Diagnosing low group capacity

"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

We at the Hub have identified 4 main root causes of low group capacity.

Culture-related

Culture-related problems that might reduce group capacity, and some approaches to solving them, might include...

Example

"In a group of 'X' people, each person should speak no more than 'X%' of the time."

Consult this resource created by activist Daniel Hunter on how to build a resilient culture in our activist group as well as the one from the Transition Network on the notion of 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. Read more about 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.

Peut-être que la faible capacité n'est pas votre défi principal?

Here are some group culture concerns compiled by the New Economy Organizers Network  :

Dysfonction	Solution
Absence de confiance	- Accord de groupe sur la culture - Développement de pratiques anti-oppressives -Culture des relations
Peur du conflit	- Compréhension de son approche face aux conflits - Outils pour faciliter les discussions d'enjeux
Manque d'engagement	- Établissement une direction stratégique - Assignation de rôles précis - Création d'un système de prise de décision
Absence de responsabilité	- Processus de responsabilisation - Processus de rétroaction
Manque d'attention aux résultats	- Processus d'apprentissage

Strategy-related

Strategy-related 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 !'

References: