Action Briefing Feb 2006 - Mar 2006
	The Newsletter of Birmingham Friends of the Earth

Power Up! 2006

Join us for Power Up! 2006, Friends of the Earth's Rights & Justice residential weekend, 19th-21st May 2006, Harborne Hall, Birmingham.

"POWER UP in Barnsley [2005] was MEGA, my local council have been shocked by us because of the training I have had." John Tombs, Teesside.

"I went to Power Up last year. I completely recommended it if you fancy spending the weekend with a great crowd of people, sharing hilarious stories of toe-curlingly pathetic local authority attempts not to release information - and learning how to outwit them. The most fun you can have with a bunch of planning documents!" Karen Leach, Birmingham.

Be inspired to take action
Power Up! is an exciting opportunity to make your local campaign more powerful and effective. Through a series of workshops we will demystify the powerful new planning system and freedom of information laws. You will learn how these tools and others can help you make a bigger impact when tackling local community issues. The Rights & Justice residential weekend is ideally suited for anyone involved in community campaigns or site-specific environmental campaigning. You need not be a member of Friends of the Earth to join us, nor do you need to be an expert.

Power Up! is an opportunity to:

• Talk tactics and share strategies with the experts
• Meet Government agencies and other community support organisations
• Discover ways to use the system to your advantage
• Get practical tips for shaping your community
• Examine real life local case studies
• Meet like-minded inspirational campaigners.

The residential will take place at Harborne Hall, Birmingham, which has:

• Full IT suite
  
• Excellent catering (dietary requirements can be met)
  
• Creche facilities (by advanced arrangement only and at additional cost)
  
• Single or double rooms
  
• Extensive grounds for leisure time
  
• Countrywide rail and bus access.
  

Friends of the Earth is covering most of the costs of the weekend, but do still need to charge £60 for each guest which will include all meals and accommodation. Grants will be available. Supported by and attending:

• Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
  
• Environment Agency
  
• Environmental Law Foundation
  
• Neighbourhood Initiatives Foundation and joining the residential for workshops:
  
• Planning Inspectorate
  
• Planning Aid

Want to know more? Contact Tim Sander (Planning Co-ordinator) on 0113 389 9954, or e-mail: powerup2006@foe.co.uk.