This document provides an overview of a social media academy for a Jewish day school. It discusses moving from traditional hierarchical models of communication to a network model that is more collaborative. It outlines the benefits of strong networks and steps to improve network health, including understanding the existing network, knitting people together, and growing the network by sharing leadership and engaging people. The goal is to help schools work as effective networks to better connect and support their communities.

1. WELCOME TO THE
JEWISH DAY SCHOOL
SOCIAL MEDIA
ACADEMY

2. The Plan
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What are Networks?
Implications & Opportunities for Schools
Steps for Maturing the Network
Being a Network Weaver

3. Traditional Mindset: Hub & Spokes

4. Network Mindset
“connect and collaborate” rather than “command and control”

5. What We’re Used To

6. What We’re Moving To

7. A Personal Story

8. SAR Academy Causes Match Campaign

9. How does your school
work a network?
How does it NOT
work like a network?

10. Benefits of Strong Networks
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More efficient use of staff time
Regenerative, constant flow
Sustaining energy
Responsive & generous
Focus on people and community
Cultivate appreciation for “host”
Expand community of supporters

11. NETWORK EVOLUTION PATTERN
Communities often evolve along predictable pathways from fragmented clusters of people
interested in a concept, to a single hub-and-spoke when a leader pulls the clusters together,
to multiple hubs where a variety of people take responsibility, and finally to a
core/periphery with a tight ball of members surrounded by interested hangers on.
Fragments
Single-Hub
Multi-Hub
Core/Periphery

12. Steps to Improve The Health of the Network

13. KNOW THE NETWORK
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Listen – in person and online
Who are influencers?
What is important to them?
What are common interests, needs or themes?
Where are existing relationships?
Where are they gathering?
Who is not yet involved?

15. Chris Brogan
• Spend 20 minutes a day
observing your network.
• Spend 10 minutes a day
cultivating new relationships.
• Use an organized contact
management system to manage
relationships, not just keep
contact info.
• Deliver two to three times as
much value as you ask from your
network. This keeps people eager
to be helpful when the time
comes that you need them.

16. KNIT & ORGANIZE THE NETWORK
• Create spaces for weaving the network
• Find the “glue” that helps people engage
and find value
• Celebrate the bright spots in the network
• Engage more people in the knitting process
• Find your role in knitting – what does the
network need from you?

17. Ask Questions, Tag People

18. NETWORK WEAVERS
June Holley’s Definition: A Network
Weaver is someone who is aware of
the networks around them and
explicitly works to make them healthier
(more inclusive, bridging divides).
Network Weavers do this by
connecting people strategically where
there’s potential for mutual benefit,
helping people identify their passions,
and serving as a catalyst for selforganizing groups.

19. As A Network Weaver
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You help people see opportunities
They collaborate on a project
You coach and support
You help them notice what works
You encourage them to spread the
patterns of success and scale
• You help deepen the quality of
relationships
• Your help people learn to work in
networked ways

20. Grow The Network
• Share leadership to promote sustainability and leverage
other relationships
• Design for engagement. What approaches will be social by
design?

22. Na’aseh v’nishmah

24. Reminders
• Scheduled or had your first coaching call!
• Logging in to Basecamp
• Be sure to download the Social Media
Decision Guide and complete worksheets
• If your school has Social Media Guidelines,
please post it to Basecamp
• If you haven't already, please JDS Academy
Facebook Group!