Lesson 8, Networking is Great!

This week we focused on Networking. I never thought much about networking, especially not in my professional life. This week helped me to understand not only HOW to network, but why it is so crucial to my profession particularly as being involved in recreation. I guess that last part isn't exactly fact, but the more I thought about it, the more I came to that conclusion. Let me explain. 

Every time someone asked me what I'm studying and I respond with recreation management, they all give me the same look. "Well that is a useless degree." I also used to work with our local YMCA and I've seen first hand how hard it is to get funds/support for the programs they were trying to put together. From these experiences I have concluded that most people see recreation as lesser than other professions. By having a good network, we will have other ways to get the support we need as well as the opportunity to help serve others who are trying to build up our community. 

As a side note: This is the purpose of our professions. To make our communities and peoples lives better. We should try to partner ourselves with others who have that as their main priority too :) 

Here are two videos that give advice on networking. 

I liked the last video because sincerity is so key. It will help you feel better about your partnerships and will help those you are working with feel like they are not being used. 

As we go into our lives let us bring these three key attributes: Positive attitude, enthusiasm, and sincerity and I believe that we will succeed. 

Here is some information that I do not want to loose: 

WHAT IS NETWORKING?

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Networking

Definition: Networking is the process of establishing and maintaining communication with professionals and consumers from a variety of backgrounds that have a common vision about community leisure services.

1. Networking occurs between various individuals including different
1. Disciplines
2. Consumers
3. Agencies
4. organizations
2. Primary reasons for Networking
1. Accommodate needs of individuals in our program
2. Serve more people with disabilities

Benefits of Networking

1. Agencies can increase internal resources by adding the specialized skills of staff that work with the other agencies with which they network.
1. Can guide individuals to programs
2. Provide planning, teaching and leading skills to recreation activities
2. Staff within the network may be able to assist other agencies
1. Can help during peaks
2. Lead to higher quality service
3. Improve resource utilization
3. Networks are enhanced when united
1. Focus more on individuals needs
2. Greater success is achieved
4. Increased information flow through organizations in the network
1. For example, when a therapeutic recreation specialist in a hospital shares the discharge with a community recreation professional
2. Individual with disability has a better chance of receiving better care.
3. Both parties are able to communicate needs of patient with each other successfully
5. Keeps professionals and peers informed within and outside their respective fields
1. Provide more diverse programs, better facilities, and a variety of trained professionals
2. Better services that improve quality of life for individual
6. Share common vision
1. The vision spreads and more rights are created for people with disabilities
2. No longer parents or advocacy groups, it’s the whole network

Keys to Effective Networking

1. Common Vision
2. Communication
3. Compromise (win-win)
4. Commitment
5. Consumer Involvement by people with disabilities
6. Clarity (roles, authority)

Elements of Networking

1. Decide if you have enough in common to start a partnership
1. Shared vision and motivation to accomplish is a must!
2. Combines missions through mutually agreed upon goals and objectives
2. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all individuals involved in the network
1. Supplementing weaknesses and complimenting strengths increases success
2. By realizing that networks are long-term relationships, we can overcome short-term failures
3. Compromise
1. Take risks without anticipating rejection
2. Be receptive to new ideas
3. Always search for win-win solutions
4. Communicate
1. Remain in touch with those involved
1. Promotes motivated employees
2. Provides information regarding consumer satisfaction and views
5. Benefits of communication:
1. Increases motivation
2. Shares important information regarding progress toward the goal
3. Provides assistance when facing a difficult task

What you can do to promote networking and collaboration

1. Personally
1. keep an open mind, ask questions and seek clarification
2. follow through with your responsibilities and tasks
3. know your limits and when to get help
2. Regarding Others
1. bring more people into your network
2. recognize others and their achievements give feedback
3. value and act on the expertise of others in the network-listen
4. obtain training and info. that will increase your skills
5. remember why you are collaborating-to help people with disabilities live enriched lives with inclusive recreation.

Community Resources

1. Human Resources
• give out responsibilities
2. Information
• Net, Libraries, Computer resources, and conferences
3. Financial
• State and Federal taxes, fees from participants, fundraising and grants
4. Facilities and Equipment
• work with other facilities to save money
• Special Olympics using BYU swimming pool for free, also had volunteer network
5. Transportation
• carpools and carts 

Here is a link that I got from another persons blog: http://www.difflearn.com/