The Collaborative Learning Network is focused on the tools, processes, and knowledge needed to support and improve collaboration in member organizations. We collaborate through virtual and face-to-face meetings, and through the CLN QuickPlace. These "collaborative spaces" create a forum for the members to educate, exchange ideas, and have discussions and dialog concerning collaboration and learning. The CLN QuickPlace acts to continue and expand on conversations begun in the Members' semi-annual face-to-face meetings. Topics that have been central to this effort include: barriers to collaboration and how they have been dealt with; effective communications and network-building between technical managers; the components of the collaborative mindset; an evolving model for collaboration across organizations.

3M is the founding member of the Collaborative Learning Network. The Network is the next logical stage in the evolution of the Corporate Outreach Committee Learning Consortium, a Standing Committee of the 3M Tech Forum. The CLN, founded in Spring 1999, places 3M as an equal partner with the other CLN Members, and moves this activity from being a 3M-sponsored effort to a truly cross-organizational effort.

Annual membership for each organization ranges from US$2500-6000, depending on company size and renewal status. Membership begins on the first day of the next month after you enroll.

We chose a membership model for a number of reasons. To build collaborative capability, we thought that trust-building and interdependence were key factors. A second factor is that expanding a committed membership will provide a solid financial support for maintaining and expanding CLN activities.

The internal learning group is brought together by their shared interest and need for collaboration knowledge and best practices within each member organization. The structure of the Collaborative Learning Network is based on layered learning, where the collaboration across organizations is processed by each internal group and disseminated to their organization in the way that best meets their internal business issues and focus. That internal process is then shared with the whole Network through several forums: the face-to-face meetings, virtual monthly meetings, and internal collaboration projects.

CLN activities are facilitated and monitored by a trained process consultant, Dori Digenti, whose role is to monitor exchanges on the site, add value to the CLN's knowledge through research, and make connections to build social capital in the network. In other words, there is an ongoing process of facilitating knowledge creation, not just more information processing.