Age group: Venturers/DFs

How long it will take: Discussion at three or more group meetings

What materials you will need: none

The aim of the activity: To get the group to play a full role in the democracy of the Woodcraft Folk

What to do:
The Woodcraft Folk's own democratic life is centred on the annual Conference and Gathering, held each summer (usually in late June).

Each Woodcraft Folk group has the right to submit motions to the Conference and to send one delegate. Since 2001, Venturers (13+) have the right to become full members of the organisation, and to be delegates in their own right to Conference. Each district can also additionally send a district delegate, and this can also be a Venturer or DF member. Of course, all Venturers, DFs and adults are welcome at the Gathering, whether or not they have been elected as delegates.

Each group is invited to submit motions in the Conference calling notice, sent out early each year. When this comes, discuss in your group:

• Are there any issues we feel strongly about, where we would like to propose a motion to Conference?

The next mailing groups receive will include the text of all the motions submitted. At this stage, your group can propose amendments to any of these motions (provided they are not simply negating amendments).

• What do we think of the motions proposed by others? Are there any amendments we want to make?

Eventually the final agenda, with the texts of all motions and amendments approved, will be circulated.

• Who is to be your delegate?
• Should you mandate them to vote a particular way on certain motions? Or should you leave it to them to make up their own mind when they have heard the arguments