These one-time events are an opportunity to get practical and imaginative help from network members immediately. It’s perfect for people tackling a challenge or new project to get a bit of insight from peers who have useful perspectives or who have done the same thing before. Each event has an “assistee” who shares a challenge, […]
As we design our new network, I’m very focused on learning. I’m reading books, reading blogs, asking friends, piloting ideas on groups where I volunteer, hiring a coach, and discussing challenges with colleagues. Because we are inventing something new, I also want to learn from what we do. I’m encouraging activities that move our work […]
As we develop NEWHAB, we’re using short cycles of doing followed by reflection to quickly try out strategies and either make them better or decide they aren’t the right ones for us. Six months ago, we started our second round of “work groups,” having learned from some struggles on the first set. When I solicited co-conveners then, […]
I identify as an anthropologist, among other things. Anyone who ever studied anthropology, me included, needs an answer to, “What job can you get with an anthro major?” In jokes about useless majors, it ranks up there with art and philosophy. In 2011, Florida Governor Rick Scott took on the whole discipline, noting, “We don’t […]
Something I love about networked working is that it’s enough to Just Do Something. Almost anything. Preferably in person. It’s human to want to plan things out, to get them right. It’s so easy to wait until we have time to do it right to do anything. Luckily, there are plenty of examples around of just […]
I am in the middle of designing multiple networks this winter. With the Network for Energy, Water, and Health in Affordable Buildings (NEWHAB), we’ve been wrestling with how to highlight that resident quality of life is a key motivator, to recognize health benefits, and to be clear about the focus on affordable housing without readers getting stuck […]
I’m supporting an emerging network, one focused on energy efficiency, water, and health in affordable apartment buildings. Recently, we had our first big in-person gathering of network participants. Because networks consist of personal relationships, we incorporated connecting activities. The Closing Triangles Drawing, an idea I got from Beth Tener, was the run-away favorite. First, a […]
I often talk & write about building trust within the networks. Today, I want to take a few minutes to tell you one Thanksgiving-themed thing I’m doing to increase the level of trust in my corner of the world, and I invite you to take five minutes to do it, too. As I’m looking forward […]
I’m honored to have been featured by Pollen in their latest profiles of CoCo members, Co-Files: Part iii. “So that’s my thing: pulling different elements together and helping them work as a unit in a really smart way.” You’ll have to scroll down a bit through the profiles to fine me, but if you […]
All-volunteer organizations are tough. There is often a small core of volunteers ABSOLUTELY committed to the project, wanting help, and wondering where the help is. That certainly applied (and still applies) to the Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition where I volunteer. We’re working to engage more people, and we ARE engaging lots more people. Of course, with more […]
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