Okay firstly, I’d like to make this a post on EdgeRyders because I think it would be useful - for the benefit of those with an outside view, the issues I’m going to list are not endemic or a show stopper but more limiters of our own expectations. What we’re finding on the ground is that 10+ individual projects is an enormous logistical strain, particularly within the time frame - not enough attention was paid to the invisible workload; translation, communication/advertising, (hidden) administration, managing the building, living etc.
It’s also very apparent that the cultural frame most of us are operating in isn’t applicable or effective in the context we’re working - there’s a need for a direct and clear ask to individuals we wish to collaborate with; permission mechanisms, it’s clear we can’t just say “We’re open to anything and everything, just tell us what you want to do” and expect it to happen.
This calls for a slight change of mentality. In order to be open we need to create the infrastructure for openness.
Following a meeting we had earlier today a couple of problems arose that have a potential solution, I wanted to map these out within the framework of Job Descriptions but really we’re talking about Collaborator Descriptions, because we act to reduce hierarchy.
Let me explain roughly and we can build on this in discussion - this is a direct ask to the EdgeRyders community for support, shaping this effectively (and potentially for a workflow of direct support from the online community). If unMonastery is an offline presence for the EdgeRyders network, we need a sturdier bridge.
Issues identified:
- Lack of collaboration within the unMonastery group (due to highly distributed projects)
- Language barrier
- Lack of capacity and support for individual projects
- Inability to effectively onboard people in a prolonged process
- Not enough people using the space outside of scheduled events
- Distributed workload for the same tasks across projects
Approaching a Solution:
Each project submitted to the unMonastery is a fairly well defined entity, they have individual objectives that are beginning to understand their audience, if we were working within a classic frame we could define each of these entities as companies. A Company needs employees to make it function. So what are the job roles within individual projects?
I’d like each of the unMonasterians currently present in Matera to outline 2-3 roles that they need to build their project, I’m providing a template, but it’s important to share the link to the ones you create in the the comments below, for visibility and role matching or copy and paste directly.
It’s also absolutely crucial that jobs aren’t constructed of the laborious tasks no one wants to do but rather a formalising of the connections already made - i.e you may need an advisor / troubleshooter who meets you for coffee 3 times a week. Routine and structure is needed.
Be clear about your position and what’s a fair partnership for collaboration - i.e “I as an unMonasterian am working X hours, with X resources to make X happen, I do this because I want to make a difference to Matera. I would like to share these resources with you so we can make something happen together for similar objectives”
How do we match Collaborator Roles with the issues identified?
- Lack of collaboration within the unMonastery group:
Create the possibility for individual unMonasterians to take on the jobs you’ve defined
- Language barrier:
Make Italian a requirement where necessary
- Lack of capacity and support for individual projects
Consider folding your own project into someone elses, in a way that you can share outcomes - i.e Maria makes a documentary video on how to set up Kei’s Open Tech School
- Inability to effectively onboard people in a prolonged process
Use this as a direct ask and understand your responsibility in maintaining a relationship and showing love and respect to the people you’re working with.
- Not enough people using the space outside of scheduled events
Create and team and this will solve itself overnight
- Distributed workload for the same tasks
Look at the Job descriptions other unMonasterians have outlined, could a job be shared across projects?
Now where do we recruit from?
- EdgeRyders community - comment, if you can take a role.
- Matera - now individual unMonasterians have a framework and direct ask, if wanted to go there, we could establish a week long effort focused on a recruitment drive.
- Where else???
Desired Outcomes for Everything Above:
- Create equal partners in projects who can feel ownership over projects and continue them once individual leaves
- More successful projects
- Greater collaboration
- Realistic model for transition to people in Matera running the unMonastery beyond May.
This was actually one of the most effective things I ever did in the run up to unMonastery Matera had I not done it (see here), I would have definitely drowned in work but is something I’d forgotten as a reliable tool for project development.
Next Step:
What’s our next step other than just going out and finding people? Do we bundle this as a call for participation, too formal? Do we ping all our existing networks? Do we approach existing organisations in Matera for support?