About Us > ECHO Network

What is the ECHO Network?

The ECHO Network builds a better community by providing opportunities to foster enriching, trusting, and long-lasting relationships among diverse people.

The ECHO Network began with a diverse group of approximately 40 community leaders who came together in December 2003 to promote the building of social capital in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County.  Over the years, the ECHO Network has initiated several efforts such as a Volunteer Center, Leadership Summit, and Conversation Groups in an effort to bring people from diverse backgrounds together to build relationships as well as discuss issues that impact the Winston-Salem community.

What does the ECHO Network actually do?

The ECHO Network acts as a force for positive community change by raising critical questions and by bringing people together to develop solutions that serve the interests of all residents.

The ECHO Council within the Network serves as a “think tank” generating innovative ideas and continually evaluating existing strategies that advance the organization's mission of building trusting relationships across lines of difference.

Members engage in a variety of individual, small-group, and large-group experiences designed to allow them to build trusting relationships with one another. The Council aims to serve as a role model for the larger community with regard to bridging social capital. Also, in engaging in their own relationship-building process, ECHO Council members gain important insights that can be incorporated into the design of new strategies (i.e., the think tank aspect of their job).

Where the “action” occurs within the ECHO Council.

The ECHO Council meets bi-monthly to learn about community issues, consider opportunities for building social capital, set strategic direction, review progress, and strengthen relationships among members. However, the majority of the “action” occurs within the various committees, program teams and Conversation Groups which generally meet monthly. Involvement in these groups is open to the community at-large.  It is during these meetings/gatherings that action-oriented tasks are discussed and implemented.

If you are interested in learning more about the ECHO Network or interested in joining the ECHO Council, please visit www.echonetwork.org or call 336-499-4402.