FSLN Evolution Project: Forming the FSLN Evolution Team
Through a nine-month working group (September 2023 – May 2024), the FSLN Evolution Team will recommend and create an action plan for structures and processes that will enable the Food Systems Leadership Network to function and flourish as an equity-centered, member-driven, resilient network.
Are you excited by the value and potential the FSLN brings to creating more equitable and just food systems? Do you want to explore the how behind the why and what of the FSLN? Join the FSLN Evolution Team to advance our strategic priorities and research and recommend operational avenues the FSLN can incorporate to ensure a successful and bright future.
FSLN 2023-2025 Strategic Priorities
Since launch five years ago, the Food Systems Leadership Network has aspired to flourish as a resilient national network that is driven by members and centered in equity. In line with this goal, in 2022 the FSLN Backbone Team implemented a multiphase strategic planning process to invite member input into the direction of the network. Through in-person sessions and a member survey, members identified several priorities for the network to focus on over the next several years.
This FSLN Evolution Project and Evolution Team will move forward objective #5: become a dynamic, intentional, and people-centered national network that practices its values in all aspects of network life including programs, policies, operations, and governance and the call to “develop and host a paid, elected Member Leadership Council / Network Advisory Board.”
About the Evolution Team:
The FSLN Backbone Team will work with an “Evolution Team” of +/- 5 individuals via a nine-month working group to answer the following question: What structures and processes (operations and governance) will best enable the FSLN to function and flourish as an equity-centered, member-driven, resilient network? And what steps must be taken to integrate these?
We are looking for individuals who see the value of the FSLN for advancing food systems change, are excited by its potential as a network, and want to play a pivotal role in figuring out the structures and processes that will help us realize that potential.
The FSLN Backbone Team will be reaching out to folks individually for this role but we also know there are a lot of people out there who might be interested in supporting this project. Complete this brief interest form if you think you’d be a good fit!
If you are invested in the future of the FSLN but can’t commit to joining the Evolution Team, we would love to get your insight and participation during a future FSLN call about this project. Stay tuned!
FSLN Evolution Team Desired Qualifications and Expectations
All Evolution Team members must have:
Each team member must further demonstrate expertise in one or more of these areas:
Familiarity with various leadership, governance, and decision-making structures for networks
Deep understanding of the food systems change ecosystem:
We have $25,000 to support the Evolution Team and anticipate compensating each Evolution Team member $5,000 for roughly 50 hours of their time and effort. The final amount will be determined based on number of ET members and final scope of work.
The Evolution Team will be engaged as a working group. We will meet as a full team throughout the project, and ET members will be expected to conduct independent research and move the project forward outside of team meetings.
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