The Essential Guide to Doing Transition. The Essential Guide to Doing Transition. | Page 27

Transition Network resources

Read all our guides for creating Networks and Partnerships here: https://transitionnetwork.org/do-transition/starting-transition/7-essential-ingredients/networks-and-partnerships/ You could also do our Big List activity, which offers a simple way of identifying people and groups in your community who could help you to deliver Transition you read more here: https://transitionnetwork.org/resources/big-list-activity/

One option is to build a network of groups that support each other locally, another is to work in partnership with groups on shared projects. Transition is about the art of finding, and building, common ground, and this is particularly true in this context.

“One thing we have is the ‘Power to Convene’. Somebody comes and has

a great idea, such as 'I really want to start a bicycle taxi business', and

young people who are graduates of a local bike mechanic programme

say 'we know how to take care of bikes, we’d like to start a business'.

So we pulled together a community event, and got 70 people there who

were interested, and we got a whole bunch of new stakeholders and

allies, and now they have a working group and are working on setting up

that business. I think we just keep doing that in every area where there

is both a problem and people who want to do something about it.

We can get a crowd together, help identify resources and spark them”.

- Chuck Collins: Jamaica Plain New Economy Transition, Boston, US.

5 ways you can work in partnership

1. Sharing information: share information with your network about other things

happening locally, and invite them to do the same with your events. This helps

avoid clashes in terms of events, and opens up new possibilities for collaboration,

and avoids any sense that you are trying to “take over”. [Commitment level: low]

2. Asking good questions: this is a great way to build support and relationships, and shows you are open to the views of others. [Commitment level: low]

3. Deciding together: find effective ways to maximise meaningful engagement in decision-making around key projects from local stakeholders. [Commitment level: medium]

4. Harnessing ‘the Power to Convene’: inviting your supporters to invest time, money or energy in local projects, A Local Entrepreneur Forum is a great example of this. [Commitment level: medium]

5. Delivering projects together: this kind of partnership working can be great, and can generate some great creative challenges. Our guide to ‘How to create partnerships’ has lots of advice on this. [Commitment level: high]

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