What does a movement builder do?

Working with the Party Leader and central staff, as well the spokesperson in their policy area, movement builders focus on developing the relationships and networks with individuals and organisations working in their policy area, to build support and momentum for our work. From small grassroots organisations to national bodies, and including our branches and members with an interest in the policy area, this role is to connect and inspire people with our policies and related campaigns.

If you would like to speak to any of our movement builders about what they do, their email addresses are all available here and any one of them would be happy to speak to you.

Policy committee

Our policies have all been proposed and developed by our members in line with our mission and our objectives. They are the pathway to women’s equality and they are brilliant. Our elected representatives speak about our policies; research and keep up to date with developments in those areas; contribute to campaigns around them and work with other activists in those areas.

The policy committee is made up of a spokesperson and a movement builder for each of our core policy areas. It also includes representatives from Scotland. WE are currently electing to our currently vacant position, Equality in the Media Movement Builder.

How do individual members work together as a committee?

As a collective, the policy committee works with the steering committee or appointed sub-committee to ensure that new policy proposals are coherent and consistent with our aims and objectives. It monitors developments in each policy area and the nations of the UK and challenges other parties to improve their own policies in these areas. The policy committee can use its knowledge and understanding to collectively prepare policy proposals for Party Conference. It also helps prepare manifestos for elections contested by the Party.

For more on the specific responsibilities see 7.6.1 - 7.6.9 of our constitution.

How do I put myself forward?

Send us a short statement and video making your case for why members should vote for you, taking into account the requirements of the role.

You might want to refer to your personal connection to and passion for women’s equality and the policy area you’re interested in; experience building relationships to effect change, monitoring policy developments, contributing to manifestos, an understanding of the policy area, providing briefings or supporting campaigns, for example.

Specifications:

1. A film for publication on the Women’s Equality Party website:  

• Maximum 2 minutes (anything that exceeds this will not be posted)
• File type: .mov or .mp4 (other file types will not be posted) 
• Format: Recommended to film in landscape, against a plain background

2. A short statement for use on the Women’s Equality Party website: 

• Length: Maximum 200 words. 
• Style: Written in first person (anything written in third person will not be posted) 

3. Your social  media handles  (if you wish to use these to support your campaign)

Send them to [email protected]

The Returning Officer will make sure your submissions meet the specified requirements. They will confirm receipt of your submission.

Your film and statement will be hosted on our website and send to members.

The deadline for submitting the film and statement is Monday 11th March.

Selected candidates’ films and statements will be live from the 14th March when voting opens.

Voting closes at 23.59 on the 31st March.

What is the process for election?

All members will have the opportunity to vote electronically for one candidate between the 14th March and 31st March. The successful candidate will be elected by a simple majority.

What are the requirements of policy committee members?

All members

• Party membership
• Believe in and abide by the Party’s mission and objectives
• Sign and adhere to a Code of Conduct
• Become experts in your policy area and WE policies, or WE policies as applied to your nation
• Attend quarterly committee meetings in person (usually one day at the weekend) and ad hoc webinars when needed
• Monitor developments in your policy area or nation
• Prepare manifestos for elections
• Prepare policy proposals for Party Conference
• Ensure the consistency of policy proposals submitted by others
• Keep abreast of and support external consultation responses, enquiries and WE campaigns
• Oversee actions and motions arising from Party Conference that are directed to the Policy Committee.
• Report back to Party Conference
• Meet with stakeholders, partner organisations, branches, members and grassroots activists to build a diverse movement

Please read the constitution for the constitutional requirements of policy committee members (see section 7.6), and make sure you are content to sign and abide by the code of conduct and our WE code.