About Root Commons
Root Commons is a radically reimagined newsletter and hub for changemakers building networks that work. Connecting the right people, opening real doors, growing our collective power.
"But I am not good at networking!"
No one is actually "good" or "bad" at networking.
“I hate networking, but I should do it.”
I get it and this is not a you problem. It is a symptom of our hyper-individualistic extractive capitalist work culture. We've lost the plot. We often view networking as an isolated individual labor-intensive task. We forget that we are already interconnected and interdependent.
We long to live within thriving, connected, and curated networks that function as an ecosystem that meets our collective needs.
That requires cultivation. We need network weavers. We need network tenders.
The vision for Root Commons is to strengthen our interconnections and interdependence by creating the infrastructure to build our work through networked practices that are visible, actionable, and mutually sustainable.
So that we all thrive, not just survive.
Who We Are
We (that includes you!) are visionary social-justice centered organizational leaders, business owners, consultants, strategists, practitioners, writers, funders, fundraisers, designers, donor organizers, and cultural workers.
We are here to find each other, work together, and cultivate a world where we all thrive.
We know that generative connections generate real impact and collective care. Generous connection, impact, and care flows freely when there is infrastructure designed to make that possible.
Root Commons applies solidarity economy and mutual aid principles to strategic business-building practices through:
🤝🏾 Context-rich warm introductions
🔄 Facilitated network gatherings curated to who (and what needs) are in the room
📝 Community norms rooted in regenerative business practices
💡 Learning how we can integrate solidarity economy principles into our work
We are here to build thriving networks that operate as true ecosystems – where needs, offers, capacity, and expertise are clearly defined and shared so that network-building is an energizing practice that is truly worth your time.
What Root Commons Offers
Root Commons Newsletter Membership - Free
🔎 Spotlights on organizations, businesses, cooperatives, and collectives doing rad things and ways you can learn and get involved in their work.
🎯 Deep dive posts that unpack concepts, introduce practices, and deliver some hot takes to help us divest from draining individualistic practices so that we can invest our time and energy building on-the-ground network practices that creates sustainable work, income, and livelihood.
👀 Behind-the-scenes dispatches on what it looks like to build Root Commons from the ground up. And ways you can get involved.
Anti Networking Networking Club - $10/month or $120/year
✍🏼 Root Commons Newsletter Membership
🔄 Weekly roundup of job postings + new member intros + network needs/offers
🤝🏾 Free access to monthly virtual and IRL facilitated gatherings and workshops
💡 (Optional) 1:1 Business Strategy Consulting at Root Commons member rate
Root Commons - the SPACE
🏘️ The long-term vision is to create a thriving brick and mortar space in Oakland (and elsewhere?) that will operate as a multi-stakeholder solidarity cooperative networked within the emerging ecosystem of co-working, community, and event spaces committed to creating thriving local ecosystems.
Your subscription supports my work in making Root Commons possible and your engagement helps collectively shape Root Commons into a radically reimagined cooperative networking practice that serves you.
Who am I?
Hey hi there, I am Jenn Schindel, PhD 👋🏻
I am a business strategist, recovering academic, writer, ecosystem-builder, leadership coach, thought partner, and connector.
Networking is my love language. ❤️
I bring over 20+ years of experience across strategic business development, narrative communications, client services, and applied research in health equity and social impact sectors; deep learning and practice grounded in regenerative business models, community investment, and solidarity economy principles; and a creative entrepreneurial drive to connect people together to make rad sh*t happen.
I also share your frustration that conventional networking in the form of unstructured mingling, vague asks, unclear offers, and “just be visible and get what you need” dynamics is not it.
So we're gonna do it differently. And we're gonna have fun along the way.
Who are you?
If we don't know who is in our networks and what they need, it ain't (net)working.
Could you give me 2 minutes of your time to answer these 3 short questions that will help shape Root Commons content and offerings?
It's anonymous and you don't need to subscribe to share.
Keep In Touch
You are always welcome to reply directly to me on any post or email you receive. I am grateful you are here and look forward to making rad sh*t happen with you!
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