The building blocks

[Christine Prefontaine]

To think about communications holistically, map out how information will flow between publics: support team, network members, supporters. Write a simple, action-oriented plan that outlines:

Internal practices and systems
Support team members should agree on the collaborative structures, processes, and activities that they will need to adopt to work effectively and efficiently. (The team, be it a formal secretariat with paid employees or a loose group of volunteers, should look inward, toward themselves as a public.)

How the network will engage members
Activities to create a collective identity, build trust, strengthen group cohesiveness, and facilitate exchange and collaboration between network members.

Approaches to generating support
What is your network’s story? Who you are, what you do, why it matters. How will you generate and maintain financial and social support among partners and donors? How will you promote your brand and achievements?

The next few posts suggest some practical actions to lay the foundation for good communications:

• Create a strong online presence
• Invest in a Community Facilitator
• Provide regular updates
• Maintain a member directory
• Create an information kit
• Connect to global initiatives

These are the basic building blocks. Once they are in place you can develop a more strategic plan that is tailored to your network’s reality and publics. (I recommend using the Spitfire Strategies’ Smart Chart as a guide, see www.SmartChart.org.)

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Network Communications Guide
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