How can you use your professional network to stay up-to-date with Community Outreach trends?

People are usually willing to share what they know and what works…you just have to ask sometimes. There are so many unique perspectives out there, it might be overwhelming at times. Just remember that every community is unique, so sometimes the best thing to do is put your ear to the ground and listen to what the community has to say. They will tell you!

One thing I have found helpful is identifying online professional plartforms that align with my goal/aspirations. Joining these groups provide opportunities to learn from diverse experiences of industry experts and support your growth, including information on recent/ upcoming events and trends. You also get the opportunity to contribute to industry conversations by sharing your views in the comments section. Research and make contributions that are not based on hear say but on evidence, share an experience aimed at enriching the conversation. Often you find posts on webinars/workshops, identify and participate in those that speak to innovations, dissemination of results etc. They provide learning opportunities and access to information.

In my experience, connecting with leaders that are recognized and trusted by the communities that you worked with brings value to your journey and allows you to solidify a strong network of collaborators, partners and mentors that are always available through online and social media platforms.

Consider exploring local community events and attending workshops or seminars related to your field. Networking in person can provide valuable connections and insights that may not be easily accessible online. Additionally, you could engage with relevant podcasts, webinars, or online courses to stay updated on the latest trends and best practices in community outreach.

1. Cultivate Strong Connections: •Engage meaningfully: Go beyond casual interactions. Attend industry events, participate in online forums, and actively contribute to discussions. Share your own insights and expertise to foster reciprocal learning. 2. Participate in Collaborative Activities: •Join online communities: Participate in forums, social media groups, and online communities dedicated to community outreach. These platforms allow you to exchange information, ask questions, and learn from others facing similar challenges.

Attending webinars and events can build their professional network and gain new knowledge on industry-related subject matter. It also provides for healthy debate and discussion about industry challenges and successes. My career experiences allowed me to learn new strategies and share them with colleagues that they could implement within their organizations. I encourage my colleagues to attend and present at workshops, conferences, seminars, etc.

Stepping beyond your comfort zone and participating in events, even those outside your industry but related to your work, opens doors to potential impactful partnerships.

Distance learning is the new norm. We are slowly transitioning away from brick and mortar and into a technological arena for learning. I am old school, I did attend college and actually attended college. LOL I think the flexibility and the availability of information to be disseminated to people who may not have access to the brick and mortar institutions is priceless. Now, a person that lives in a rural area can glean just as much information from the internet as someone sitting downtown. Webinars are a great way to connect with like-minded individuals and to garner more information and education regarding their passion. Tools are what people need to succeed, and if they're not available, then you stagnate.

I agree with and do follow thought leaders. I look out for industry experts and follow them on social media. I also subscribe to newsletters of reputable brands within my industry space. The exciting thing about following thought leaders is that you are able to get useful insights, latest information, including pitfalls to avoid from their posts They have also built a community around them - community of followers that keep exciting conversations on all the time.

Additionally, subscribing to newsletters and publications from reputable sources in community outreach, such as industry journals, nonprofit organizations, and research institutions, can keep you informed about the latest developments and research findings in the field. This multifaceted approach ensures you have a well-rounded understanding of community outreach trends from various perspectives.

Always check your sources. Bad information can be obtained just as easily as good information on the internet. Make sure you trust the organization that you are getting your information from and try and make sure that it's not some type of propaganda trying to steer you in one direction or another. Myself, I look back at leaders to look forward. Social issues and social lessons are something that I am passionate about, therefore I read a lot of philosophy and psychology material to try and better understand my fellow man or woman. History is a great teacher and should never be discounted. The only problem with history is that we get only one perspective sometimes. Things are not always that neat and tidy.

Love your points. Also, please remember all content must be accessible. Here are some tips: Reaching Diverse Audiences: By creating content that is inclusive and accessible. We ensure that it resonates with a broader range of experiences and perspectives, making our message more impactful. Fostering Deeper Engagement: Inclusive content invites participation from a wider audience, enhancing our learning and growth opportunities through diverse feedback and interactions. Accessible to All: Making sure our content is accessible, particularly to those with disabilities, is crucial. This includes considering visual, auditory, and cognitive accessibility in our materials. #WeAreBillionStrong #disability #DEIA

In my community outreach journey, I find immense value in sharing my experiences and insights through various content mediums. But is equally important to be open to feedback. This proactive approach has not only allowed me to receive constructive feedback and suggestions but has also paved the way for meaningful collaborations.

I find that whenever I share content, whether original or shared from another source, other members of my network follow suit. A long-term conversation develops. This keeps me abreast of trends and they, in turn, stay up-to-date as well. In short, thinking of others and taking a moment to write pays dividends.

I am in complete agreement, all of these tools should be used. Today, everything is about getting your name out there and your brand recognized. It has become increasingly difficult due to the ubiquity of the internet and the pitfalls it presents. Some folks have a hard time telling fact from fiction and can fall into a downward spiral of misinformation and have truths. I think first you have to have integrity in yourself and your brand. Then, I think you have to make sure you establish that with close contacts that have similar interests and goals. Don't be afraid to be different! Different is what gets you noticed, and sent to detention if you're in high school. Just kidding, kind of.

I enjoy giving people referrals and recommendations. This is not because I want to appear smart, it is because I want to share information and intelligence. We work better the more diverse we are because then we get different perspectives. Having a vast array of information and education that you can draw from at no cost is invaluable. Sometimes we forget that there are people out there that may have a better perspective on our issue than we do. It's all about perception and how you perceive your goal and how you're perceived in achieving it.

I would like to add that the online community plartform is a great publicity/promotional plartform. It can draw positive attention to you and amplify your voice on maters of interest if you are intentional and focused on what you want to get out of it as well as the contributions you desire to make. It can also be a destroyer if caution is thrown to wind and you engage recklessy especially if respect for others in the community space is not observed. Appreciate that in a community, there will be divergent views. Share your perspective, learn from others but most importantly, respect all perspectives even when they differ from yours. Rude attitude in the community can be destructive.

From my perspective is to understand and listen to the community themselves. Follow the people who you are working for, analyze their experiences, posts, comments…etc.

When the amount of resources being offered feels overwhelming, I have found it helpful to take the time to pause and to meaningfully consider which resources would be most helpful in allowing one to gain a deeper understanding in a particular faucet of one's work. Meaningfully and intentionally screening the available networking possibilities and resources, rather than simply saying "yes" to every single thing offered, will not only save energy and time, but will also allow for more intentional networking expansion and knowledge base growth.

Using your professional network for community outreach trends has its own unique demands & drawbacks. Whatever application or social media platform you are using (1) ensure your settings are set to receive updates based on key contacts and certain key words; (2) Remember to occasionally post reminders to your network to keep you in mind for any specific events, e.g. discussions, social events, training etc. that brings like-minded professionals together; (3) Remind particularly close professional contacts, about your interests in certain issues; (4) Think out of the box to the second power or greater on how to reach your network’s full potential to stay up to date on all Community Outreach trends..

I love online connections and using Zoom when necessary. But what works best for me in outreach is having coffee with others who have a large network of contacts. Building trust, then building relationships that open doors.