Since April 2024 Back-on-Track is a formal European non-profit organisation headquartered in Brussels with local groups in multiple European countries. The organisation is fully volunteer-led and we are always looking for new members that help us on our mission to get the night trains back on track.
Membership
As an individual: You may become an active or passive member in one of our local groups. These may be Back-on-Track groups or associated groups who support our goals. If there is no local Back-on-Track group in your country you may become active as a supporter directly on the European level, by asking for admission to our internal Google Groups mailing list.
As an organisation or company: For supporting our goals you may become an associated member on the European level regardless if there is a Back-on-Track group or not.
Working Groups and Projects
You may become active in a working group or project on the European level regardless if you are a member of a local group or supporter on the European level – provided you feel comfortable communicating in English (a B2 level of English language skills is advised). You will receive invitations in the internal Google group. In some projects we cooperate with external experts who are not members of our network
Our theory of change
We achieve our goals by developing solid proposals that work for the whole of Europe, through direct lobbying, campaign mobilisation and outreach to political parties and opinion leaders – both at European and national level. We grew out of a grassroots network and aim to remain a volunteer-led, appreciative open space for individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds allowing to learn and contribute within their means. We don’t need to be big to be influential when we co-operate with other movements such as environmental and labour organisations.
Meetings
We meet online in video conferences (zoom) and coordinate our work using online tools like messengers (like Slack), task managers (like Trello) and cloud drives (like Google). However once in a while we arrange local meet-ups and a yearly European conference to also meet in person. We appreciate differing views on how to reach our common goals and aim for consent.
Fees
As a member of a local group you may have to pay a membership fee according to the group’s statutes.
As a supporter on the European level you may donate voluntary, however, a fee for supporters might be levied later on.
Opinion Building
Members discuss issues and express their opinions in meetings or using the members (internal) Google group list. Make sure you are also in the large google group. Only members of the list can send e-mails to the other members, can watch who else are members and look at all contributions.
General Assembly
The general assembly is open to all active members and supporters on the European level. However, only two representatives per member group may vote, one representative one vote. You are an active member when you are willing and capable to do voluntary work and ready to regularly attend our meetings.
Coordination
Our work is coordinated by a board of directors, taking decisions by absolute majority, one person one vote. The board regularly announces coordination meetings on the members mailing list providing a Zoom meeting link. These meetings are open to representatives of national groups, working groups or projects, however, unlike in a general assembly formally only board members may vote on decisions, in practice we aim for consent of all participants. Board meeting take place in the evening, are limited to 1.5 hrs and works with a prioritised standard agenda, starting with the status quo of tasks. Emergency decisions are coordinated via e-mail.
In order to organise the practical work in between two coordination meetings we have working groups. These working groups may act within the scope set and the existing policies decided by the coordination meeting. They elect a coordinator and a deputy coordinator to host the meetings and to report to the main meeting. They coordinate their work with a tool that allows members to see the state of their work.
You may join a working group when you are willing and capable to do voluntary work and ready to regularly attend our meetings.
- The Lobby Working Group prepares position papers, statements, studies, petitions and coordinates contacts with decision-makers, stakeholders and partners on the EU-level. Any member with skills or interest (ideally both) in this work may join. Coordinator is Poul.
- The Comms Working Group takes care of press contacts/requests, website, social media channels, actions, media productions and publications. Any member with skills or interest (ideally both) in this work may join. Coordinator is Titus.
- The Action Working Group takes care of actions like pyjama parties, petitions etc. Any member with skills or interest (ideally both) in this work may join. Coordinator is Ellie.