Introducing the Connective Tissue Membership Network

We’re launching Connective Tissue membership, a self-sustaining membership network to realize our generational project of civic renewal.

Connective Tissue has been a labor of love for almost two years. We typically spend 10-15 hours per week on the newsletter — and, sometimes, much longer than that. We’re (usually) quite proud of the quality of what we publish. And we’ve been grateful that what we’re putting out is resonating: Since last July, our subscriber count has grown by 5x (from ~1,000 to ~5,000), a few of our pieces have gone viral(ish), and subscribers have started experimenting with our proposed ideas for strengthening civic life.

What started as a little experiment to “learn out loud” while we were developing the Connective Tissue Policy Framework is now shaping policy, culture, and practice around renewing our lives in community. By early this year, it was becoming clear to us that Connective Tissue was entering a new phase. What was less clear to us was what this next phase should look like.

Left: Our viral(ish) piece; Center + Right: Falls Church’s Welcome Kit and Norwalk’s Club Directory, each inspired by Connective Tissue

The answer, it turned out, ~was within us all along.~ When we reflected on our values, we knew that, whatever we did, we wanted it to be civically aligned: Members had to be at the heart of our business model, decision-making, and future offerings. And when we interviewed dozens of subscribers this spring, it turned out you wanted the same thing: a membership model where you have the opportunity to cultivate relationships and collaborate with fellow Connective Tissue subscribers, both digitally and in-person.

The Connective Tissue membership network that we’re rolling out today is our opportunity to put our theories of membership into practice.

We’ll start with a “minimum viable membership” of digital offerings, including interactive events, a member database and member-developed resources, and a monthly curated list of top reads and resources. As the network and our collective capacity grows, we’ll launch IRL offerings — an annual gathering, regional/local member groups, live events with partners, and more. All of this is a work-in-progress, and we expect members to actively shape the future direction of the network.

Membership is a natural extension of what we’re already doing with Connective Tissue, not a replacement for it. As such, all of our existing offerings — our monthly Originals and Q&As — will remain free for all subscribers.

But collecting our dues will be an essential ingredient of the Connective Tissue membership network. This is not about building a “privatized” or “exclusive” community. Rather, it’s about building a self-sustaining model where members are engendered with a sense of ownership — and it’s about giving you, our prospective members, the opportunity to power the research, writing, and storytelling you believe in.

You can join as a Member for $100/year (or $10/month) and immediately get access to our interactive events, member database, and curated lists. You can join as a Founding Member for $200/year and receive all of the benefits of membership, plus priority registration for our annual gathering, access to monthly office hours with me, and our swag pack. Or, if you need it, you can join using our sliding scale for as low as $50/year (or $5/month).

Becoming a Connective Tissue member is a commitment that involves both benefiting from your membership and contributing to it. Yes, joining is an opportunity to connect with fellow members, get inspiration and learn from peers who are creating new civic possibilities, and experiment with practical strategies for cultivating civic renewal. But joining is also an invitation to contribute — leading elements of the member experience (e.g, hosting events, creating resources), shaping what the member experience can become through our member committees, and supporting the future of Connective Tissue’s work by paying your dues.

Interested in learning more? Start by checking out this comprehensive, living FAQ document that we compiled. Get your questions answered live by participating in our membership AMA session tomorrow at 4PM ET. And don’t hesitate to email me directly if you have any questions.

We’re at the start of a generational moment of civic renewal. It’s going to demand new networks, new models and approaches, and new ways of showing up in community. We invite you to join us and help shape what this member network — and our renewal movement — can become.

- Sam

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Quick Note: Substack had been having issues with processing payments, but they seem to be resolved. We don’t expect you to encounter payment issues now. However, if you do, please contact us at theconnectivetissue@gmail.com, and we’ll get them sorted out.