Between January and August 2012, we will define the process and resources needed to answer the questions about how to offer the infrastructure and systems that allow the Nourishing Network model to thrive and replicate. We will also explore what “support” looks like to these organically evolving entities that will prevent this movement from reverting to a model of fragmented projects that do not continue to benefit from the resources and knowledge of a networked approach.
The following questions have been identified as key priorities of Phase I:
- Technology: how can technology support the network weaving and relationship building efforts at the local and regional levels?
- Evaluation and Measurement: how can local networks share their success and lessons learned with each other and how might “impact” be measured at a regional level?
- Learning Communities: How do we share and document lessons learned inorder to increase the impact of our joint efforts and to reinforce the value of each networks’ experience?
- Branding: how can branding support the cohesion and continuity of the experience of being a part of Nourishing Networks?
- Funding: how do we build the resources necessary to support the ongoing needs of local NNs and the planning and implementation of key network systems in 2012/2013?
To help with this work, we have begun to recruit teams of “architects” – those who have an interest and/or professional or technical experience in each of the key areas. Answering the questions and documenting the results will be the work of the Pilot Phase II, which will begin in early September, 2012.