Introduction
Building Coalitions is a series of publications that provide information on the needs, preparations, skills, and work required for community and other groups to establish and sustain coalitions for collaboration on common causes. This publication is one of the fifteen-part series of fact sheets compiled by The Ohio Center for Action on Coalitions. It has been adapted for County Extension Faculty in Florida to facilitate collaboration with local and regional organizations and groups, such as nonprofits, cooperatives, county Extension associations, and others that may benefit from a plan for working together to achieve mutual goals.
Networks and coalitions are critical in today's world of constant change, and to create this, individuals need to know where to go, whom to contact, and how to obtain information and resources to achieve a specific goal.
Networks
A network consists of individuals or organizations who share information, ideas, resources or goals to accomplish individual or group goals (Jackson 1991). Networking is a process of acquiring resources and building power by using or creating linkages between two or more individuals, groups, or organizations. It provides a valuable tool for getting things done (Wells 1989).
Getting Started
We network every day of our lives, whether it's informal or formal. If one individual lacks the information you are seeking, he or she can refer you to another individual. The more individuals you know, the more individuals will know you, and the greater the probability of accomplishing your goals. Your visibility increases and your network of individuals increases. So the aim is to meet as many individuals as possible.
As you network with individuals, you will need some basic tools, such as (1) an address book or Rolodex (paper or digital) to record and keep track of contacts' addresses, notes of meetings, commitments, and any detailed information; (2) an appointment calendar to set up meetings; (3) business cards that contain your contact information.
Using and Expanding Networks
First, decide whether your current goal is money, power, or social. Examine your list and contact the most powerful and influential individual to help achieve your goal. During your networking, discuss what you have in common, your skills, the type of information you are seeking and available resources. The more you share ideas, the more you will increase your potential clout.
Another aspect of networking is involvement in professional associations that can provide a wide range of contacts. Attend as many association meetings and conferences as possible. Make yourself visible and establish a reputation. Circulate at the meetings and exchange business cards; talk to everyone you know and meet new contacts. Afterwards, follow up with a phone call or note. Also participate in organizations other than professional associations where you can develop a wide range of contacts with people who share your ideas and concerns. Remember, it's a two-way street.
You may want to establish a formal network with a specific interest or field. This can provide opportunities to meet individuals with a broad range of experiences and expertise, obtain current information, meet specialists in the field and develop friendships.
Summary
We can have a greater impact on our goals by using networks and coalitions as major tools to multiply our power and efforts. If you network with ten individuals, and those ten network with ten more, you have increased the number of individuals with whom you can exchange information and resources from ten to one hundred. We can do a great deal when we join efforts with those of other individuals.
Acknowledgment
This series on Coalition Building was developed by the Ohio Center for Action on Coalition Development for Family and High-Risk Youth, Richard Clark, Ph.D., director. The original author was Vicki Braddy, administrative assistant, The Ohio Center for Action on Coalitions, Ohio Cooperative Extension Service, The Ohio State University. ©1992 The Ohio State University.
Original article adapted for use in Florida by Elizabeth B. Bolton, professor emeritus, and Lisa Guion, former assistant professor, UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Gainesville, FL.
It has been adapted for county Extension faculty in Florida to facilitate work with local and regional organizations and groups such as nonprofits, cooperatives, county Extension associations, and others that may benefit from a plan for working together to achieve mutual goals.
References
Downey, Peg. 1980. "Multiplying Power: The Use of Networks and Coalitions." In Networking, edited by Mary Scott Welsh. Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, Inc.
Hart, Thomas E. 1988. Building Coalitions for Support of Schools. Oregon School Study Council.
Jackson, Daney and William Maddy. 1991. “Building Coalitions Fact Sheet.” The Ohio Center for Action on Coalitions, Ohio Cooperative Extension Service, Ohio State University.
Levin, Edward and R. V. Denenberg. 1984. Alliances and Coalitions: How to Gain Influence and Power by Working with People. McGraw-Hill Book Company.
Lipnack, Jessica and Jeffrey Stamps. 1982. Networking: The First Report and Director. Doubleday.
Lipnack, Jessica and Jeffrey Stamps. 1986. The Networking Book. Routledge and Kegan Paul.
Loughran, Elizabeth Lee. 1982. "Networking, Coordination, Cooperation and Collaboration: Different Skills for Different Purposes." Community Education Journal.
Mueller, Robert K. 1986. Corporate Networking: Building Channels for Information and Influence. The Free Press.
Raye-Johnson, Venda. 1990. Effective Networking. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 89-8195.
Wells, Betty L. 1989. “Working with Our Public.” North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service.