How can we network more effectively?

Hi Jared,

I think the idea of Transition is to show groups and individuals (of any interest or background) how Transition applies to them (ie they eat food, use cars/public transport, care about their community, have new skills they could learn or offer). Not just to network with green groups because they are the low hanging fruit that is easy to get to.

Speaking from past experience, you don't want to just focus on green groups because then you'll be preaching to the converted and people outside the group might feel like they can't join once you're known in the wider community - for many reasons such as 'i don't know much about green issues' or 'they all know each other' or 'i don't have any skills to offer'. You need to show them that your group is open to everyone (so make sure you have enough money in the kitty so people don't have to pay expenses themselves and other simple things like that!) and also that this is a journey you're all on together.

It is also useful to get your local council on board as they can help you get funding and their support might get your organisation more respect from other members of the community.

Regards

Tiff

Jared asked:  " if anyone had any suggestions on how to find concerned citizens and how to most effectively bring them to the initial movements "

I have no experience of attempting to coordinate this type of finding and engaging people. But I do have experience of being found and coordinated.  A fellow in my street (large town) literally knocked on eveyone's doors, talked to us about the plan a few of them had pulled together and asked if we were interested, took our contact details and arranged information meetings with opportunities to take-on responsibilities and participating. I don't know if it was a transition project - effectively bulk-purchasing solar panel and PV tile installation.  They found a reliable supplier, negotated discounts based on the numkber of homes involved.  this incentivised everyone participating to find more people to participate - to bring their own consts down. It worked so well that the project has been repeated annually,  with individuals who had their homes converted talking to people thinking at doing it...

Based on this model I'd advocate getting two or 3 committed people to kick of a project and then going door to door of a weekend meeting your nieghbours and telling them - to find and inspire interest...

I hope tha thelps Jared - good luck!

I think a very useful connection could be made between the transition network and the zeitgeist movement, since both organisations are basically advocating the same kind of changes in society. The Zeitgeist movement has chapters in many countries, so linking up with them might expand the transition network significantly. I  am a member of the zeitgeist movement myself, and when I read what the transition network is all about, it kind of surprised me that there is no coöperation between the two.

Keep up the good work, and if you're ever bored, watch the movies by Peter Joseph 'Addendum' and 'Moving forward'. I promise you'll like it