Section 2: What makes a CoLab member and what does the CoLab do?

• What makes a CoLab member and what does the CoLab do?
• Section 2a: Get to know current projects
• Section 2b: Circles and working groups

What makes a CoLab member and what does the CoLab do?

CoLab members are individuals who in the first place represent themselves and actively engage in the CoLab Slack workspace. This is important because of CoLab’s flat and self-organised structure; no one individual is more or less important than any other member.

If CoLab members also represent their working groups / projects / circles / external associations etc., it is important to make this clear when entering into a collaboration. Relationships between external entities and the CoLab are documented in Memorandums of Understanding outlining the following:

• the nature of the relationship

• who is representing whom

• clear agreements as to how the relationship will work including how it can be terminated

   

CoLab members who come into the CoLab as representatives of external parties are shown on the Allied Networks page here: https://www.perma.earth/allies-network/

CoLab members retain their status whilst their Slack account is active and the individuals engaged in compliance with the Vibrant Space Policy.

Section 2a: Get to know current projects

There are a large number of projects ongoing in the International Permaculture CoLab at any one time. A current list including status of the projects, their objectives, whether they are funded or not, and who is on the team, is documented on the projects page here: https://www.perma.earth/projects/

CoLab members can start projects collaborating with others on shared objectives. You can learn more about the process in Section 3b.

Project groups can apply for funding and access support services. The only requirement is that the projects are aligned with the CoLab Vision, Mission and Aims and that members do not fall foul of any limitations posed by the funder as would be clearly outlined by the Funding Circle – this may be different on a case by case basis.

Section 2b: Circles and working groups

What’s the difference between a Circle and a working group?

Circles are defined by their more formalised status, normally including the following

• have a defined circle vision aligned with the CoLab VMAs

• have a circle agreement outlining how people can join the circle if the circle is open

• have a representative on the General Circle

   

Working groups are informal set ups of people exploring collaboration possibilities, this may be a prototype stage of an upcoming circle but not necessarily. Stable working groups may decide to keep their working group status.

Working groups can be part of circles or independent. Just like circles they are able to benefit from services provided to projects and circles.

What circles and working groups are active?

You can review the active circles here: https://www.perma.earth/colab/

Working groups can be found within the Slack workspace if not listed on our website, at incubation stage working groups may not necessarily by visible through a slack channel yet.