NETWORK SECTOR CONVENINGS

WHAT IS COMMUNITY NETWORK BUILDING?

Community Network Building is an approach to growing locally based networks of people to work together to create positive social, economic, and civic momentum. We do this by creating opportunities to foster mutual trust among otherwise disconnected residents so that they can share their aspirations, resources, skills, and actions to build an inclusive and vibrant community. Network Builders work to eliminate barriers to “and fear of” engaging in public life by building an environment that invites new interactions, encourages self-permission to engage, and maximizes the ability to establish new connections that are mutually beneficial. That environment is intentionally built and is guided so people feel safe to take risks, speak their truth and reach across prevalent divides of class, sector, ethnicity, age, race, geography, generation, and dominant traditions. This leads to increased cooperation and, ultimately, coordinated actions by those who would otherwise be disconnected.