Symbiotic Culture is a discovery (not an invention) about how symbiosis works in the natural world, as it means mutuality. Practicing symbiotic culture in community means intentional actions reflecting the fact that we are all connected: practicing intentional mutual benefit.

It's an intentional, conscious effort to facilitate the sharing of spiritual, emotional and material resources (kind actions, emotional support, helping neighbors, help organizations connect others with sales, supply chain, volunteers, jobs, funding, and organizational collaboration) − to whit, acting locally and thinking globally to take care of each other. Symbiotic Networks are intentional networks of mutual benefit. They release hidden assets in a community by consciously weaving “bridging” connections amongst people and organizations. Bridging connections are ones that take us beyond our own familiar personal and business networks.

You can practice Symbiotic Culture in the way you make daily connections, whether it’s one-to-one connections or larger network building. It’s not about “what I can get”, it’s about “what I can give.” Bridging connections are the daily connections you could make outside of your family and friends; with neighbors you don’t know; with the barista at your favorite coffee shop; your hairdresser; and others.

Bridging connections help build ecosystems of people and organizations. Symbiotic network building is a bioregional approach to build ecosystems in one of the twelve common needs areas.

Working within a geographic region and over a short period of time, it eventually connects every person, organization and association to each other.

Local bioregional communities will have different stages of ecosystem buildout. In the most simple case, you will see scattered network clusters. Most likely you will find "Strong Tie" food industry clusters such as Restaurant Associations, Farmer’s HUBS, and other network clusters that have some coordination

A catalytic connector, YOU, step forward.Identify the network clusters and leaders (superconnectors) that already exist.Meet individually with each of them.Invite around 5 superconnectors to a first small group meeting.

First small group meeting is held.Establishing Symbiotic Culture DNA • Alignment on shared values, principles, and needs • Alignment on intention and goals and network structure Symbiotic Culture becomes the cultural DNA as the network grows.Leaders in multi HUB network invite their key network connections to the second meeting.

Second meeting held, now with 12-15 HUB leaders in an emergent network.Align new leaders with Symbiotic Culture overview.Next phase: Multi HUB leaders invite their ENTIRE network of food system connections to the first public meeting.

First public meeting held, now with 50-100 leaders, in a self replicating network. Aligning WHOLE COMMUNITY with Symbiotic Culture.Symbiotic Culture DNA is becoming a self replicating "fractal" : a new way to operate mimicking natural systems that create, innovate, adapt, and thrive.Ongoing:• Continue monthly face-to-face meetings• Build network communication channels• Initiate digital social network

Symbiotic Culture Lab, Copyright © Richard Flyer, 2022