NET update: May 2022

Here’s our update for May…

This week we’re gearing up to host our first NET Connect on Thursday: NET Connect: Knowing me, knowing you and aha moments!. These are regular short online gatherings for NET members and networks friends to meet, talk and share for mutual support and to build community. We’ll use guided networking to help us have a great conversation together…welcoming new members and reconnecting with existing members. There is still time to book. We’ll be gathering online, Thursday 12 May, 16:00–17:15.

What else has been happening? Our LinkedIn North East Together group is growing so if you’ve not been there for a while, it’s worth a visit to connect with old friends and potential new ones. We’ve also been making new connections on Twitter too.

How can we help you connect with each other?

Would you like us to share in these monthly updates who has joined North East Together? Will this be helpful to learn who is part of the network?

Our upcoming events

NET pop up: NET x Human Learning Systems, June and July

Our three event series about Human Learning Systems speakers are now open for bookings. Our speakers will include with Dr Toby Lowe (Centre for Public Impact), Becky Elton (Changing Lives), Ceri Armstrong (Thurrock Council).

• Event 1: An introduction to Human Learning Systems and short stories from those who are working this way, 7 June, 15:00–17:00, online
• Event 2: Deeper exploration and rummaging — hearing detailed case studies organisations to learn what they did and how, ask questions, get in to the detail, 21 June, 15:00–17:00, online
• Event 3: Having a go — moving from theory to practice with a new learning cycles toolkit, 5 July, 13:00 for 13:30–17:30, in person (venue TBC)

Human Learning Systems (HLS) is a radically new way of doing public management: the task of resourcing and organising public service. These events will be for those of us feeling frustrated with how things with public service (in its broadest sense) work, and looking to do things differently. It will give you time and inspiration to rethink how we work.

The Human Learning Systems learning cycles toolkit will give you more on learning cycles and how to use them in your team and organisation. The first version of the toolkit will be ready soon so we’ll share more about it in the run up to the event. In the meantime, there’s more on learning cycles in the free e-book Human Learning Systems: Public service for the real world.

Leading, together: Growing and developing collaborative leadership practice, 22 June, 09:30–16:30, Newcastle University

A one-day event for North East Together members and others to grow and develop collaborative leadership practice in the north east. Together we’ll build on and explore what we (NET members) have created in whole network events, learn from others, and create new tools and understanding. We’ll be looking to move from theory to practice together, and each leave with an understanding of our collaborative leadership strengths and a plan for what we need to develop and how we might do this. This build on the event in March and is a second chance to take part in the event.

Each place costs £125, with a small number of supported places at £65 supported by Yes We Can for small VCSE organisations and those working independently for social change with no training budget (with more supported places to be announced as soon as we can).

Go straight to the booking form or read more first. And read what we got up to at the March event Leading Together: Growing and developing collaborative leadership practice.

NET Connect: bringing together North East Together members and network friends to connect, grow and nurture our relationships

• NET Connect: [we’re still waiting on a ABBA-themed title from Marie], 14 September, 16:00–17:15, online

Want to host your own pop up event?

If you’re feeling inspired by the NET x Human Learning Systems pop ups, don’t forget the NET team can collaborate with you to host your own. Talk with Robert, Marie or Stephanie if you’d like to do this.

Scholarships for Masters programmes, Newcastle University

Newcastle University has executive education scholarships for three Masters programmes starting in September 2022. The deadline for all applications is 3 July, and all looking to support under-represented groups and increase diversity.

• Diversity in coaching scholarship for Coaching and mentoring MSc — 4 x half fee award of £6,300
• Sustainable impact scholarship (Executive MBA) — 4 x progression scholarships of £7,200 and 2 x full scholarships of £25,200
• Diversity in leadership scholarships (Strategic leadership MSc) — 3 x two thirds fee award of £12,000

And what else?

…are we reading and noticing

We’ve been reading some interesting things from the RSA including work on public participation can inform a broad shift towards a more active and empowering democracy and their Cities of Learning programme coming soon to Tees Valley. This programme looks to transform the potential of each participating city and region’s learning ecosystem and help design and deliver inclusive lifelong learning for people, employers and community to thrive. Also reading findings from Social Practice ENT research on the experiences of women with convictions who currently, or have previously, served as trustees on charity boards — an interesting read for those interested in making your board more diverse and inclusive.

What do you think? What have you found worth sharing?

That’s all for now…we’re looking forward to seeing you soon at NET Connect, NET x HLS pop up event series or June’s Leading Together.

Stephanie

For the NET team Cisse Tsang, Dr Jo James, Marie Foalle, Robert Laycock, Stephanie Cole