Network Evaluation Tool 3
Channels of Participation

See also

Introduction to network evaluation tools

Tool 1: Contributions Assessment

Tool 2: Weaver’s Triangle for Networks

PDF of this tool

This is a simple way of defining how many "categories" of participation your network has and seeing how your members contribute.

The idea is not to categorise the members but to understand how people participate and at what levels. People may move between levels.

It may help to keep it simple. Three categories is probably enough for monitoring purposes.

The outer ring indicates a more remote relationship with the network, while the inner one indicates a more active and involved relationship.

Outer ring – this category of participation involves receipt of the newsletter, with an occasional contribution to the content of the newsletter

Middle ring – this category of participation involves receipt of the newsletter, with occasional contribution; and participation in the annual conference at some level.

Inner ring – this category of participation involves receipt of newsletter, participation in the annual conference, and participation in strategic activities, such as governance committee, policy work and/or lobbying.

In a second example, a lobbying network used the following numbered participation levels for its evaluation:

1. Inner-Circle, very regular shared communication and debate/discussion, input. Part of decision-making process. Trusted. Has regular dialogue with own government.

2. Regular communication/input, active with own government, trusted but not party to confidential information

3. Regular sharing of communication both ways. Active on appeals

4. Share information

5. Recipient of Information

They used a simple table to help them determine how much members participate, and what they contribute. They have also added in other factors, such as the level of access members have to key players. That way they can see where the gaps are in the network’s coverage or reach.

This is one of three tools developed by Madeline Church, University College London. See Introduction to network evaluation tools for further details.