Marty's Notebook
From Information to Impact: The Power of a Network in Motion
Dear Friends and Partners,
At Netcentric Campaigns, we build people-powered networks because we know that the most lasting change happens when individuals are connected—supported by shared strategy, common purpose, and trust.
One of the networks we helped create and continue to support—Halt the Harm Network (HHN)—put that principle into practice this spring during a powerful campaign moment in Colorado. When a revealing report on fracking chemicals exposed serious gaps in public health protections, HHN kicked into high gear—mobilizing leaders, coordinating strategy, and driving action across state lines.
This wasn’t the work of one campaign or one organization. It was the result of dozens of people showing up. Being prepared, aligned, and ready to act together. As the saying goes, a choir holds notes longer and sings louder than any voice alone. And that’s exactly what this moment required.
While HHN operates as a distinct community, Netcentric Campaigns remains deeply involved behind the scenes—strengthening the scaffolding that makes this kind of rapid, trust-based coordination possible. We provide the infrastructure, facilitation, and strategic support that enable the network to act with precision and purpose when moments like this arise.
This wasn’t a single voice going viral. It was a network in motion—weeks of preparation, shared tools, and trusted coordination all coming together to move quickly and meaningfully.
In this edition, we share what that looked like—how a research report became a flashpoint for collective advocacy, and what we learned about designing for networked response. Because when people are connected and prepared, even a single moment can stretch into a movement.
We’d love to hear what moments are unfolding in your work—and how we can help your network prepare to meet them. Contact us, or just hit reply and let us know.
Peace,
Marty Kearns
Deep Dive Insight
How We Turned Breaking News into Collective Action
What turns a media moment into real pressure? Preparation, coordination, and trust.
In our latest blog post, we break down how Netcentric Campaigns helped support Halt the Harm Network in transforming a Colorado fracking disclosure report into a moment of organized, multi-state action. Rather than treat the report as a standalone media opportunity, the team laid the groundwork for collective amplification—equipping leaders, timing the rollout, and fostering real-time collaboration.
The result wasn’t just awareness. It was activation.
If you’re thinking about how to prepare your own network for moments like this, this piece offers a clear, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to move fast—and together.
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Featured Resource
Get Network-Ready with Strategy Sundays
Behind every fast-moving advocacy campaign is a deeper foundation—tools, routines, and relationships that make action possible. That’s what Strategy Sundays are all about.
This new eight-week series from Halt the Harm Network opens the hood on how people-powered networks function, grow, and respond in real time.
Led by HHN and powered by the network model developed by Netcentric Campaigns, these sessions break down everything from threat assessment to campaign scaffolding to the invisible work that turns planning into power.
Think of it as a weekly behind-the-scenes look at how strategy meets community—and how a network gets built to meet the moment.
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Answers from the Field
Addressing pressing questions from our networks
Q:
“What if a big news story is coming—but my network doesn't seem ready to act?”
A:
It’s a challenge we hear often—and one we’ve helped advocacy networks navigate many times. The hard truth is: readiness isn’t built in the moment. It’s built over time.
If your network doesn’t feel ready now, start small. Create space for light planning. Share a simple response plan with a few key partners. Even modest preparation beats scrambling—and helps set expectations before the pressure hits.
The more you practice, the more prepared you become. Over time, you’ll build the muscle memory to move with clarity and coordination when the stakes are high.
As one example, take the recent fracking disclosure report in Colorado. The response from within Halt the Harm Network wasn’t improvised—it was the result of years of learning. Multiple campaigns, shared templates, trusted relationships, and real-time iteration all helped shape a people-powered network that could move quickly when it counted. Every small effort leading up to that moment laid the groundwork for a fast, coordinated response that turned a news moment into a springboard for collective action.
Updates from Our Partner Networks
Driving Change in Communities Around the World
Halt the Harm Network Update: Colorado Campaign Spurs Multi-State Momentum
Halt the Harm Network and Netcentric Campaigns recently helped turn a high-stakes fracking disclosure report into a multi-state moment for organizing and accountability.
Behind the scenes, network members laid the groundwork through early strategy calls, media prep, and a 3-part event sequence that supported local leaders in Colorado and beyond. The result? Over 240 participants joined an embargoed press briefing. Another 140 attended follow-up sessions focused on action and replication in states like Pennsylvania and New Mexico.
From pre-release planning to post-launch advocacy, the campaign showcased what it means to design for distributed power—and how fast a network can move when trust and infrastructure are already in place.
Learn More About Halt The Harm Network
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WashDesk Network Update: Advancing Menstrual Health Through Action
To support Menstrual Hygiene Day, the WashDesk network in Ghana’s Ahafo region launched a coordinated campaign to raise awareness, fight stigma, and empower girls through education and access.
Activities included live events and a public radio broadcast featuring local WASH leaders discussing the importance of menstrual health, the need for inclusive sanitation access, and ways to promote dignity through dialogue. The segment sparked open Q&A with listeners and encouraged broader community support.
Alongside these efforts, Netcentric Campaigns and the Ahafo Regional Coordinating Council donated sanitary pads and learning materials to over 500 girls across the district—offering practical support with a powerful message: menstrual health matters.
These efforts highlight what a people-powered network looks like in action—local leaders, public health advocates, and institutions working together to break silence, reduce stigma, and advance health equity.
Learn More About the WashDesk Program
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What Do You Think? Let Us Know.
Hit reply and let us know what you’re working on, or what you’d like us to cover in a future edition.
We'd love to hear from you!
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