Thoughts from a counter human trafficking network strategy "bridgebuilder"
(written on my iphone en rout from Boston to San Jose CA)
Networking:
1. It is about Building relationships!
2. The Process/journey is more important than the outcome
3. Listen and learn!!!
4. Sometimes you need something to offer before someone will talk to you. "how do I benefit personally?" perhaps wait on talking to those people for a while.
(Though, you will be surprised how easy it is to find a "value add" in what you do. Helping spread the word about an event they have coming up to your network, or introducing a valuable volunteer to them when you have learned of a need. Note: be extremely careful with introductions and information sharing once you have gathered someones info and are working to gain trust. )
5. Sometimes when you meet with someone you can get going on just one small shared passion... And the relationship takes off. Learn and listen.
Write things down! It's amazing how quickly information will leave your mind when you walk away from a meeting. Pay attention to other people's contact info. Other organizations to follow up with. Upcoming events to go to or pass the word about.
6. Ask good questions - but to know what questions to ask, first you need to listen to the needs. Start picking up on bits and pieces of the story- then press in deeper.
Where are they excited? What frustrates them? What do they love? What could be better about... (be specific whenever possible)
7. Sometimes you need to convince an organization of the ways they benefit before they join into any sort of relationship... Bonus that it benefits everyone and the greater mission! (shhh don't tell)
8. This is why I tend to start on a personal relationship level- not organizational. People change jobs, but their core passions remain and if this is connected into the network and the larger vision, in the end you will last longer and influence the systems more holistically. People will draw others along in what they are passionate about. If they see how the vision helps them and others, they will want to join.
Then those organizations who just care about their own mission won't want to be left out! That would hurt them.
9. Go to them. People are at ease and the most themselves and willing to share when they are in their comfort zone. Their space. Their territory. Don't just stand there and call everyone to you. Get out into the community. Get your hands dirty. Volunteer. Help out at things. Go to people's events. Care about what they care about and begin to learn the gaps and needs.
No, you don't do this only to get them to come to your events and meetings in the future... But it does help :)
10. Diversity is important! Don't just hang out with people who think and act and shop like you! Gather a diverse leadership team around you. Listen to them. Learn from them. Your perspective is just one small piece of the whole.
Think about factors of meeting time and space:
11. As things start taking shape work together in casting vision. Be willing to shift and adjust. But do set some goals. Work out a mission and vision for the network. Answer the question "why should I connect in and participate with my time and resources?"
12. How do you store and track contact information?
13. Tips on setting up meetings:
14. Always be ready for surprises!
Remember, as a networker, or "bridgebuilder" you are not responsible to fix the whole problem! You are just one piece. A very important piece - helping listen intently to the system's needs and help interpret the landscape in ways people in different communities can understand and find their place. You help plug people into the movement using their unique gifts and talents and applying their passions. You help to create spaces for people and organizations to come together, learn from eachother and improve their strategies and effectiveness.
I believe there is One who is at work beyond the brokenness we see now, that there is a Hope that goes deeper than the darkness, and God, this Hope, is weaving together an enormous tapestry that we can't even imagine. God has the master, brautiful plan- We are but one thread, and have been invited into the process of creating alongside God. Amazingly wonderful mystery isn't it?!
Let's continue to press on in building these bridges! Trusting the master weaver to bring it all together. In the end light will shine in the darkness and the darkness will not overcome it.
Sent from my iPhone
(written on my iphone en rout from Boston to San Jose CA)
Networking:
1. It is about Building relationships!
2. The Process/journey is more important than the outcome
3. Listen and learn!!!
4. Sometimes you need something to offer before someone will talk to you. "how do I benefit personally?" perhaps wait on talking to those people for a while.
(Though, you will be surprised how easy it is to find a "value add" in what you do. Helping spread the word about an event they have coming up to your network, or introducing a valuable volunteer to them when you have learned of a need. Note: be extremely careful with introductions and information sharing once you have gathered someones info and are working to gain trust. )
5. Sometimes when you meet with someone you can get going on just one small shared passion... And the relationship takes off. Learn and listen.
Write things down! It's amazing how quickly information will leave your mind when you walk away from a meeting. Pay attention to other people's contact info. Other organizations to follow up with. Upcoming events to go to or pass the word about.
6. Ask good questions - but to know what questions to ask, first you need to listen to the needs. Start picking up on bits and pieces of the story- then press in deeper.
Where are they excited? What frustrates them? What do they love? What could be better about... (be specific whenever possible)
7. Sometimes you need to convince an organization of the ways they benefit before they join into any sort of relationship... Bonus that it benefits everyone and the greater mission! (shhh don't tell)
8. This is why I tend to start on a personal relationship level- not organizational. People change jobs, but their core passions remain and if this is connected into the network and the larger vision, in the end you will last longer and influence the systems more holistically. People will draw others along in what they are passionate about. If they see how the vision helps them and others, they will want to join.
Then those organizations who just care about their own mission won't want to be left out! That would hurt them.
9. Go to them. People are at ease and the most themselves and willing to share when they are in their comfort zone. Their space. Their territory. Don't just stand there and call everyone to you. Get out into the community. Get your hands dirty. Volunteer. Help out at things. Go to people's events. Care about what they care about and begin to learn the gaps and needs.
No, you don't do this only to get them to come to your events and meetings in the future... But it does help :)
10. Diversity is important! Don't just hang out with people who think and act and shop like you! Gather a diverse leadership team around you. Listen to them. Learn from them. Your perspective is just one small piece of the whole.
Think about factors of meeting time and space:
- location (public transit available? Parking? Off the beaten path? Downtown?)
- time of day - durning work, after work, on weekends?
- dress code?
- food? Price point?
- some feel comfortable in a board room, some in a basement of a bar. Who is your target Audience? Everyone? Maybe pick and chose for particular events, then have some with the express point of building bridges... Will take extra effort.
- Be aware of language, vocabulary, religious rhetoric, alcohol... Listen to Where people are coming from.
- Pay attention to Gender balance and diverse racial and ethnic communities.
- Is translation available? Sign language? Wheelchair accessible!?
11. As things start taking shape work together in casting vision. Be willing to shift and adjust. But do set some goals. Work out a mission and vision for the network. Answer the question "why should I connect in and participate with my time and resources?"
12. How do you store and track contact information?
- google docs are awesome. I have a master list that I keep updating, then I have it broken down by categories of job title, relationship to the network and events where I met people.
- input business cards into the google doc (or excel spreadsheet) as soon as possible. Those cards are just looking for the first opportunity to get lost!
- Create a google doc for meetings you have. Record information that you can easily search and go back to later.
- store notes from meetings in a central location/file that you can easily search.
- spend time processing information from meetings and find ways to share what you are learning to benefit others (I'm still working on this)
13. Tips on setting up meetings:
- set aside times in your week for meetings- both to learn from, and those looking to learn from you. Don't be afraid to give specific days and times you are available. Your schedule is just as valid as theirs. (so don't schedule over times of rest and self care!! (me))
- Be sure to then set aside time for follow up. A meeting is only as helpful to you and the network as the information you are able to capture and share, and the extent to which you can maintain the relationship.
- go to where they are... But when possible, sometimes it works to set up meetings one after the other at the same cafe or office and have people come to you (I haven't had much success with this, but my co-director Audrey was a pro!)
- This works best for meetings with folks who are requesting time with you. They are looking for information on how to get involved, or research for a school project. In these meetings you have more say in when and where to meet, and it's ok to utilize that for making the most of your time. Traveling between Meetings can take up your whole day! So be strategic! But, again, it is extremely valuable to take the extra time and make the effort to go to those who you are seeking to learn from.
14. Always be ready for surprises!
Remember, as a networker, or "bridgebuilder" you are not responsible to fix the whole problem! You are just one piece. A very important piece - helping listen intently to the system's needs and help interpret the landscape in ways people in different communities can understand and find their place. You help plug people into the movement using their unique gifts and talents and applying their passions. You help to create spaces for people and organizations to come together, learn from eachother and improve their strategies and effectiveness.
I believe there is One who is at work beyond the brokenness we see now, that there is a Hope that goes deeper than the darkness, and God, this Hope, is weaving together an enormous tapestry that we can't even imagine. God has the master, brautiful plan- We are but one thread, and have been invited into the process of creating alongside God. Amazingly wonderful mystery isn't it?!
Let's continue to press on in building these bridges! Trusting the master weaver to bring it all together. In the end light will shine in the darkness and the darkness will not overcome it.
Sent from my iPhone
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