SUFFiciENcy EcONOMy ANd GRASSROOtS DEvElOPMENt

166
The Meaning of Sufficiency Economy
International Conference
In this configuration, the strongest relationships are on the periphery within the
local networks. Interaction between the local networks was encouraged but the only
real opportunity for that was at the annual national conference. Consequently, these
relationships were the weakest. All relationships here were bi-directional. As the
network grew, the relationship between the local networks and the national office
were weakening and the direction of the communication was becoming more
strongly uni-directional from the national office to the local networks. The local
networks increasingly felt that they were not being heard and not being supported.
The national network was collapsing into a hierarchical structure.
Figure 3: Initial BALLE state
Figure 3: Initial BALLE state
With the reorganization in 2009-2010, the national office looked at the overall
With the reorganization in 2009-2010, the national office looked at the overall network and identified
network and identified four very strong and active local networks in each of four
four very strong and active local networks in each of four geographical regions. These networks were
approached geographical to see regions. if they felt These it would networks be possible were for approached their organizations to see if to they support felt acting it would as a regional
hub be to possible facilitate for communication, their organizations provide additional to support networking acting as a and regional a programing hub to possibilities. facilitate All of
them communication, agreed. The resulting provide network additional can be networking visualized as and in Figure a programing 4. possibilities. All
of them agreed. The resulting network can be visualized as in Figure 4.
The kind of relationship that has now matured in the BALLE networks is strong and dynamic. The
businesses The and kind local of networks relationship have been that able has to now work matured together in the hubs BALLE to find networks common is needs such
as preparing strong and to dynamic. talk to local The governments businesses and local and networks regional have economic been able development to work councils,
educating together the in public the on hubs the to value find of common ethical local needs business such ownership, as preparing locating to talk capital to sources local for new
and governments growing businesses, and local and and developing regional tools economic for measuring development environmental councils, and educating social impact. the The
hubs public are in on much the better value positions of ethical to local be able business to identify ownership, best practices locating for both capital businesses sources and for networks.
The national office now has much more time and resources to develop the materials for the businesses
and networks minimizing any duplication of effort.