We’ve been discussing ALF membranes recently. With the ALF website coming online and the network growing, being able to define who is an ALF and what kind of ALF they are is getting to be increasingly important. At it’s base there is a need to validate and recognize that people understand and embody our roots, principles, and practices. There is also a need to create membranes of trust so that as our network grows we can better identify who has what skills and who should be a part of which conversations.
Currently we are using tongue-in-cheek working titles to describe a “baking” process where new ALFs start as Eggs, become Kneaded, get baked, then move on to become muffin holders and muffin tins.
The following chart describes each area and level of ALFing (source):
| I am | I have already | I agree to | The Network agrees to |
| Egg | declared intention | -fill out online form saying “I have an interest in learning to ALF” -Not a spam bot -Read about ALC -Be open to communication with the Network |
-Collect form submissions -give feedback to that person -shares the info on that form with others in the Network |
| Kneaded | Been invited into an ALC space to participate | -To begin practicing being an ALF -honor agreements (general & specific to community) -schedule keeping |
Provides support for Cake Holders to exisit (Cake holders work with rising ALFs, not necessarly Network, obviously there may be some exceptions here) |
| Baked ALF | Has been declared “Baked” through the process of a peer review | -Creates shareable value (blog, youtube video, speaking at alternative ed events, etc) -participate in ongoing collaboration -abide by ALF Network CMB -model tool use and principales embodiment (to support RAs) |
-Brands you as “baked” -Adds you to ALF email list & weekly calls -Invited to contribute in ALF Summer |
| I am | Cake Holder | Muffin Tin | Network Holder |
| I have | Started holidng space or coherence for a domain: -ALC entity -ALF Summer -ALC Facilitation -Tech |
-ability to translate tools & practices in different contexts / ability to facilitate facilitators | -focus on supporting, nurtureing, growing the ALC network |
| I agree to | -Support RAs & BAs -be responsible for space/domain |
-refrain from dogmatisim -support CHs |
-support CHs and MTs -organize trainings -outward faces of Network |
| The Network agrees to | -Stay in conversation about needs and available resources -Affirms your efficacy through peer review process annually |
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Notice how the chart at first describes a linear process, one moves from Egg to Kneaded, to Baked. Then the diagram shifts to describe how an ALF can choose to move into different areas of focus. This whole process is very unusual. We are trying to create a structure that doesn’t grant people authority over others but opens the possibility for individuals to attain high levels of trust in the community.
In an attempt to make this process more clear I’ve created a flow chart that describes the path an individual takes from being a normal person to becoming an ALF.
I would appreciate feedback!
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