By: Mike Peters
DUNZ: 17/08/2024
DUNZ will build strong local campaign branches across NZ that unite the disabled, their families and support workers regardless of race, sex, religion, age, location, occupation or sexuality. Everyone is welcome.
Start small
The key to starting a DUNZ branch committee is to start small. It is better to start small, do well and then grow slowly.
Often, there may be many DUNZ members in the area waiting for someone to get the ball rolling. It just takes a few people to make the first step.
DUNZ will help you, but you must be prepared to do the work at the pace you can.
People must prove themselves
The branch committee needs to be made up of people who prove themselves by what they do. This will take time. The blind, deaf and wheelie communities are usually pretty staunch. Some stroppy parents and unionised care workers will be great as well.
People don't get onto the branch committee because of "lived experience" or "identity". They get on, because they are courageous, capable, reliable, stubborn and sensible.
Learning from others
Establishing the DUNZ-Invercargill Branch Committee followed a successful 1-hour picket protest, where everyone who participated went to a local café for a cuppa and a quick meeting. People put their hands up to join the committee knowing they would be required to do some work. Over 5 months, as the campaign got underway, 15 people joined, 8 left, and now 7 of the best remain. That is a natural process. Let people prove themselves.
If they don't turn up or do what they say they will do, drop them.
The DUNZ-Invercargill Branch Committee is on-track to have 10 members, but the goal is to have 20 members, so 10 will always be available (illness).
Steps
- Join DUNZ https://www.dunz.org.nz/p/join.html
- Find another 2 people to help and make sure they join DUNZ.
- Contact DUNZ to arrange a phone/zoom meeting so we can help you and make the job easier.
- The name of the branch committee will be for example "DUNZ-Christchurch Branch Committee".
- Choose a contact person, phone and email to put on publicity so supporters and the media can find you.
- Start meeting in person and figure it out as you go.
- Stay in regular contact with the other DUNZ Branches.
How the committee works
Start slowly. If you have 3 people, then don't take on too much. Pick some campaign activity that you can all do and learn how to work together. As you do this, recruit new DUNZ members.
Committee resilience
The Branch Committee needs to be very resilient because disabled people often have health issues. The way to do this is:
- Have a large committee to cover absence.
- Swap committee roles often, so everyone can do any job at short notice.
- Keep things simple, deal with the urgent first.
National structure
DUNZ will eventually be able to establish some kind of National Council made up of delegates from each local branch committee to co-ordinate the campaign at a national level.
Last Updated 17/08/2024
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