Network Navigator: Introducing Your Guide to Impactful Advocacy
Dec 2024
Network Navigator: Introducing Your Guide to Impactful Advocacy
On the Frontlines: A Message from Marty Kearns
Welcome to Our First Edition: Building Networks for a New Era
Dear Friends and Partners,
I’m excited to welcome you to the premier edition of the Netcentric Campaigns newsletter—The Network Navigator. We created this monthly resource to provide insights, strategies, and tools for building stronger, more impactful advocacy networks.
As we launch this new resource, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment, weeks after a consequential presidential election. While the outcome wasn’t what many in our community had hoped, the uncertainty of this new administration brings both challenges and opportunities.
At Netcentric Campaigns, we believe that periods of transition and instability demand proactive, solution-oriented action. The policies and decisions made in the coming months will inevitably shape our future, and our ability to build strong, resilient networks is more crucial than ever for pushing forward the world we want to create. We must amplify our collective power, influence policy constructively, and foster meaningful connections that drive lasting change.
Netcentric Campaigns is here to support you. We’re expanding our outreach to help organizations and advocacy groups adapt and push forward in this evolving landscape. If you need an ally or have questions about navigating these challenges, we’re here to talk. This newsletter is just one way we’re extending our support with practical tools and insights, but we’re always just an email away to better understand how we can help maximize your impact.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we can rise to meet this moment and shape a better future.
Warmly, Marty Kearns
Deep Dive Insight
Featured Resource
Network Organizing: Driving Social Change in Turbulent Times
Assess Your Network Skills with the Self-Check Tool
Building people-powered networks amplifies voices, empowers leaders, and creates lasting impact – especially in uncertain times. Discover practical strategies to navigate complexity and drive meaningful change in this important blog post.
Ready to boost your network leadership skills? The Self-Check Tool helps you evaluate your strengths, identify growth areas, and discover actionable ways to enhance your impact. Gain tailored insights to take your network leadership to the next level.
Answers from the Field Addressing pressing questions from our networks
Q: “It seems like there are forces actively working against open communication and efforts to strengthen civic networks. What are some of the reasons behind this opposition?”
A: At first glance, it may seem counterintuitive that anyone would resist open communication and a unified society. After all, strong civic networks foster problem-solving, democratic engagement, and community resilience. However, there are powerful interests that benefit from keeping people divided, opposed, and disconnected.
Corporations that profit from fear-based marketing, or those that gain from an unorganized workforce, have a vested interest in maintaining societal fragmentation. Politically, division can be used as a tool to maintain control, with some leaders weaponizing differences to prevent communities from uniting around common goals.
At Netcentric Campaigns, we are committed to countering these forces by empowering communities to come together, build trust, and create and strengthen the networks needed for meaningful societal change. We believe that resilient, well-connected networks are the foundation of a healthier, more equitable society—and we’re here to support that mission.
Emerging Trends and Critical Insights
Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images
AP Photo/Richard Drew, File
Sexism Sways Close Elections
Social Media Exodus: BlueSky and Threads Gain
In the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Donald Trump secured 75.89 million votes, while Kamala Harris received 72.88 million, resulting in a difference of approximately 3.01 million votes, or a 3.97% margin. This slim margin emphasizes how even small gender biases can have a substantial impact on election outcomes. Research indicates that negative attitudes toward female candidates can be significant. A study analyzing Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign found that hostile sexism played a role in her defeat, showing how gender biases influenced voter behavior. Similarly, Kamala Harris’s candidacy was subject to scrutiny and opposition tied to gender-based prejudices. When elections are this close, even a small fraction of voters holding sexist attitudes can be enough to tip the scales, highlighting the pervasive and often understated impact of sexism in politics. (De Gruyter, The Fulcrum)
Following the 2024 election, major shifts occurred in the social media landscape. X (formerly Twitter) experienced a decline in user engagement, with many users migrating to alternative platforms like BlueSky and Threads.
According to TechCrunch, BlueSky saw a surge of over 700,000 new registrations post-election, bringing its total user base to around 14.5 million. The Associated Press reported that Threads also experienced significant growth, becoming the top free app on the Apple App Store as dissatisfied users sought new online communities.
These trends reflect a changing communication environment, with users increasingly opting for platforms that better align with their values and provide improved user experiences. This social media migration underscores the evolving dynamics of online discourse, particularly in the wake of significant political events. (TechCrunch, AP News)
Updates from Our Partner Networks Driving Change in Communities Around the World
Celebrating Environmental Stewardship: Reflecting on the 10th Annual Sentinel Awards
On December 4, we celebrated the 10th Annual Sentinel Awards for Environmental Stewardship—a memorable evening honoring environmental champions whose efforts exemplify the power of collective action.
The event highlighted inspiring stories of advocacy and resilience, embodying the values that drive Netcentric Campaigns’ support for Halt the Harm. Together, we recognized individuals and groups working tirelessly to safeguard our planet, strengthen connections, and foster a shared commitment to meaningful change.
Missed the event? You can still learn about the remarkable award winners who are shaping a better future.
Driving Leadership for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Initiatives in Ghana
At the recent UNC Water and Health Conference, the WASH team presented their work in the Ahafo region of Ghana, where they are leveraging client-service approaches to achieve region-wide WASH coverage by 2030. Through strategic partnerships, innovative tools, and community engagement, the program is transforming lives by addressing challenges such as infrastructure gaps, leadership accountability, and hygiene literacy. With support from IRC Ghana and the Hilton Foundation, the program now spans all six districts in the region, aiming for sustainable impact.
We’ll be back soon with more insights and resources to support your advocacy journey. Have a question you’d like answered or feedback on the newsletter? We’d love to hear from you—just hit reply and let us know!