In this paper we define and study the notion of a monoidal network, which consists of a commutative ring $R$ and a collection of groups $Γ_I$, indexed by the ideals of $R$, with $Γ_I$ acting on the quotient $R/I$ and satisfying a certain lifting condition. The examination of these objects is largely motivated by, and initially arose from, the study of the union-closed sets conjecture. This connection is made precise and other aspects of these structures are investigated.