How do you build a powerful network of community allies?

Seeing beyond all those titles, the chains of power, the money, the bureaucracy, the meetings, and so forth it's mindful to strip all that away for a moment and just recognise the key intent, the passion, the will and the drive to make a collective difference. Collaboration is key to any success with the right attitude of course.

My mission on this platform is to promote and grow authentic kindness, as well as a community that grows together with the realization and importance of self kindness.

In my experience the best practice is be transparent, make yourself available and don't communicate from behind the desk. I've witnessed to many executive at the end of thier productive tenure expect vital community partners to come to them. In government service community partner expect just that, partnering. I've engaged myself with strategic partners and listen and times have changed. They don't want to be told how to do it or how regulations will be enforced. They want to be participative and collabortive. While this might not seem like rocket science, there are many who let the position get to thier head or expect after time they are warranted ex parte.

Identify Key Stakeholders: Identify and engage key stakeholders within the community who can play pivotal roles in supporting and nurturing the network. These may include local leaders, influencers, businesses, community organizations, and volunteers. Inclusive Environment: Create an inclusive and welcoming environment that encourages diverse participation. Ensure that everyone feels valued and respected regardless of their background, age, ethnicity, or other factors.

I find that communication is a key component for outreach. Establishing effective communication channels to reach out to potential members within a network and keep existing members engaged. For example, utilize social media, email newsletters, community forums, and events to foster interaction as well as participation.

While you should always be looking for opportunities to partner with your community allies, it is important to remember that reaching out to them when you don't have a project is just as important. You should not just contact them to collaborate, get their opinion on a project, or solicit feedback. You should also reach out to them to give them positive feedback on projects they are working on, or just to say hello. Nothing is better in building a collaborative relationship than reaching out regularly.

I agree. We only want to reach out to community members to validate and not truly collaborate. We must stop and truly build strong and mutual relationships and not just ones that will produce feedback only

Something important to consider is that building a powerful community network takes time and effort, so you want to ensure you are also practicing proper self-care. Building a powerful community network is not something that happens overnight. It requires consistent engagement, nurturing relationships, and a commitment to the community's well-being. Additionally, always keep the needs and interests of the community at the forefront of your efforts. Listen to their feedback, involve them in decision-making, and continuously work towards meeting their expectations.