Community Collaboration Catalyst: A 6-Month Networking Program Guide

1. Program Introduction & Benefits

This program is a structured, community-centered initiative designed to measurably increase collaborative projects among members. It blends proven network-building frameworks with hands-on collaborative practice, moving members from connection to co-creation. The core methodology integrates Social Network Analysis (SNA) for strategic relationship mapping, participatory design principles for member ownership, and the 70-20-10 model to prioritize learning through real project work.

Strategic Benefits for Community Members:

1. Enhanced Network Capital: Members gain visibility into the community's hidden connectors and collaboration opportunities, moving beyond silos to form strategic, value-driven partnerships.
2. Increased Project Velocity: By applying lean collaboration and peer-coaching frameworks, members reduce the friction of starting joint initiatives, turning ideas into actionable pilots more efficiently.
3. Development of Collaborative Leadership: Participants build practical skills in trust-building, inclusive facilitation, and cross-functional project management, increasing their capacity to lead and contribute to community efforts.
4. Amplified Collective Impact: The program structures a pathway for individual interests to coalesce into defined projects with clear outcomes, thereby increasing the tangible output and value of the community as a whole.
5. Sustainable Collaboration Infrastructure: The program establishes repeatable processes, peer-support norms, and measurement tools that enable collaboration to thrive well beyond the initial 6-month period.

2. Program Expansion Strategy

Analysis: The primary goal is a 30% increase in collaboration projects. While not exclusively a Mentorship or Coaching program, the success of collaborative projects hinges on strong interpersonal dynamics, trust, and effective peer-to-peer support. A supplemental Peer Coaching layer would significantly enhance outcomes by providing a structured mechanism for project teams to overcome barriers, iterate quickly, and sustain momentum.

Value Addition & Implementation: Integrating a peer coaching framework directly addresses the common challenges of stalled projects and limited execution capacity. Using models like GROW (Goal, Reality, Options, Will) or Troika Consulting in structured "project clinics" gives teams a dedicated space for problem-solving and accountability. This transforms peer interactions from casual advice to focused, action-oriented support, directly contributing to the completion of more collaboration projects.

• Implementation Note: Designate monthly "Collaboration Clinics" as a core program activity. Train all participants in basic peer-coaching techniques (e.g., active listening, powerful questioning) during Module 2. Use breakout rooms or small groups during clinics where project teams take turns presenting challenges and receiving structured coaching from other members.

3. Implementation Roadmap

Launch Phase (Pre-Month 1)

• $render`✓` Define & Assemble Core Team: Assign roles for Program Lead, Community Facilitator, and Data Coordinator.
• $render`✓` Conduct Baseline Social Network Analysis (SNA): Distribute a simple survey to map existing relationships and identify past collaborations.
• $render`✓` Finalize Program Logic Model: Map inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes, explicitly linking activities to the 30% project increase goal.
• $render`✓` Open Participant Applications/Registrations: Communicate clear benefits, expectations, and time commitment.
• $render`✓` Onboard Participants: Host a kick-off session to build excitement, set community norms, and have members create skills/interests profiles.

Tracking & Operations (Months 1-6)

• Rhythm of Engagement: Operate on a bi-weekly cycle: Week 1 (Full Cohort Learning/Networking Event), Week 2 (Project Team Work & Peer Coaching Clinics), Week 3 (Themed Interest Cluster Meetings), Week 4 (Project Team Work).
• Central Hub: Maintain a single source of truth (e.g., a dedicated space in an Internal Social Network) for all program materials, project charters, meeting notes, and participant profiles.
• Facilitation & Support: The Community Facilitator hosts core events using Liberating Structures (e.g., 1-2-4-All, World Café). The Program Lead conducts monthly check-ins with project teams.
• Progress Visualization: Publicly share progress on a program dashboard tracking the number of active projects, participation rates, and milestone completion.

Success Measurement

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• Primary KPI: Number of active, member-defined collaboration projects (Baseline: Count from pre-program SNA. Target: ≥30% increase).
• Network Health: Percentage of members with at least one new strong collaboration tie (post-program SNA).
• Participation: >80% attendance at core events; >70% of members actively contributing to a project team.
• Project Output: Number of prototypes, events, or services launched by project teams during the program.

Feedback Mechanisms:

• Pulse Surveys: Deploy brief surveys after major events to gauge trust, psychological safety, and perceived value.
• Story Collection: Conduct structured storytelling sessions or brief interviews at mid-point and finale to capture qualitative outcomes and lessons learned.
• Final Assessment: Re-run the SNA survey and a final participant survey measuring growth in collaboration confidence and access to partners.

4. Approved Tools List

• Internal Social Network: This is the primary and most critical tool. It will serve as the community hub for member profiles, interest-based groups, project team collaboration, asynchronous discussions, and sharing updates. It directly enables the networking and peer-discovery core to the program's goal.
• LMS (Learning Management System): Used to host and sequence core training content (e.g., video tutorials on logic models, guides on peer coaching, facilitation technique playbooks). This provides structured, on-demand access to the "10%" of formal learning in the 70-20-10 model.
• Personality Test: An optional tool that can be used during Module 2 to help members understand communication and working style differences within their project teams, fostering better interpersonal understanding and reducing conflict.

Justification: An Internal Social Network is non-negotiable for a community networking program, as it replicates and extends the program's connective tissue digitally. An LMS efficiently delivers the necessary foundational knowledge. Personality Tests are a supportive, optional tool for deepening team dynamics. Mentorship, Coaching, ERG, or Onboarding software are less relevant to the core goal of fostering broad, peer-driven project collaboration.

5. Resource & Content Library

General Program Content

1. Guide: "Building Your Collaboration Profile: A Template."
2. Article/Video: "Introduction to Social Network Analysis: Seeing Your Community's Hidden Connections."
3. Facilitator Guide: "How to Run a World Café Session for Opportunity Discovery."
4. Template: "Simple Logic Model Canvas for Collaborative Projects."
5. Playbook: "Liberating Structures Cheat Sheet: 1-2-4-All, Troika Consulting, & Appreciative Interviews."
6. Guide: "Planning a Minimum Viable Collaboration (MVC): A 90-Day Action Plan Template."
7. Worksheet: "GROW Model Worksheet for Peer Coaching Sessions."
8. Video Series: "From Idea to Pilot: Applying Lean Startup Principles in Community Projects."

Supplemental Mentoring Content Table

To support the peer-coaching layer and enhance collaborative soft skills.

Skill Area	Resource Title	Format	Purpose
Active Listening	"The Three Levels of Listening (Otto Scharmer)"	Short Video	Helps coaches move beyond basic listening to empathetic and generative listening.
Giving Feedback	"The SBI Feedback Model: Situation-Behavior-Impact"	Guide & Worksheet	Provides a clear, non-judgmental structure for giving constructive feedback within project teams.
Powerful Questioning	"Crafting Open-Ended Questions"	Quick Reference Card	Equips members to ask questions that unlock new perspectives and solutions during coaching clinics.
Goal Setting	"Setting SMART Goals for Collaborative Projects"	Template	Supports project teams in defining clear, measurable initial goals for their collaborations.
Navigating Conflict	"Interest-Based Relational (IBR) Approach for Teams"	Article	Offers a simple framework for resolving disagreements by focusing on underlying interests.