People often struggle to feel or act like an owner if they don’t come up with the original idea or plan. This dynamic seems understandable and reasonable. Pointing this out is a small step towards encouraging everyone to intentionally set that aside temporarily for the benefit of all.

How everyone perceives the call to register with the International Disaster Response Network matters. Our desire to be an actual grassroots network is tricky. It is true that most see something as grassroots as springing up organically. In this case, the desire is to encourage grassroots groups and networks to register with the larger network so that everyone can be aware of the other’s existence. The nature of each group needs to be true to their originating culture. In other words, IDRN does not need a global uniformity to be successful. IDRN Global’s goal is to provide as little connective tissue as possible that still does allow for connections that wouldn’t have existed otherwise.

With that goal, IDRN does not seek to “own” local work, local networks, or do anything that is to the credit of local owners. Pointing this out is important for the reason noted in the opening sentence. Because 99.99% of the people we hope will become more connected because of IDRN did not come up with the idea, we want to point out the need for individuals around the world to take real ownership of their part of that world. By connecting to others through the International Disaster Response Network, ownership is not handed over. We will not accept that even if you offer that responsibility.

To be a healthy grassroots network, anything top-down must be carefully scrutinized. Each group and each individual registered in the IDRN does not give up their own sovereignty. Things happen because individuals do them. Yes, working together is a good idea. It’s even better when that coordination, cooperation, and collaboration is initiated organically… not orchestrated by an over-arching group.

Keep this in mind. It is often a struggle for people to take ownership in a world that loves to tell them what to do and how to do it. IDRN’s focus on awareness, best practices, with new and better collaborations does not include command and control. IDRN’s vision to be the most trusted global, grassroots network when it comes to disaster response will only come to pass as those who register with the network take ownership of their part of the world.

IDRN wants to be a healthy grassroots network; therefore, anything top-down must be carefully scrutinized.