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."
We at the Hub have identified 4 main root causes of low group capacity.
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Culture-related [1] 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.
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.
Maybe there are other challenges underlying low capacity?
« En supposant que nous fassions ce genre de travail de base [démocratique et lent, avec des efforts pour se connecter de manière significative avec tous les membres et intégrer leurs pensées et perspectives], le mouvement que nous construisons a son propre esprit irrésistible qui peut survivre quand une personne a besoin de prendre du recul et de se reposer. »
Témoignages de la communauté
| Caitlin Chan
(Climate Justice Montreal) |
Le groupe auquel j'appartiens (@CJM) a fait l'objet d'une restructuration et d'une réflexion sur lui-même. Pour nous, il est plus facile de gagner en capacité interne et en motivation en 1) se concentrant sur deux axes sur lesquels les membres sont activement enthousiastes à l'idée de travailler et b) en planifiant un événement social plus convivial pour apprendre à se connaître à un niveau plus personnel afin de pouvoir créer sur mesure une structure de groupe plus large qui puisse résister aux baisses de capacité. Je pense que l'accent mis sur la connexion sociale comme moyen de renforcer la capacité et l'énergie internes est essentiel pour nous ! Je pense que la logique pour nous est que si nous nous épanouissons au sein du collectif, plus de gens voudront se mobiliser à travers notre énergie et nos actions ! |