Diagnosing low group capacity: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 13:34, 1 June 2022

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

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 here.

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

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

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." - Climate Justice Toronto Check out the following write-up by Climate Justice Toronto which reflects on their restructuring process. !'

Further resources:

NEON culture toolkit

350: How to get others involved

Gini's approach to culture

350: Ladder of engagement

Momentum Structure Report

Giving and receiving feedback

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

Balance or burnout

Building a resilient culture of resistance

Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha's articles

System Map Template

Theory of Change

References:

↑ mobilisationlab.org
↑ commonslibrary.org/elements-of-campaign-strategy/

[1] sationlab.org

[2] slibrary.org/elements-of-campaign-strategy/

[1]

[2]

@@ Line 72: / Line 72: @@
 ''<span style="">The group to which I belong (@CJM) has undergone a restructuring and a reflection on itself.&nbsp;</span><span style="">For us, it's easier to build internal capacity and motivation by 1) focusing on two areas that&nbsp;</span>'''<span style="">members are actively enthusiastic about working on and b) planning a&nbsp;</span>''''''<span style="">friendlier</span>'''<span style="">&nbsp;social event&nbsp;</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!&nbsp;</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="">&nbsp;!</span>''''<span style=""></span>''
 |}
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-''<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="">"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>''
@@ Line 84: / Line 83: @@
 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="">&nbsp;!</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]&nbsp;
+[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]
 References: