Once you have joined ERA it is up to you to find the level of membership that suits you. You may wish to stand as an ERA candidate in elections, or become a party officer. You may wish to help out with leafletting, assist in building an active ERA branch in your area or attend activities and demonstrations. Or because of lack of time, other commitments or ill health you may not be able to participate in any of the above.

ERA values all its members, as all have made a commitment to join the party. We believe every member can help build the party in some way, however small. Each applicant receives leaflets and membership forms as part of a welcome pack on joining the party, and on discussions about politics to neighbours, relations, friends, carers etc these leaflets can be passed on. This is a simple but effective way of promoting the party if lack of time or ill health or other commitments prevent you from becoming more involved in  party activity . Additional leaflets will always be available for people that require them.

ERA also fully supports its committed activists who have time available they wish to commit to the party. As detailed elsewhere on this website we offer training and education facilities for members that wish to progress in the party or have electoral aspirations. We also assist in the creation of local groups and branches, and our two tier membership system allows newer members to work under the guidance of a party officer or senior member in establishing the English Radical Alliance in their area.

BUILDING A LOCAL ERA GROUP OR BRANCH
ERA will be providing leaflets and posters to assist local activists in building the party in their area. We can also provide leaflets for local campaigns and causes as well as generic local policy leaflets, just let us know your requirements.

As ERA is a young party, you may well find there is no active group or branch in your area. This is not a problem but an opportunity, and we will support members that wish to take advantage of that opportunity. Here is some advice on helping to establish an ERA group or branch in your area.
 
Politics and the state of the country is probably the second most talked about subject after the weather. Therefore when the opportunity arises to talk about politics, mention you have joined a new radical party called the English Radical Alliance. State that it is no good just moaning about things, people should be doing something and making a stand, which is exactly what ERA is doing.
Hand the people you are in discussion with an ERA leaflet, or if you don't have one on your person, make sure you get one to them within the next few days. Remember politics is something that is part of everyday life and the more people that know about ERA and read our leaflets the more people will turn to us and our radical, alternative message. This is why it is important to keep mentioning ERA to the people who you have been talking to and follow up the initial introduction to our party to see if they are interested in making a stand by helping form a local branch.

Once you have another potential member to assist you, then monthly ERA meetings can begin and campaigns planned. These can include leafletting, letters to the local paper, participating in local radio phone-ins, allying yourself and the party to local issues and causes and attending relevant meetings or demonstrations. Again assistance is always available if required from party officials when it comes to drafting letters for the local papers and any press releases. It is worth remembering  ERA is not just a party about national issues, we are a campaigning party on local issues as well. Therefore activists are encouraged to work in their community identifying and participating in local issues. 

Finally make sure you read party material so you have knowledge of ERA policy, and keep in touch with your members and potential members - both the active and not so active. Keep them up to speed on events in the party nationally and locally and any issues the party is campaigning on.

These are the key steps in building a local ERA branch. If every able bodied activist follows these guidelines our party will grow.

FUNDRAISING FOR YOUR LOCAL PARTY
ERA is entirely funded from the membership fees and generosity of its members and supporters. Therefore fundraising  can form an important part of local branch activity. Below are a few simple ideas on how members can help raise money for the party.

COPPER POT APPEAL; A simple form of fundraising can be carried out by what we call the 'Copper Pot Appeal'.  Members simply use an old jar in which they place their pennies or odd change with the aim of donating the full jar to party funds. All members can participate in this, and remember every penny helps.

SOCIAL EVENTS; Various social events can be used to help raise funds for the party. This can include coffee mornings, barbecues, skittle evenings etc. Such events are also a good way of introducing people to ERA as not everyone that attends will be a party member or supporter, so make sure you have some party literature and membership forms available.

SPECIAL 'ENGLISH' DAYS; Events could be organised to coincide with special days in the English calendar, such as St. George's Day (April 23rd), Trafalgar Day (October 21st), St. Edmunds Day (November 20th). As you are aware ERA is also keen to promote greater local and regional identity, and therefore events could be held on days of the patron saints of English counties or regions, such as St. Petroc's Day in Devon (June 4th) or St. Aldheim's Day in Wessex (May 25th).

ERA INFORMATION STALLS; In time it may be possible to set up an ERA information stall, distributing and selling party material in your village, town or city. This can be attached to local events such as shows or run entirely separately.

For further information or assistance on building a local ERA branch contact info@englishradicals.com


+ click here to return to home page & menu +