Networking
- People-Specific Resource
Network
Guide to Network Function
The First Meeting: Setting
Objectives
Most people are too busy for just another meeting and will want to see
the promise of progress. Setting objectives will help to assure that attainable
goals are met.
-
Assess the needs
of the people group
Each person privately makes note
of 2-3 needs of the people or network. One at a time, individuals
identify needs until there is a master list incorporating all needs.
Tallies are made next to items being identified more than once.
-
Build consensus on 2-3 priorities for the network
Discussion allows
the network to define and where appropriate, combine similar items from
the needs list. In order to determine the three greatest
needs, individuals vote for what they see as the top three priorities.
Using paper rather than a show of hands will increase the comfort level
of a group who may not know each other well.
Tallying the votes
will reveal the network's priorities. The two or three top choices
can become the issues to be addressed by smaller working groups.
-
Working groups meet to determine specific goals
Working groups (of
up to 8-10 persons) develop limited projects which the participants work
on together to meet the common needs or goals. Working
groups gather ideas to meet the identified need, setting at least one goal
to be accomplished within the year. See an example of functioning
working groups in: Model:<>
Tika Network.
-
Aim for limited goals
Set limited, common
objectives that can be met. Members want active, yet achievable goals.
-
Define and quantify expectations
Know how the group
would define success. Shape the limited objectives coming out of this meeting
to meet this definition and to be evaluated in terms of it.
-
Define action steps
Clearly define the
next steps. For projects, do enough initial planning that everyone knows
who is responsible for developing or coordinating the project.
-
Set dates
Dates usually should
be set for next meetings and deadlines for certain actions. Make
a plan for further communication among the group.
-
Cover administrative essentials
Cover the necessary
administrative and financial issues. Make sure confidentiality guidelines,
if necessary, are developed and understood. If there are to be joint projects,
initiate plans for handling funds for the project. In some cases, joint
fundraising is helpful.
-
Agree on reporting
Make sure there is
discussion and agreement about how the project will be reported. Who gets
the credit? In most cases, credit can be shared.
Contributors
to this material include:
Phill
Butler is International Director of Interdev, an organization serving
the Church in accelerating fulfillment of the Great Commission through
the development, formation and long-term effective operation of international
partnerships for evangelism among the world's unreached people. Interdev
is also the Partnership Development Track of the AD2000 and Beyond Movement.
Steve
Moore previously with Kingdom Building
Ministries is now Vice President of International Ministries for
Emerging<>
Young Leaders.
In addition to developing young leaders around the world, Steve consults
with local churches in the area of people group adoption and resource network
formation. Additionally, he assists churches and networks in developing
people specific prayer mobilization tools such as videos and prayer guides,
and provide training for survey and prayer journey teams.
WebMaster
1/21/99
