Networking in the Community Sector
While there are opportunities for workers and managers alike to network with their peers in the Community Sector there is, however, an often heard lament that there are simply not enough hours in the day to allow for time away from our fundamental responsibilities. Understandably, most of us are reluctant to take time off from our work – the community – so as to mingle with our colleagues. So what value is to be had in networking and is it reasonable to include the time taken to network into our central work?The most obvious benefit is that networks can be a very effective forum for sharing information between organisations, and indeed sub-sectors, within the Community Sector. For example, the Community Food Forum allows organisations that provide food relief to interact whether their primary work is around Housing Security, Alcohol and Other Drugs or Mental Health. Networks built around a common theme or purpose can assist workers from diverse organisations in learning what others are doing, what is new and what is considered good or leading practice.
Perhaps a more subtle benefit of networking is the way in which partnerships, collaborative projects and the sharing of services can be identified and implemented. There is a good deal of interest in the Community Sector regarding sharing and collaboration between services, and benefits can include reduction in overheads, sharing staff in a tight labour market and a more streamlined path for consumers in the Community Sector. But where to start?
Networking can be the fertiliser that fosters the development of good relationships between individuals and their organisations, and leads to collaboration between services. Effective relationships between individuals and their organisations are more often than not the first step in sharing services and collaboration. How much easier is it to approach someone you know as opposed to a complete stranger? So too with collaborative projects between independent organisations. Organisations that network effectively will know of other organisations with similar or complementary philosophies, consumers or services, and through good relationships with these organisations the desire to share or collaborate becomes a real possibility.
Networking can save your organisation duplication, money and time thereby allowing you to provide more cohesive and targeted services to those that use or need your organisation. In short, effective networking can benefit your organisation and more importantly can benefit the people that rely on your organisation. With the promise of spreading limited resources further for your organisation, and improved service delivery for those that use your organisation, it becomes a little easier to see how networking and networks are in fact a pivotal part of the work that we do. While it is sometimes difficult to block out two hours of one’s day for a network meeting it might be worth remembering that the strength of our organisations, and the Community Sector as a whole, relies on our ability and willingness to work together towards a common goal.
So, why not network??
