April+5-6+Convening+Notes

=5-6 April 2011 Convening=

Click here to see a summary of the post-convening NNF suvey
**__ April 5th Agenda __**

**9AM-12:30 Working Sessions**
 * //**Reconnecting the community & setting the agenda**// for our work over the 2 days
 * //**Why we care about networks. **//So what? How do we act in ways that are bigger than ourselves? A conversation about why we care about networks. During this conversation you'll be asked to share your visual that communicates why you care about networks. [see notes here]
 * //**Patterns in network-centric grantmaking.**// Drawing on the case studies of networks and philanthropy, we'll have a conversation about the practice of network-centric grantmaking. [see notes here]

**1:15-5PM Digger Deeper: Small Group Conversations** // During this segment we’d like to go deep on questions you’ve been asking about network-centric grantmaking. Here’s how it will work: //
 * Simultaneous conversations on topics A,B, and C. Participants self-select, and there is a host for each. Then a second round of those same conversations. The person who is hosting the conversation stays at the same table, and others cycle to another table. The host is the thread between the two conversations.
 * Then, a second set of topics. Different simultaneous conversations on topics D,E, and F led by different hosts.

__ Conversation Topics: __

Round A:
 * **//Taking Risks with Networks.// //How and when to catalyze networks? When don't networks work?// **Two stories of how a network approach enhanced the ability to set ambitious goals and what factors influenced success and failure. (relationship between purpose, planning, governance, accountability) These two networks are California based and are working on out of school time. (Stephanie McAuliffe and Arron Jiron from Packard) [see notes here]
 * // **How to build network weaving capacity? What are the different models?** ( // June Holley. Engage Warren Cook and Roberto Cremonini) [see notes here]
 * // **Governance and managing across difference in power and capacity in network participants / members.** ( //Led by Marie Sauter from Gates. Engage Marnie Webb about TechSoup Global's experience with governance across a large, global distributed network) [see notes here]

Round B:
 * //**How to create environments that encourage and celebrate working with a network mindset within foundations and support NGO leaders who want to work with a network mindset?**// (Led by Kathy Reich from Packard and Beth Kanter) [see notes here]
 * **//Learning from our networks//** (Led by Roberto Cremonini) [see notes here]
 * **//How to support networks of individuals and foster citizen engagement?//** Share, discuss, improve recommendations for funders from Knight Foundation report "Connected Citizens." This is content that we'll use for the Funder's Guide (Led by Diana and Jeff Coates) [see notes here]

Inspirational stories of the power of networks. Perspectives from several local leaders facilitated by Beth Kanter, including [|Annie Leonard / Story of Stuff], Marnie Webb/[|TechSoup Global], and [|Deborah Mehan] / Leadership Learning Community. [see notes here]
 * 5:30-8PM Dinner and discussion**

__**April 6th Agenda**__
**9AM-noon Working Sessions**

**//Opening inspiration//**: Story of network weaving from Jordan, Rami Al-Karmi, Shak Raba [see notes here]

**//Overnight thoughts//**. An open conversation about new connections people are making, patterns emerging, insights surfaced, questions coming up. [see notes here]


 * //Open space / Peer Assists//**. This will be an opportunity to dig into the open questions that participants have – issues /challenges / opportunities raised on day one and in your work.This could also be a space for __peer assists__. Here are few of the ideas that have come up so far:
 * 1) Jane: How to source ideas that meet the needs of solutions for vulenable populations?
 * 2) Tom: What's the relationship between NWs and systems (scaling)?
 * 3) Kate: How to use a NW mindset to reach specific outcomes? [see notes here ]
 * 4) Tom: What's collective and what's not?
 * 5) Gayle: How to encourage risk? What's the potential in monitoring and evaluation practices? [see notes here]
 * 6) Rafael / Stephanie: How to learn from and connect to adjacent practices? / Nonprofit needs & perspectives: who + do?

**12:45-3PM Working Sessions**


 * //** Creating shared language and talking about networks and network impact **//. How do you talk about network approaches in ways that will be meaningful to your colleagues? How to translate this stuff for other stakeholders – whether grantees, trustees, etc? We've spoken many times about the need for clear jargon-free language to talk about network work. Let's do some work on that. [|Holly Minch], a creative and experienced communications professional will share tools and approaches for helping us talk about networks. Then we'll experiment with putting it into practice. [see notes here]


 * //**Consolidating our learning.**// What are you taking away? What are your questions / concerns? Ongoing tension to manage in this work? Top tools – what have you tried? What do you love? What do you want to try? Important insights? What recommendations would you offer others beginning to experiment with networks and working with a network mindset? [see notes here]

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