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Rules

We are an activist network so we try to keep our rules light touch yet still effective and useful.

Below you will find:

  • Our National Rules which many state/territories work under
  • Code of Conduct
  • Local LEAN rules and structure

 

Labor Environment Action Network: National Rules

as of 2018

  1. Purpose

The Labor Environment Action Network (LEAN)’s purpose is:

  • To drive environmental protection and sustainability
  • To put environmental protection and sustainability at the centre of Labor’s culture, values and policy
  • To ensure Labor is the leading party of the environment within Australia

 2. National Structure of LEAN

The National Structure of LEAN reflects the ALP’s National Structure whereby:

  • LEAN is organised at a State or Territory level
  • Each State and Territory Branch of LEAN is responsible for managing the affairs of LEAN in that State or Territory
  • Each State or Territory Branch is entitled to send two delegates to LEAN Annual General Meetings and to LEAN’s National Committee
  • The Annual General Meeting of LEAN elects the National Executive whose duties are outlined below

 3. Role and duties of the National Executive

Subject to these Rules, the LEAN National Executive shall conduct the national affairs of LEAN, including:

  1. Leading LEAN’s engagement with the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party
  2. Promoting and leading engagement by LEAN in ALP policy development processes
  3. Engaging, informing and mobilising ALP members around national environmental policies such as action on climate change
  4. Developing relationships and dialogue with other relevant organisations, including trade unions and NGOs, to pursue cooperative action on environmental protection and climate action.
  5. Assisting State and Territory LEANs in coordinating their respective activities and coordinating with national issues and processes and to develop effective LEAN organisations in every state and Territory
  6. Establishing lawful arrangements for receiving, holding and expending funds in pursuance of the objectives of LEAN.
  7. Being the LEAN contact with the ALP’s National Office

 The National Executive may authorise other persons or bodies to assist in the performance of its functions.

 To enable the National Executive to perform its duties, State and Territory branches of LEAN shall report to the National Executive on

  • Scheduling of their local Annual General Meetings
  • Names and contact details of their Executive and of delegates to LEAN’s Annual General Meeting and to the National Committee
  • Significant issues arising in the relevant State or Territory affecting LEAN’s purpose, including outcomes sought or achieved in the platform or policy of Labor in that State or Territory.

 4. Composition of the national executive

The national executive shall consist of five persons

  1. A National Secretary; and
  2. Two National Convenors; and
  3. Two National Campaign Organisers.


The functions to be performed by each role are to be ratified by the LEAN National Committee.

 5. Eligibility for membership of the National Executive

A person must be a member of the relevant State or Territory branch of the Australian Labor Party to be eligible for election or appointment as a member of the National Executive.

 6. Selection of National Executive

  1. Members of the National Executive shall be elected at an Annual General Meeting of LEAN.
  2. Casual vacancies in the National Executive shall be filled by election by the convening of a special general meeting of the National Committee with a minimum of 21 days notice
  3. Members of the national executive shall be eligible to serve until the next national Annual General Meeting, but are also eligible for re-election.

 7. Annual General meetings

The National Secretary (or, in her or his default, another member of the National Executive) shall convene a national Annual General Meeting.

 At least 28 days  notice of an annual general meeting must be given to each State or Territory LEAN organisation.

 Two delegates appointed by each State and Territory LEAN organisation are entitled to participate and vote in any national general meeting.

 In case of any dispute, the National Executive may certify which (if any) organisation constitutes the LEAN organisation in a State or Territory.

 Members of the National Executive are entitled to participate in and vote at any national general meeting.

 8. National Committee of  LEAN

The National Secretary will call meetings of the National Committee of LEAN for the following reasons:

  1. For the conduct of national business with meetings to be conducted quarterly or more frequently as required
  2. To adopt National LEAN positions and policies
  3. Where a request to hold a meeting has been received from at least three National Committee members
  4. Urgent matters arising

 Two delegates nominated by each State and Territory LEAN organisation are entitled to participate and vote in any meeting of the National Committee

 Members of the National Executive are entitled to participate in and vote at any meeting of the National Committee.

 9. Meetings and decisions

Meetings under these rules, including Annual General Meetings; meetings of the National Committee; and meetings of or convened by the National Executive, may be conducted in person; by phone or video conference; by email; or by any other means of communication as authorised from time to time by the National Executive.

 The National Executive, or a member of the National Executive, may invite any person to participate, but not to vote, in any meeting.

 In the judgement of the meeting’s Chair, the Standing Orders/Rules of Debate of the NSW Labor shall apply as the standard meeting Standing Orders for LEAN (attachment A).

 10. Amendment of these Rules

These Rules may be amended at an Annual General Meeting or at a meeting of the National Committee on a motion for which at least 14 days notice has been given to the National Secretary.

 11. General

Any matter that arises that is not covered by these rules is underwritten by the NSW Labor Rules.

 

LEAN Members Code of Conduct

Membership of LEAN brings opportunities to be a part of a powerful voice for the environment and climate action within the Labor party. This is balanced with each member's obligation to safeguard the integrity and reputation of LEAN, respect agreed processes, and act in a way that builds power and solidarity across our organisation. This is why LEAN has established a member code of conduct.

 Be respectful

Be respectful in discourse and debate.

Be concise, courteous and clear.

 Listening is just as important as speaking.

Respect the rights, opinions and dignity of others, regardless of their gender identity, religion, age, religion, disability, language or ethnic origin.

Members should always conduct themselves in a  way that enhances and does not diminish the reputation and standing of LEAN when at LEAN events or wearing LEAN apparel. 

 

Our Processes

Work towards consensus where possible but understand that once a vote is taken, the position stands and we cannot keep re-prosecuting the argument.

Communication is key. Especially between various state, territory, national and local LEAN branches.

The model we operate under is with a National Executive with each state/territory and local branch operating independently. However, all branches need to be consistent with national positions and respect  that our theory of change is to work for change within the Labor Party.

 LEAN branches are an important part of the national and state infrastructure, during LEAN campaigns local and state LEANs should prioritise these matters. It is only when we all work together that we can achieve state and nationwide wins.

 It is primarily the role of the National Executive to engage with members of the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party (FPLP), and State Executives to engage with their states FPLP members and their respective State Parliamentary Labor Party (SPLP). Individual members and local LEANS should of course engage with their local members and relevant ministers / shaddows where appropriate, but speak in their local capacity, and refrain from making representations on behalf of a State or the National LEAN organisation.

 

Non Factionalism

LEAN is non-factional and is key to our success. We need to work within and with factions but not use LEAN as a vehicle for factional business. Our focus is on getting good environmental outcomes. Local and state LEAN branches must seek to recruit members across functional lines, and not use LEAN groups and forums to promote any factional work.

Confidentiality

Discussions within LEAN are generally confidential to LEAN members. Frank and open dialogue between LEAN members enables us to be an effective campaigning force. Please always respect the confidentiality of internal LEAN communications. LEAN also values the privacy and confidentiality of member information seriously. LEAN has controls in place to manage our privacy obligations. Lists and membership data must always be treated in the strictest of confidence and never used for purposes other than LEAN.

Media:

The only people authorised to speak to the media on behalf of LEAN are the National Co-convenors or Convenors/Secretaries for states or territories.

 

What are local LEANS.

 Local LEAN groups are intended to:

  • Help promote LEAN and Labor’s Environmental Credentials in a local area through events and on the group's outreach.
  • Help attract new members to local Labor branches and bring existing members together.
  • Help roll-out LEAN’s state and national campaigns in a specific area.
  • Run campaigns on local issues, particularly at a local government level.
  • Support local endorsed Labor candidates for public office.
  • Provide an opportunity for local LEAN members to contribute to state and federal LEAN processes.

 Guidelines for Local LEANS

  • The frequency of meetings and type of meetings for your local LEAN groups can be decided by each local group. Some meet monthly, some quarterly. Our experience is that less formal meetings in a social setting, with a guest speaker or activity, such as a clean up day are most engaging to new members.
  • Local LEANS should encompass an area of around 2-3 FECs, following established geographic boundaries. We are stronger together, our aim is not to splinter into dozens of small groups.
  • Local LEANS can either be coordinated by a convenor or co-convenors, or choose to have an executive like a local branch would.
  • LEAN is strictly a non-factional organisation. LEAN’s success relies on the fact that we leave factions at the door, and work together on our common interest of protecting the environment. Local LEANS must seek to recruit members across functional lines, and not use local LEAN groups to promote any other faction or grouping. If you are an active local factional organiser, you may not be the best person to be a convenor or executive member of a local LEAN.
  • Local LEANs should refrain from making representations on behalf of LEAN to MPs, except where it is a local MP from their local area. Local LEANS must also refrain from making representations to the media. These matters should be handled by the State and National LEAN executives.
  • Local LEANs must also comply with campaign footings of state branches. During election campaigns, the focus is to be on supporting the election of Labor candidates.
  • Local LEANS are an important part of the national infrastructure, during LEAN campaigns local LEANs should prioritise these matters. It is only when we all work together that we can achieve state and nationwide wins.