Category:Weavers

From Networked Advocacy

1 What's a network "weaver"?
2 Building network weavers: action steps
3 Evaluating network weavers: what to explore and ask
4 Examples of effective network leadership

What's a network "weaver"?

Network weavers are individuals with the energy and ability to connect network members. They bring people together to take advantage of network resources, and make sure communications are working smoothly. Weavers are often individuals who like working with others. They know and remember lots of people, and are excited to make new connections.

Weaver Characteristics

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Building network weavers: action steps

Landscape the network to flesh out greatest needs for 'weaving'. Are there certain groups or individuals that clearly need to be connected, for example?
Identify actors, communities and activities the weaver should 'connect'.
Encourage weavers to get to know network members well. Talk and build relationships with members.
Watch for key moments around which weaver can play essential bridge-building role.
Track metrics to demonstrate weaver success, including number of new ties, how often people ask for help, how comfortable people feel asking for help, etc. This is well done through surveys.
Watch for smaller spin-off communities weaver can foster. Can they recruit point-people for smaller communities within the broader
WHAT ELSE?

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Evaluating network weavers: what to explore and ask

Are there weavers? Are they appointed or self-assigned?

What do weavers do? How do they know what to do?
Do weavers work with the entire community, or subsets of the community?
What culture keeps them in charge?
What are their values?
What skills, behavior and experiences do weavers have?
Do they gather feedback?
Does the weaver need to demonstrate certain characteristics or behaviors? For example, does she need to be a woman? Of a certain political orientation?
Evaluation tools
WHAT ELSE?

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