THE RURBAN FRINGE

The Power of Networks

Posted on | February 27, 2009 | No Comments

“Everything is connected … no one thing can change by itself.”

- Paul Hawken

This simple, yet powerful, statement cuts to the heart of relationship development, especially for non-profit organizations and agencies.

Reliance on networks is not new to the non-profit sector.  But in tight economic times and with increased pressure on agencies to do more, to do better, and to do it all with limited resources, this sector is increasingly feeling the pinch from government funding downsizing, reduced philanthropic donations and increased demand for targeted programs and services.

To remain relevant and impactful, this sector must embrace new ways of doing things.

June Holley at Network Weaving posted this gem about how organizations and donors should shift their thinking when trying to secure sources of funding.  And the Stanford Social Innovation Review (of the Stanford Graduate School of Business) released ‘The Networked Nonprofit’ - a seven-page treatise on how ‘networked nonprofits’ are uniquely poised to achieve their missions with limited means.

There is power in networks.

In today’s increasingly connected world, nothing happens in isolation.  And there are opportunities through new social media tools that are allowing people to connect in myriad ways.

The challenge lies in engaging individuals and creating the resources to build network infrastructure(s) and weave a strong community of supporters.

As powerful as community development efforts have been in the past, new ways of thinking and connecting are emerging that will not be based in long-standing traditions and understandings of community, but in the pace and flow of the age of connectivity.

Are you up for the challenge?

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