In spite of current ads and slogans, the world doesn’t change one person at a time. It changes as networks of relationships form among people who share a common cause and vision of what’s possible. We don’t need to convince large numbers of people to change; instead, we need to connect with kindred spirits.
This is why networks are so important. But networks aren’t the whole story. They need to evolve into intentional working relationships where new knowledge, practices, courage, and commitment can develop, such as happens in Communities of Practice. From these relationships, emergence becomes possible. Emergence is the process by which all large-scale change happens on this planet. Separate, local efforts connect and strengthen their interactions and interdependencies. What emerges as these become stronger is a system of influence, a powerful cultural shift that then greatly influences behaviors and defines accepted practices. FROM: How Large-Scale Change Really Happens – Working With Emergence, by Margaret Wheatley Ed.D. and Deborah Frieze, 2006.
The Engage Network began hosting, sponsoring and organizing “Communities of Practice” in 2011. Our goal is to foster shared learning, build synergy and relationship among participants who share a common field of work, practice and inquiry. In 2011, we convened a group of leaders of distributive networks for a year-long exploration of strategies, innovations and practices in network engagement organizing. In 2012-2013, we will bring together new Communities of Practice as a strategy to foster large-scale change via the process of emergence.
Want to read more about the network engagement organizing tools and ideas, including writing from the 2011 Community of Practice? Check out our RT Blog for our favorite cross postings that are inspiring, challenging and influencing us right now. Learn more about the 2011 Community of Practice members.