Originally posted to sCNN – the smallChangeNewsNetwork
So many of the WorkingModels we’ve been finding, the ones that are especially related to philanthropy, are focused on funding for organizations. At the same time, one of the essential elements of the GivingMarket is its focus on exchange between individual givers and actors. Challenge and opportunity, as this email snippet from Daniel O’Connor helps explain:
…one of the reasons why “org” keeps getting in the way of the self-organizing giving market you envision is the prevalence of the Green value system a la Spiral Dynamics.
Green thinking is maybe 30% of the american culture, but it is an even higher percentage of the “social” “nonprofit” “gifting” “helping” sector that is trying to create a better world. Green likes consensus, structure, and control in pursuit of its social ideals. If it can’t pursuade people to join its cause, it will shame them and coerce them to get in line… politely of course.
What you’re trying to create is Yellow… self-organizing, decentralized, a few simple rules, information flowing, individuals choosing to participate or not without coercion. Yellow is still very rare in america and it is often perceived as the enemy in Green-dominated cultures.
Sure enough, when I floated the GivingMarket idea at a conference last week, it drew some rather intense, politely veiled (as predicted), attacks from some folks who are in the thick of the Green non-profit world. I take this as a good sign. Yellow or bust!
technorati: sCNN | SmallChangeNews
The one time in a man’s life when he doesn’t mind being called “yellow.”
Ironic that Mr. Fearless should be firmly rooted in this meme!