New England Sustainability Strategy

NETWORK GOVERNANCE

February 2011

this project has been assisted by the NSW Government through its

and with support from

NETWORK GOVERNANCE

www.ness.wikidot.com NESS is an initiative of

Page 2 of 19
Illustration 1: Integrated Sustainability Network Governance
NETWORK GOVERNANCE

“CONSTELLATION COLLABORATION”
Of all the network governance models identified and researched, the most similar
and sophisticated was the Constellation Collaboration, developed by Tonya
Surman from the Centre for Social Innovation specifically to:
...organise a group of interested parties to meet a need and
support multi-organisational partnerships without having to create
a new organisation to ‘hold’ the issue. It is a tool to help us
recognise and become conscious designers in a complex
ecosystem of organisational collaboration...

This governing model has been applied in a wide range of complex contexts,
wicked problems and ambitious objectives, which bodes well for seeking
sustainability in the New England.

The particular advantages of network governance identified through NESS 1, NESS2

and applications of network governance models include:
• Leadership is valued within a broader context of collaboration. The model
privileges the ‘initiative taker’. All types of leadership are valuable in this
model, as long as the leadership is consistent with the larger vision and
goals of the group
• Organisations preserve their autonomy while carrying out the group's
shared goals
• Groups work together to reduce duplication of efforts and competition for
funding by working together and coordinating resource and funding
procurement strategies
• Build on what is already happening and what is working well
• Strength in unity created through collaborative work on the key focus areas
and strategic initiatives, which can be very attractive to funding bodies
and partners
• Self- interest is harnessed, valued and balanced with common interest or
converging interests and the needs of the greater community. In fact,
'coordinated mutual self- interest' is seen as the best way to secure
resources and goals
• Enhanced impact and outcomes by leveraging the resources and
capabilities of multiple stakeholders towards common priorities and

www.ness.wikidot.com NESS is an initiative of

Page 3 of 19
NETWORK GOVERNANCE
objectives
• Collaborative and participatory processes ~ such as the Public Forums and
Scorecard Round table ~ become learning environments where
understanding and ideas are shared and developed together, gaining
from each others' experience
• Leadership and workload are balanced, shared and aligned with the
particularly issue area and partners' core competencies
• Work is action focused as the model flexibly responds to the energy of the
network and emergent opportunities
• Order, systems and accountability are balanced with opportunity,
emergence and entrepreneurship
• Greater visibility, recognition and awareness raising through the substantial
profile afforded by the web portal, public events, communication strategy
and communal branding
• By working together access to new NESS processes, tools and information is
gained

To paraphrase further from Tonya Surman's work:

… energy and intentionality are the underlying forces that enable
implementation and support the model. Energy is simply the
motivations, priorities, strategic goals and sense of urgency around
an issue. It is what people and organisations are willing to put
toward the shift to sustainability …

… intentionality is the consciousness of the work of the network

towards sustainability. Not everyone needs to be conscious of how
they are working in the model, but NESSiE needs to be operating
intentionally, adapting to the complex and changing environment.
It is the wisdom behind the energy …

… when a particular initiative, need or opportunity has been met,

it is probably best to ‘creatively destroy’ the initiative, or key focus
area even, as the energy has left, remembering to find a way to
bring the assets of the old forward. Irrelevance is the fastest way to
kill collaboration …

www.ness.wikidot.com NESS is an initiative of

Page 4 of 19
NETWORK GOVERNANCE

OTHER GOVERNANCE MODELS

In addition to the 2½ years of work on NESS, the following existing network
governance structures have been considered:
• Sustain Northern Rivers (Climate Change Collaboration)
• Visa International Association (Chaordic Organisation)
• Waterfall Way Eco-Tourism Initiative
• Rochdale Principles for Co-Operatives
• Cairns Charter
• Greening Australia ~ Habitat 141 & Gondwana Link

These are summarised below and a more detailed summary of the network
governance principles applied by each of these is included in the Appendices.

Visa International
• Rules
◦ Governance is distributive.
◦ No individual, institution, or combination of either or both, is able to dominate deliberations or
control decisions
◦ No member has any intrinsic preferential position
◦ Power & function are distributive to the maximum degree
◦ No function is performed by any part of the whole that could reasonably be done by any more
peripheral part
◦ No power is vested in any part that might reasonably be exercised by any lesser part
• Resources
◦ Activities equitably owned by all participants
◦ Revenue from products & systems (eg two global electronic communication systems with thousands
of data centres communicating through nine million miles of fibre–optic cable, clearing a greater
number of electronic financial transactions in a week than the US Federal Reserve wire system does
in a year)
• Structures
◦ Multiple boards of directors within a single legal entity, none of which can be considered superior
or inferior, as each has irrevocable authority & autonomy over geographic or functional areas
◦ Infinitely malleable yet extremely durable. Capable of constant, self–generated, modification of
form or function without sacrificing its essential nature or embodied principle. Embraces diversity &
change
Rochdale Principles ~ Co-Operatives ~
• Rules
◦ Open & Voluntary Membership, Inclusive (Anti-Discriminatory)
◦ Democratic decision-making
◦ Agreements with other bodies are on terms that maintain autonomy
• Structures
◦ Representative Board ~ workers, investors, management, stakeholders, consumers, etc.
◦ Remuneration & Reward for Contribution & Investment

www.ness.wikidot.com NESS is an initiative of

Page 5 of 19
NETWORK GOVERNANCE
Waterfall Way EcoTourism Initiative ~ Regional Charter
• Rules
◦ Waterfall Track Stewardship Council would consist of self-organising, stakeholder discussion forums &
would be concerned with setting overall policy for track operations & development in conjunction
with the network organisation & addressing issues raised by various stakeholder forums & setting
policy accordingly
◦ Collaborative planning methodologies & co-managing by regional stakeholders, agencies &
communities
◦ Win-Win for all stakeholders (ie. there can not be trade-offs where economic gains jeopardise the
integrity of ecosystems, a community's sense of place or undermines any one group’s cultural
identity
• Resources
◦ Own the Brand
◦ Lobby & negotiate with governments & others as to funding support for track development &
maintenance
◦ Syndicate of ‘regional investors’ to initiate & support development & on-going maintenance,
infrastructure & off-track supporting services
• Structures
◦ Waterfall Track Stewardship Council
◦ Memorandums of Understanding with Partners, Landholders, Stakeholders
◦ Paid overall co-ordination, including board roles, plus specialist funded project leaders
◦ Zones have own flavour, are locally owned & led by communities & committed stakeholders, co-
managed through zone based management development plans & guidelines
◦ Collaborative monitoring of holistic indicators of sustainability
Cairns Charter on Partnerships for EcoTourism
• Rules
◦ Work together in transparent planning processes to define milestones, monitor performance,
evaluate goals & objectives as a flexible response to the dynamic nature of partnerships
◦ Respect each partner’s aspirations & accommodate their operational needs, including respect for
social & cultural values
◦ Facilitate equitable integration of communities & indigenous peoples into processes & projects
◦ Positive outcome for all parties
◦ Establish equitable access for all parties to expertise & resources
◦ Work together to ensure partnerships benefit natural areas in which eco-tourism occurs
• Resources
• Structures
◦ Work together in transparent planning processes to define milestones, monitor performance,
evaluate goals & objectives
◦ Establish information networks to facilitate information sharing among stakeholders
◦ Monitor the development of the eco-tourism industry in partnership with operators & communities
to ensure that products are ecologically sensitive

www.ness.wikidot.com NESS is an initiative of

Page 6 of 19
NETWORK GOVERNANCE
Sustain Northern Rivers ~ Climate Change Collaboration Agreement
• Rules
◦ Signatories to the Agreement each appoint a representative to the Steering Committee
◦ Chairing of Steering Committee meetings will rotate between the representatives of partner
organisations
◦ Voluntary collaboration between the signatories & should not be construed as in any way creating
legal obligations or duties
◦ All organisations involved in the collaboration have a right to participate in setting the terms of
their participation
◦ Steering Committee decisions will be made by consensus. Failing a consensus, matters can be
resolved by voting in which case partner organisations will each be entitled to one vote
◦ Conflict of Interest ~ No person should obtain a private benefit or advantage by virtue of being
part of the Northern Rivers Climate Change Collaboration (NR3C) or any of its working groups.
Additionally, no one should use their position within the NR3C to unfairly influence or decide a
matter where they have a real or perceived private interest. These principles apply to pecuniary &
non pecuniary conflicts of interest.
• Resources
◦ Avoid wasteful duplication of effort & will collaborate to achieve the most efficient & equitable
deployment of available resources
• Structures
◦ Steering Committee that is the principal forum for on‐going strategy development, co ‐ordination
and governance of their collaboration in pursuit of the objectives of the Climate Change
Collaboration Agreement
◦ Action Team ~ smaller group mandated to make decisions on implementation & operational
matters.
◦ Working Groups ~ task-focussed groups formed as needed to implement Action Team decisions
◦ Partners (voting rights, signatories to the Agreement) & Associates (non-voting stakeholders)
◦ Establish & monitor key indices of sustainability in the region and review the regional climate
change goals & targets against these indices & evolving national & international standards

www.ness.wikidot.com NESS is an initiative of

Page 7 of 19
NETWORK GOVERNANCE

NETWORK GOVERNANCE PRINCIPLES

MODELS & VISA INTERNATIONAL ROCHDALE PRINCIPLES WATERFALL WAY ECO- CAIRNS CHARTER SUSTAIN NORTHERN RIVERS (CLIMATE CHANGE
PRINCIPLES (CHAORDIC^^ ~ CO-OPERATIVES ~ TOURISM INITIATIVE COLLABORATION)
ORGANISATION)
LEADERSHIP & Multiple boards of directors Representative Board Waterfall Track Steering Committee that will
within a single legal entity, ~ workers, investors, Stewardship Council be the principal forum for on‐going strategy
COORDINATION none of which can be management, superceding New development, co‐ordination and governance of their
considered stakeholders, England Eco-tourism collaboration in pursuit of the objectives of the
superior or inferior, as each consumers, etc. Society Climate Change Collaboration Agreement
has irrevocable authority & Paid overall co- (detailed below)
autonomy over ordination, including Steering Committee’s mission will be to engage
geographic or functional board roles, plus specialist stakeholders & communities in setting agreed
areas. funded project leaders climate change action goals & targets for the region
The core of the enterprise Zones have own flavour, & then to promote & support local self-organised
has no knowledge of or be locally owned & led initiatives to advance these goals
authority over a vast by communities & Signatories to the Agreement each appoint a
number of the constituent committed stakeholders representative to the Steering Committee
parts. No part knows the Chairing of Steering Committee meetings will rotate
whole, the whole does not between the representatives of partner organisations
know all the parts & none Preparation of meeting agendas, business papers &
has any need to. The the keeping of minutes will be the responsibility for
entirety, like all chaords – the Action Team
including those called Steering Committee meetings will be held according
body, brain & biosphere – to a calendar of pre-arranged dates at venues
is largely self–regulating. provided by North Coast TAFE with video
conferencing facilities available.

www.ness.wikidot.com NESS is an initiative of

Page 8 of 19
NETWORK GOVERNANCE
MODELS & VISA INTERNATIONAL ROCHDALE PRINCIPLES WATERFALL WAY ECO- CAIRNS CHARTER SUSTAIN NORTHERN RIVERS (CLIMATE CHANGE
PRINCIPLES (CHAORDIC^^ ~ CO-OPERATIVES ~ TOURISM INITIATIVE COLLABORATION)
ORGANISATION)
MEMBERSHIP & Activities equitably owned Open & Voluntary Syndicate of ‘regional May incorporate Voluntary collaboration between the signatories &
by all participants Inclusive (Anti- investors’ to initiate & partners from the should not be construed as in any way creating legal
PARTICIPATION Discriminatory) support development & private sector, obligations or duties
Motivation on-going maintenance, public sector, non- All organisations involved in the collaboration have a
(Leadership & infrastructure & off-track government right to participate in setting the terms of their
Responsibility for supporting services organisations, participation, i.e. the strategic purpose of the
Sustainability) Owned, led & governed community & collaboration, its guiding principles & any protocols
by regional communities, indigenous groups, needed to facilitate collaboration
stakeholders, Councils & academic &
supported by research Partners (i.e. signatories to the Agreement)
government agencies as institutions, inter- Organisations with an operational span across or
an integrated cross- governmental within the seven local government areas of the
regional initiative organisations, Northern Rivers region & a significant degree of
financial functional autonomy or governance at regional level.
institutions, & These organisations will each appoint a
development representative to the Steering Committee with full
assistance voting rights
agencies
Associates (i.e. non-signatory participants)
Organisations operating within the Northern Rivers
region but with their primary governance elsewhere
who wish to participate in the collaboration but not
sign the Agreement. These organisations will each
appoint a non-voting representative to the Steering
Committee.

Partners & Associates agree to explain the purpose of

the Agreement & promote its objectives to their own

www.ness.wikidot.com NESS is an initiative of

Page 9 of 19
NETWORK GOVERNANCE
MODELS & VISA INTERNATIONAL
PRINCIPLES (CHAORDIC^^
ORGANISATION)
DECISION- Governance is distributive.
No individual, institution, or
MAKING combination of either or
both, is able to dominate
deliberations or control
decisions
No member has any
intrinsic preferential
position
www.ness.wikidot.com
ROCHDALE PRINCIPLES WATERFALL WAY ECO- CAIRNS CHARTER SUSTAIN NORTHERN RIVERS (CLIMATE CHANGE
~ CO-OPERATIVES ~ TOURISM INITIATIVE COLLABORATION)
members, constituents/clients & through their
networks across the region
Democratic Waterfall Track Work together in Steering Committee decisions will be made by
Stewardship Council transparent consensus. Failing a consensus, matters can be
would consist of self- planning resolved by voting in which case partner
organising, stakeholder processes to organisations will each be entitled to one vote
discussion forums & would define milestones, Steering Committee is forum for agreeing strategic
be concerned with monitor directions, priorities & collaboration protocols:
setting overall policy for performance, • Open to all participating organisations
track evaluate goals & • Selects & oversees the Action Team
operations & objectives as a • Can create Working Groups
development in flexible response • Not engaged with operational details
conjunction with the to the dynamic Decisions about the planning & implementation of
network organisation & nature of agreed collaborative projects, on-going coordination
addressing issues raised partnerships & operational details can be best handled by a
by various stakeholder Respect each smaller group selected by the collaborating
forums & setting policy partner’s organisations & accountable to them
accordingly aspirations & Steering Committee has the authority to form working
Ensure accountability for accommodate groups & sub‐committees as it considers necessary to
funds raised their operational advance the purposes of the Agreement & to make
Collaborative planning needs, including recommendations to the signatories
methodologies & co- respect for social To maximise innovation, SNR seeks to minimise
managing by regional & cultural values procedural constraints
stakeholders, agencies & Raise awareness
communities for informed
Co-managed through decision-making
zone based Facilitate
management equitable
NESS is an initiative of
Page 10 of 19
NETWORK GOVERNANCE
MODELS & VISA INTERNATIONAL ROCHDALE PRINCIPLES WATERFALL WAY ECO- CAIRNS CHARTER SUSTAIN NORTHERN RIVERS (CLIMATE CHANGE
PRINCIPLES (CHAORDIC^^ ~ CO-OPERATIVES ~ TOURISM INITIATIVE COLLABORATION)
ORGANISATION)
development plans & integration of
guidelines developed communities &
between zone co- indigenous
operatives, supporting peoples into
agencies & the umbrella processes &
Track Co-operative projects

DISTRIBUTION OF All advantage must result Remuneration & Win-Win for all Positive outcome Conflict of Interest ~ No person should obtain a
from individual ability & Reward for stakeholders (ie. there for all parties private benefit or advantage by virtue of being part
RETURNS initiative. it cannot be Contribution & can not be trade-offs Establish equitable of the Northern Rivers Climate Change Collaboration
bought, traded, raided, or Investment where economic gains access for all (NR3C) or any of its working groups. Additionally, no
sold, since ownership is jeopardise the integrity of parties to one should use their position within the NR3C to
held in the form of ecosystems, a expertise & unfairly influence or decide a matter where they
perpetual, non– community's sense of resources have a real or perceived private interest. These
transferable membership place or undermines any Value each principles apply to pecuniary & non pecuniary
rights one group’s cultural party’s conflicts of interest.
However, that portion of identity contributions –
the business created by acknowledging
each member is owned traditional inputs
solely by them, is reflected such as financial
in their share prices & can capital & less
be sold to any entity tangible factors,
eligible for membership such as
intellectual
property
Demonstrate a
commitment to
ethical investment,
supporting eco-

www.ness.wikidot.com NESS is an initiative of

Page 11 of 19
NETWORK GOVERNANCE
MODELS & VISA INTERNATIONAL ROCHDALE PRINCIPLES WATERFALL WAY ECO- CAIRNS CHARTER SUSTAIN NORTHERN RIVERS (CLIMATE CHANGE
PRINCIPLES (CHAORDIC^^ ~ CO-OPERATIVES ~ TOURISM INITIATIVE COLLABORATION)
ORGANISATION)
tourism ventures
that involve best
practice
partnerships

STRUCTURE Power & function are Autonomous & Co-Operative (central Separate Action Team ~ smaller group mandated to make
distributive to the Independent node, inclusive, place- government’s decisions on implementation & operational matters:
maximum degree (Agreements with based management roles in • Selected by Steering Committee & accountable
No function is performed other bodies are on model ~ multi- partnerships, as an to it
by any part of the whole terms that maintain stakeholder, network eco-tourism • Mandated to act within the policy framework set
that could reasonably be autonomy) organisation) provider, & as a by the Steering Committee
done by any more Memorandums of regulator of eco- • Can form Working Groups, gives them their briefs
peripheral part Understanding with tourism to avoid a & supports their operations
No power is vested in any Partners, Landholders, conflict of interest • Decision-making transparent to all collaborating
part that might reasonably Stakeholders organisations
be exercised by any lesser Monthly track
part management meetings Working Groups ~ task-focussed groups formed as
with zone co-ordinators & needed to implement Action Team decisions:
agency representatives • Volunteers nominated by collaborating
On-going organisations
communications & • Each working group is given a specific brief &
eReporting mandated to act within it
• Working groups are accountable to the Action
Team

Specified tasks & areas of functional responsibility that

the smaller co-ordinating group is unable to
handle itself can be delegated to working groups

www.ness.wikidot.com NESS is an initiative of

Page 12 of 19
NETWORK GOVERNANCE
MODELS & VISA INTERNATIONAL ROCHDALE PRINCIPLES WATERFALL WAY ECO- CAIRNS CHARTER SUSTAIN NORTHERN RIVERS (CLIMATE CHANGE
PRINCIPLES (CHAORDIC^^ ~ CO-OPERATIVES ~ TOURISM INITIATIVE COLLABORATION)
ORGANISATION)
with specific briefs & the mandate to act
autonomously within their briefs

Climate Change Collaboration Agreement:

• Actively engage the whole community in action
on climate change
• Believe community engagement & the fostering
of stakeholder partnership is essential to
strengthening the social & economic resilience of
the region
• Accept the responsibility of the Northern Rivers
region to make its best possible contribution to
achieving national & global climate change
mitigation, adaptation & sustainability transition
objectives.

COMMUNITY Employees receive modest Provide education & The Track network is a Community Engage all sections of the community in
salaries by commercial training to members regional social enterprise partners are understanding & formulating
RETURN &
standards. They & the community providing economic, actively involved responses to climate change
BENEFITS demonstrate a simple Work for the social & environmental in & benefit from
truth: given the right sustainable returns for its community
circumstances, from no development of their communities, places, capacity-building
more than dreams, communities peoples, businesses & initiatives relating
determination & the liberty environments to local eco-
to try, quite ordinary tourism initiatives,
people do extraordinary in accordance
things with the principle
of prior informed
consent

www.ness.wikidot.com NESS is an initiative of

Page 13 of 19
NETWORK GOVERNANCE
MODELS & VISA INTERNATIONAL ROCHDALE PRINCIPLES WATERFALL WAY ECO- CAIRNS CHARTER SUSTAIN NORTHERN RIVERS (CLIMATE CHANGE
PRINCIPLES (CHAORDIC^^ ~ CO-OPERATIVES ~ TOURISM INITIATIVE COLLABORATION)
ORGANISATION)
Identify & provide
resources that
allow local
communities to
deal on equal
terms with other
partners

WIDER Infinitely malleable yet Co-operatives Work together to Achieve the widest possible community involvement
extremely durable cooperate with each ensure in formulating specific climate change mitigation,
NETWORK & Capable of constant, self– other & contribute to partnerships adaptation & sustainability transition goals & targets
BENEFITS generated, modification of the movement benefit natural
form or function without areas in which
sacrificing its essential eco-tourism
nature or embodied occurs
principle Ensure eco-
Embraces diversity & tourism in natural
change & protected areas
Attract people & makes a positive
institutions comfortable contribution to
with such conditions & those areas
provide an environment in
which they can flourish

ACCOUNTABILITY Its products are the most Work together in

universally used & transparent
& recognised in the world, planning
TRANSPARENCY yet the organisation is so processes to
transparent that its define milestones,

www.ness.wikidot.com NESS is an initiative of

Page 14 of 19
NETWORK GOVERNANCE
MODELS & VISA INTERNATIONAL
PRINCIPLES (CHAORDIC^^
ORGANISATION)
ultimate customers, most if
its affiliates, & some of its
members do not know
how it exists or functions
ROCHDALE PRINCIPLES WATERFALL WAY ECO- CAIRNS CHARTER SUSTAIN NORTHERN RIVERS (CLIMATE CHANGE
~ CO-OPERATIVES ~ TOURISM INITIATIVE COLLABORATION)
monitor
performance,
evaluate goals &
objectives

PERFORMANCE Collaborative monitoring Actively Avoid wasteful duplication of effort & will collaborate
of holistic indicators of participate in to achieve the most efficient & equitable
& sustainability partnership deployment of available resources
EFFECTIVENESS activities & Establish & monitor key indices of sustainability in the
establish regular, region and review the regional climate change goals
clear & open & targets against these indices & evolving national &
communication international standards
strategies
Ensure eco-
tourism regulatory
systems reward
best practice,
taking a
performance
based approach
rather than
managing for
minimum
standards

ROLE, SERVICES 3,000 staff in 21 offices in Own the Brand Incubate potential The principal joint initiative will be a campaign of
13 countries on 4 Lobby & negotiate with partnerships community engagement & mobilisation know as
& PRODUCTS continents coordinate this governments & others as Share knowledge Sustain Northern Rivers. This will be the brand for all
2/3rds of a trillion dollar to funding support for & adapt individual public activity & promotion

www.ness.wikidot.com NESS is an initiative of

Page 15 of 19
NETWORK GOVERNANCE
MODELS & VISA INTERNATIONAL ROCHDALE PRINCIPLES WATERFALL WAY ECO- CAIRNS CHARTER SUSTAIN NORTHERN RIVERS (CLIMATE CHANGE
PRINCIPLES (CHAORDIC^^ ~ CO-OPERATIVES ~ TOURISM INITIATIVE COLLABORATION)
ORGANISATION)
business, providing track development & goals & objectives Create a dense network of organisations engaged in
product & systems maintenance for the good of climate change action, creating bridging ties
development, global Convene planning the partnership between disparate agencies ~ enabling projects that
advertising & around–the– dialogue to identify, Establish are ‘larger than the sum of their parts’
clock operation of two nurture & develop a information As partners, bring different
global electronic range of world class networks to perspectives & resources to the collaborative process
communication systems walking, adventure, eco- facilitate Encourage, support, & enable the communities,
with thousands of data tourism, nature based & information institutions, organisations and businesses of the region
centres communicating indigenous tourism sharing among to undertake their own action initiatives
through nine million miles experiences stakeholders Jointly advocate for measures to strengthen the
of fibre–optic cable, Co-ordinate & monitor Monitor the resilience of regional communities & businesses, build
clearing a greater number track sections development of the region’s social, economic, & natural capital &
of maintenance & the eco-tourism promote ecologically
electronic financial sustainability industry in sustainable ways of living & working
transactions in a week Incubate, support & co- partnership with Promote the opportunities that climate change offers
than the US Federal ordinate packages & operators & the region to fashion a new ecologically
Reserve wire system does network of tourism communities to sustainable, diverse & creative economy capable of
in a year. operators & supporting ensure that fulfilling the material & cultural needs of
Their capacity is 1,100 service providers products are present & future generations
transactions per second at Support educational, ecologically Foster the development of collaborative climate
a cost of less than a penny local history - storytelling, sensitive change partnerships between diverse stakeholder
each recreational-health, cross Work to groups across the region
cultural & environmental encourage eco- Act to build the learning capability of our
awareness opportunities tourism communities, workplaces &
for visitors, tourists & others partnerships organisations & promote access for everyone to the
Enable opportunities for through planning, skills & knowledge necessary for sustainability
community service ie policy & practical
volunteer & funded programs

www.ness.wikidot.com NESS is an initiative of

Page 16 of 19
NETWORK GOVERNANCE
MODELS & VISA INTERNATIONAL ROCHDALE PRINCIPLES WATERFALL WAY ECO- CAIRNS CHARTER SUSTAIN NORTHERN RIVERS (CLIMATE CHANGE
PRINCIPLES (CHAORDIC^^ ~ CO-OPERATIVES ~ TOURISM INITIATIVE COLLABORATION)
ORGANISATION)
initiatives to explore, Lead the
develop, monitor tracks & development &
walker impacts implementation of
Provide training & skill best practice
development through minimal
opportunities to better impact codes of
develop the practice &
regional capability to certification
undertake & nurture the programs
evolution of both the Business mentoring
Track Network & & educational
necessary supporting opportunities
services, risk Invest in
management operations partnerships,
& on-Track infrastructure environmental &
Support Aboriginal social initiatives to
people to develop ensure stable
educational pathways, employment &
storylines, guiding & income for local
tourism enterprises communities
Co-ordinate marketing, Work with the
facilitate an integrated local community
e-marketing & booking to plan & design
system, ensure quality of products &
packages & review of improve local
product cycle prospects through
Support & help integrate capacity building
stakeholders, & training

www.ness.wikidot.com NESS is an initiative of

Page 17 of 19
NETWORK GOVERNANCE
MODELS & VISA INTERNATIONAL ROCHDALE PRINCIPLES WATERFALL WAY ECO- CAIRNS CHARTER SUSTAIN NORTHERN RIVERS (CLIMATE CHANGE
PRINCIPLES (CHAORDIC^^ ~ CO-OPERATIVES ~ TOURISM INITIATIVE COLLABORATION)
ORGANISATION)
communities, various Research,
government agencies & monitoring &
councils to co-manage technical support
sustainable development Produce accurate
of the Track Network and & ethical articles &
greater region as a marketing pieces
sustainable eco-tourism on products &
destination destinations
Inform the public
about the risks &
benefits of eco-
tourism
development &
issues around
sustainable tourism
Inform the
community on
eco-tourism
partnerships.

www.ness.wikidot.com NESS is an initiative of

Page 18 of 19
NETWORK GOVERNANCE
^^ "chaordic" ~ a new breed of distributed, malleable and adaptive organisation, self–organising, adaptive, non-linear, complex
system, whether physical, biological, or social, the behaviour of which exhibits characteristics of both order and chaos or, loosely
translated to business terminology, cooperation and competition. Dee Hock, Visa.

Illustration 3: Sustain Northern Rivers Governance Structure

Illustration 2: Constellation Model of Collaborative Social Change

(informed Sustain Northern Rivers)

Other Network-Based Governance Models identified & reviewed Greening Australia ~ Habitat 141 & Gondwana Link

www.ness.wikidot.com NESS is an initiative of

Page 19 of 19