SUBMITTED BY JOHAN BOSCH – PROVINCIAL MANAGER:  MPUMALANGA

 

All welfare NGO’s in South Africa are faced with a critical skill shortage and an accompanying  shortage of financial and other resources to fulfill their mandate in providing comprehensive, coordinated and integrated social work services to a vast variety of client groups.  In order to survive and to remain relevant in the dynamic welfare sector, networking is an essential tool in social service delivery.  In practical terms, this means that no NGO can afford to function in isolation from other service providers, including government departments and forums.

 

According to the MONASH marketing dictionary, networking can be defined as “establishing an informal set of contacts among people with common social and business interests as a source of prospects, for the exchange of information, and for support”.  From the definition, it can be deducted that networking also implies the sharing of skills, knowledge and resources.  In South Africa, networking has the potential to increase cohesion in the welfare sector, as well as to raise the profile of NPO’s, both nationally and internationally. 

 

In practical terms, networking means staying in touch with organizations and key individuals who can affect your work or help you to achieve your goals.

 

Networking should be an ongoing and systematic part of your work.  Networking is not just diplomacy and public relations – it should be meaningful communication and cooperation between organizations and other platforms with shared interests.

 

According to www.etu.org.za there are many different ways to network.  Here are some examples:

• Send your newsletters and information pamphlets to organizations and individuals you want to network with;
• Get to know key people in organizations that share your interests and talk to them regularly about common issues and problems;
• Attend the meetings, AGM’s and events of other organizations;
• Attend political and community events where key organizations and decision makers will be present;
• Attend conferences, seminars, consultation meetings, etc.
• Offer support and advice to other organizations when you can and ask for it when you need it;
• Use your skills, contacts and expertise to help key decision-makers and organizations – networking happens naturally when you work together;
• Always have copies of your brochures and contact details so that you can hand it out to any useful contact you meet;
• Use email and internet to network with national and international organizations who are working on similar issues.

In conclusion, remember that networking should have a purpose and should be with people who have the same interest as your organization, or decision makers who can affect your work.  Do not make a pest of yourself by contacting people just for the sake of doing so.

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