Network Approaches and Stages of Development

MAG-Net Annual Meeting April 2012

Network Approaches and Stages of Development

MAG-Net Annual Meeting April 2012

I woke up this morning with my mind stayed on freedom. - Civil Rights song

What comes to mind when you think of a network approach to building movements?

A network approach can:

l

Strengthens the scale and impact of organizing work- build power to achieve together what you could not do alone. Connects leaders and campaigns across regional, issue, and identity silos. Maximizes financial, strategic, and human resources of individuals and groups. Encourages horizontal leadership

No bridge is an island

Bridging is hard work. We string single links together to achieve a flow of goods, services, people, armies, work. It links over divides.

It requires sustained collaboration to build a bridge. And yet this work has gone too often on the backs of few. Once a bridge is built, we take it for granted.

Networks Can Challenge Individual Competition

Networks Share Risk

www.learntoquestion.com Waiting for buses to Mississippi, a group of volunteers and staff link arms. 1964, Steve Schapiro, Black Star

Network Types and Purpose

Personal Growth, Relationship, and Support Networks: connect individuals to build community and/or learn skills, i.e.: Girl Scouts. Learning and Action Networks: connect and engage individuals and/or groups with a shared intention to accomplish collective social outcomes, i.e.: Right to the City Alliance Professional Networks: connect individuals or groups in a specific field or area of interest/work, builds credibility through accreditation, i.e.: Young Nonprofit Professionals Network.

Why Build Action Networks?

Action networks can increase the scale of national mobilization and multi-issue strategy Action networks can root in local communities, local concerns, and elevate the vision of local and groups to the national stage.

Functions of the Action Network

Networks are most effective when they have a clear purpose and set of functions. Sample functions include:
Inform

members of timely changes in the media policy landscape

Connect

members to share skills and resources, access opportunities, and exchange best practices
Mobilize

members to take collective action and advance shared goals

Network Components
Learning

Action

Purpose/ Intention

Support

Relationships

In MAG-Net We. . .

connect & inform members

Build Power for Social Change

develop leaders & capacity

Stand If Your Organization

Served thousands of low-income households and won more than 70M addition dollars for education in the digital television transition in 2008. Implemented grassroots strategies that helped win the nations first net neutrality rules in 2009. Helped to win the passage of the Community Radio Act in 2010. Participated in grassroots strategies that prevented an increase in cell phone costs and blocked AT&Ts take-over of T-Mobile in 2011. Are ready to protect the rights of wireless users, prevent community broadband pre-emption, secure radio stations, and end the kick-backs on prison phone call in 2012!

How does Movement Building Happen?

Movements are built by:

Communicating universal values Convincing the majority of people that the movement, not the elite power holders, represents societys positive values. Strong anchor organizations, grassroots organizing, strategic alliances, & networks uniting multiple constituencies. Generating new vision, fostering many layers of leadership, & enlarging power through sustained mass action.

How Does a Network Develop?

Networks

are not built overnight, but in

stages.
CoaltionWorks,

Network Weavers, and others have identified key stages in the development of networks.

Stages of Network Development

Define Purpose & Audience Experiment With Collaboration

Build Network Identity & Strategy

ACTION

Organize & Formalize

SOCIAL CHANGE

Codify & Embed Network Functions

Evolve the Network

Sustain the Network

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We have discussed the basics of ACTION networks Now its time to map network connections, analyze those connections, define the value created by those connections, and refine the purpose and function of the Media Action Grassroots Network. ARE YOU READY?

STEP ONE: JOURNALING (10m) 1. Before your organization joined MAG-Net, how were you connected to other groups working on media rights and access? 2. What changed about your organizational and individual relationships as a result of your membership?

STEP TWO: MAP NETWORK CONNECTIONS (30m)

Networks are built on relationships.
1.

Write the names of the groups in your regional chapter on post-it notes. Arrange their names into a shape on butcher paper, then draw lines between these groups that indicate how they are connected to each other. What activities or infrastructure connect these groups? What individuals connect each group to MAG-Net? Place the drawing youve created on the wall. Do a brief gallery walk

2. 3.

ANALYZING OUR MAPS IN PAIRS (25m) Find a pair, and answer the following questions:
1.

In thinking about the map you created, what patterns, elements, or characteristics did you notice? Given these patterns and characteristics, how would you measure awareness of the network amongst members, connectedness of the network within and across region, influence of members on the network and to achieve shared goals, and the overall health of network connections? What value is created by the connections? Given network connections and value, what network purpose and functions best support this?

2.

3.

LARGE GROUP DISCUSSION (30m) Network Purpose & Function

1. 2.

Please share some brief highlights from your discussion. Lets discuss the purpose and function of the network- what is your current understanding of the purpose and functions of the network? Given what you learned from the network mapping, how might we refine the network purpose and functions? Lets chart these ideas

3.

4.

It is our duty to fight It is our duty to win We must love each other and protect each other We have nothing to lose but our chains ~Assata Shakur

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