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Become a Transition Initiative

So you have learned a little (or a lot) about the challenges and opportunities of peak oil, climate change and the economic crisis and want to start a Transition Initiative in your community. Congratulations, you are embarking on a truly critical and exciting path.

 

The Transition Initiative Process

Transition initiatives on all scales (other than national ones) typically go through a succession of stages, as follows.

  • The Initial Stage: typically, a group of people start to meet each other, start to discuss the Transition concept, and begin the process of enthusing each other to initiate the process.
     
  • The ‘Mulling’ Stage: contact is made with Transition US and the individuals or groups read the Transition Handbook, download the Transition Primer, and let us know of their ‘mulling’ status.
     
  • Formal Transition Initiative: the ‘mulling’ stage can last for a few weeks or for many months, depending on the group. In order to proceed to formal (aka "official") status, the group completes a declaration of intention, which lists the guidelines and asks for information about the initiative, as well as checking that the initiatives in the best possible position to proceed successfully. Please refer to the Transition Initiative Checklist for more details.  Many initiatives have told us that they cherish their formal status, and are very proud of having reached that point.

Put Yourself (and your new Transition Initiative) on the Map

An important step in the process is getting included in the global Transition Network database (if you haven't already done so). This repository hosts the growing number of people, initiatives, and projects.  As the US hub, Transition US actively uses this website for managing the process of becoming "official" so by creating your profiles you will be well on your way.

 

Become "Official"

When you’re ready to apply to become an “official” Transition Initiative, then download the application form and email it back to our office at info@transitionus.org. This is a simple process, and allows us to paint an accurate picture of the Movement.

 

Sidebar:
Some people in the Transition movement have suggested that new initiatives should self‐assess ‐ or that there shouldn't be any criteria at all. Others strongly disagree with both these suggestions. On balance, and based on the feedback we have received, we feel that having clear guidelines which are assessed by supportive third parties creates a positive, meaningful process, but fully agree that they must remain open to debate and to being changed.

 

 

Get inspired with stories from Transition Initiatives who are already thriving =>