Working Group General Info

Working Groups are the backbone of the Transition movement. Here are some resources for you, whether you’re a newbie here, or you’re raring to go with a working group!

Working Group Launch Kit

A quick and handy guide to creating and managing a working group. (PDF).

Transition Working Groups Webinar

Here you’ll get the skinny on all aspects of working groups, in this Transition webinar.

Some Ideas for Working Group Themes

Ideally, you have ideas you’re passionate about as the genesis of a working group. Perhaps you have too many passionate ideas and if so, this site may help you narrow your focus, or better articulate your vision.

Governance Toolkit

As we all know, a great idea and a passionate owner of that idea, are not enough to get projects off the ground, or keep them successful once begun. Check out this governance toolkit to find resources to assist you in your success in creating, building and maintaining a working group.

Why start a Transition Joshua Tree Working Group?

The tasks we face in transitioning our community to a sustainable way of life are enormous and cannot be done alone. Working Groups ensure an inclusive, empowered and dynamic process as we move through this change. Your WG will have Transition Joshua Tree’s support via website exposure, links to Transition US information and updates, networking, publicity and promotion for your projects and events.

Easy Guide to forming Working Groups:

Step 1

Congratulations, you have at least 3 members, and qualify to form a Working Group!

Step 2

All your members have become familiar with Transition 101 on the Transition US website.  

Step 3

Now that your group has met several times, and you’re ready to apply for working group status, send the following info to the TJT Initiating Group via transitionjoshuatree@gmail.com. Use the subject heading “Proposed Working Group.”

a. The name of your group

b. A brief description of your group’s goal as it relates to Transition TJT

c. The names, phone numbers and emails of all members

d. The name of the designated contact person for the group

Step 4

The Initiating Group (IG) will review your proposal to make sure: 

it does not duplicate the efforts of an already existing group
your stated goal is consistent with the mission of Transition Joshua Tree
the proposed benefits to the community appear feasible

If the IG has further questions, we may ask that your contact person come to an IG meeting to further discuss your proposal. 

Step 5

Feedback loops and elected representation are extremely important in the Transition model. Each working group must commit to elect a representative to sit on the IG no later than 4 months after you have become official.  Eventually the current IG dissolves and becomes The TJT Steering Group that is made up of elected Working Group representatives. We ask that your contact person update us once a month on your activities until you have elected a representative. These updates can be done via our gmail.   

Step 6  

Members are expected to follow Transition principles of open, inclusive membership. We want to expand community participation!

Step 7

You’re now ready to alter the course of history. Take action and have fun!!

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Working Group General Info