MIA Network Assembly
The MAVlab Innovation Associates Network is unlocking the knowledge, experience and energy of council staff across our 79 Victorian councils in a new and dynamic community of practice. With over 100 members and 42% of councils represented so far, the network has enormous potential to scale impact through innovation and collaboration.
The MIA Network assembled this month for the first time. These sessions were an opportunity to connect with each other and co-design how to work together to enable greater collaboration and innovation. "The MIA's hold so much wisdom learned from their experiences leading innovative work in councils across the state. Our MAVlab team was led by their insights to explore how to foster innovation, reciprocity, connection and resourcefulness. Together we will co-design and mobilise a new impact focused community of practice across our local council network" shared Bonnie Shaw, Chief Innovator in Residence and MAVlab Lead, MAV.
MIA's helped to facilitate co-design activities also shared their thoughts:
“Within a few minutes there was a rolling conversation happening, and individuals were starting to theme the post-its collaboratively”, Cam Perkins, City of Darebin.
"There was heaps of enthusiasm in the virtual room. MIAs are excited to leverage the wealth of wisdom in the network, especially from rural councils, who have been innovating out of necessity for a long time", Tavis Vallance, City of Boroondara.
"The power of the collective cannot be underestimated. The MIA Network feels like a safe space to rally around each other, our challenges, opportunities and projects regardless of job title or position in a traditional council hierarchy", Emma Forster, City of Melbourne.
"You could feel the optimism as colleagues from across the state joined us to shared their bold and creative ideas for collaboration", Gemma Baxter, Innovation Associate in Residence at MAV (on secondment from City of Melbourne).