Notes - Monday 19 Oct 2026 7.30pm - 9pm
Attendees: Saul, Claire, Julia, Shaun, Liddy
Apologies: Sue
Campaigning
Planet over Profit Campaign- Westminster Action on Wednesday 21 October - Julia is attending and will get some photos if possible
- Local action - Liddy will email Olivia Blake again.
Climate Change- Investor State Dispute Settlement stall on Saturday - Feedback was that this was a difficult topic to engage the public on and so good to have some engagement and interest particularly from young people. Might be better to try student areas rather than the Moor which is mainly shoppers? Shaun has submitted the press release to The Star and the Yorkshire Post, with a local angle on steel industry. 500+ saw video Shaun posted; 180+ saw on Facebook and had some positive reactions and shares (older demographic related to who uses Facebook?)
- Fracking letter to MPs regarding attending the Energy Independence Bill on 15 Sep - Shaun emailed Gill Furness with no response; Claire had positive response from Clive Betts confirming he is opposed to fracking. Suggested we should put responses on the website and let MPs know we are sharing with a wider audience.
- FoE webinar on “Building local resilience to online climate disinformation” - attended by Saul and Claire who shared some of the information shared on different types of disinformation/misinformation and the motivation of players such as fossil fuel industry and political parties whose tactics include delaying tactics. Need to understand why they are effective and use their tactics eg have local story telling with a”climate story bank” of positive stories, make it relevant to people and alert people that there is a risk of misinformation (“get ahead” of the story). Tailor messages to what might be helpful to people (eg benefits of improving air quality through ULEZ will improve asthma); try and explain urgency of action. Need to monitor, if gaining traction see if possible to engage; “Start with a Fact/Highlight the Myth/identify the Fallacy”. Use FoE fact checking/info on FoE website. Shaun watched the recording and suggested more practical advice, more examples and other resources would be useful. Shaun’s article on solar farms is a good example of addressing disinformation but this is time consuming. Discussed having a themed newsletter.
- COP31 in November - There is a Sheffield planning group and Global Justice colleagues are involved - we need to find out if there is something we could contribute to. Action: Saul to contact Oliver to find out who is leading coordinated planning.
Campaign Stalls
- We are on a waiting list for the December Pollen Market. Action Claire to follow up and offer activities for kids eg making Christmas wreaths
- Peace and Craft Fair - Saturday 5 Dec in Town Hall. Action Liddy to contact Greg re a stall (or joint stall)
Newsletter - Saul shared some stats on newsletter viewing - 592 copies sent out - 23% already opened edition sent today. Standing item: article request including news and campaign updates
Group Development
- Launch meetings were held for FoE Groups in Rotherham (online 13 Oct) and Doncaster & District (in person at Quaker Meeting House 12 Oct) - we can stay in touch and invite to contribute to our activities.
Training & Webinars
- Blueprint Coalition: Council climate action in a changed environment (online). Thursday 5 November, 2 to 3:30pm. Save your spot.
- Council attacks on climate action, Tuesday 26 January 2027, 7.00pm
- Shaun had offered to do a session on writing press releases or taking photos in the New Year - could also invite Doncaster and Rotherham colleagues.
Any Other Business (AOB)
- Future meetings on Zoom: 16 Nov; 21 Dec; 18 Jan 2027; 15 Feb (with a plan for a “re-launch” meeting for attracting new members on 8th February); 15 March (plan for session on writing press releases or taking photos).
- Liddy to contact Showroom to book Conference Room 3 (or similar) for Drinks 6:30-7pm; Film: 7 to 8:30pm Discussion 8:30-9-9:30.
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| ISDS stall on the Moor. Photo credit: Shaun Rumbelow |
