The Original Network

This blog's "raison d'etre" is to explore and discuss the many components -- or pieces -- that make up an association.  Component relations, which grew from Chapter Relations to encompass all the networks that connect our members, can sometimes feel like a wild and woolly place to be. 

Sometimes, in component relations, we need to step back and review the basics.  Networks of individuals in all areas of our life work basically the same, so have you ever considered looking at the "original network" for some ideas?  What, you may ask, is the "original network?"  The family, in all its extended glory!

When you think about it, there are many similarities between the network of your family and the network of your association.  Since we all use our nuclear family unit as a point of reference, we could consider our parents the Board of Directors, while our brothers and sisters can be considered members of the association.  Unfortunately, in most families, there's no staff support! 

Now, continuing this thought, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc., could be considered "other membership categories," while family members outside your city or state could be looked at as chapters. 

There's always family members who organize things and get them done (like birthday parties, holiday celebrations or family reunions); these active relatives could be considered committees. 

Communication in families can be difficult at times, since we all get caught up in our daily schedules and we don't always have time to keep everyone abreast of our activities or explain what is going on in our lives.

As you can see, the many pieces that make up the puzzle of our families are similar to the pieces that make up our organizations.  What can we learn from looking at our families and then looking at our networks with different eyes?

As we know, the key to successful networks is communication.  How do you keep your family involved in your life, or at least updated on your activities?  Do you keep a birthday list so you can drop a card in the mail?  Or maybe you have created a family email list for sharing information?  The more ambitious among you may even have a family newsletter. 

Any of this sound familiar when you think about how you do your job?

Many times in dealing with each other tensions arise, especially among the various "pieces" of our organization; Board members don't understand what "Joe Member" is complaining about; staff outside the membership department don't "get" chapter relations; the person at the front desk didn't get the memo about the meeting . . .

All of these examples can be remedied by communication and understanding.  How does this relate to family?  Instead of office examples, let's look at them this way:

Dad doesn't understand why daughter is upset the family is on a tighter budget so she can't have the new dress

Older brother doesn't understand why younger brother's violin lessons are so important since older brother likes sports

Cousin is hurt because he feels everyone in the family knew something except HIM

Now, how do you handle these issues in your family?  Do you sit down and explain things?  Do you apologize if necessary?  Do you try to remember in future to be aware of treating other's feelings with respect? 

These are all techniques we can use to interact with staff and members.  We have all had those times when work became tense over something we realized later wasn't all THAT important, but we still did our best to resolve the situation because relationships are important. 

And what is a network but a series of relationships strung together with effort, time and shared experiences? 

Kind of like your family. 

How we conduct ourselves in our personal lives can inform our professional lives, and make them richer.  Don't be afraid to apply your personal experiences to your professional interactions -- you will be surprised at how successful you will be.