Proposals drafted by David Wilcox for extending the Hub for London to become a networked system. Pdf download. Based on this material from the secretariat to the Advisory Group for the Hub.
Key issue we can't just rely on a hub, or existing networks - we need to network ourselves
Sources
These proposals are based on an analysis of the Summary of recommendations on the Hub, prepared by secretariat to the Advisory Group for the Hub. The recommendation include reference to proposals from Our Way Ahead and Connecting Londoners, and these are included, together with some additional quotes from Steve Wyler's report which also featured extensively.
I hope that this summary and proposals may be the basis for collaboration between The Way Ahead, Our Way Ahead, and Connecting Londoners. See Next steps.
From this analysis, in order to build the Hub and associated systems, some innovative elements will be needed. While these are common practice in private and some public sector agencies, they are not currently well deployed in the community and voluntary sectors.
For starters:
These elements are just for starters, based on work by Connecting Londoners and Our Way Ahead. Other requirements will emerge, and could be satisfied if we have a Community of Practice established before the Hub staff are in place, and before comms and other systems decided.
The CoP would extend the expertise already available through the advisory group, in particular on mapping, network building, data, digital comms and self-organising.
Detailed proposals on the CoP are available here, and have already been circulated to the advisory group.
The model adopted for the Hub/system will determine branding and messaging about development. Steve Wyler was clear this should attach to the system, not just the Hub organisation.
The model adopted will also determined appropriate roles, skills and culture for the Hub as a convening, enabling and network building organisation.
We have started work on a prototype for the sort of networked comms that the Hub might need to complement its static website, and to connect with wider networked comms in the system. This consists of:
We can develop and demonstrate these further once we have discussed ways forward with the Hub advisory group.
So far Our Way Ahead has acted in part as a critical friend to The Way Ahead, making the case for a bottom-across, coproduction approach that recognises the importance of community-based expertise and networks. This is in accordance with the original pragamatic coproduction proposals in The Way Ahead report, and is clearly reflected in the recommendations now summarised by the advisory group secretariat.
Connecting Londoners, with OWA, has explored over the past year the potential for introducing networked thinking, digital technology and new forms of organising to development of the Hub and networked system.
Most of work our so far has been self-funded, and we need to make decisions on how to proceed.
Our preference is now to join forces with The Way Ahead team, and the Hub advisory group, in developing the Community of Practice, initial mapping and pilot communication systems. Details of how to do that would, of course, be subject to discussion.
We would develop funding proposals to support that work, and seek endorsement from the Hub advisory group.
Alternatively we can develop proposals independently, and continue to make the case for the approach that we outline here.
** These proposals are drafted on behalf of Connecting Londoners and Our Way Ahead, and subject to further comments from members of those networks. They reflect earlier proposals, agreed by OWA, on the Community of Practice.