1 Network Support Network of Network Funders November 10, 2010 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

2 Nicholas Christakis: The hidden influence of social networks

3 Share a phrase that captures your top of mind thoughts about networks (and/or support of networks) Go ‘around the clock’

4 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

5 Communities of Practice Source: Wegner, McDermott, and Synder, Cultivating Communities of Practice (2002) COMMUNITY NNF PRACTICE DOMAIN

6 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)

7 Network Impact: Our Domain COMMUNITY Our CoP PRACTICE DOMAIN Source: Wegner, McDermott, and Synder, Cultivating Communities of Practice (2002)

8 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.

9 Network Impact: Our Practice COMMUNITY NNF PRACTICE DOMAIN Source: Wegner, McDermott, and Synder, Cultivating Communities of Practice (2002)

10 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

11 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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13 What Do You Want to Learn About? You = Everyone

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

15 Network Impact: Learning Trajectory Phase One Insights Defining Our Domain & Practice Network Lifecycle Network Leadership (with LLC) Network Weaving (with Roberto Cremonini) Network Weaving (with Roberto Cremonini) Creating Network Space TOOLS: Net Health & Program Strategy April 5-6 Convening For details see: Beth Kanter webinar (Dec 8) Complexity Science Webinar (TBD) iScale webinar (TBD)

16 Plan for Next Week’s Meeting: Nov 16 th 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? How to get help? Contact Kelly or Diana

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