Proposed Weaver Job Description

From IFIwatchnet Wiki

Since 2003, IFIwatchnet.org has been a leading resource for observers and campaigners focused on the International Financial Institutions. The internet portal's membership is drawn from a broad spectrum of more than 75 organizations that campaign on IFI issues, including Oxfam International, Bank Information Center (U.S.), Bretton Woods Project (UK), Jubilee South (international), Freedom From Debt Coalition (Philippines), Afrodad (Zimbabwe), Rede Brasil (Brazil), and more. In 2005, IFIwatchnet changed host organizations, from the UK-based Bretton Woods Project, to the Uruguay-based Instituto del Tercer Mundo, in order to ensure leadership from the Global South in this endeavor.

In 2007, the project made two other shifts to (a) a new software platforms, Drupal, and Media wiki and (b) a modified structure that allowed it to move beyond solely regional animators.

Contents 1 The Need 2 Networks Rely on Intensity 3 Momentum Generation 4 Budget 5 Notes

[edit] The Need

In 2008, IFIwatchnet has a solid foundation. Efforts to involve a wide array of IFIwatchers have been successful, even in some places in the Global South with only limited access to the internet. The new Drupal architecture is powerful, and so-called Web 2.0 features - blogs and wikis, for example - are already being used by a small contingent of IFIwatchers. While the membership and the architecture are right on track, site statistics show that member usage of the site is not as strong as it might be. The site hits are quite healthy though it is reasonable to assume that the majority of these are from members, as is the majority of content which is being posted only by a handful of organizations.

In order to live up to its potential as a way to ramp up communications and campaigns about IFI issues, IFIwatchnet needs its members to take more ownership of the project. One way in which this will be done is the imposition of some kind of membership fee structure, which we are planning on implementing in 2008. That said, before members can be approached to pay dues, they must already be heavily committed to the IFIwatchnet project and confident that it is adding value to the work that they are already doing. It is ensuring this is the case that we outline below.

[edit] Networks Rely on Intensity

Networks, including virtual networks such as IFIwatchnet, often rely on a period of intense activity to build visibility, generate value and consequently "buy-in" (hereafter called the network-building period maybe need a snazzier name for this - the buzz builder? -Csorena 1/25/08 12:29 PM ) from a number of individuals within the network. While IFIwatchnet has secured organizational commitments, and has a solid roster of volunteer "animators" and steering group members, it has not yet acquired the buy-in needed, or demonstrategd its value as a network that serves members needs to main a self-sustaining. The steering group has considered this and after extensive discussions, we propose that creative intervention is necessary to foster network-building by focusing members and potential members on the strong communication tools that IFIwatchnet brings.

The main obstacle to a network building period is not technical. It is rather a "chicken and egg" dilemma of how to get "high value" users (users from well-known organizations or users who already write a lot of original content on IFIs) to engage in a space that will be of most value and visibility when there are more "high value users" engaged. We have wrestled with this dynamic for some time with only limited success.

(I'd add its not just intensity, but value that will drive use of the site. There's some kind of a bargain here - people are getting something out of participating in the site. They need to see that trade-off. So in addition to this building period being more intense, it needs to demonstrate the value of the network. Maybe that's just a high intensity of postings. Or perhaps it's a certain type of posting. Or postings from certain members. So the weaver should be building this value in addition to generating intensity. -kshowalter.)

[edit] Momentum Generation

In order to get around this dilemma and generate momentum we propose to create a new temporary position within IFIwatchnet, which would complement the roles played by the host organization staff and the volunteer animators. The person would have

• Knowledge of IFI related issues
• Name recognition on the issues that IFIwatchnet addresses
• Prior knowledge of IFIwatchnet members and ability to bring them into various discussions
• Demonstrated track record in generating momentum in network-type projects
• Experience in coaching people on new technology
• Ease pulling people together and greasing the wheels of communication

The Weaver will be expected to file progress reports on a bi-weekly basis to the Steering Group.

This individual -- called the "weaver" for the time being -- would work with people active in the field to generate large amounts of content, including postings designed to generate controversy or comment. He or she would also actively solicit others, including existing IFIwatchnet contributors, to engage in debates on blogs, post different kinds of content, and generally become more identified with IFIwatchnet. The aim is to make IFIwatchnet a site that people will need to check in order to feel they are up-to-date on issues, and a place where they feel compelled to add their own voices. We anticipate that once that momentum is established, the need for a designated "weaver" will lessen.

[edit] Budget

$X per month. Our plan is to try this for a period of 6 months

[edit] Notes

I've removed most of the comments made in the proposal and placed them in this section. Where I have felt them appropriate I have included them in document above.

1. (perhaps we should be upfront in saying we have identified an individual who would be a good fit for this description, and who is interested in taking it on right now. Keeping it on the abstact level may seem "appropriate," but since we're talking about a time-sensitive and temporary mission, and one which we admit we have been struggling to accomplish, it might be better to indicate that we are ready to go once we get the resources -Csorena 1/25/08 12:37 PM)
2. (kshowalter: This last paragraph is good - I like the suggestion that the weaver is really building the new value of the site in large part through getting others involved in conversations and issues. I believe the weaver should do only a modest amount of content generation - the position should much more actively draw others to the site. I can see how this might be through the weaver him/herself developing a lot of content at the start, but ultimately this role is to bring others into the fold.) agreed Tglaisyer 06:59, 12 February 2008 (CST)
3. (kshowalter) one of the standard functions of a weaver is to keep an eye out for this implicit bargain - help the whole be greater than the parts. One of the ways the weaver does this is through keeping an eye out for resource excess and needs. Who has what? Who needs what? In our case, it might be 'who is going to be at the meeting?' and 'who needs to know what happens at that meeting', and making sure those people add and draw value from the site accordingly. So weavers are really behind-the-scenes kinds of people, in many ways. Not that he/she isn't incredibly present in the network. But he/she is not just someone adding lots of content. It's in the actual weaving of the network fabric that this person has the most value. **this is general thinking about weavers - I recognize we can tweak this position however we like.**
4. Weavers are also usually over-communicators. They get along with members, and are in touch almost too much. How and when does our weaver need to be in touch?
5. I also think this position should be distinctly different than a Steering Group position - which is to provide strategic direction for the site and promote/demonstrate use of the site. It's already looking a bit different, but let's really make sure we're not just funding a SG member to do what's basically a SG role - that would be strange for so many reaons.
6. Along those lines, we should think about expectations and oversight of this position. We cannot just have a position that's supposed to 'generate interest' in IFIwatchnet. I agree that's the broader goal. But let's also identify some deliverables. And of course if this position is a SG member he/she can't be involved in evaluation and oversight of the position. I really don't think there will be any problems with this, but I'm just getting it down to start filling the description out.0
7. Knowledge of IFIwatchnet, its history and the objectives of the network building period, (I don't think this is a requirement - can be learned by anyone interested in the role. kshowalter)
8. The position would in all likelihood be filled by one of the current Steering Group members of IFIwatchnet. (I don't think this is a requirement. kshowalter)