A little while after NTC09, Beth Kanter tweeted about organizations working like a cloud. This is a response I sent to her with some of my thoughts on how to foster a network mindset and encourage cloud-like collaboration in non-profit (or any other kinds of spaces for that matter. What follows is a possible formula + 3 examples.
Formula:
- Create a safe space
- Bring everyone’s strength/weaknesses front and center
- Match strengths to weaknesses and vice versa (so the group learns self-sufficiency with itself)
The examples that follow do not necessarily follow this formula but exhibit some cool linkages in the way they operate and things they promote.
Example 1: CTC VISTA Pre-Service Orientation Training
- Had a group of new VISTAs about to start their Year of Service
- Everyone in a circle
- Go around and ask for 1 weakness (what I want to learn), 1 strength (what I can teach) – wrote these up on a two column table
- Took a moment to breathe/reflect after completed circle, than reflected on the table
- “WOW, we know A LOT between us.”
Many CTC VISTAs work wikily throughout our year. Camaraderie developed at initial training that carries out over social network ecosystems (Twitter, Chat, Facebook, listserv) through the rest of the year.
Example 2: SHARE
Another innovative group I’ve been involved with is the SHARE global network – new media artists who gather regularly to have open, audio/video ‘jams’ – no distinction between performer/participant. *LOTS* of informal knowledge sharing ‘open-jams’ (i.e. how do you do that? how did you write that software? how did you make that instrument?) During the events, there’s not really a curator, though they are rules…
No hierarchy, but all support and guidance facilitated through a listserv in replicating other SHAREs worldwide.
Felician Sullivan from 119 Gallery/Organizer’s Collabrative/LTC was actually working a research paper on ‘open space’ organizations/groups/networks. (see attached for her visualization of SHARE)
She (and Claire Murray) also commented on a post I wrote a little while ago that asks how to engage with knowledge spheres outside our own.
Example 3: We Know More
Actually just came across this tonight:
http://weknowmore.org/blog/?page_id=2 “The essence of organizational learning is the organization’s ability to use the amazing mental capacity of all its members to create the kind of processes that will improve its own”
http://weknowmore.org/blog/?p=186 – “All research should be open”
Really interesting organization based in Nijmegen, Holland. I place I’m considering for their cool grad school program in Urban and Cultural Geography.
What other examples are out there of collaborative networks?
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