NETWORKING
What is Networking?
Networking is the process of creating a system of supporters,
allies, and advocates by establishing relationships with key people
and groups. These people and groups often share the same or similar
goals as your organization.
Why is Networking Important?
Networking is important because it allows an organization to
have valuable resources of support and advocacy that contribute to
the success of your organization. Support and advocacy can come in
the form of human resources, financial resources, or material
resources in addition to moral support, advice, collaborations, and
partnerships.
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networking basics
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Networking
Basics
Who Should We Network With?
Your network depends on your organization's mission and goals
as well as audience. The following is a general list of possible
people and groups to network with:
* Administrators
* Faculty
* Graduate students
* Alumni
* Other student organizations on campus
* Other student organizations at other colleges and universities
* Professional organizations and associations (local, regional, national, etc)
* Media (student newspaper, campus publications, etc)
Keys to Strong Networks
* Mutual benefits: One thing to ask when determining if
a particular person or group is worth networking with is whether
that person or group has something to offer that can contribute to
the success of your organization and whether your organization has
something to offer that can contribute to the success of that
person or group.
* Communication: Like communication within an organization,
communication between organizations is important in order to keep
both parties informed and give them opportunities to share their
ideas and voice their concerns.
* Active participation: A network consists of two or more
entities and is most effective when all parties are active in
maintaining the relationship with one another. Passive or weak
relationships result in the inability to maximize the potential
that each party has for contributing to the success of the
other.
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Networking Strategies
Conversations
Networking can be as simple as a conversation with another
student, administrator, faculty member, alumnus, or professional.
Professionalism is highly recommended when conversing as a form of
networking. Simply introduce yourself and briefly mention what
organization you represent. Then use conversational cues and
prompts to talk further about your organization.
Social Activities
Social activities are venues that encourage conversations
because of the relaxed atmosphere. Other programs that are
non-social also provide opportunities for conversations but the
program agenda may be tightly structured as to not allow
significant time to talk with others.
Letter Campaigns
Letter campaigns to professional organizations and associations
are suitable methods to introducing your organization to others
outside of the university. In addition to an introduction to your
organization, letters can also include other information such as
your vision of how your organization can work with a particular
professional organization or association to build a
partnership.
Letter campaigns to alumni are suitable as well to update those
former students who used to be leaders and/or members of your
organization. Alumni of student organizations are potential sources
of funds via donations or other contributions.
Any letter that is sent out should be followed up by another
letter, phone call, or email. Sometimes a letter campaign is
comprised of a series of letters sent out over a certain period of
time. Each letter and/or series of letters should have a distinct
purpose.
Appointments
Appointments with administrators and faculty are appropriate to
introduce yourself to key university figures who your organization
foresees as being able to contribute to the success of your
organization. Follow-up appointments are recommended in order to
maintain regular communication and provide updates.
Presentations
Presentations are a tool you can use during appointments to
give a detailed overview of your organization or outline a proposal
for a program or initiative. Presentations should be detailed,
concise, and polished. Visual aids as well as handouts are
useful.
Press Kits
Press kits are sets of material that provide an overview of
your organization. Kits may include a letter, brochure, newsletter,
information sheets, sample marketing material, and other items.
Although press kits are usually designed for the media, kits can be
sent to anyone who you wish to network with.
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Networking Issues
Maintenance
Once you start a network with a person or group, it is critical
to maintain a strong ongoing relationship in order for the network
to be most effective. For more information on keys to a strong
network, click here.
Tracking
Generally, it is encouraged to network with as many people and
groups as it takes to create organizational success. With the
multitude of networks your organization may have, it would be
useful to have a system of tracking that monitors who you have
networks with and what the nature of those networks are. Other
information to track is contact information, notes, and transacted
material. Without a tracking system, it may be difficult to
remember who is in your network and who isn't.
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