Over the last two years, members in Shawlands and Pollokshields branches have been fighting for their neighbours on issues of eviction, disrepair and harrassment.

Now it's time to cement solid member defence teams in the two areas.

During this session we will:

- Debrief from recent member defence wins
- Go through an introduction to the member defence process
- Set out goals for the next 3 months in each neighbourhood
- Schedule outreach sessions to build local membership

The proposed development of Shawlands Arcade represents one of the biggest changes to the area in recent years. In the midst of a rent crisis, and a serious lack of homes suitable for families living in the Southside of Glasgow, the idea to develop 600 one and two bed apartments in a bid to extract high rents to maximise profits for investors, is an insult to the local community. Shawlands needs more family orientated and social housing, not more luxury apartments.  

Read about the development here: https://www.livingrent.org/shawlands_arcade_development

At this strategy meeting, members will plan the next steps of the campaign to stop the Shawlands Arcades Development. 

** Members only **  

If you are not yet a member, join now: https://www.livingrent.org/join

Covid Safety Rules: 

- bring a face mask

- respect social distancing measures

- do not attend if you have symptoms or are waiting for test results

- take a lateral flow test before hand

Women have played a vital role in housing struggles across the globe. Activists and community groups will join Martha Rosler to discuss these histories, their relevance to current conditions and feminism’s role in relation to housing movements today.

This online workshop will explore housing activism as part of feminist struggle, with a focus on creative organising and union-building. Six invited speakers will contribute short presentations on their experiences and research followed by collective feedback and more focused small group discussions.

Booking

This event is free and open to all. To attend, please book here. Please note that booking will close on Wednesday 22nd of September and you will receive your email invitation a few days before the event takes place.

This event will be recorded with presentations available afterwards on the Life Support and GWL website.

Member by member Living Rent is growing stronger. If you have recently joined, looking to get more involved or want to understand the union's history, vision and structure better come along to this training!

This session covers:

• an introduction to Living Rent
• the structure: branches, teams and roles
• information around getting involved and next steps

Get to grips with the vision of Living Rent and be part of building one of the most exciting grassroots unions in Scotland.

This training is part of Living Rent’s training programme supported by the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Foundation.

Living Rent is going from strength to strength as Scotland’s tenants’ union. With a growing branch-based structure, moving organising beyond the Central Belt, more organising staff and more ambitious campaigning, there’s a lot going on!

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is an opportunity for us to reflect and celebrate our union, make some important decisions on structure and strategy and elect our new National Committee. This year it falls on Saturday, 2nd October, 2-4.30PM.  We are taking a cautious approach to covid and planning to have it online. This worked last year but we really hope that in 2022 we can all meet in person.

All Living Rent members and supporters are invited to the AGM: whether you have just joined or have been a longstanding member, come along to have your say, understand your union and meet fellow members. You will also:

• Hear back from the National Committee (NC) around Living Rent’s annual achievements (including membership growth & financial situation) 
• Elect the National Committee (a group of members who oversee the organisation’s governance)
• Discuss and vote on motions proposed by branches

The motions, agenda, biographies for the NC candidates and details around the voting procedure will be circulated closer to the date. In order to facilitate registration and voting, we ask that members of the same household register separately. Come along to learn more about your union, celebrate each branch and campaign’s successes, discuss the upcoming year with fellow members, and get to know the next National Committee!

If you wish to stand for election to the National Committee or want your branch to submit a motion, and aren’t sure about the process, get in touch with your branch Secretary and Chair. If your branch is not formally constituted yet, speak to Emma Saunders: [email protected]

Please bear in mind that this meeting is only open to current members and supporters of Living Rent. If you are unable to attend, or wonder whether this meeting is for you, please get in touch with Living Rent’s national organiser Emma, on [email protected]

We look forward to seeing you there!

Elli, Chair of Living Rent National Committee 

Member Defence Training Day for Partick, Knightswood branches and other North Glasgow members. Welcome to all Living Rent members and supporters.

This all-day training will run through the Member Defence process from start to finish. From first meeting a tenant, to glorious victory over your sleekit landlord.

Part 1- Introduction to Member Defence and first meeting with tenant

Part 2- Letter-writing and strategy-planning

Part 3- Tactics and Direct Action

Part 4- Negotiation.

No matter you're experience, sign up, come along and build your skills to defend your neighbours.

The aim is for the training to be in person, following Covid protocols, with food provided. Members are currently looking for venue options, it is crucial attendees sign up beforehand to get an idea of numbers. Please update Jack, if you have childcare or access needs.

The Shawlands/Langside October branch meeting will take place on Tuesday 5th October, 6.30-8pm at the Shawlands United Reform Church (111 Moss-Side Rd, Shawlands G41 3TP). 

Join member defence reps from the Leith branch to discuss the work of the team in supporting members who have issues in their homes and neighbourhoods. Tonight we will be discussing upcoming cases and future training, so this is a great chance to for members who are new to member defence in the union. All are welcome! 

Join your local branch for their monthly branch meeting! To hear more about the agenda and location of these meetings contact your local organiser Sinead at [email protected]