How communication works inside TTL

Here's an introduction to how we stay touch in TTL. The sections on this page are:

Principles

We have several Principles that relate specifically to communication. These include:

  • It is everyone's responsibility to ensure the free flow of information and knowledge around the network. This means that all of us need to be proactive in seeking out the information and knowledge we need. We also need to be respectful of others' time and ways of communicating, and, for example, limit the information we send out so as to avoid overwhelming each other.
  • An emphasis on working in a collaborative way. This means that whenever it makes sense we consult with each other and work with each other. For example, we can do this by joining a group or liaising with other groups.
  • We are transparent and open in everything we do. We don't keep things secret unless there are legal reasons to do so (under our data protection responsibilities, for example). This means wherever possible we record what happens and publish it (on this wiki, for example).

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How we talk with each other

In a networked organisation like TTL high levels of honesty and openness are very important. When communicating, we also strive to:

  • Treat each other with respect.
  • Listen properly.
  • Be open to others' points of view, suspending our own certainty where necessary.
  • Create clarity wherever possible.
  • Prevent our own egos getting in the way of good communication.
  • Eliminate blame and look for contribution instead.
  • Speak up when necessary.
  • Speak even challenging thoughts and ideas clearly and respectfully.

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Meetings

The majority of meetings are organised by the TTL Groups. If you'd like to attend a meeting or find out more please get in touch with the Contact Point for the Group in the first instance.

There is also a monthly meeting known as the TTL Forum (not to be confused with the Online Community). Everyone is welcome at this meeting. This isn't a decision making forum - instead decisions are made by the groups and the individuals in them. The Forum is a place for exchanging information and knowledge however. See TTL Forum for more details.

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Electronic communication

There are several electronic ways we keep in touch. These include:

  1. The phone and email. Often using the phone is better than email because it is less likely to lead to misunderstandings.
  2. Email groups. We primarily use Google Groups - a free service which distributes emails to a list of people.
  3. An Online Community where all types of interesting but non-urgent discussion takes place. This is also sometimes called the Online Forum (just to confuse things :-) ).
  4. This wiki which is editable by all with just a little knowledge and effort.
  5. A new website is also under development.

Google Groups

Email Groups (or Google Groups) are lists of people to whom an email can be sent. These can be useful but the downside is that sometimes people feel overwhelmed by too many trivial and irrelevant messages. This issue seems to increase as there are more people on the list. So as a simple guideline, before sending a message you might consider:

  • who is my audience?
  • how many people do I wish to send this message to?
  • is there a better way I can communicate this?
  • is my message relevant?
  • is my message as brief as possible and to the point?
  • do I need to send this message?
  • Typically each TTL Group has a Google Group list. These can be read as email or you can visit a website which keeps a record of all the emails sent out. Ask your Contact Point to help you sign up. Each Group uses these lists in different ways, but generally it saves typing in long lists of email addresses and ensures everyone on the list is kept in the loop.
  • There is a electronic news bulletin list, ttl-news, which is for everybody interested in keeping up with TTL (also known as the "newsletter"). This is large list - many hundreds of people. This list has generally been used as a way of sending out updates on the progress of TTL. Sign up through the wiki or here. If you want to send a message to the list please contact one of the list "[Lewes/GGListManagers | managers]]".
  • There is a Google Group list for all those active in TTL Groups: ttl-active. This list is used to send out update messages of any kind. People seem to prefer it when this list is used only for "important" things relating directly to TTL. You can join this list here (just because you are on a Group mailing list, it doesn't mean you are automatically on ttl-active).
  • There is also a Google Group list for all of the Group Contact Points - ttl-contacts-group. This is used for announcements of the Forum meetings and similar things. Again feel free to sign-up. Simply click here.

You can change various subscription options (for example, to get a digest, rather than emails one by one) by going to the relevant site (links are at the bottom of each email sent to the list). Or if you get stuck try contacting one of the list "managers".

The wiki

This is one place where we can:

  • share best practice across the network.
  • practice transparency by publishing information about what we are doing and why.

A wiki is a slightly unusual concept for people used to traditional newspapers, magazines and websites. Unlike a traditional website where the pages are created and edited by one person, or a team working under the direction of one person, on a wiki anybody can change a page. So for, example if there's something on this page or in this sentence you think can be improved, please make the change.

It's important of course to try to make things better rather than worse. And to be sensitive that the earlier writer may have been trying to communicate something you don't yet quite understand. But the whole idea of a wiki is that the interplay between authors creates something better than just one author working alone.

If you know how to use a word processor then you can use the wiki. Instructions are here or better still why not ask someone who knows how to edit it to get you started? To find someone why not start with the Communications group?

The New Website project

A new website is also being prepared - this will be a "shop-window" explaining what the TTL Groups do. Get in touch with the Communications group if you want to know more.

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Other

There are of course many other ways to keep in touch inside TTL.

  • One of the most important is by reading our Programme of Events which we have been publishing quarterly.
  • Face-to-face meetings! If you want to get in touch please contact one of the Group contact points.
  • Volunteering: We also have very small office and welcome volunteers to help with all kinds of things - again contact a Group contact for the subject you are interested in or get in touch with the Communications group.

You can pick up a copy of the Programme in many locations in Lewes, or download a copy from here. As well as introducing TTL and describing upcoming events it also lists the contacts and is very handy to keep around.

We are currently working on reissuing this; if you want to help please contact the Communications group.

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Why communication is different in a Networked Organisation

TTL, like its parent the Transition Network, is a networked organisation. This is rather different from the traditional hierarchical model found in most public sector bodies, businesses and charities. Networked organisations are inherently very strong and resilient.

TTL is a "community response" - it's largely about how the community responds to the challenges it faces and becomes more resilient and stronger. So this type of organisation is very suitable us - it helps every single one of us build strength and resilience, and helps us become more resilient as a group.

There are important differences in how networked and traditional, more hierarchical organisations handle communication:

  • In some hierarchical organisations the saying "information is power" holds true and people hold on to information because it gives them power. In our networked organisation people freely share information. People do not hold on to information as a source of power.
  • In some hierarchical organisations information tends to trickle downwards and is limited by bottlenecks and single points of failure. In our networked organisation information flows laterally and up and down in equal proportion. We all try to stop ourselves becoming bottlenecks or single points of failure.
  • In most hierarchical organisations orders are given from above, so at least there is plenty of clarity about what to do. In a networked organisation many people may have different ideas. This can sometimes mistakenly direct attention to the wrong things (minor things for example, distracting us from priorities). This means we all need to invest time talking to each other and resolving any differences of opinion.
  • In many hierarchical organisations reporting tends to flow upwards towards whoever is in charge. The people at the top demand these reports from the people below, and the theory is that they are able to aggregate the reports and have the best overview. These people also decide who gets to know what - and they distribute information downwards as they see fit.

    In our networked organisation instead of reporting upwards in ways dictated by the "top", people individually and in groups take responsibility for spreading knowledge and information transparently to everyone who wants to know (one way to do this is to talk to each other, or use email, or the wiki - see Electronic communication). The flip-side of this is that each of us is responsible for getting hold of the information and knowledge we need to do whatever we want to do. We may not get the information we need handed to us on a plate.

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Get involved: contact one of the Group contacts on the Groups page