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NETWORK BUILDING
IMPACT Silver Spring’s approach to community change is grounded in social network theory, in which people throughout our community are nodes of connectedness. Relationships are the critical links between these nodes. In a community as diverse as Silver Spring, it is important to connect the dots between those who would not naturally have relationships – and to create new environments for coming together.
The IMPACT Network is our container for all the people we meet from all areas of the community and all walks of life. We think of our network as a room:
- We are the property managers of a special space that is welcoming to all, setting simple parameters for those who enter our room about how we relate to and work with one another across differences.
- We offer many doors into our room, since diverse people will have different needs and interests in the community.
- Our room is a marketplace for exchange, facilitating different kinds of interactions that promote information-sharing and interdependence.
- Our room has special nooks and tools for people who want to build certain types of skills together, or for people who want to work together on a community issue.
- Many people hang out on our front porch, waiting for the right moment to come in and take advantage of the connections and opportunities. We want people to come in when they’re ready!
A vibrant room – a vibrant community network – is one that has a true mix of people who care deeply about giving and receiving, who recognize that we all have something to offer and actively seek those offerings with an open mind and heart. A spirit of inquiry permeates our network.
The Value of our Network
- Connections and relationships across diversity: gatherings and programs that facilitate networking, storytelling, and intentional dialogue on identity and on community issues, all within culturally-sensitive and culturally-diverse environments
- Personal and group capacity-building: technical assistance, topical workshops, and intensive training programs to build empowerment, leadership, power-sharing, and action skills
- Action opportunities: issue exploration, support for member-initiated projects, and participation in organization-initiated projects for transformation and equity
The History of the Network
The roots of the IMPACT Network began in 2002, when we established an informal leadership network, Lasting IMPACT, for the graduates of our leadership training programs. This base of individuals has blossomed to include more than 1,500 people. Half are graduates of our programs, and the other half are individuals who believe in our work and carry some piece of the IMPACT story with them into the community. They represent dozens of different culture groups and languages, all colors, and all income levels.
In 2009, we launched a more formal community-wide network. The IMPACT Network is a “loose-affiliation” membership model that is flexible and accessible to all, which realistically reflects our community.
IMPACT regularly looks to the Network to determine what our organization should be doing to support the community. Network members take part in all aspects of our work and many co-own this space along with us.
Read more about the specific ways we’re building the Silver Spring Network!
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