How can you build community relationships to enhance your institution's reputation?

Several factors come into play, but first, we must determine who the community is and what resources are available. Once this is established, the key is to invest. This doesn't necessarily mean just money; it also involves providing resources and working within the community to understand its needs firsthand. Then, deploy available resources to help where you can. When a community sees the investment, you'll start to see loyalty build.

I think time is a major consideration. If you are trying to build your network of stakeholders as quickly as possible, the individuals may not have as much of an alignment or sense of loyalty needed to deploy and support a new program or outreach. Raw numbers are important but not as important as solid community support or identifying early adopters that can have disproportionate influence to the positive or negative.

In order to build community relations, one of the most important steps is to make sure you identify and build your community partnerships by making sure they have a place at the table in your planning. Of course, you have to be realistic and understand you will not be able to please and honor each and every idea, opinion, or concern, but you can certainly make sure your partners are heard.

The best way to communicate a vision is not to own it but share it and build it together with your community partners. They are the key.

Use your organization's website and social media pages to share your vision and values, then showcase individual achievements as well as any awards the organization has received as examples of those values. We frequently shared organizational awards and while it may seem like navel-gazing, it demonstrates that others think you are worthy of recognition and congratulations for your efforts and accomplishments. Employee anniversaries are also excellent opportunities to recognize individual achievements in your organization.

Your own vision and values need to match the vision and values of your institution. It's not what you say but what you do. Your actions will always overshadow what you say, if they don't match, building trust and credibility is an uphill battle. Be careful to live a life of integrity both in the business and professional world as well as personal.

Classification is a key output when building community collaboration. The people giving their time/money want to feel and see success in their part of the efforts to move forward sooner than later. Some people will grow into roles and be happy with that but most will not.

Identify potential collaborators through social media and do your homework. Do a deep dive on all their social pages -- are they generating negative comments? Are they looking for new partners or collaborators? Check with other stakeholders when seeking out new partnerships and ask them about their experience. Was it positive? If not, check with others until you have a consensus, and ask them if they think whether or not it's a good idea for you to partner with this new potential partner. If they dissuade you, act accordingly.

Get on LinkedIn and get connected to your community. Follow local businesses, then like and comment on local business and government happenings, awards, honors and achievements. Learn more about local business and non-profit organizations, explore local business and non-profit group pages and share your insights. Remember to keep comments light-hearted and positive (unless more serious topics merit an in-depth response) and be sure your comments can't be misinterpreted to reflect negatively on you or your organization. Individuals and organizations should feel inspired by your content to want to do business with you.

Ensure that the community are involved in the university, whether this is having voices involved in committees, opening up facilities to the university to the general public, or any other ways in engaging the community actively in the university.

Algumas sugest?es s?o: Mantenha a comunidade informada sobre as atividades da institui??o; Divulgue os resultados e conquistas dos alunos e professores; Seja receptivo a feedback e sugest?es da comunidade.

Consistent and regular check-ins are vital. It is a key to networking - and that (like any valuable relationship) needs time and attention. Networking is not just meeting new contacts but strengthening the ones you have. Reach out for coffee, lunch, a virtual chat. Send a personal handwritten note, email or comment on social media on big or important news or milestones. Show you care and are paying attention.

Show up, be present, and listen well. Relationships are reciprocal, meaning they are given and felt in return. Strengthening your connection, learning all you can about the other person will help to show your commitment and care. One of the biggest compliments to relationship is referrals, when we are present, listen and glean we can share within our community partners and fill the needs of others. There within building and sustaining community.

Relationships matter. When I left the newspaper business to found 608 Beacon Enterprises, I received plenty of support from my peers in the industry. I freelanced for two newspapers almost immediately, and am currently reporting for a new newspaper in a different community now. I also continued my LinkedIn presence, commenting frequently on Sun Prairie (WI) community events and business happenings so that anyone in the area could see that I am still in the business. And, perhaps, my community relationship could result in them investigating my new venture if they want to continue to do business with me.

The former Dean of the School of Public Health at Texas A&M University and I, partnered with the Aspen Institute to create an initiative designed to leverage the power of the Southeastern Conference to improve health. It connected with Deans, Provosts, and Presidents/Chancellors in support. One of the sub-initiatives was to create healthy eating and active living initiatives within communities proximate to SEC universities, and more broadly, within their respective states.Though this ultimately required resources beyond our reach, initiatives like these that leverage the power of institutions of higher education - and their athletic notoriety - hold great promise for improving the health of communities.?

Consider joining your local chamber of commerce. Its networking opportunities should offer you the opportunity to leverage membership to enhance your organization because everybody knows someone who can provide assistance. Chamber office staffers know the community and should be able to recommend vacant office or retail spaces, community connections, best restaurants for client lunch or dinner events, and even personal experience to assist your organization.