The network connector: 'Proud to be a free actor'

21 July, 2011 - A very diverse group of representatives from five networks travelled from four continents to Soesterberg to analyse and document their experiences in strengthening their network dynamics during the first week of June. Sandra Hill introduced us to free writing as a way to bring up our personal stories.

In a sincere and humoristic way Sandra inspired us to go against our academic schooling and trust our intuition to write what really mattered to us. She told us to “Let the writing surprise you”. And it did. It turned out to be a very inspiring, exhaustive and productive week that provided us many insights in our own roles in networks.

We harvested a number of personal case stories that will be used for a publication for practitioners in networks, who are interested to know how theory on network dynamics has been applied in practice. The publication should be ready by the end of September.

Free actor
A central topic to our discussions was the Free Actor. In their networks each of the participants has given content to this concept, and all agreed that it has helped them to approach networking in a different way. It gave recognition to what people felt they were doing already. They were free actors before they knew it, or rather, before they had a word that described what they did. These are people with courage with insight in what their network needs and a position accepted by everyone within the network. These are the characteristics of the free actor.

It was very encouraging that the basic concept of the theory of Free Actor Networks turned out to be useful in practice. One participant indicated that after a year of hard work for his network he was “proud to be a free actor”. Others said: “It encouraged me to go beyond borders”, “It gave me energy, it was exiting”, and “It helped to get others out of their comfort zone too”.

At the same time questions were raised on how to follow up the first experiences. There is a need to work more with the networking theory and test the tools that were introduced by Eelke Wielinga. We want to continue building up experience and develop new tool to make networks more vibrant. The participants feel the need to receive further exchange and coaching. The idea is to start a community of practice. Others practitioners are invited to join the community of practice, so we can expand our understanding of networks.

Work your network
Interested in learning to make network more vibrant? For network practitioners PSO also offers a course on networks that starts in September. The learning trajectory covers the essential aspects and challenges of facilitating networks, like the role of the secretariat, how to increase involvement of the members, reflection and M&E in networks. The learning trajectory integrates the recent findings from the action research.

Places for the learning trajectory are still available, so don’t hesitate to inscribe. For more information see the invitation here, or contact Koen Faber via faber@pso.nl, telephone: +31 070 - 3384945.