Become Engaged!

Did you know that GMN exists because of two people?  Two colleagues sat down one day for a cup of coffee not anticipating that two decades later they’d be joined by 1,600 others.

Did you know that Project Streamline developed out of two people frustrated with the inefficiencies of current grantmaking practices?  The project now has eight partners and has reached more than 83,000 grantmakers and grantseekers with streamlining information.

Did you know that in the past week alone, more than 40 members participated in online discussions to share information and help each other solve problems?

You can make a difference by becoming engaged.

Encouraging and facilitating member engagement is a key priority for GMN.  It’s not a sexy concept — in fact, it may not even be an intuitive term — but it’s at the heart of why you belong to GMN.  Think of engagement as everything you do with GMN — from reading an email to attending the conference to using GMN tools and resources.  

There’s a wide range of opportunities from “quick hits” that don’t take a lot of time and can be done at your convenience, to deeper commitments of time on GMN’s volunteer teams or regions that advance the profession while helping you build strong relationships with colleagues and enhance your resume.

According to the 2010 member survey, you are a member of GMN to:

• Access the most up-to-date information available in the field — 78%
• Network with other grants management professionals — 62%
• Participate in professional development or educational programs — 61% 

This is all engagement.  I encourage you to get the most out of your membership with GMN by making a conscious effort to deepen your relationship with us in 2011.

Short on time?  Here’s some ideas on how to make time.

• Block off an hour a week (or month to start) to catch up on GMN emails, read a report, and/or post or respond to a question on the online community.
• Set a goal to help a colleague on the online community once a week by responding to a post.  Not only will you be building relationships with colleagues and adding to the profession’s knowledgebase, but, at some point, you’ll need help or a question answered and the goodwill you’ve generated will be repaid.
• Attend a regional meeting.  Don’t have a region in your area?  Explore whether you are able to travel to another region’s meeting.  All GMN members are welcome at any regional meetings.  We are developing the 2011 regional meeting schedule and will get it posted to the online community in January.
• Make GMN a part of your professional development plan so that you have support from your employer to devote time to GMN.  Need to expand your management skills?  Take a leadership position with a region or national volunteer team.  Need more speaking practice?  Speak at a regional meeting, the national conference, or on a What Works Webinar.  Need to hone your writing skills?  Write a newsletter article.