Flightdec websites can provide assistance for a much more collaborative approach to solving complex community-wide issues. At the same time it can help individual organisations to overcome some of their isolation and to participate in working with others for a common good.
From the outset the motivations and guiding principles of collaboration need to be apparent. That’s where the Collective Impact model, which was originally developed by FSG (a US based consulting organisation) provides a framework for building and sustaining community activity.
Positive social change around complex issues requires a shift from the isolated impact of individual organisations to a more coordinated cross-sector approach. In simple terms Collective Impact occurs when organisations agree to solve a specific social or community problem using a common agenda, aligning their efforts, and using common measures of success. It goes well beyond a desire to work collaboratively; rather it employs a high level of trust, communication and interconnection.
Collective Impact initiatives are currently being employed to address a wide variety of issues around the world and we have seen its introduction in New Zealand by many local communities, such as in Porirua’s Shine movement, which is supported by Flightdec and the Our Porirua online community.