Make summer a time to meet someone new

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One of the major values that your professional organization can provide you is meaningful networking opportunities.   These opportunities can be gained in a variety of ways including section meetings, committee meetings and educational workshops.

Networking is a vital function to your professional development and it is equally important to build a diverse network.  IPRA is working to develop a variety of opportunities for you to meet other professionals throughout the state and step outside your comfort zone.  As you can imagine, while networking is important, building a diverse network is most beneficial as it allows you a variety of contacts that you would not obtain if you just networked with the folks in similar roles as you. 

This summer I challenge each of you to attempt to meet at least ten new people and to begin to building your network.  Just think about it: if you meet ten new people and each of those people knows at least ten people, you have just built your network by one hundred individuals in a very short timeframe.

Donna Fisher and Sandy Vilas, in Power Networking, define networking as "making links from people we know to people they know, in an organized way, for a specific purpose, while remaining committed to doing our part, expecting nothing in return."  Through genuine networking, each of us builds meaningful networks that can help us grow as professionals as well as individuals.

In Never Eat Alone, Keith Ferrazzi explains how connecting the world around him is based on generosity and helping friends connect with other friends.  He highlights that honest relationship-building is what is important and not the glad-handing usually associated with networking. He then explains his system of reaching out to people and relates them to proven principles such as:

• Don't keep score--it is important to make sure that both individuals feel the relationship is beneficial;
• Stay in touch--make sure that you are communicate with individuals throughout the year, not just when you want something; and
• Make sure to make a positive impression--don’t just fade into the past.

IPRA wants to help you reach your full potential and that includes providing meaningful networking opportunities.  Make sure to stretch yourself and sometimes put yourself in less than comfortable situations so that you can in turn grow and stretch yourself.  Use this summer as a time to stretch yourself and grow your network.  It will plant seeds for future professional growth. 

Best,
Jan Arnold, Executive Director, Illinois Park and Recreation Association