Caucuses

The RCEN coordinates the work of national caucuses made up of participants drawn from its affiliated member groups. These caucuses address essential environmental issues such as atmosphere and energy, biological diversity, biotechnology, environmental planning and assessment, environmental economics, environmental education, agriculture, forests, health, mining, toxics and water.

Joining a Caucus

Individuals representing an RCEN member group that would like to join a national caucus should send an email to info@cen-rce.org, or contact the caucus coordinator(s) of the caucus(es) they are interested in joining.

What Caucuses Do

Caucuses are bodies of the RCEN – self-directing but subject to RCEN by-laws and policies. Caucus members determine the priority issues and activities upon which they will focus. Members elect a steering committee responsible for administering caucus affairs. Generally, caucus members get together as often as possible, allowing the free flow and sharing of information, concerns and experiences among environmental groups from across the country.

Caucuses are open to all RCEN members in good standing. They often establish links with other sectors of civil society such as labour and international development NGOs, and work with the support of various levels of government.

Caucuses select ENGO delegates to participate in government consultations, guided by RCEN policy which requires balanced representation of delegates according to gender, language, issue concerns, region, and urban or rural location. The RCEN's democratic delegate selection process is designed to prevent "cherry picking" of ENGO delegates for government consultations.

In order for the RCEN to maintain its objectivity, caucus delegates speak for themselves and their respective organizations only. Delegates are, however, required to report back to the caucus where the ensuing discussion assists in the formation of an overall strategy for environmental conservation. Caucuses facilitate joint positions and campaigns, though not in the name of the caucus per se but rather in assistance to loose coalitions and signatories.

Joint statements may be facilitated by the RCEN caucuses even if it is clear that views expressed are not those of the network but rather those of the caucus member groups. A list of groups endorsing the statement must be appended. The RCEN itself will take a position only on the consultative process itself. This policy is intended to protect the democratic, inclusive nature of the RCEN and its caucuses, and to ensure that groups are not associated with positions unless they choose to be.

All caucuses have access to a small pool of funds set aside for base level communication, and to staff support. But since there several caucuses, this support is necessarily limited. Caucuses have been able to accomplish a great deal with limited funding and staff support. The most active caucuses, are those able to secure additional funding from various sources. Caucus funding covers staffing, communications, meetings, brief writing, research, and other activities essential to supporting this enormous volunteer effort. Occasionally, per diems are paid to cover part of delegates’ time.

Beyond the caucus structure are Working Groups, which function on an ad hoc basis and are geared to fast response times.