Weaving a Community to Endure it All

How many times have we said to each other “they’ve got the money, but we’ve got the people” ?  But do we?

Our people are the same herd of cats’ organizers complain about having to herd.   Some of them are pretty crotchety.  We march along chanting “THE PEOPLE UNITED WILL NEVER BE DIVIDED!”  Then we go back to the office and get divided.

The times they keep achanging, and covid and climate change and who knows what else ensure they’re gonna keep achanging. It’s increasing the pressure on all our networks and making things more uncomfortable all the time. Progressives need to start honing-in on ways to build real bonds of care and understanding among each other that get our herds of cats moving in the same powerful direction in confidence and mutual trust.  It’s a tall order but we need it now more than ever.

Here’s why I think we can do it:  @JuneHolley.  Thanks June.  She and a bunch of friends have put out a vast amount of thinking and research about how human networks operate.  As you read this tiny bit about the most basic structure of the network, think about your own family, friend and community networks in this light.

You’re probably familiar with networking, but Network Weaving may be a new concept for you.  The difference is vast.  Normal networking is often compared to “speed dating” that might happen from 8:00-9:15 at the Chamber of Commerce.  It’s an important community function.  Things happen between people in seconds that would have no opportunity to occur in the normal work day. 

But Network Weaving is different. It’s a complex science of relationship that over time can lead to transformation in the life of an individual, a group, a community and their networks of relationship.

You might get a hint of that from a few quotes out of June’s book “Network Weaver Handbook: A Guide to Transformational Networks:” (for sale on the NetworkWeaver.org website).   Here are a few scraps from the very basic introduction to give a taste. 

There are three deep structures shifting right now:

1. How we relate to each other. From hierarchy, to peers working together to co-create a world that works for all
2. From pressure to conform, to a deep appreciation of differences and the ability to use those differences to make breakthroughs in our co-creative processes
3. From a control mentality, to creation of a web of support that enables us to find others, communicate easily, access resources and reflect on our work.

Each of these shifts is accelerated by implementing a network approach

• Networks change systems.  Systems change when new systems supplant old systems. 
• There’s a network holding the old system in place.  Expose it.
• There’s also a loose, disconnected network that prefers change, but doesn’t have the power to change the old one.  Change the old system by linking up those loose networks.  Gotta repeat that: LINK UP THOSE LOOSE NETWORKS.
• A healthy, transformed system is characterized by the presence of marginalized people and groups
• Transforming systems takes innovation and experimentation. It works best when the results of thousands of experiments are shared widely. All the contradictions and tensions in the old system come up and are embraced and used to shake us out of old limiting assumptions.

Basic Concepts of the network

What is a network? There are four interlocking aspects that complement and support each other: Relational Networks, Intentional Networks, Support Networks and Action Networks

1. The Relationship Network

Undergirds all other aspects of the network.  It’s made up of ALL the connections in the network and how they are interacting.  Nobody left out.

2. The Intentional Network

A group working on the same issue or vision. Structures are created to help mobilize the energy of the project. The structure of these networks can vary a lot from formal to very informal

3. The Action Network

Where the action starts happening.

Action in networks is strikingly different than in organizations. 

1. A network doesn’t act as a single unit. It’s self-organizing.  Somebody in the group sees an opportunity and pulls others together to do it.  When self-organizing is encouraged and supported, more people will initiate stuff.  In fast-changing and chaotic times, a capacity to act quickly and independently is critical. More is accomplished through self-organized projects, especially small ones.  Small projects are critical.  Encourage them!
   • People get to know each other
   • They’re a venue for trying out new skills and practices
   • Encourages “testing the waters” to see what works or not.
   • New ideas spread through the network quickly.  When people are working in more than one project, “patterns of success” are noticed quickly.
2. Action in good networks is focused on opportunities and leverage points with the best chance of making a difference.  Understand the system you’re trying to change. Find areas where focused action would make a difference. When you find those points change can happen fast.

4. The Support Network

Networks need to be supported. They need to create their own support networks that ensure accountability, make sure communication happens, supports leadership and action, analyze what’s happening in the network, and train Network Weavers. 

It’s our networks that will enable us to live joyfully in the strange new worlds emerging.  The projects that are built, or the issues we resolve are happy side effects of the networks that will sustain life and community. In fact they already do, even though they’re working almost invisibly. 

There’s so much more to network weaving than can be described in one post.  Next week we can think about another part of the process.  That’s juicy.

If you’d like to know more about Network Weaving, here are some sites with more good information:

Facebook:  Network Weaving         https://www.facebook.com/groups/network.weaving/

Website:  NetworkWeaver.com     https://networkweaver.com/

What ideas came up for you as you think about your own networks in this light?  Please share any thoughts or questions in the comments, or email to omni@omnicenter.org. 

Scroll down their webpage to find several great FREE resources to download.  One example is “Principles for Clever Network Actions,”  and another one up today is “The Secret to Securing Collaboration Resources.” 

If you’ve read this far THANK YOU!  You might be a Network Weaver.   At least you’re very persistent.

Next time we’ll talk about just what makes a network TRANSFORMATIVE.  Please subscribe to PeaceWeavers blog and post comments.  Good communications makes our peace network stronger.