For me what is most helpful these days in collaboration, communication and community is the practice of making proposals.
How do we move forward on ideas we like and think would be beneficial for our social and collective health?
By making proposals! We need to convince people an idea is good and worth bringing into action. The best way to do this is to put forward a proposal. A proposal is a somewhat thought-out (can be half-baked but should be at least partially baked, and the more baked the better, aka more palatable to others)
This seems obvious.
Yes, in a way it is very obvious! At the same time, throughout my limited experience on this earth, I see a lot of what I deem ineffective ways of making change. Namely: extensive complaining about how things are, asking why things are not otherwise, and demanding that things change (without a clear proposal).
What makes a good proposal?
- A good proposal concisely outlines the problem (if it’s not already abundantly clear to everyone through context/as part of an existing discussion).
- Articulates the goal
- Describes a proposed pathway to achieve or move toward the goal.
In brief: clarity, concision and confidence.
What happens next?
The proposal should be discussed! All relevant parties should be able to express concerns, poke holes in it, and consider what changes could be made to make it a more viable or palatable proposal.
Amendments should be proposed, discussed, added, and the newly amended proposal should be put to vote for final agreement.