How To Build A Network To Change A System

Interesting report/toolkit from the Monitor Institute on how to build a network to change a system. They used their experience of building a regional coalition, RE-AMP, with it’s aim to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 from the US Upper Midwest. These are the six headline lessons learned, and systems thinking is everywhere here.

“1. Start by understanding the System you are trying to change.

RE-AMP began with a year-long systems mapping process, which helped the network to agree upon a collective goal of reducing energy emissions by 80 percent. The shared map also gave participants insight into the four key levers necessary to change that larger system. From there, the group worked backward to design working groups and action plans with specific targeted goals, which were then used to coordinate and align member action and funding.

2. Involve both funders and nonprofits as equals from the outset.

Many social change efforts are carried out by nonprofits and paid for by funders; often each actor makes decisions independently, without knowing what others are doing. RE-AMP had nonprofits and funders agree on collective priorities within the context of a holistic system, then align their action and funding accordingly. In so doing, it created an opportunity for funders and nonprofits to engage as equals in setting shared strategies, even if their roles differ.

3. Design for a network, not an organisation—and invest in collective infrastructure.

Too many foundations trying to catalyze networks end up creating new, centralized organizations, which can dampen self-organizing and emergence. To truly enable coordinated action, RE-AMP focused on designing a network with decentralized structures, many hubs, shared leadership, and multiple platforms for connecting and communicating.

4. Cultivate leadership at many levels.

In the RE-AMP network, leadership has been exercised at various times by funders, consultants, facilitators, staff, and members elected to more formal leadership positions on a steering committee or working group. This shared leadership created resilience and greater effectiveness, as the network could push forward on multiple fronts simultaneously.

5. Create multiple opportunitie to connect and communicate.

Communication is the lifeblood of networks: it is critical to share information and coordinate action, both online and offline. RE-AMP has a robust technology platform called the Commons, which it supplements with conference calls, webinars, list-serves, face-to-face meetings, and an annual conference that brings the entire network together to build relationships and develop collective strategy.

6. Remain adaptive and emergent—and committed to a long-term vision.

One of the distinct benefits of networks is their ability to be more fluid than organizations and adapt to rapidly changing environments. Just as RE-AMP’s design has remained decentralized, so too members continually monitor feedback loops to identify lessons learned and emerging opportunities for action. The hope is that this emergent structure will allow re-aMP to remain resilient and effective even as external political or economic conditions change.”

Link Loving 10.03.11

• Hanna Thomas and Nim Ralf are putting together a zine on anti-oppression and want to know what resources you’ve used.
• Cannes Festival for NGOs?
• Bjarne Pedersen takes a closer look at the Millennium Consumption Goals.
• Simon Johnson on how a healthy financial system cannot be built on the expectation of bailouts.
• Wonderful piece in the New Yorker from Wendell Steavenson on reform and revolution in the Middle East.
• David Roberts on what we have, and what we haven’t, learned from ClimateGate.
• Nice piece on The Third Estate on how to criticise within the movement. Attack arguments, not the person.
• Elly Blue on how bikes could save the economy.
• If you’re stuck on a problem, pretend you’re someone else and you may solve it says research.

Falling Whistles

I’ve talked about the Falling Whistles campaign before – but I just had to post this. I actively look forward to receiving emails from this campaign. Look how beautiful, how honest, how simple and inspiring it is!

 

Wisconsin – Why We Should Pay Attention

I’ve been a little surprised how little talk there is about Wisconsin this side of the pond – as what’s happening there is seriously exciting. Hopefully this short introduction will encourage you to check it out in more detail.

Backstory

In November last year, the people of Wisconsin elected a center-right Republican governor (he beat the nutty Tea Party guy in the primaries), and a majority in both the State Senate and the State Assembly.

In an unexpected move, the new governor included wide-ranging anti-union legislation in a humdrum piece of legislation, which has sparked a grassroots progressive renaissance across the country. The Assembly passed the legislation in a sudden vote at 3am, again giving the clear indication that this process is unpopular and even undemocratic. Union workers had agreed to take a pay cut, so this is not a simple ‘unions bully government’ situation. It is a classic example of the right weakening the left and has opened up some exciting resistance strategies.

Opposition

Unions immediately reacted. In a city of 250,000 people, over 70,000 people demonstrated outside the capitol building in Madison, Wisconsin. Hundreds entered the building itself and occupied it overnight. Local pizza delivery parlours took orders from strangers to the protesters – including one order from Egypt. Local doctors are writing fake sick notes so that protesters can stay during work days, and the progressive movement around the country is rallying behind the movement in Wisconsin. Last week saw a wave of solidarity actions across all 50 states (even though some like Indiana have already gone through this decimation of union power).

Most excitingly perhaps though, is the fact that all 14 Democratic State Senators have fled the State to avoid being forced to vote. Republicans have a majority of 19, but need 20 votes to make a decision quorate – and by leaving the State, the legislation cannot be passed. As Scott Walker’s polls nosedive, this might well be the most effective tactic progressives have.

Within the unions, there has been impressive solidarity on show. After a day or two of getting hounded, Walker withdrew his proposals for unions representing police officers and firefighters – but those unions stayed on the streets with their marching bands, supporting the teachers, nurses and doctors who had walked out.

What This Means

The Economist argues that the dispute is energising activists on both the left and the right. Certainly big money is being raised off the back of this to target Wisconsin in the next election cycle, and even efforts are being made to recall Governor Walker.

But for progressives, this is the first real, grassroots, spontaneous reaction to the Tea Party that feels genuine and genuinely powerful. With the infrastructure of organisations of MoveOn and ActBlue behind it – let’s hope this can really become a turning point.

Behind The Scenes

In a sadly recurring theme in US politics, the Koch Brothers seem to be involved in this story as well. They have funded Governor Scott Brown, and have interests in coal plants in the State. This short video includes the recorded conversation between Governor Walker and a climate activist posing as one of the Koch Brothers, which certainly doesn’t do Walker any favours.

What Can We Learn?

• Use the inside/outside strategy.
• Each organisation play to their strength.
• Physical mobilisation builds momentum.
• Solidarity builds strength and a narrative.
• Resistance can come from the most unexpected places. (Seriously, nobody talks about Wisconsin unless they’re talking about cheese. They make a lot of cheese.)

Link Loving 09.03.11

• Germany’s banking/corruption scandal ends up in jail. HuffPo.
• Schwarzenegger calls for Tunisian-style green revolution. Todd Woody.
• Vera Titunik wonders what makes a good apology.
• Wonderful article about a wonderful woman, how Kat Banyard is revitalising the feminist movement.
• Gideon Rose thinks we live in a post-American world.
• Are you between 11-21 years old and want to change the world? Micro-grants and support available here.
• The Big Lottery Fund announce ‘People Powered Change’. Is this the UK’s version of community organisers?
• Doing good in a bad economy. A wonderful NYTimes video piece looking at recent graduates looking for work in the public sector.
• Remixing Donald Duck, popular culture and Glenn Beck. Great meme watching. Jonathan McIntosh.
• This looks like highly uncomfortable viewing at 9pm tonight.

Matt Baker Has Balls Of Steel

h/t Political Scrapbook

Madeleine Albright: On Being A Woman And A Diplomat

A fantastic interview. A wonderful woman.

My favourite moment (and judging by the response, the audience’s too) – ‘I think there is a special place in hell for women who don’t help each other’.

The World Through A Lens

You’ll have seen the winning image for the World Press Photo Contest by Jodi Bieber of Bibi Aisha, an 18-year-old woman from Oruzgan province in Afghanistan, who fled back to her family home from her husband’s house, complaining of violent treatment. The Taliban arrived one night, demanding Bibi be handed over to face justice. After a Taliban commander pronounced his verdict, Bibi’s brother-in-law held her down and her husband sliced off her ears and then cut off her nose.

All the finalists are absolutely stunning, and some deeply disturbing. Well worth a look on The Atlantic.

Link Loving 08.03.11

• Fantastic series of student conferences on social change being organised by the ever-brilliant Student Hubs.
• This is how you make it clear why local council work is valuable. Live twitter feed with updates on what council workers from Walsall are doing.
• Why pirates are better than ninjas. Not sure I agree.
• Conflict minerals: Genocide in your gadgets? Uncomfortable reading from the Christian Science Monitor.
• Alex Steffen’s second edition of the Worldchanging book is out – the ultimate sustainability read/resource.
• Test 10:10’s very, very nice new tool here.
• Get the highly practical daily tips from the New Organizing Institute.
• Gorgeous typography as a way to explore a city.
• A new online commodity – privacy. Fascinating stuff from the Washington Post.

Get A-Climate-ised

Some afternoon joy.