How can you use your community outreach network to create positive change?

Community outreach is more than just volunteering or donating to a cause. It's also about building meaningful relationships with people who share your values, goals, and vision for a better world. By creating and nurturing a network of community outreach partners, you can leverage your collective resources, skills, and influence to create positive change in your local area and beyond. In this article, you'll learn how to use your community outreach network to identify needs, plan actions, collaborate effectively, and celebrate successes.

1 Identify needs

Before you can create positive change, you need to understand what problems or challenges your community is facing and what solutions are possible. You can use your community outreach network to gather information, insights, and feedback from different perspectives and sources. For example, you can survey your network members, interview community leaders, attend local events, or research online. By identifying the needs of your community, you can also find out what gaps or opportunities exist for your network to fill or explore.

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Holly Akers, MBA, Associate

Senior Associate Director of Employer Relations and Outreach, Gateway Career Center at Lafayette College
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The creation of a Task Force comprised of leaders from the pillars of the Community can drive responsive and effective solutions. A Task Force comprised of County Executives, the largest employers, the Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Organization, Non-Profit Human Services Agencies, Non-Profit United Way, Non-Profit Community Housing, Institutions of Higher Education and regional elected Political Representatives (State and Federal) results in lasting economic, civic and human services solutions that can drive a Community upward and forward for many years to come.

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2 Plan actions

Once you have a clear idea of what needs to be done, you can use your community outreach network to plan actions that are realistic, relevant, and impactful. You can use your network to brainstorm ideas, set goals, assign roles, allocate resources, and create timelines. You can also use your network to coordinate with other organizations, groups, or individuals who are working on similar or complementary issues. By planning actions with your community outreach network, you can ensure that your efforts are aligned, efficient, and effective.

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Holly Akers, MBA, Associate

Senior Associate Director of Employer Relations and Outreach, Gateway Career Center at Lafayette College
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Planned actions then lead to the ability to effectively seek out Grant Funding opportunities to "Seed" the identified needed areas of improvement and/or change. A critical mass of regional leaders and leading organizations/institutions with Political support is necessary to turn plans into funded actionable reality that should also present projected and measurable outcomes.

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3 Collaborate effectively

The success of your community outreach network depends on how well you work together as a team. You can use your network to communicate regularly, share updates, provide feedback, and solve problems. You can also use your network to support each other, motivate each other, and learn from each other. By collaborating effectively with your community outreach network, you can foster a culture of trust, respect, and accountability that enhances your performance and satisfaction.

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Holly Akers, MBA, Associate

Senior Associate Director of Employer Relations and Outreach, Gateway Career Center at Lafayette College
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Communication is also critical to attracting new investment in the Community from outside interests/entities. For example a economically viable community with a history of stability across employers, education systems, healthcare systems, real estate and infrastructure will draw new business to the region further expanding the base resulting in steady growth with stability.

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4 Celebrate successes

Creating positive change is not easy. It takes time, energy, and dedication. That's why it's important to use your community outreach network to celebrate your successes, big and small. You can use your network to acknowledge your achievements, appreciate your contributions, and reward your efforts. You can also use your network to reflect on your challenges, learn from your mistakes, and improve your practices. By celebrating successes with your community outreach network, you can boost your morale, confidence, and enthusiasm for your work.

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5 Expand your network

One of the benefits of having a community outreach network is that you can always grow and diversify it. You can use your network to reach out to new potential partners, invite new members, or join new platforms. You can also use your network to showcase your work, share your stories, or promote your cause. By expanding your network, you can increase your visibility, credibility, and influence in your community and beyond.

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6 Keep learning

The last tip for using your community outreach network to create positive change is to keep learning. You can use your network to access new information, resources, or opportunities that can help you improve your skills, knowledge, or impact. You can also use your network to seek feedback, advice, or mentorship from experts, peers, or mentors who can help you grow personally and professionally. By keeping learning with your community outreach network, you can stay updated, inspired, and challenged in your work.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you use your community outreach network to create positive change?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Identify needs

2 Plan actions

3 Collaborate effectively

4 Celebrate successes

5 Expand your network

6 Keep learning

7 Here’s what else to consider

Community Outreach

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How can you use your community outreach network to create positive change?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Identify needs

2 Plan actions

3 Collaborate effectively

4 Celebrate successes

5 Expand your network

6 Keep learning

7 Here’s what else to consider

Community Outreach

Rate this article

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