Collective Mind Academy

Self-directed learning gives you the power to decide what, when, where, and how you want to learn. Our modules are designed to support you in a flexible way by providing the tools for you to learn on your own time, in your own way, and on the topics most relevant for you right now. You can choose from the range of key network and network management topics in Collective Mind’s library of training materials to build your knowledge and analyze your own practice – or review them all for a comprehensive approach. Available topics include: 

• Shared purpose: Shared purpose is the visionary goal around which strategies are defined, people are mobilized, and activities are established and harmonized. This module explores how to set the scope of a network’s shared purpose, how it influences your membership, how to translate it into strategies, and more.

• Membership: Along with shared purpose, membership is a foundational capacity of networks. This module explores the multiple components of your membership model including who your members are, the nature and size of your network’s membership, and criteria for membership as well as how to think about engagement, inclusion, and equity. 

• Network infrastructure: Network infrastructure is the structural design and components of a network, including externally visible structures and processes, that support collective action by members. This module explores how to structure your network to ensure key functions and roles including governance, management, and production of outputs and outcomes towards your network’s shared purpose.

• Network culture: Network culture is the network’s operating philosophy including the shared values, norms, attitudes, and practices of both individuals and groups. While often intangible, the network’s culture maintains the shared purpose and ensures ongoing collaboration. This module explores how to manage the range of dynamics that arise in a network (conflict, accountability, etc.) and how to foster effective collaboration.

• Network mindset: A network mindset recognizes, understands, and responds to the complexity of a network as well as appreciates the differences between a network and a traditional organization. A network mindset understands that we work through a network because the goal or challenge that we seek to address requires a complex set of stakeholders acting together. This module explores how to foster a network mindset within and across your network and how to embody it yourself.

• Facilitation: Facilitation is the act of engaging participants in a process to understand their objectives, plan how to achieve those objectives, and work together to do so. This module elaborates the role of facilitation in network management, defines different levels and approaches to facilitation within a network (strategic and tactical), and provides methods and techniques for facilitation. 

• Coordination: Coordination is the act of helping all those involved in a plan or activity work together in an organized fashion, harmonizing and aligning actions to synchronize efforts towards a common goal. This module elaborates the role of coordination in network management and defines approaches to coordination to further collective action within your network. 

Each topic is its own module that includes a) a background reading, b) a worksheet to analyze your network and your network practice, and c) a reference list of additional readings. The materials elaborate on evidence-based approaches to that topic that are grounded in extensive research and practice.