Building a Cohesive Group & Inclusive Culture
john gieryn
Public
Seen by 110
Hi Beautiful Humans of #WeAreTwitter!
I think this group could really grow some legs, but it's going to take work. Two reasons for my optimism: 1) The strategizing session at the #PlatformCoop conference last weekend, & 2) @BonnieOWong's recent proposal to organize from the bottom-up and organize those Twitter-users feeling even less safe than before post-Trump election.
If we're not just blowing steam on one mad rush to buy twitter, I believe it critical that we turn a critical and thorough eye to group culture and formation. Bonnie also mentioned some group formation strategies that you'll also see quoted below; and I'm going to start off with a proposal asking people's relative commitment levels. I think it may also be prudent that we go through the (always amusingly challenging) decision-making process of choosing a name collectively.
Some strategy points I want to amplify from Bonnie:
- I would intentionally and actively seek out/recruit people who have a better idea of sub-communities within Twitter, like black people, women, people from the LGBTQ community, aboriginal communities and others that I've missed >- I would find someone to lead a group that specifically addresses the hate issues on Twitter >- I would recruit people to lead the conversations on functional areas, such as campaigns/community management, M&A/capital raising, a team specifically to engage with current Twitter leadership, a team specifically to engage with major Twitter shareholders, a team specifically to engage with Twitter staff, a team just focused on revenue generation. >- For each of these teams have at least two co-leaders, hopefully with shared vision, but enough differences in perspectives to ensure bases are covered >- I would establish a means of communication - a weekly debrief and way of distributing actions >- Goals would be set collectively - small and achievable so that each week we could experience progress
in case it helps for people to assess commitment, here are
Current #WeAreTwitter Initiatives
1) couple folks are working on Livestream Panel initiative e.g. @maira & @carbonpenguin [coordinating loomio-thread]
2) forming a Platform Acquisition Co-op sub-group to look more primarily at the goal of forming an institution by which to purchase Twitter or another somesuch "death star"/ substantial p2p media platform, initiated by @samtoland here: [coordinating loomio-thread
and perhaps most interestingly,
3) @bonnieowong 's suggestion that we begin to organize in solidarity with the groups who receive the worst effects of TWTR's unfettered bullying & harrassment culture. This dialogue is currently in #talkingshop for now, but I hope that a Loomio thread is soon begun/ recycled to at least work towards building a culture of diversity, inclusion, as well as access and ownership (or perhaps this channel will begin to serve this way...)
4) #WeAreTwitter Petition [coordinating slack-channel]
you can edit this list of initiatives by hitting the "edit" button just under the title of this thread :) Please add any initiatives you're aware of!
Dunia Reverter
Wed 16 Nov 2016 3:20PM
Yeah! You have my full support, and I am likely to have some decent availability. Would love to explore ways in which I could contribute to the amazing project.
Vanderlei Zacchi
Thu 17 Nov 2016 12:46AM
I have little time to contribute, but I can help spread the word.
Alanna Irving
Thu 17 Nov 2016 1:28AM
I don't have very much capacity but am available for direct questions or requests
Suresh Fernando
Thu 17 Nov 2016 4:18PM
I'm committed to supporting the Platform Asset Acquisition Group. My level of commitment is a direct function of:
1. The soundness of the strategy and the plan
2. The decision processes and culture of this group
3. The strength of the team
David Backer
Thu 17 Nov 2016 4:44PM
I'm happy to contribute media coverage through Commonsplace and other get-out-the-message type activities. Our new episode came out this week with an interview with Nathan, for instance. https://soundcloud.com/commonsplace/2nd-episode-commonsplace
Bernardo Parrella
Thu 17 Nov 2016 8:24PM
Don't have specific skills/connections, but super ready to support this (especially by spreading the word with EU friends/outlets)
Vica
Thu 17 Nov 2016 10:48PM
I've just joined the loomio group so need to catch up on things. Would like to commit some (limited) time to this if it feels like it's going somewhere.
Michael Siepmann
Thu 17 Nov 2016 11:18PM
Although I don't have a lot of time available, I'd like to stay in touch and contribute when relevant needs arise (i.e., re UX, interaction design, research methods, social psychology, positive psychology, behavioral economics, etc.)
Sam Toland
Fri 18 Nov 2016 1:10AM
I can continue to help the formation of an asset purchasing co-op, as I believe it is one of the most feasible and robust medium term goal of the #buytwitter movement.
I however fully support others on the two other aims - they are all comlementary.
Sam Toland
Fri 18 Nov 2016 1:12AM
I can continue to help the formation of an asset purchasing co-op, as I believe it is one of the most feasible and robust medium term goal of the #buytwitter movement.
I however fully support others on the two other aims - they're all complementary.
Wolfgang Maehr
Fri 18 Nov 2016 2:33AM
I'm pretty busy these days, so I cannot invest much time. Happy to stay up to date and chip in where I can see that I can add something relevant and for direct requests.
virginieG
Fri 18 Nov 2016 7:47AM
I do not have specific skills or connections #justadesigner but I would be happy to support in anyway I can (especially with Europe & LGBTQ focus). I want to learn by doing, to make change happen.
Matthew Cropp
Sat 19 Nov 2016 1:50AM
I'm in probably an hour or 2 a week for now. Helping w/ the livestream panels, and also interested in the Platform Acquisition Co-op project, as it's the tool we'll need to acquire and mutualize these things (and has synergy w/ the investment clubs).
Simon Giger
Thu 24 Nov 2016 1:34PM
I like the idea of the initiative very much! I don't have a twitter account, but i will when you manage to do the same as they did here: http://www.dw.com/en/investors-rescue-wind-developer-prokon/a-18558732 I'm in with 5 $/Euros/SFr. per month. :)
Brendan Denovan
Thu 24 Nov 2016 5:39PM
I'm not able to commit enough time to be useful right now. I am tracking the development of the idea and will have more bandwidth in December/January.
Tristan Copley Smith
Thu 24 Nov 2016 5:42PM
I'm not in a place to lead on anything but am available to answer questions on communications :thumbsup:
Chris Cook
Thu 24 Nov 2016 5:46PM
I think if we get the right multi-stakeholder framework agreement to a common purpose then everything else will follow. I can heWhat time zone is that? I can help with that, I think.
Eugenia Siapera
Thu 24 Nov 2016 5:59PM
I am very interested in this project but cannot commit much time at this point - things will look better towards Christmas
Sreeharsha
Thu 24 Nov 2016 6:35PM
Though I have not spend concrete planned time on this, I am trying to create as much awareness as possible in India. Going to speak at a conference here locally nxt week. Would dedicate weekly around 4-6 hours for now, and try to work with local grp
Rebecca Garnett
Thu 24 Nov 2016 6:36PM
I would like to be involved with this. Up till Christmas I'm pretty stretched, but if there is sth specific you need my help on, I am willing to do what I can. In the New Year I will be able to commit more time, probably 1 hour a week.
Mark Latham
Thu 24 Nov 2016 6:50PM
Excited about helping to create or buy a platform co-op of some kind, that could eventually create or buy a social/political platform like Twitter! Semi-retired, so my availability is flexible. I tend to work in bursts. BTW mostly offline Nov25-Dec5.
Priscilla Grim
Thu 24 Nov 2016 9:02PM
My current commitment level is high -- but I am questioning the intentions of putting this to a vote during a busy family holiday weekend.
Sophie Jerram
Thu 24 Nov 2016 10:55PM
I love the ethos and intention and am willing to contribute some capital. I have very limited time to initiate but can support the campaigning.
Lani Dodds
Fri 25 Nov 2016 3:13AM
I'm keen to get involved and help in some capacity.
Rosen Dimov
Fri 25 Nov 2016 4:07AM
7 to 10 h/week
Katharina Simon
Fri 25 Nov 2016 3:08PM
I would love to put some effort into it I just have no time/ energy left, november is the busiest month at my workplace, it will be better mid/ end december again I hope.
john gieryn Tue 15 Nov 2016 7:14PM
@haileycooperrider - you're the one person I know who isn't in the Slack- so I thought I'd ping you here. Hope you're swell!
Alanna Irving Thu 17 Nov 2016 1:29AM
@markkelleher you can change your block by clicking on "change your position" by your name on the list under the pie chart.
john gieryn Thu 17 Nov 2016 8:03PM
+1 @sureshf — sound thoughts.
I'd love to hear from @ntnsndr @johnnyhaeusler @trizcs @thomaseuler1 @tommcdonough @samtoland @matthewcropp @mairasutton @chriscook1 @kirstenlambertsen @priscillagrim who I know have been putting in effort recently, and also from some folks who put on some greatly appreciated & needed energy early on: @whit537 @bonniefoleywong (← who i know is unavailable w/ book release for next month, but interested still) @arminsteuernagel1 @njyo @timothyamcdonald
Wolfgang Maehr Fri 18 Nov 2016 3:47AM
To be frank, what I have been struggling with, is our approach, which seems somewhat haphazard and un-coordinated. Maybe I find the structure too flat, everybody doing whatever they can but also think relevant. There are a few people that direct things more, but there seems to be little overall coordinated approach.
I like the suggestion above, but I think we need to build up a more detailed war plan.
john gieryn Fri 18 Nov 2016 12:58PM
I'm feeling a teleconference coming on with the good energy I'm feeling in here...
@alanna I'm curious if you'd be willing to participate in the gov & ops panel that @matthewcropp, @mairasutton and I are looking to set up? I'm curious also about our strategy (in those) with doing a financial/ co-op conversions themed one before gov & ops... Alanna- I'll tag you in that thread with this (probably) easier question.
@njyo I feel you; I'm hoping that this thread will identify a nice core group who can quickly smash out some structure, especially with the sub-group proposal that passed via @samtoland. What I'm liking is that this group seems action-oriented, which is a nice thing to bring to the table that not all the other coalition-building efforts in platform co-op space are doing so much, that I've seen.
Stephanie Jo Kent Fri 25 Nov 2016 8:52PM
Hmm. I would have voted AGREE but I'm late to this proposal.
This is an inspired and brilliant idea & effort. The suggestions from @coopchange attributed to @bonniefoleywong are spot on.
Mostly I'm good for some publicity (tweeting/retweeting) although I could imagine a more involved facilitating role of a subgroup, perhaps. What happened with the interview? I'm only sporadically following but could be more attentive and participatory....
Stuart Shatles · Tue 15 Nov 2016 7:04PM
The easier and more practical way to go about this. Is for us to buy stock in the company. There are about 313 million Twitter users. A single share is about $22. If even a 1/3 of users bought stock we could control the company.