Networking Fellows - why are we here?

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Comment by David Wilcox on May 12, 2010 at 17:16

Hi Paul - I heard in the Digital Engagement group discussions that you have been exploring some sort of alternative/complementary currency ideas to promote networking. Love to hear more. Maybe it could help put some added motivation into the mentoring ideas?

Comment by Peter Wrigglesworth on April 1, 2010 at 10:34

I am a new Fellow and find it amazing that there is not a searchable database of Fellows to enable individuals to identify like minded individuals who might cluster around a common interest or project. I have talked to David Wilcox and like the idea of Amplified Fellows to raise awareness and faciliate networking. Social media tools like this NIng are a good way to encourage dialogue but face-to-face contact is also essential. A mentoring scheme would certainly help new Fellows like me understand how to become engaged and involved with the RSA.

Comment by David Wilcox on March 28, 2010 at 10:44

Not sure what the alert system is on this group - so please excuse me for mentioning that I've just added a comment to Paul's discussion on Mentoring New Fellows suggesting that now is a great time to get started. Matthew's blogging about 21st century enlightenment as the route for RSA is just one reason - great ideas, how do we help people understand what it means for us in practice?

Comment by David Wilcox on February 20, 2010 at 15:06

Paul has blogged about the idea of Amplified Fellows and I've added a rather long and enthusiastic comment. Thanks Paul.

Comment by Paul Buchanan on February 19, 2010 at 17:07

David - wow! I really like that! Amplified Fellows, what a great concept.

How do you propose to work this up and disseminate it for wider discussion?

I am hoping that the FC, and these Groups, can create an environment that can empower those Fellows who do want to be 'amplified' as individuals and point them in the directions that support and provide assistance, comradeship and infrastructure support for ACTION. action based project work

Comment by David Wilcox on February 19, 2010 at 16:56

Paul - thanks for the encouragement. It feels both here and elsewhere as if Council members are starting to play a really valuable role in light-touch convening and support. Much appreciated.
I hope we can shape up some different strands for exploration, meanwhile I think Andy's point about "enhancing human capability to solve their own problems" is the clue to resolving the dilemma you pose of engaged - not engaged Fellows. Rather than "how do we build the networks" the question could be "how do we support Fellows in developing the capacity to network as they wish, using a mix of methods ... providing least-necessary structures for that".
I'm doing some work with the Amplified Leicester project at the moment, and I'm very taken with their idea of the Amplified Individual. How about Amplified Fellows?

Comment by Paul Buchanan on February 19, 2010 at 13:48

Comment for Andy - how do you see the Fellowship developing the 'open source' tyoe approach to networking?

More importantly, how do we balance the desire of a relatively small group of Fellows who have a desire to be very active and involved with the apparent wishes of the majority of the Fellowship to not do very much?

Is it a lead by example approach - get on with it and attract others through action? How do we respect the desires of Fellows who do not want to connect, get involved or share their information?

Comment by Paul Buchanan on February 19, 2010 at 13:45

Jemima - spot on! This is indeed that group, and I would be delighted for you, David and any other Fellows to use this forum to create meetings, establish ideas and test them, post thoughts and suggestions as well as use this as a mechanism for us to feedback into the FC

Comment by David Wilcox on February 18, 2010 at 22:06

Thanks Jemima in picking up on Linkedin conversation, where I posted:
"So would the Council welcome volunteer help from Fellows in an exploration of "how can Fellows connect?" This could look at, and report on:
* what official plans there are for new networking systems
* what can be done to improve and join up the many Ning sites
* how we can better use Linkedin, Twitter, and any other systems
I would be glad to help convene a group, and get started. I think it chimes in well with this discussion
This followed a comment from Paul that "the most asked question when Fellows get together to discuss the RSA is "how can we be allowed to make contact with each other". "
So - I think many people join in the hope of meeting others, and we should work with staff on how to assist. Great if you will lead a group - glad to help.

Comment by Jemima Gibbons on February 18, 2010 at 16:20

Hi Paul - and all,

Is this the group that is meant to look at "Fellowship - supporting, connecting, mapping, developing specialists networks, new events etc"

If so, I'm cross-posting the comment I just added to the LinkedIn discussion: "How do you make the most of the fellowship council and what do you think it should be doing?" started by Paul a few weeks back:
--

Thanks Paul for directing people to the Ning discussion and thanks David for your very kind offer of convening a group looking at networking - sounds like a great idea!

One of the working groups that we on the Fellowship Council have agreed to establish is dedicated to looking at: "Fellowship - supporting, connecting, mapping, developing specialists networks, new events etc".

Could the very important activities you mention, David, be addressed by this group? (to be honest, I'm not very clear about it's function otherwise, but maybe Paul has a firmer idea?) - if so, it should start addressing them...!! I think I signed up to this group so should take responsibility as much as anyone else. Maybe a lunch at LEON is needed?

Re which social networks we should be using, I've been reviewing activity across all of them for the RSA FC newsletter and Ning and LinkedIn certainly seem the most lively and well-used - the Facebook groups are really pretty dead in comparison.

In my view, the combination of Ning, LinkedIn and Twitter (for micro-updates) seems to be working well, especially with people like Paul and David (Wilcox) working hard on cross-posting!

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