Diagnosing low group capacity: Difference between revisions
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">The following resource was compiled using existing organizer databases and resources by movement thinkers on group capacity, and using thoughts from grassroots organizers within the hub's community of practice. This guide was developed in response to a request from a grassroots group asking for support on addressing low capacity. In particular, the group was struggling with keeping current members engaged.</span> | |||
[[image:Diagnosis Low capacity (wiki banner) (1).png|1125px|border]] | [[image:Diagnosis Low capacity (wiki banner) (1).png|1125px|border]] | ||
We at the Hub have identified 3 main root causes of low group capacity: 1. Culture-related, 2. strategy-related and 3. structure-related. | |||
== <span style="font-size: 18pt;">Culture-related</span> == | |||
[[File:552.png|1125px|border]] | |||
''<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Culture-related <ref> mobilisationlab.org</ref> problems that might reduce group capacity, and some approaches to solving them, might include...</span>'' | |||
[[File:3.png|1125px|border]] | |||
[[File:4t.png|1125px|border]]<p>''<span style="font-size: 10pt;">In a group of 'X' people, each person should speak no more than 'X%' of the time.</span>''</p> | |||
[[File:5.png|1125px|border]] | |||
''See this resource created by activist [https://commonslibrary.org/how-to-build-a-resilient-culture-of-resistance-in-hard-times/ Daniel Hunter] on how to build a resilient culture in our activist groups, or this one from [https://transitionnetwork.org/news/editorial-sophy-banks-on-balance-or-burnout/ Transition Network] on balance vs exhaustion.'' | |||
[[File:6.png|1125px|border]] | |||
<span style=" ">[[File:7.png|1125px|border]]</span><p>''<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span>A '''care web '''is a system in which people support each other through reciprocity. </span><span>They differ from charitable care models in which people with disabilities only receive passive care. </span><span>Webs are best monitored by the needs and wants of team members to ensure that their needs are adequately addressed. Check out </span></span>''[https://brownstargirl.org/care-webs-experiments-in-collective-care/ Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha's articles on care webs]''<span style="font-size: 10pt;"> .</span>''</p> | |||
[[File:8.png|1125px|border]]<p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">''<span>What are the reasons why the members initially got involved?</span>''</span></p> | |||
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">''<span>What were they looking for in this group?</span>''</span></p> | |||
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span>Compare your answers to the mission statement, vision, values, etc. </span><span>of your group.</span></span></p> | |||
<span style="">[[File:9.png|1125px|border]]</span> | |||
<span style=""></span> | |||
'' | |||
<span>For more on culture-related concerns, see this resource by the [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1J029Essmq9apE7C8qIf-vA7EDWA7mJ1S/view New Economy Organizers network].</span>'' | |||
== <span style="font-size: 18pt;">Strategy-related</span> == | |||
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'' | |||
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">[[Strategy]]-related <ref> commonslibrary.org/elements-of-campaign-strategy/</ref> <sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference"></sup>problems that might reduce group capacity, and some approaches to solving them, might include...</span>'' | |||
[[File:11.png|1125px|border]] | |||
[[File:12.png|1125px|border]] | |||
'' | |||
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">See </span>''[https://commonslibrary.org/elements-of-campaign-strategy/ elements of group strategy]''<span style="font-size: 10pt;">, </span>''[https://commonslibrary.org/system-map-template/ systems mapping]''<span style="font-size: 10pt;"> and </span>''[https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1YIBlngntMqeQAbRHJC8SuVbwFGBmTQKh theory of change]''<span style="font-size: 10pt;"> for more.</span>'' | |||
== <span style="font-size: 18pt;">Structure-related</span> == | |||
''<span style="font-size: 14pt;">[[File:13.png|1125px|border]]</span>'' | |||
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">''<span>[[Structure]]-related factors that might reduce group capacity, and some approaches to solving them, might include...</span>''</span> | |||
''<span style="font-size: 14pt;">[[File:14.png|1125px|border]]</span>'' | |||
''<span style="font-size: 14pt;">[[File:15.png|1125px|border]]</span>'' | |||
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">''<span>See the [https://trainings.350.org/resource/increase-your-volunteers-involvement/ ladder of engagement ] for more.</span>''</span> | |||
''<span style="font-size: 14pt;">[[File:16.png|1125px|border]]</span>'' | |||
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">''<span>A Buddy system applies older members as mentors to help newer members understand the movement. Read more about buddy systems in our [https://en.wiki.lehub.ca/index.php/Navigating_Turnover_in_Student_Groups navigating turnover wiki page]. Read more about the [https://drive.google.com/file/d/10gxDNtlCGVRXv4DYIfAKLjxoxuxV8AIe/view bottleneck effect] from momentum here.</span>''</span> | |||
''<span style="font-size: 14pt;">[[File:17.png|1125px|border]]</span>'' | |||
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">''<span>Read more about [https://trainings.350.org/resource/how-to-get-others-involved/ delegating tasks] here.</span>''</span> | |||
== Hub Community Responses == | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 195px;" | |||
|- style="height: 195px;" | |||
| style="width: 22.4903%; height: 195px; background-color: rgb(187, 145, 183);" | Caitlin Chan | |||
(Climate Justice Montreal) <br> | |||
<br> | |||
| style="width: 77.5097%; height: 195px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" | | |||
''<span style="">The group to which I belong (@CJM) has undergone a restructuring and a reflection on itself. </span><span style="">For us, it's easier to build internal capacity and motivation by 1) focusing on two areas that </span>'''<span style="">members are actively enthusiastic about working on and b) planning a </span>''''''<span style="">friendlier</span>'''<span style=""> social event </span><span style="">to learn how to knowing on a more personal level so that you can tailor a larger group structure that can withstand drops in capacity. </span><span style="">I think the focus on social connection as a way to build internal capacity and energy is key for us! </span><span style="">I think the logic for us is that </span>'''<span style="">if we flourish within the collective, more people will want to mobilize through our energy and our actions</span>'''<span style=""> !</span>''''<span style=""></span>'' | |||
|} | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 195px;" | |||
|- style="height: 195px;" | |||
| style="width: 22.4903%; height: 195px; background-color: rgb(187, 145, 183);" | Climate Justice Toronto <br> | |||
<br> | |||
| style="width: 77.5097%; height: 195px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" | | |||
''<span style="">"Assuming we do this kind of grassroots work [democratic and slow, with efforts to meaningfully connect with all members and integrate their thoughts and perspectives], the movement we are building has its own compelling spirit that can surviving when a person needs to step back and rest." </span>'' | |||
''<span style="font-size: 14pt;">- </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">[https://climatejusticeto.com/2021/10/18/building-a-better-future-from-the-inside-out-cjtos-restructuring-process/ Climate Justice Toronto]</span>'' | |||
Check out the following write-up by Climate Justice Toronto which [https://climatejusticeto.com/2021/10/18/building-a-better-future-from-the-inside-out-cjtos-restructuring-process/ reflects on their restructuring process.]''<span style=""> !</span>''''<span style=""></span>'' | |||
|} | |||
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">'''Further resources:'''</span> | |||
[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1J029Essmq9apE7C8qIf-vA7EDWA7mJ1S/view NEON culture toolkit] | |||
[https://trainings.350.org/resource/how-to-get-others-involved/ 350: How to get others involved] | |||
[https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B44XthBdMmN6bGlfdk8zejdSZUU/view?resourcekey=0-8wiUDAzNKJFFsxdErHp7tA Gini's approach to culture] | |||
[https://trainings.350.org/resource/increase-your-volunteers-involvement/ 350: Ladder of engagement] | |||
[https://drive.google.com/file/d/10gxDNtlCGVRXv4DYIfAKLjxoxuxV8AIe/view Momentum Structure Report] | |||
[https://commonslibrary.org/giving-and-receiving-feedback-2/ Giving and receiving feedback] | |||
[https://climatejusticeto.com/2021/10/18/building-a-better-future-from-the-inside-out-cjtos-restructuring-process/ CJTO's reflections on restructuring] | |||
[https://commonslibrary.org/creating-a-team-culture/ Mobilisation Lab on team culture] | |||
[https://commonslibrary.org/elements-of-campaign-strategy/ Change Agency: Elements of campaign strategy] | |||
[https://commonslibrary.org/power-dynamics-and-inclusion-in-virtual-meetings/ Power dynamics in virtual meetings] | |||
[https://commonslibrary.org/relationships-are-the-glue-of-organising/ Relationships: the glue of organizing] | |||
[https://transitionnetwork.org/news/editorial-sophy-banks-on-balance-or-burnout/ Balance or burnout] | |||
[https://commonslibrary.org/how-to-build-a-resilient-culture-of-resistance-in-hard-times/ Building a resilient culture of resistance] | |||
[https://brownstargirl.org/category/recent-articles-media/ Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha's articles] | |||
[https://commonslibrary.org/system-map-template/ System Map Template] | |||
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/18590bIb-Xuf4PHmXOv_vw3MmYjIgoYp_/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107892748027579981492&rtpof=true&sd=true Theory of Change] | |||
If you have any suggested revisions or additional resources to share related to the above content, please email them to kenzie@lehub.ca. | |||
<br></p> | |||
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<div style="text-align:center;">This work is licensed under a [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License]. </div> | |||
'''[https://en.wiki.lehub.ca/index.php/Militant_Wiki Back to Homepage]''' | |||
Latest revision as of 22:21, 8 December 2022
The following resource was compiled using existing organizer databases and resources by movement thinkers on group capacity, and using thoughts from grassroots organizers within the hub's community of practice. This guide was developed in response to a request from a grassroots group asking for support on addressing low capacity. In particular, the group was struggling with keeping current members engaged.
_(1).png)
We at the Hub have identified 3 main root causes of low group capacity: 1. Culture-related, 2. strategy-related and 3. structure-related.
Culture-related [1] problems that might reduce group capacity, and some approaches to solving them, might include...
In a group of 'X' people, each person should speak no more than 'X%' of the time.
See this resource created by activist Daniel Hunter on how to build a resilient culture in our activist groups, or this one from Transition Network on balance vs exhaustion.
A care web is a system in which people support each other through reciprocity. They differ from charitable care models in which people with disabilities only receive passive care. Webs are best monitored by the needs and wants of team members to ensure that their needs are adequately addressed. Check out Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha's articles on care webs .
What are the reasons why the members initially got involved?
What were they looking for in this group?
Compare your answers to the mission statement, vision, values, etc. of your group.
For more on culture-related concerns, see this resource by the New Economy Organizers network.
Strategy-related [2] problems that might reduce group capacity, and some approaches to solving them, might include...
See elements of group strategy, systems mapping and theory of change for more.
Structure-related factors that might reduce group capacity, and some approaches to solving them, might include...
See the ladder of engagement for more.
A Buddy system applies older members as mentors to help newer members understand the movement. Read more about buddy systems in our navigating turnover wiki page. Read more about the bottleneck effect from momentum here.
Read more about delegating tasks here.
Hub Community Responses
| Caitlin Chan
(Climate Justice Montreal) |
The group to which I belong (@CJM) has undergone a restructuring and a reflection on itself. For us, it's easier to build internal capacity and motivation by 1) focusing on two areas that members are actively enthusiastic about working on and b) planning a 'friendlier social event to learn how to knowing on a more personal level so that you can tailor a larger group structure that can withstand drops in capacity. I think the focus on social connection as a way to build internal capacity and energy is key for us! I think the logic for us is that if we flourish within the collective, more people will want to mobilize through our energy and our actions !' |
| Climate Justice Toronto
|
"Assuming we do this kind of grassroots work [democratic and slow, with efforts to meaningfully connect with all members and integrate their thoughts and perspectives], the movement we are building has its own compelling spirit that can surviving when a person needs to step back and rest." Check out the following write-up by Climate Justice Toronto which reflects on their restructuring process. !' |
Further resources:
350: How to get others involved
CJTO's reflections on restructuring
Mobilisation Lab on team culture
Change Agency: Elements of campaign strategy
Power dynamics in virtual meetings
Relationships: the glue of organizing
Building a resilient culture of resistance
Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha's articles
If you have any suggested revisions or additional resources to share related to the above content, please email them to kenzie@lehub.ca.
