Northern Rivers Socialist Alliance has changed considerably since a handful of affiliated members first set up the branch a couple of years ago.
The branch grew by 50% during the anti-war campaign and has expanded steadily in the months following. Our film events have attracted hundreds of people and monthly branch meetings have been around the 20 mark.
At the end of May the branch changed its name from Lismore to the Northern Rivers, recognising that our members are based across the north coast region, including in Byron Bay, Casino, The Channon, Clunes, Dunoon, Goonellabah, Kyogle, Lismore, Mullumbimby, Newrybar, Nimbin, Rock Valley, Rosebank and Tabulum! The branch membership is 33 and rising.
Like most branches, Northern Rivers has a mixture of people coming from different political backgrounds, as well as people who are completely new to politics. And like most branches, the majority of members are independents, many of whom supported the Non-Aligned open letter the national conference calling for a united socialist party.
But beyond this specific objective, how do members perceive the Alliance? What is their understanding of socialist theory and political tactics? What do they think we should be doing and where do they think we should be going? How can they contribute to SA?
With all these questions in mind, the branch voted to “distribute a survey to all branch members seeking their views on socialism, Australian politics, the future of the SA, etc to help facilitate discussions” at its May branch meeting. The branch executive was directed to draw up, distribute and collect the survey.
The survey covered everything from nuts and bolts – meeting times, agenda structure, venues – to topics for educationals, ideas on fundraising, stalls, organising events, and specific tasks such as putting up posters or researching local issues. In other words, this was a bit more substantial than the questionnaires we’re used to from local MP Thomas George.
To date, about half the surveys have been returned (good going by North Coast standards!). But the time that people have taken to complete them and think about their comments and suggestions has shown the process to be really worthwhile.
The results have been compiled, including all individual comments, and distributed back to the branch. As the other surveys trickle in they will feed into the ongoing discussion on developing the Northern Rivers SA.
As far as branch meetings are concerned, a clear preference has emerged. Most members want tightly run meetings of about 2 hours duration maximum, with succinct reports and discussion on organisational issues, allowing adequate time for educational presentations and debate.
Members who completed the survey “voted” the number one topic to be “What is Socialism?” and this was discussed at our last branch meeting. The meeting agenda plus educational text was circulated to members in advance, resulting in a great meeting that even ran to time! Our next educational will be on globalisation and imperialism.