Affinity Groups

Extinction Rebellion Affinity Groups

An Extinction Rebellion Affinity Group (AG) is a small, self-organized autonomous group that performs non-violent direct actions (NVDA) in the name of Extinction Rebellion. Each AG is a distinct entity with its own name and key roles. In keeping with Extinction Rebellion Principles and Values, AGs design and plan actions independently or in conjunction with other AGs and support Extinction Rebellion’s mass actions when calls for such actions go out. In all cases, it is up to individual members of an AG to decide how they want to engage with an action: risk arrest, play support roles, etc.

Purpose and Ideal Size

The primary purpose of AGs, and of the umbrella Affinity Network (AN) of which they are subgroups, is to enable the ideally sized structure for self-organizing to foster an activist community of trust and regenerative culture; provide security, fun, community, and empowerment to members; and participate in direct actions. Unlike XR Working Groups (WG), which undertake ongoing XR organizing, AGs offer members who are primarily interested in action a simple framework for facilitating arrestee and action-support roles in mass action planning, as well as in smaller actions undertaken independently. Because agility, genuine affinity among members, and intra-group support are key to AG effectiveness, the minimum size is four people, the maximum fifteen, with an ideal size between eight and twelve. 

Place within Extinction Rebellion

AGs are the “atomic building block” of Extinction Rebellion actions. Each AG is a sub-group of the Affinity Network (AN), which in turn is a subgroup of the Action Working Group. In order to facilitate chapter-wide action communication, all AG members use a secure platform compatible with that of the Action Working Group. At monthly AN meetings, AGs get support and feedback from other AGs and members to help make actions as effective as possible; AN also regularly coordinates with the larger chapter. Because each AG is autonomous and independent, AN does not serve as a decision-making body for AGs but can  provide the Action Working Group a sense of the sentiments behind an AG’s proposed action design.  

While AGs are encouraged to be as independent as possible, they may approach XR NYC Working Groups (WG) for guidance and support in sourcing and creating posters, banners, props, flyers, etc.; WGs will respond as their personnel capacity allows. AGs are encouraged to raise funds amongst themselves to cover costs but may also inquire if WGs are able to cover these expenses within their budgets.

Joining and Forming an AG

XR members have a number of paths for joining and forming an AG. On completion of an XR  Nonviolent Direct Action (NVDA) training, the Training Guide or Network Coordinator can connect a member to an existing AG based on location, interest, and need. A member may inquire with a Community Group or Affinity Network and be connected with AG coordinators. In the lead-up to a mass action, a member can ask to be assigned to an AG by the Action Working Group. Community Groups and Interest Groups also conduct AG formation workshops.

To self-organize an AG, a group of appropriate size (see above), with identified AG Coordinator(s) (see below), may register with the Affinity Network as an AG by using the XR NYC Affinity Group Formation online form. 

Structure and Roles

AGs are encouraged to cycle roles among members every 4-6 months. 

  • AG Coordinator(s): the AG’s point-of-contact with the Affinity Network Coordinator, coordinating general ongoings of the AG. Two co-coordinators are ideal. Responsibilities include relaying information and questions between Affinity Network Coordinators and the AG; scheduling AG meetings and finding members to host, facilitate, design meeting agendas; ensure sure communication among members;  roles are filled; attend AN meetings on behalf of the AG; present action proposals to AN and report suggested amendments back to the AG; give feedback on other AGs’ proposals 

  • Well-being Coordinator: the AG’s point-of-contact with the Regenerative Culture coordinator, coordinating well-being on actions. Responsibilities include relaying info between the Regenerative Action coordinator, arrestee support and the AG;  passing on information about trainings and arrestee support to the AG; ensuring that action well-being roles are filled. 

  • Spokesperson(s):  the AG’s chosen speaker at a spokes council -- convened by the Action Working Group before a large action, to get buy-in from participants and develop an action plan -- empowered by the AG to make decisions on its behalf at the parent circle and report the action plan back to the AG for determining level of of participation. (Does not need to be a coordinator; can change between spokes councils.) 

  • Action Roles:  The standard XR NYC action roles -- Support, Court Support, De-escalators, Police Liaison, and Flyering -- encouraged to seek trainings offered regularly by the Action and Regen Working Groups.

General Training Prerequisites

All XR members are strongly encouraged to attend key trainings.

For all AG members:

AG Coordinators are also required, and AG members are encouraged, to attend:

Coordinators are strongly encouraged to: 


Affinity Group Decision-Making and Operations

AG members are required to agree to SOS-based guidelines and the XR NYC Constitution for group interaction. For ongoing decision-making regarding engagement with actions, and procedural and other matters, AGs follow the Self-Organizing Systems (SOS) decision-making guidelines laid out in the XR NYC constitution. 

In making changes in the membership and size of an AG itself:

  • Members may participate only in one AG at a time but may move between AGs at any time.

  • All AG members can invite people to join the AG.

  • AGs add or subtract members, per the XR NYC constitution, with a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 15 members.

  • An AG surpassing 15 members is encouraged to split into smaller groups; the new AG may work as a cluster or also form a Community Group.

  • AGs formed by the Action WG for a specific mass direct action may decide to continue as a group after the action or decide to cease existence.An

  • Affinity Group may cease to exist per the decision making of the group.