A follow-up to “Build Without Broadcasting” A few weeks ago, we wrote about the power of building quietly, learning from movements that created change through relationships and trust rather than publicity and announcements. People responded with a question: “Okay, but what does that actually look like?” Fair question. Here’s what we’re building.

Why We’re Starting Small

This summer, we’re working with our existing community to develop better ways to welcome new people into InitiatED. Most organizations ask you to fill out forms, agree to terms, and jump in. We’re trying something different. We’re asking: What would it look like if joining a community actually felt good?

What We Mean by “Different”

Instead of assuming everyone has the same needs, we’re creating space for people to figure out:

  • What do you want to protect when you’re online (your privacy, your safety, your time)
  • How do you want to participate (a lot, a little, sometimes, behind the scenes)
  • What tools work for your situation (not everyone can or should use the same apps)
  • How to contribute your knowledge and skills (we all bring different strengths)

The Tools Question

We’re also being intentional about the digital tools we use. Instead of defaulting automatically to Google, Facebook, or Zoom, we’re exploring alternatives that respect privacy and make participation feel less extractive. This isn’t about being anti-technology. It’s about choosing tools that support the kind of community we say we want to build.

Who We’re Building For

InitiatED brings together people from all over the world who care about education, literacy, and justice:

  • Teachers and educators (in schools, libraries, community centers, anywhere learning happens)
  • Parents and caregivers who want better for their kids and communities
  • Students and young people with fresh perspectives and lived experience
  • Community organizers working for change in their neighborhoods
  • Researchers and academics who want their work to matter in the real world
  • Anyone who believes education should serve all people, not just some

We’re intentionally local and global. B uilding regional groups that connect across continents, sharing strategies that work in different contexts. We’re intentionally local and global. Building relationships that make sense close to home while staying connected across different places and contexts.

What “Abundance” Means in Practice

There’s been a lot of talk lately about working from abundance instead of scarcity. For us, that means something simple. We do not believe only a few people get to belong, contribute, or shape the work.

Scarcity thinking says:

  • there’s only room for experts
  • you have to prove you belong
  • competition makes the work better

Abundance thinking says:

  • everyone brings something useful
  • there are many ways to participate
  • cooperation makes the work stronger

Practically, this means:

  • You don’t need special credentials to participate
  • You can engage at whatever level works for your life
  • Your role can change as your circumstances change
  • We learn from each other, not just from designated “experts”

Testing and Learning

Right now, we’re testing these approaches with people who already understand what we’re trying to do. We’re asking:

  • What works? What doesn’t?
  • What feels welcoming? What feels overwhelming?
  • How do we support people with different technical comfort levels?
  • What did we miss?

This is how durable communities grow. You try things with people who understand the spirit of the work, learn from what happens, make adjustments, and then widen the invitation.

The Bigger Picture

This community-building work connects to everything else we care about:

  • Digital literacy that helps people navigate and shape technology instead of being shaped by it
  • Educational justice that serves all communities, not just privileged ones
  • Democratic participation where everyone has a voice and agency
  • International cooperation that learns across differences instead of imposing solutions

An Invitation, Not a Sales Pitch

If any of this resonates, we’d love to talk. We’re not asking for a big commitment up front. We’re starting conversations with people who care about these questions and want to explore what might be possible together. Maybe you’re a teacher frustrated with top-down tech mandates. Maybe you’re a parent worried about your kids’ digital future. Maybe you’re a community organizer looking for more durable ways to connect people. Maybe you just think learning and public life could be more cooperative and less extractive. Individual conversations are where the best collaboration starts.

What Happens Next

Over the coming months, we’ll share what we’re learning from this community-building work. Not as finished answers, but as ongoing practice. We’ll pay attention to what helps people feel welcomed, what makes participation easier, and what kinds of structures actually support trust. Most importantly, we’ll keep building relationships with people who believe communities deserve better ways to learn, connect, and organize together.