Political Notes
(Taking a break from the problem while Matt readies what I'm sure will be a counter-counter response to face another pressing problem)
Question: Politically, how should we organize the Umbrella to most effectively build connections and influence in our first few years?
Some thoughts...
1) Since long range planning is necessarily difficult, I feel that the central goal of the Umbrella at this formative stage should be merely one of generating the political capital (in knowledge and connections) and cooperation between our members. While this may seem a bit like putting the cart before the horse, I believe that this will allow us the greatest flexibility and most growth, since we have no explicit agenda or politicized aim that might turn off potential recruitees. This will also create a personalized network which will give us the most aggregate leverage when the Umbrella as a whole makes an official appearance.
2) To that end, our recruiting process should avoid presenting ourselves explicitly as "The Umbrella." Instead, we should describe our plans as the personal desire to create a think tank or lobbying group to foward aims that are shared between recruiter and recruitee. Otherwise, we may be considered dangerous, if not outright ludicrous. In addition, this strategy has the advantage of creating specific policy movements within our organization that we will be able to tap later on to turn into an official series of aims for the network we have created.
3) It also strikes me that we should organize ourselves geographically, since this will allow local Umbrella members to meet up and coordinate themselves in a way where local resources can be immediately be turned to providing mutual favors. As a result, we should choose a Manager for particular parts of the country. These Managers will manage the growth of the network in those areas and coordinate local policy and meetings. They, in turn, will meet digitally with other Managers to decide on general policy. I believe this two-tier system will prove most effective.
Question: Politically, how should we organize the Umbrella to most effectively build connections and influence in our first few years?
Some thoughts...
1) Since long range planning is necessarily difficult, I feel that the central goal of the Umbrella at this formative stage should be merely one of generating the political capital (in knowledge and connections) and cooperation between our members. While this may seem a bit like putting the cart before the horse, I believe that this will allow us the greatest flexibility and most growth, since we have no explicit agenda or politicized aim that might turn off potential recruitees. This will also create a personalized network which will give us the most aggregate leverage when the Umbrella as a whole makes an official appearance.
2) To that end, our recruiting process should avoid presenting ourselves explicitly as "The Umbrella." Instead, we should describe our plans as the personal desire to create a think tank or lobbying group to foward aims that are shared between recruiter and recruitee. Otherwise, we may be considered dangerous, if not outright ludicrous. In addition, this strategy has the advantage of creating specific policy movements within our organization that we will be able to tap later on to turn into an official series of aims for the network we have created.
3) It also strikes me that we should organize ourselves geographically, since this will allow local Umbrella members to meet up and coordinate themselves in a way where local resources can be immediately be turned to providing mutual favors. As a result, we should choose a Manager for particular parts of the country. These Managers will manage the growth of the network in those areas and coordinate local policy and meetings. They, in turn, will meet digitally with other Managers to decide on general policy. I believe this two-tier system will prove most effective.
posted by Tim at 6:12 AM
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