NNF+April+20+Survey

===// At the conclusion of the April 5-6 convening, we asked the NNF to answer a few questions specific to the gathering and questions about what’s next for the CoP. Here's a summary of their responses. //===

=APRIL 5-6 NNF CONVENING=
 * //What was most useful?//

=WHAT'S NEXT FOR YOUR NETWORK WORK?=
 * //Based on our conversations to date, what do you want to do / apply / experiment with?//
 * Become more intentional about supporting networks, and more effective at funding them (e.g., hiring network weavers and employing SNA).
 * Move my foundation toward working with a network mindset, as well as expanding the network of network funders’ network.
 * Adopt a peer-learning model / develop a peer learning tool kit . Potentially integrate peer-learning into capacity-building offerings.
 * Engage grantees in helping co-create OE programs (e.g., on a blog).
 * Document failure and figure out when to stop investing in a network.
 * Explore network impact.
 * Restructure grants to include process as well as outcome measures.
 * Design a new leadership program with a stronger focus on network leadership.
 * Use different techniques to strengthen face-to-face meetings with network members.


 * //What would help you achieve this?//
 * Well-fleshed out case studies, particularly on "network failure."
 * More time, support from my organization to do what is really important vs. spending so much time on administrative tasks.
 * Continued communication with the NNF through periodic phone calls, the Wiki, webinars, a “message house,” etc. – this will allow members to use the NNF as a sounding board for ideas.
 * Re-visit content from the webinars by self-organizing webinars and / or posting resources on the Wiki around content that has already been discussed (e.g., peer-learning webinar led by Warren). This may be done through sub groups that report back to the larger CoP for input / validation.
 * Articulate network evaluation criteria and methods.
 * Gain a better understanding of the mechanics of a blog and other online tools.


 * // What do you want to do with the NNF COP going forward? //
 * “Remain connected through the October convening, and then reassess how to best move forward.”
 * In the near term, continue to connect around development of the Funders Guide and the October convening.
 * “Play. Keep finding ways to be truly in touch about the work we are doing and the challenges we face.”
 * “Continue meeting and discussing how to advance this theory of change.”
 * “Keep it connected, get together face-to-face occasionally and share as much information as we can.”
 * Host annual convenings
 * Participate in 5-6 webinars / year (with recurring Google Calendar reminders that are agreed-upon in advance)
 * Rotate coordination tasks among NNF members
 * Distribute a monthly newsletter
 * Communicate via Google Group, continue to use the NNF as a resource to learn from and an audience to share with
 * Continue to build the case studies
 * Share a list of consultants working with a network mindset


 * // What have we missed? Any additional feedback or thoughts to share? //
 * “Offer one more call for those interested in reconnecting before the October convening as a means to keep people connected.”
 * ** A: We are! Join us on April 25th at 11AM PT to discuss the design and agenda **
 * “Did you ever share the Funder Netty map in Linkedin? Maybe I just missed it, but I didn't see anything happen with that.”
 * ** A: We weren’t able to map her professional network because we didn’t reach a minimum of 50 contacts on Linked-In. However, we’re working on getting her contacts up to 50. Once we do we’ll share the map. If that works, we’ll make “Link-In to Netty” part of the registration process for the October convening. **
 * “How do we keep this COP active, relevant, vital? Eugene's feedback was to the point, how do we follow his lead?”
 * There was more emphasis on grantees vs. how to encourage foundations to work with a network mindset. We need to change that.
 * Plus many kind compliments on the April 5-6 gathering (see wordle, below)



Go back to April 5-6 Convening Notes.