...or hanging on to a spiders web for dear life?
I’ve come to the conclusion that much of my project to-date
has been in regards to trying to network myself. As discussed in earlier posts being an
insider at one time provides me with the background information, but being so
far removed given time and space, I’ve essentially had to begin with one
contact and work my way to three. I have
several supporters amongst individuals I know who were once involved in the organization
but they do not want to join any kind of “web” or group at this time. And they are not keen to provide any other
names…yet.
I have spent some time recently reviewing one of the
SWSP7123 course readings “Complexity and the Well-Connected Community” by A.
Gilchrist. Although, I had read it once
before earlier in the semester, reading this time many passages and or phrases
seemed to finally strike a cord! For
instance, the notion that “networking is a holistic process, involving a
strategic interweaving of knowledge, skills and values….” (Gilchrist 2004, p.
85). I’ve always looked at networking as
a skill and a necessary part of life, but I have never considered the values
aspect of it all. But now can see that
through networking each of us ends up sharing our values, inferring values on
the way we speak to one another, whom we speak to and the importance or value
of the conversation we are having. Our
values and what we see as valuable undermines nearly every action, from initial
eye contact and that first handshake, to a farewell embrace with a close
friend.
A further point of interest for me was reviewing Complexity
Theory, which states that “complexity arises as ‘a result of a rich interaction
of simple elements that only respond to the limited information each of them
are present with’” (Cillars in Gilchrist 2004, p.87). It further touches on the
notion that these complex theories are open, and are affected by wider actions—think
the Butterfly effect. Given the
struggles I’ve been having in making connections with the King County 4-H
organization, perhaps by simply putting myself in these positions where I’m
conversing with individuals (primarily via email) will be enough to push them
to action, rather than simply sitting on their hand waiting for something to
occur. Perhaps, that is all that is
needed—me asking questions!? Maybe that
is the butterfly wing in motion causing ripples. Who knows, but it is a nice way to think
about things after several months of frustration and true uncertainty in
oneself and ones ability to make change.
The idea of being only one person comes to mind, but there are so many
examples of a single person changing the course of history…can I perhaps be
that voice for King County 4-H, can I be that butterfly wing?
Gilchrist, A. (2004)
The well-connected community: a networking approach to community development,
Bristol, UK: The Policy Press, 2004 pp.85-95
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