January+12+Gathering


 * Overview:** A group of 8 NNF CoP members gathered together for a day-long series of discussions in Washington, D.C. What follows is an abridged agenda and corresponding notes:


 * Recommended Reading: Pre-Read**
 * Building Smart Communities Through Network Weaving An introduction to the basics on networks, how they evolve, and how they can be shaped for social impact—illustrated through a case study. (By Valdis Krebs and June Holley in 2006.)
 * Building the Field of DreamsLessons learned from network weaving initiatives supported by the Barr Foundation. (By Stephanie Lowell in 2006.)
 * The Essence of Weaving A blog post by Bill Traynor about recent insights on building network weaving capacity at Lawrence Community Works. (2010)


 * Proceedings:**
 * **Network Theory Meets Reality**: A conversation with Marty Kearns, an innovator in network centric advocacy, and @Steve Downs about RWJF's work building a mass scale network among those working on childhood obesity [View notes here]
 * **Knitting Together the CoP**: An exploration of a map of our community through the lens of participants’ network areas of interest. This will be an opportunity to take a closer look our respective theories of change. [See map here]
 * **Network weaving**: Learning from @Warren Cook and Maine Network Partners about building network weaving capacity and the importance of building the capacity of insiders. This will tee up a conversation about different models for supporting network weaving and the pros and cons for each. [View highlights here]
 * **Peer Assist**: @Rafael Lopezon developing an intentional network amongst a loosely connected group. How to get started? What's the role of the funder? [View highlights here]
 * **Synthesis** [View highlights here]