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Network Support

Network of Network Funders

November 10, 2010

A Member of The Monitor GroupA Member of The Monitor Group

Paris

San Francisco

São Paulo

Seoul

Singapore

Tokyo

Toronto

Zurich

Shanghai

Palo Alto

Johannesburg

Beijing

Chicago

Hong Kong

Cambridge

Delhi

Dubai

Los Angeles

Madrid

Manila

Mumbai

Munich

New York

Moscow

London

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http://blog.ted.com/2010/05/10/the_hidden_infl/

Nicholas Christakis: The hidden influence of social networks

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Share a phrase that captures your top of mind thoughts about networks (and/or

support of networks)Go ‘around the clock’

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Today’s Conversation

Communities of Practice

Our Domain: Why Are You Embracing Network Approaches?

Our Practice:

– What Do You Want to Learn About?

– Insights From Phase I

Learning Trajectory and Our Next Meeting

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Communities of Practice

Source: Wegner, McDermott, and Synder, Cultivating Communities of Practice (2002)

COMMUNITY

NNF

PRACTICEDOMAIN

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7 Principles for Cultivating CoPs• Design for evolution• Open a dialogue between inside and outside perspectives• Invite different levels of participation• Develop both public and private spaces• Focus on value• Combine familiarity and excitement• Create a rhythm for the community

Source: Wegner, McDermott, and Synder, Cultivating Communities of Practice (2002)

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Network Impact: Our Domain

COMMUNITY

Our CoP

PRACTICEDOMAIN

Source: Wegner, McDermott, and Synder, Cultivating Communities of Practice (2002)

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Why Are You Embracing Network Approaches?

1. Networks for connectivity. Greater connectivity leads to more effective individual and collective work, and therefore better field-level outcomes.

2. Networks for field-level impact. Building and supporting action-oriented networks can drive progress toward targeted outcomes.

3. Networks for movement building. Networks are a vehicle for grass roots engagement and for connecting a range of activities and actors working toward a shared vision of longer-term transformation.

4. Networks as an enabling infrastructure for social change. Networks are an important lever for social change. Increased network effectiveness helps build capacity for social change.

5. Networks as a way of working. Use of social media and embracing web 2.0 principles (e.g. decentralization, transparency) make it possible to tap networks inside and outside of an organization, resulting in better information flows, access to expertise, and field-level impact.

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Network Impact: Our Practice

COMMUNITY

NNF

PRACTICEDOMAIN

Source: Wegner, McDermott, and Synder, Cultivating Communities of Practice (2002)

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Know the Network•Mapping—of social nets, issues, funds

Organize the Network•Net strategy development•Core funding•Innovation funds•Evaluation / capacity for ongoing learning

Knit the Network•Network weaving•On-line connectivity•In-person connectivity

Transform or Transition the Network•Evaluation and network strategy development

Grow the Network• Net strategy development• Core funding• Innovation funds• Evaluation / capacity for

ongoing learning

Sources: Adapted from iScale, with input from

the work of June Holley and Valdis Krebs

How Can Networks Be Supported?

Our Practice: Insights from NNF Phase I

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Our Practice: Insights from NNF Phase I

Considerations when supporting networks:

•Consider why you and the type of funding you do might be well suited—or not—to network creation and engagement.

•Seek out a neutral and/or trusted entity who can receive and distribute funds (when there is no existing hub).

•Be aware of your impact—the impact of power and money—on the network.

•Recognize that not all networks need to be sustained. Temporary collaborations can have large impact.

•Recognize that not all networks need to scale. Small can be good, though isolation is not.

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What Do You Want to Learn About?You = Everyone

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What Do You Want to Learn About?You = Network Support Cohort

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Network Impact: Learning Trajectory

Phase One

Insights

Phase One

InsightsDefining Our

Domain & Practice

Defining Our Domain & Practice

Network LifecycleNetwork Lifecycle

Network Leadership (with LLC)

Network Leadership (with LLC)

Network Weaving

(with Roberto

Cremonini)

Network Weaving

(with Roberto

Cremonini)

Creating Network

Space

Creating Network

Space

TOOLS: Net Health & Program Strategy

TOOLS: Net Health & Program Strategy

April 5-6 ConveningApril 5-6

Convening

For details see: http://networksguide.wikispaces.com/Network+Impact+Action+Learning+Cohort

Beth Kanter webinar (Dec 8)

Beth Kanter webinar (Dec 8)

Complexity Science

Webinar (TBD)

Complexity Science

Webinar (TBD)

iScale webinar

(TBD)

iScale webinar

(TBD)

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Plan for Next Week’s Meeting: Nov 16th 11am PT

Topic: Network Lifecycle, Support and Foundation Role

What’s the pre-work?•Think about a network you are supporting and/or participating in:

• Reflect on where the network is at in its lifecycle. (Look at lifecycle model posted on the wiki.)

• What supports have you been providing the network? What else might you consider?

• What role(s) are you playing in the network? Has this changed over time? Are there additional roles or ways of interacting the network you might consider?(Look at list of typical network leadership roles on the wiki)

Where to do it? http://networksguide.wikispaces.com/17-Nov%2C+11am+PST+Issue+Meeting

How to get help? Contact Kelly (Kelly_Spann@monitor.com) or Diana (Diana_Scearce@monitor.com)

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http://networksguide.wikispaces.com/17-Nov+Issue+Meeting