Recognizing the Importance of Internal Ops

In June 2023, we held one of our bi-monthly Operations Updates—and it quickly became clear that our internal structures needed just as much care as our community relationships.

Karen summed it up perfectly: “We recognise we have reflective meetings (sprint review) and operational meetings…but we don’t have a specific strategic meeting for thinking about the next few months.”

From meeting rhythms to file storage to email overload, we explored the many ways our working practices impact our ability to collaborate. Matilde suggested, “We could trial a weekly update email,” and the group welcomed the idea. Simple, structured updates became a way to stay connected without overwhelming one another.

We also reflected on how different strands—research, storytelling, onboarding, engagement—were becoming siloed. “It's time we pulled these threads together,” one team member said. That led to the idea of a strategy-focused space: not for delivery or reflection, but for visioning.

We’re learning that being a collaborative project isn’t just about who we include—it’s about how we work together day-to-day. By taking the time to refine our operations, we’re building a more connected and sustainable foundation for everything else we do.

It’s not glamorous. But it matters. Because when the back end is clear, the front end—the work with communities—can truly thrive.