Now is a Good Time for Networking

When I was the Executive Director of a nonprofit organization, I learned how powerful networking is. Our agency partnered with many community groups and organizations in an effort to serve our clients well. Contacts were made with prospective funders, volunteers and clients alike. Getting out of the office, meeting/ greeting and creating new relationships is an on-going task but one that is so necessary. Nonprofits are being asked to be creative and innovative in their thinking and programming by funders, more now than before. A simple and powerful tool is networking. The next person you meet maybe your biggest supporter.

Take some time, network, build a relationship or enhance one. It will be time well invested.

What is Networking?
Networking is the process of developing balanced give and take relationships with others. It is a set of activities that benefit more than one individual, during which people generally disregard the normal hierarchical rules of structure and authority.

Networking is creative, human, flexible and always available.

Networking can become the source of new business, valuable information, a lasting friendship, and a job when you need one.

Benefits of Networking

• Knowledge about successful practices
• Information about people and organizations
• Relationships with like-minded people
• Job referrals
• Business leads
• Emotional support
• Career advice

Maltee McMahon, NRS, Wisconsin

Always Networking

How conscious are you about networking on behalf of your nonprofit? If you build it into your way of operating, every person and any place can become a networking opportunity. It can serve you professionally and personally to open conversational doors with a few ready statements about your work. On the other hand, some recommend the “zen approach” to networking – lose yourself in the moment, don’t let your mind dwell on the fact that you are networking.

Posted by Myrna Meadows, NRS, International Falls

MCN launches Southwest area networking lunches

Nonprofit representatives from several communities in southwest Minnesota came together yesterday for a kickoff meeting and nonprofit show and tell to begin a networking lunch series hosted by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Southwest/South Central Chapter. Nonprofit leaders from organizations based in Dawson, Marshall, Appleton, Canby, Slayton and more brought forward topics on which they’d like MCN’s connections to their work in rural Minnesota.

Top-of-mind for participants mentioned was fundraising and foundation information workshops and webinars, advocacy and nonprofit lobby trainings, and public policy topics from the rural perspective including transportation, government grants payment schedules and aging demographic issues.

The next networking lunch will be at the Marshall Area YMCA at 12 noon on January 14. Contact Regional Coordinator AmyJo Lennartson to get on the meeting and event notice list and for more information 507-469-2217 amy@mncn.org


Posted by Lois Schmidt, NRS
Willmar, Marshall, Redwood Falls