Start a group?

Structure. Since we started from scratch, with no guidelines and little experience, a lot of time and effort has been put into organising ourselves. This includes figuring out what kind of activities we should focus on (e.g., discussion meetings or organising events), how to keep the group active, and how to distribute the workload. Throughout the years, the meeting format has changed several times to accommodate the wishes and needs of the current members. One of our core activities is the monthly meetings for early career professionals. These meetings can take different shapes, sometimes involving cookies and an open discussion and sometimes following an agenda to update everyone on recent and upcoming events and making plans for future initiatives. For organising activities, we use a team-based structure, with working groups responsible for specific tasks or objectives (e.g., organising an event or drafting a document) and members working collaboratively to achieve them. Depending on the topic, type of event, and available resources, employees and/or students from our department, faculty, or whole university are invited to participate.   

Leadership. When forming the group, we used a horizontal organisation structure. We had no defined leader, which eventually led to a lack of structure and uneven workload. We decided to implement a rotating leadership model, taking turns co-leading the group (two co-leads at the time) and changing one or both co-leads every 6 months. This model promotes shared responsibility, acknowledges the people taking on extra work, can help reduce burnout, fosters creativity, and gives more people a chance to develop leadership skills. 

Funding. The JEDI group is run on a voluntary basis, meaning that no one is paid for the work they put in. There were no means to fund activities from the start, but we have teamed up with others who had funding available. For funding opportunities, it’s worth checking what kind of support your organisation can offer. We have applied for and received funding from the Equality and Diversity Committee and the Working Environment Committee at our university.  

Support. In addition to financial support, it is very helpful to be acknowledged and valued by others, such as the leaders of your organisation. We have kept an open dialogue with our department leadership, discussing initiatives and explaining what we hope to achieve. At the same time, it is important to stay independent and push for changes. Sometimes we have been met with resistance and hesitation, for example by others suggesting top-down rather than bottom-up approach (i.e., waiting for action to be taken on faculty or university level). However, when we have decided to move forward anyway (e.g., when developing our own Fieldwork Code of Conduct), we have received good feedback and appreciation.   

Visibility. When wishing to spread awareness about these topics, being visible is important. Both in terms of signalling openness, acceptance, and importance (as in the case of the rainbow lanyards), and for reaching a wider community. It is also useful to have a website to refer people to who are interested in learning more about your group and activities. It also makes you searchable online, so that people who might not otherwise come across your group can find you.

Ready to make a difference? 

Starting a group from scratch can feel daunting. You may be worried about the time commitment, or the reactions of your peers. You may tell yourself that it’s not the right time for you. But remember that you don’t have to do it all at once: you can start small, build momentum, and learn as you go. 

So just focus on the first step. The first step isn’t about changing the world; it’s about creating a space where more people like you can come forward and express their frustrations at the injustices of everyday life. If you can find even one or two like-minded people to sit down and chat with, then your group is already on its way to meaningful change. 

So be welcoming, be passionate, be angry, be questioning — be however you want to be. But most importantly, be active. Ideas don’t die until we let them. 

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at ig-jedi@uit.no.