do’ rather than have.”

    Walks that Reconnect. Follow the guidance on the Walks that Reconnect page, where you will find detailed guides for four walks, recordings, and practical tips to organize 4 walking sessions with your group. You may also try it alone or with your soulmate/buddy as well.

  • The workshop is co-held as a collaboration between Frieda (WTR Facilitator) and Madalyn (XR Global Support Trainings). The challenges of these times are very real. How do we navigate the emotional upheaval that so often accompanies the grief, anger, and despair we feel in response to what’s happening in the world? Sadly, most of us were not offered the skills to navigate our emotions. We were taught to repress our ‘negative’ emotions and be happy. But ‘happy’ doesn’t always reflect what we feel inside. Suppressing our emotions can have negative impacts on our well-being, our health, our relationships, and even our livelihood.

    The Work That Reconnects invites us to take a fresh look at what we see happening in the world around us. It beckons us to recognize and embrace the entirety of our truth, to form a foundation of gratitude upon which we can thrive. As we move through the phases of the Spiral of the Work–Gratitude, Honoring Our Pain for the World, Seeing with New Eyes, and Going Forth–we remember the value of our emotional landscape. By identifying our unique contribution to the world and connecting with our inner resources, we build our resilience which supports us in navigating these chaotic times of great possibility.

    You may check the current dates in
    Trainings XR Global Support events.

  • Frieda, WTR Facilitator, and Christie, Regen XR Global Support invite to their workshop:

    "The Council of All Beings is a communal ritual in which participants step aside from their human identity and speak on behalf of another life-form. A simple structure for spontaneous expression, it aims to heighten awareness of our interdependence in the living body of Earth and to strengthen our commitment to defend it. The ritual serves to help us acknowledge and give voice to the suffering of our world. It also serves, in equal measure, to help us experience the beauty and power of our interconnectedness with all life." – Joanna Macy

    You may check the current dates in Trainings XR Global Support events.

  • Bursts of adrenaline, tension for many days, exploding with anger for stupid reasons, compulsively checking messages, inability to rest, feeling that your brain can't produce any ideas, feeling unable to get out of bed... and so on. If you happen to experience any of this, then this movie is about you:

    Radical Resilience (Notice that you may choose different subtitles)

    Organize a screening in your group. Meet and watch together. It will be 65 minutes about every one of you. Then you may talk in the circle about your own experience.

 

When you feel you need to be alone

  • in the pipeline

Emotional support

  • Many of us are struggling every day with sensing the degradation of our environment. We experience feelings that haven’t existed for previous generations. A new expression Earth Emotions helps us to understand this phenomenon. You will find a simple explanation of Earth Emotions on the 14-15 page of the Regen 101 booklet. 

  • A beautiful sharing (40min lecture) about eco-emotions and particularly How eco-grief will help us save ourselves -  by Rupert Read (on YT) 

  • Can computer games help young people to cope with their grief? Listen to the BBC podcast, check this website, and look for the game called Apart of Me (9-12y) in your app store.

  • A burst of adrenaline, tension for many days, exploding with anger for stupid reasons, compulsively checking messages, inability to rest, feeling that your brain can't produce any ideas, feeling unable to get up from bed... and so on. If you experience any of this, this movie is about you: Radical Resilience (notice that you may choose different subtitles). Organize a screening in your group. Meet and watch together. It will be 65 minutes about every one of you. Then you may talk in the circle about your own experience.

  • The Trained Emotional Support Network (TESN) offers a range of emotional support options for both individuals and groups. Please contact tesn@tesn.uk or Rebel2Rebel@tesn.uk.

  • The Climate Psychology Alliance (CPA) provides a list of practitioners offering three free sessions of therapeutic support to activists. Check the link to find support.

Try connecting with nature

Regenerative Cultures are about connection. We are often aware of our disconnection from each other and we seek to restore it. But are we connected with ourselves? Can we easily say in every moment, how do we feel, what do we need? Or do we tend to ignore our feelings and focus on being active? Do we notice our surroundings? Most of us spend most of our life indoors, surrounded by concrete and city noise. Are we connected to nature? The nature we are part of. Or have we broken our connection with nature and ourselves? 

Jon Young offers a 28-day Connection First Journey. He recommends that you take it within the lunar month. But if it’s too intensive, try twice or even once a week. You could try this with your fellow activists or your neighbors. Try it with children! See if this practice becomes your way back to yourself, to Mother Earth, and to your community.

Polish Regen activists, @omuzis and @zuza_wilk, collected plenty of connection-with-nature resources. You will find here books, articles, and websites about ecopsychology, ecotherapy, spiritual ecology, decolonizing and indigenous wisdom, rhythms of nature, regenerative agriculture, and decolonizing permaculture.


Rest as a radical form of resistance

From the old message: Today, on Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, a few of us met and talked about Rest as a radical form of resistance (listen to the podcast). And some of us thought: hey, let's do something. But if we do something, it will be another task in XR and we won't rest… So we will simply try intentionally slow down:

  • ...like really slooow dooown,

  • and postpone, if we can't be all at the meeting

  • and postpone, if some of us are tired

  • and postpone, if we feel not ready yet.

We will not campaign for it, we will not start great mobilization. We will start to rest as our contribution. …So, while resting, I will wait for you to discover this form of resistance and maybe this lazy chat, and for sure one day we will figure out what to do, after long healing rest.

🐌 The Nap Ministry About Tricia Hersey

When we seek more guidance...

We often talk about how we are transitioning towards regenerative cultures, but we are doing this when we are stuck in old patterns of behavior. Very often we are not aware of our own prejudice, and harmful attitudes. We are learning. Sometimes, we struggle to change. Some of XR has created guidance that may help us in this journey:


XR UK Disabled Rebels Network (DRN) in the XR Principles Of Inclusivity, offers some learning on how to stay inclusive, simple tips on how to organize events or meetings, even how to text and advertise in a way that doesn’t leave anybody behind. You may find detailed guidance in the following links:

Check also:

Gratitude to @nicki73, @nedevans, and other rebels from DRN (XR UK).

When tensions and conflicts arise

It is not uncommon for groups to experience frustrations, tension, and conflict despite our attempts to be supportive of each other. These emotions can become worse at times of stress. One person may have these feelings, or it might be the whole group. If not dealt with, people may become angry, hurt, and disheartened and leave the group.

It is good as a group to think of ways of dealing with tensions early whether they arise between individuals or the whole group. Often if dealt with early what seems like a disagreement and uncomfortable conflict can lead to a greater understanding and acceptance of each other and bring the group closer together.

Conflict process - XR UK: this guide will lead you, step by step, through the subtleties of group interactions and tension/conflict processes. Although reading can time this guide does provide simple tips, suggestions, and solutions which your group may find helpful.

Conflict process - XR Global Support: this document explains XR Global Support conflict policy. You will find here Conflict Response Roadmap. You will also find here references and links to conflict processes in some local groups.

Conflict process - XR COP HUB: this document describes agreements made by XR COP26 (HUB) in June 2021.

Conflict process - XR NYC

process in XR (in our Glossary)

Bunch of Regen Links

Regen Advocates Network (RAN)

You, as Regen Advocate, need support - a lot of informative and warm support! Meet up with other Regen Advocates and share your experiences, your worries, and your feelings... Here is the recurrent event - RAN Meetup (in the pipeline).

If you need/want to join the Mattermost (MM) Global Team, ask for help from fellow seasoned activists. We warn you, that the Mattermost platform can be very overwhelming at first. 🤍 

Glossary of terms (A to Z)

(in progress)

  • Action Wellbeing is an essential support role and an integral part of the Action Cycle. Action Wellbeing supports rebels in action physically and emotionally Pre, During, and Post Action. Action Wellbeing Teams provide training to Rebels on how best to support each other. They can also provide support to Action Planners. 

    Rebels Interested in offering Action Wellbeing Support in the UK can join us in the AWB UK Hive Telegram Chat.

  • Buddy System - The term has several meanings within XR. It can mean having someone in your group who is willing to support a new rebel. They can ensure that the new rebel understands what is going on, is linked into the different communication platforms, and are aware of all the XR training on offer. 

    It can also be something more formal such as sessions run over several weeks to introduce new rebels to XR and your group. 

    Alternatively, it is used when a small group of rebels (2-4) agrees to look after each other at the action, watching out for each other’s well-being and ensuring no one becomes lost or distressed. See the AG buddy system in the Rebel Tool Kit.

  •  Climate Psychology Alliance (CPA) provides a list of practitioners offering three free sessions of therapeutic support to activists. Check the link to find support.

  • In general, we are trying to shift from the retributive to the restorative model of justice. Retributive justice means punishing a perpetrator. The restorative process is focused on restoring trust, respect, and dignity that were destroyed in the community by the act of violence (the community when restored is capable to deal with the problem itself). All the conflict processes in XR are built on the concepts of Nonviolent Communication, Restorative Circles, and Empathy Circles.

    Conflict process - XR UK: this guide will lead you, step by step, through the subtleties of group interactions and tension/conflict processes. Although reading takes time this guide does provide simple tips, suggestions, and solutions which your group may find helpful.

    Conflict process - XR Global Support: this document explains XR Global Support conflict policy. You will find here Conflict Response Roadmap. You will also find here references and links to conflict processes in some local groups.

    Conflict process - XR COP HUB: this document describes agreements made by XR COP26 (HUB) in June 2021.

  • A session (usually 2 up to 2.5 hours) of structured dialog with a set of simple and quick-to-learn rules, that helps each person to express themselves and feel heard in your feelings and needs. It is also a great tool to discuss difficult topics and learn about your opponents’ views, and find a common ground between you all. It often brings a sense of connection and opens to mutual trust within the group. For more details check our Regen Activities.

    A 9 min video
    A leaflet on xr-regenerativecultures.org
    An instance of XR recording

    Check also XR Empathy Circles on MM, XR Empathy Circles on FB. If you would like to try a Team Building Empathy Cafe for your group - learn about it and register HERE.

  • By that we mean spending some time together and reflecting on how we are at the moment, what are our concerns, how we feel, what we need right now. We should practice a long check-in before and check-out after action. More details in Regen Activities Collection.

  • RAN stands for Regen Advocates Network. The full proper name is ‘Regenerative Cultures Advocates Network’.

    For more information read RAN Short Manual

  • Stewards

  • They offer a range of emotional support options for both individuals and groups. Please contact Rebel2Rebel@tesn.uk or tesn@tesn.uk.

  • It is a practice at the beginning of the meeting. It works beautifully with check-ins/introductions but doesn’t replace them (!). It helps to arrive, settle, and feel seen by the group. 

    Before check-ins/introductions, we do the first round of short (max. 2 sentences) acknowledgments of anything that disturbs us at the moment. It might be an unpleasant situation on the way to the meeting, it might be trouble in the workplace or a friends’ quarrel, it might be a spilled coffee on the desk or a sleepless night, it might also be something joyful and exciting... We acknowledge things that may distract us and make our contributions to the meeting difficult. Then we do introductions or check-ins (sharing something positive, constructive).

    The source: Jon Young and Michi Burger - Connection 1st Journey (Day 2)