Inside Catalyst — 11 March: pair writing, pair conversations and getting our financials in order
Our team reflect on the last 2 weeks of preparing content for the new website, exploring ways to grow the Catalyst network and learn how a facilitated pair conversation works…
The joy of writing together
: I have really enjoyed working with Joe on the copy for the new Catalyst website. We drafted a couple of pages together by pair writing, which is something I experienced a couple of years ago when I wrote the strategy guidance for NCVO. I love it as a process!
“Pair writing’s a process where 2 people create a piece of content together, in real time (either in-person, or online). One of these people is a comms expert — such as a communications manager. And the other’s an expert in the topic — such as a support worker or a service manager.
The writing expert brings their skills, knowledge and experience of producing clear, concise and user-focused content. And the subject matter expert (SME) brings their in-depth knowledge and experience of the service and its users. Together they make sure what’s written is useful, accurate and easy to understand.” — Dawn Kofie, Pair writing: a technique for creating user-centred content
…and ideating together
: I had a great session with Hannah last week where we crystallised a bunch of thinking about the different ways people can be involved with Catalyst next year when we decelerate — some of it is very simple, which I love!
Everyday challenges: money and being ill
Megan: our financial year end is coming up, and with that comes the pressure of making sure that we are:
- completely across our commitments
- know which invoices have come in and which are still outstanding
- and understanding what our final year end position will be and how that impacts on the budget for the next financial year.
However, I am finding fulfilment in making sure that we have clarity, even though it’s taking a fair bit of time!
Kate: I’ve been SO ILL with the flu, that I’ve been really knocked off course for the past couple of weeks and am only just finding my feet again. working with the rest of the team to work out what is really important to get done (like the payment runs!) and what can wait… 😳
Pair chats — facilitated conversations for depth and connection
Megan: I really appreciated a facilitated pair chat with a colleague. This is something we’ve practiced a little with support from Abi Handley, and they’re really valuable. In this instance, I wanted to share some previous experiences I’d had before joining Catalyst that I could see were impacting on my mental health and on how I was showing up at Catalyst. Sharing this has helped me hugely.
# Pair conversations
These provide two people the space to safely have an depth conversation, check assumptions (mind reads) and check that they have been heard.
We use language rooted in nonviolent communication so that we can move towards a better understanding between the two participants, and practice our desire to build collective power.
They are typically around 75 minutes and are facilitated.
We are nearly at the end of March. Want to know what’s happening in April? Read our degrowth blog.
