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Network Effectiveness: An Interactive Working Session for Sexual and

Reproductive Health Rights and Justice Leaders

October 6, 2009

Diana Scearce (Diana_Scearce@monitor.com)

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

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

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Network Basics

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Networks Are Changing the Way the World Works

Source for Network Graphic: orgnet.com

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Obama Used Networks to Mobilize 13 M Supporters

“One of my fundamental beliefs…is that real change comes from the bottom up. And there’s no more powerful tool for grass-roots

organizing than the Internet.”– Barack Obama

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Obama Administration Experimenting with Gov. 2.0

“We live in an age of democratic experimentation — both in our official institutions and in the many informal ways in which the public is consulted”

–James Fishkin, Stanford political scientist

Source: Whitehouse.gov; NY Times

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Twitter “Emboldened” Iranian Election Protesters

“If anyone had questions about the power of citizen media, those questions were answered by the Iran protests.”

–Hamid Tehrani (Iran editor for Global Voices)

Source: ethanzuckerman.com/blog Twitter, youTube Time Magazine

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“While newspaper circulation has long been in decline, the latest figures show the drop is accelerating…Weekday circulation declined

7.1% for the six months that ended March 31, compared with the previous year.”– New York Times, April 27,2009

We’re Witnessing the Death of Old Models…

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…And New Models Are Emerging

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The Way Our Work Gets Done Is Changing

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Nonprofits Need to Find Ways to Scale Impact

Networks are one answer

Sources: “Index of National Fundraising Performance, 2009 First Calendar Quarter Results”, Target Analytics, 2009, Alliance Trends. “The Non-Profit Sector in Brief,” National Center for Charitable Statistics, 2008.

Increasing Number

of Nonprofits

More Competition

for Resources

Many Nonprofits

Not at Scale

82% of nonprofits operate on annual

budgets of under $1 million

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What are networks?

Groups of individuals or organizations connected through meaningful

relationships.

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We’re most interested in networks with…

• Many participants• Ability to self-

organize • Fueled by new

technologies

Source of photo: http://www.midnightpoutine.ca/archives/flashmob1.jpg

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Networks Have Been Around for a Long Time…

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…and new online spaces for building relationships

There Are New Technologies for Sharing Content…

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Advances in the Science of Networks and Complexity

Source for Network Graphic: orgnet.com

“If someone tells you that you can influence 1,000 people, it changes your way of seeing the world.”

–Dr. James Fowler

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Combined with Established Practices for Engaging Groups

Source for Network Graphic: orgnet.com

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“… wikis and other social media tools are

engendering a new, networked mindset—a way

of working wikily—that is characterized by

principles of openness, transparency,

decentralized decision-making, and

distributed action. " - Working Wikily 2.0

The Result = “Working Wikily”

Source for Network Graphic: orgnet.com

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What Do We Mean by “Working Wikily”?

Centralized

Firmly controlled

Planned

Proprietary

One-way

communication

Decentralized

Loosely controlled

Emergent

Public

Two-way

conversation

Established Ways of Working

Established Ways of Working

Where are you on these continuums? The answer will be different for different situations

Working WikilyWorking Wikily

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Isolation

Unmet needs

Lack of power

Duplication and fragmentation of effort

Lack of shared knowledge

Untapped talent and wisdom

Suboptimal impact and challenges with growth

Working Wikily Can Address Diverse Challenges

Build community

Engage people

Advocate for policy change

Coordinate resources and services

Develop and share knowledge

Innovate

Get to scale

Working Wikily PotentialWorking Wikily PotentialProblemProblem

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Build Community

2008:22,000 Members

attending each week

2008:22,000 Members

attending each week

1980: 205 Members

1980: 205 Members

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Engage People

2008: 400,000 Volunteers in 104 Countries

2008: 400,000 Volunteers in 104 Countries

1985:Single-site Effort

in US

1985:Single-site Effort

in US

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Advocate for Policy Change

2008: 3.2 Million Members

2008: 3.2 Million Members

1998: Email to100 friends

1998: Email to100 friends

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Coordinate Resources and Services

Total Loans2009: $66 million

Total Loans2009: $66 million

Total Loans2006: $1 million

Total Loans2006: $1 million

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Develop and Share Knowledge

14 Countries1,300 Trained Volunteers

Interagency Program Integrated Fire Management

14 Countries1,300 Trained Volunteers

Interagency Program Integrated Fire Management

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Innovate

“Open Sourcing Social

Solutions”

“Open Sourcing Social

Solutions”

Internal, Proprietary R&D Labs

Internal, Proprietary R&D Labs

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…transforming

communities through

collaborations to address root causes of poverty and

homelessness

Source: Jane Wei-Skillern and Kerry Herman, “Habitat for Humanity—Egypt,” Harvard Business School Cases, October 3, 2006.

- EGYPT-

Get to Scale

Typical HFH country programs produce 200

houses each year

Typical HFH country programs produce 200

houses each year

In Egypt, HFH builds 1,000 houses a year, on averageIn Egypt, HFH builds 1,000 houses a year, on average

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Common Challenges:

Communicating the value of networks

Designing and catalyzing networks

Determining network boundaries

Building trust among participants

Participant engagement and communications

Managing and adapting to evolution and growth

Tracking and evaluating impact

Working Wikily Isn’t Easy…

Source for Network Graphic: orgnet.com

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Eight Lessons We’re Learning About “Working Wikily”

1. Design your experiments around a problem to solve, not the tools

2. Experiment a lot, invest in understanding what works and what doesn’t, and make only new mistakes

3. Set appropriate expectations for time and effort required

4. Prioritize human elements like trust and fun

5. Understand your position within networks and act on this knowledge

6. Push power to the edges

7. Balance bottom-up and top-down strategies for organizing people and effort

8. Be open and transparent; share what you are doing and learning as a matter of course

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Understanding Your Network

Source for Network Graphic: orgnet.com

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How Are Networks Structured?

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Core

Link Node

Cluster Periphery

Hub

A Few Helpful Definitions

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Network Structures Can Take Many Forms

Source for Network Graphics: orgnet.com

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Centralized

Decentralized

Note: These categories often overlap. Most of the examples fit in to multiple categories.

Nonprofit organizations (without explicit network structure)

Membership organizations (Organizations with network component)

Nonprofits with explicit network strategy and structure

Coalition / Alliance (network of organizations)

Networks of networks

Ad hoc networks

Developed from: Plastrik, Taylor, “Net Gains,” (2006); Anklam, “Net Work,” (2007); Krebs, Holley. “Building Smart Communities,” (2006).Source for Network Graphics: orgnet.com

A Typology of Organizing Structures

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Good for:• Speed of execution, efficiency• Quality control, reliability• Service-delivery• Accountability

Nonprofits without Explicit Network Structure

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Good for: Engaging, mobilizing

large groups Fundraising Question: Is the

nature of membership changing?

Membership Organizations

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Good for: Coordination of activity Controlled knowledge transfer Resource sharing

Nonprofits with Explicit Network Structure (Hub-Spoke)

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Good for: Rapid diffusion of knowledge Rapid mobilization Efficient access to knowledge or local

relationships

Nonprofits with Explicit Network Structure (Multi-Hub)

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Good for: Complex coordination & co-

creation Contained knowledge transfer Organizing around joint goals

Coalition / Alliance

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Good for: Innovation Environment scanning Movement building Resilient & adaptive action

Networks of Networks—Organizations

Source for Network Graphic: orgnet.com

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Good for: Connecting people/ info across

networks Spontaneous, quick action Aggregating small gifts/ actions

Ad Hoc Networks—Individuals

Source for Network Graphic: orgnet.com

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How do movements and campaigns relate to networks?

Sources: Movement def’n- Lokman Tsui on Marshall Ganz (www.lokman.org). Campaign def’n- Kotter Philip, Ned Roberto and Nancy Lee. Social Marketing: Improving the Quality of Life. Movement image - commondreams.org. Network graphics: orgnet.com

Movement Campaign Network

A large, informal grouping that brings people together around

shared values, provides structure and strategy for collective action, results in

‘new rules’

An organized effort conducted by one group, which attempts to persuade others to accept,

modify, or abandon certain ideas, attitudes, practices, or

behavior

Groups of individuals or organizations connected

through meaningful relationships

Pro-Choice MovementChoose Justice:

Campaign to Protect Roe

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Social Network Mapping:

A Tool for Visualizing Your Network

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Visualize the network: see connections within the system

Make visible network resources, and see flow of resources

Spark strategic conversation among participants

Assess the “health” of a network, diagnose Assess change in network over time

What’s Possible from Network Mapping?

Source for Network Graphic: June Holley

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Network Mapping Can Be Simple and Low-Tech…

Source: June Holley

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…Or More High-Tech

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Frame the Problem

CollectData

AnalyzeData

Validate &DiscussResults

IdentifyNextSteps

Follow up

• Goal• Problem/

Opportunity• Hypotheses• Who/

Boundaries• Relationships/

Flows• Demographics

• Surveys• Interviews• Focus groups• Data mining

• Specialized network mapping software helps to understand data:

• Visually (Maps)• Quantitatively

(Metrics)

• Preliminary review

• One-on-one interviews

• Interactive feedback session

• Formal presentation

• Planning• Training• Organizational

Changes• Specific

interventions

Framework developed by Roberto Cremonini, Barr Foundation

How Is Network Mapping Done?

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Using Network Maps to Increase Service Coordination

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Identified community to map; bounded the network

Sent out survey to collect data; entered data into software

Produced maps with ability to sort by inputs; gathered missing data

Analyzed maps to identify network development opportunities

Group continues to meet; on-going network coaching

Process Used to Map the Youth Development Network

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A map of the different networks shows fairly loose connections

Government

Foundation

Non-Profit

For-Profit

School

Unknown

Religious

Other

Network by Organization Type

Maps Were Used to Analyze the Network

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Now, you’re going to map your networks

Choose which network you want to focus on

Clarify if it is “unbounded” or “bounded”

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Making Sense of Your Network Structure

Directions:Decide what network you want to focus on today.Draw a map of your network.Reflect on the questions below.

1. What type of structure does your network most closely resemble?

2. How did you get to this structure?

3. How’s it working? Does it match your purpose?

4. How might your structure evolve / improve?

Source for Network Graphics: orgnet.com

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Characteristics of Healthy Networks

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Value

Participation

Form

Leadership

Connection

Capacity

Learning & Adaptation

Clearly articulated give and get for participants Delivers value/ outcomes to participants

Trust Diversity High engagement

Balance of top-down and bottom-up logic Space for self-organized action

Embraces openness, transparency, decentralization Shared leadership

Strategic use of social media Ample shared space: on-line and in-person

Ability surface & tap network talent Model for sustainability

Mechanisms for learning-capture Ability to gather and act on feedback

Governance Representative of the network’s diversity Transparent

Helpful Sources: M. Kearns and K. Showalter; J. Holley and V. Krebs; P. Plastrik and M. Taylor; J. W. Skillern; C. Shirky

Characteristics of Healthy Networks: Overview

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Characteristics of Healthy Networks: Value

Value Clearly articulated give and get for participants Delivers value/ outcomes to participants

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Characteristics of Healthy Networks: Participation

Participation Trust: strong relationships Diversity: bridging and valuing differences High level of voluntary engagement

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Characteristics of Healthy Networks: Form

Form Balance of top-down and bottom-up logic Space for self-organized action

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Embraces openness, transparency, decentralization Shared leadershipLeadership

Characteristics of Healthy Networks: Leadership

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Governance Representative of the network’s diversity Transparent

Administrators 1,648 as of

4/29/09

Bureaucrats29 active as of

12/22/08

Stewards37 as of 3/3/09

Arbitration Committee

16 as of 3/21/09

Registered Users

9,540,944 as of 4/29/09

Characteristics of Healthy Networks: Governance

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Characteristics of Healthy Networks: Connection

Connection Strategic use of social media

What’s your connection to mountaintop removal?

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Connection Ample shared space: on-line and in-person

Characteristics of Healthy Networks: Connection

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Characteristics of Healthy Networks: Capacity

Ability surface & tap network talentCapacity

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Characteristics of Healthy Networks: Capacity

Model for sustainabilityCapacity

Funder / grant driven

‘Digital socialism’

Membership

‘Freemium’

Free

Pay your way / pay as you go

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Learning & Adaptation

Mechanisms for learning-capture / storytelling Ability to gather and act on feedback

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Hawaii Island Success: Youth have the capacity to malama the next generation

Goal: All youth are surrounded by effective, integrated

community and relationship

based support they can count on

Goal: Youth are part of and contribute to a thriving community

Action: All systems serving

youth exert a positive and

strengthening influence on

youth and their families

Action: Youth receive support

from parents and other caring

adults

Action: Community organizations actively work with community members to find and engage disconnected youth

in hopes of continuing a positive relationship

Action: Youth create

opportunities to belong, learn new skills, grow, lead, receive support,

participate in decision making and contribute to

civic life

Action: Adults are responsible to malama the

process of growth by being easily accessible and modeling these

positive behaviors

Action: Youth create and

convey positive images of

themselves

Action: Youth have the capacity for commitment

and self discipline

Action: Public and private sectors collaborate to create high

demand sectors where job

numbers, wages and advancement opportunities are

increasing

Action: Youth obtain help to develop financial literacy, manage money and

build assets

Action: Efforts are made to diversify the economy in

Hawaii

Goal: Youth have expanded opportunities for family sustaining

work/occupation

Goal: Youth are prepared for meaningful work, higher

education and/or traditional practices

Action: Teachers create an

environment in their

classrooms where kids can

succeed

Action: Teachers have

training & mentors that allow them to

become effective

Action: Teachers have the necessary training and resources to allow kids to

succeed

Action: Ensure multiple

opportunities and diverse avenues to

acquire academic, vocational,

social, life and resiliency skills

Indicator: % of youth reporting

close neighborhood

ties

Indicator: % of youth with at least 1 adult

they can turn to for

support/advise

Indicator: % parents who

actively participate in public school

Indicator: % of youth reporting close family ties

Indicator: % of youth who

volunteer or mentor

Indicator: High level of

interaction between school and community

members

Indicator: Number of youth who age out of

foster care annually with employment, housing or schooling

Indicator: Youth employment in

high growth sectors and geographies

Indicator: Increase in

youth employment and average salaries

Indicator: # of new businesses in sustainable

agriculture, renewable

energy, green architecture

Indicator: New jobs created by

sector and geography

Indicator: # of public/private

partnerships in new industries

Indicator: Number of

teachers with classroom

competence

Indicator: Teachers

with family supporting

wages

Indicator: % students who

meet and exceed expectation in 3rd

Grade

Indicator: Youth with

basic literacy and numeric

skills

Indicator: % of high school

students going to college

and/or trade apprenticeship

Indicator: Good teachers and

principals with 5+ years exp. In same schoolWork in Progress

Characteristics of Healthy Networks: Learning & Adaptation

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How healthy is your network?

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Network Leadership and Mindset

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Value

Participation

Form

Leadership

Connection

Capacity

Learning & Adaptation

Clearly articulated give and get for participants Delivers value/ outcomes to participants

Trust Diversity High engagement

Balance of top-down and bottom-up logic Space for self-organized action

Embraces openness, transparency, decentralization Shared leadership

Strategic use of social media Ample shared space: on-line and in-person

Ability surface & tap network talent Model for sustainability

Mechanisms for learning-capture Ability to gather and act on feedback

Governance Representative of the network’s diversity Transparent

Helpful Sources: M. Kearns and K. Showalter; J. Holley and V. Krebs; P. Plastrik and M. Taylor; J. W. Skillern; C. Shirky

Characteristics of Healthy Networks: Overview

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The Network Mindset

Organization Orientation Network Orientation

Mindset

Strategy

Behaviors

Competition

Grow the organization

Compete for resourcesProtect knowledge

Competitive advantageHoard talent

Collaboration

Grow the network

Share resourcesOpen source IP

Develop competitorsCultivate leadership

Source: Heather McLeod Grant and Leslie R. Crutchfield, “Forces for Good,” (2007).

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Leading with a Network Mindset

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How is Network Leadership Different?

Position, authorityIndividualControlDirectiveTransactionalTop-downAction-oriented

Role, behaviorCollectiveFacilitationEmergentRelational, connectedBottom-upProcess-oriented

Organizational Leadership

Organizational Leadership

What would it take for you to work more wikily?

Network LeadershipNetwork

Leadership

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Network Leadership Roles

Sources: Peter Plastrik and Madeleine Taylor, Net Gains (2006); Beth Kanter; Stephanie Lowell , Building the Field of Dreams (2007); White, Wenger, and Smith, Digital Habitats (2009)

Organizer

Funder

Facilitator / Coordinator

Weaver

Technology Steward

Establishes value proposition(s) Establishes first links to participants

Provides initial resources for organizing the network

Works to increase connections among participants May focus on growing the network by connecting to new participants Can be multiple people with formal and informal roles

Facilitates the network use of online technology to learn, coordinate, connect or share information together

Helps participants to undertake collective action Ensures flow of information and other resources

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• Convene diverse people and groups

• Engage network participants

• Generate cooperation and collective action

• Broker connections and bridge difference

• Build social capital – emphasize trust and reciprocity

What is the Work of Network Leadership?

Source: Adapted from Net Work by Patti Anklam (2007) and “Vertigo and the Intentional Inhabitant: Leadership in a Connected World” by Bill Traynor (2009)Source of picture: flickr

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What is the Work of Network Leadership?

Source: Adapted from Net Work by Patti Anklam (2007) and “Vertigo and the Intentional Inhabitant: Leadership in a Connected World” by Bill Traynor (2009)Source of picture: flickr

• Nurture self-organization

• Genuinely participate. Influence from the inside

• Leverage technology

• Create, preserve, and protect network ‘space’

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What are the characteristics and skills of an effective network leader

(and leader of ‘net work’)?

Source for Network Graphic: orgnet.com

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A Few Challenges Faced by Network Leaders

Unlearning past behaviors and frameworks

(organizational mindset)

Dealing with information overload

Letting go of control Engaging and inspiring network participants

without being controlling

Learning and leveraging new technologies

Making the case; measuring success

Source of images: Cut Throat Communications, Blog.com, Rutgers University RU FAIR, Kodaikanal International School, flickr

Determining network boundaries

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Assessing Your Network Leadership

What is your network leadership work?

What are the skills and characteristics that will help you succeed?

Which are your strengths? Which do you need to work on?

What are 3 steps you can take to strengthen your network leadership? Be specific.

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Strengthening Your Network

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Source: Valdis Krebs and June Holley, “Building Smart Communities through Network Weaving,” (2006). Source for Network Graphics: orgnet.com.

How Networks (Often) Progress and Evolve

1. 2.

3. 4. Multi-Hub Small World Core Periphery

Hub and SpokeScattered Clusters

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Close triangles

Nurture quality connections

Bridge difference

Support overlapping projects

Map the network

Grow and engage the periphery

A Few Strategies for Strengthening Your Network

Source: Adapted from June Holley, www.networkweaving.com. Source for Network Graphic: orgnet.com

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The Green and Healthy Building Network: 2005

Source: Barr Foundation “Green and Healthy Building Network Case Study” by Beth Tener, Al Neirenberg, Bruce Hoppe

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Source: Barr Foundation “Green and Healthy Building Network Case Study” by Beth Tener, Al Neirenberg, Bruce Hoppe

The Green and Healthy Building Network: 2007