The Essential Guide to Doing Transition. The Essential Guide to Doing Transition. | Page 28

Build a network

Most of us are naturally part of networks, be it our family, friends or community. Networks empower people as the health of the whole community depends on the health of the community as a whole, so the more you can work together and support each other the more you strengthen and nourish each other. Building networks is about building mutual friendships and support for your project and the work of others.

They help build Transition in your community by raising awareness of what you are doing

and building a network of support that can bring all kinds of surprises, such as:

• More opportunities may come your way when developing projects

• You may find that you already have a relationship with potential partners

• May find you start to get help and support from your community just when you need it

• You unleash the collective gifts and genius of parts of your community you weren't even aware of

Building networks is all about supporting each other

Strong effective networks develop when people support and trust each other, the following are some of the ways that you can do this:

• Organize an event where local resources can be promoted and shared

• Support & publicise other groups' projects and events on your web site and newsletter etc...

• Ask a local group or agency to host a web site listing all the brilliant and dedicated local groups and projects working for a more caring and life-enhancing world

• Ask local groups and a diverse range of respected leaders to be Advisors to your Transition group

Who to network with and ways to build your network

The Big List Exercise here: https://transitionnetwork.org/resources/big-list-activity/ is a great exercise to really think about all the potential groups or individuals in your community who may support your work. This might help you to decide some of the groups and people it could be useful to develop networks and partnerships with.

Building networks is all about developing relationships, so it is always great to meet people in person if possible. It really helps if you do it a bit of research on the group/person you are meeting beforehand so that you can:

• Learn a bit about the group, for example what their aims are, what needs they are addressing and how long the group has been going for

• Think about what it is that you like about their group

• Consider how you will introduce yourself and your group

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