Week 9

In this weeks lesson we learned about how important it is to network and learn how to collaborate. Along with that there is so much good that comes from learning how to do so. It benefits so many people, inside and outside of your own company. We had an interesting challenge this week to make a plan of how we would put together a program for an autistic playgroup and the different ways we would try to incorporate networking and collaboration in with it. I really enjoyed this activity as it helped me to think about how to help my group as well as how to get more involved with the community.

In our reading material this week we were able to read in more detail about networking. We were able to learn, what networking is as well as the logistics of networking.

"Definition: Networking is the process of establishing and maintaining communication with professionals and consumers from a variety of backgrounds that have a common vision about community leisure services.

1. Networking occurs between various individuals including different
   1. Disciplines
   2. Consumers
   3. Agencies
   4. organizations
2. Primary reasons for Networking
   1. Accommodate needs of individuals in our program
   2. Serve more people with disabilities

Benefits of Networking

1. Agencies can increase internal resources by adding the specialized skills of staff that work with the other agencies with which they network.
   1. Can guide individuals to programs
   2. Provide planning, teaching and leading skills to recreation activities
2. Staff within the network may be able to assist other agencies
   1. Can help during peaks
   2. Lead to higher quality service
   3. Improve resource utilization
3. Networks are enhanced when united
   1. Focus more on individuals needs
   2. Greater success is achieved
4. Increased information flow through organizations in the network
   1. For example, when a therapeutic recreation specialist in a hospital shares the discharge with a community recreation professional
   2. Individual with disability has a better chance of receiving better care.
   3. Both parties are able to communicate needs of patient with each other successfully
5. Keeps professionals and peers informed within and outside their respective fields
   1. Provide more diverse programs, better facilities, and a variety of trained professionals
   2. Better services that improve quality of life for individual
6. Share common vision
   1. The vision spreads and more rights are created for people with disabilities
   2. No longer parents or advocacy groups, it’s the whole network

Keys to Effective Networking

1. Common Vision
2. Communication
3. Compromise (win-win)
4. Commitment
5. Consumer Involvement by people with disabilities
6. Clarity (roles, authority)

Elements of Networking

1. Decide if you have enough in common to start a partnership
   1. Shared vision and motivation to accomplish is a must!
   2. Combines missions through mutually agreed upon goals and objectives
2. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all individuals involved in the network
   1. Supplementing weaknesses and complimenting strengths increases success
   2. By realizing that networks are long-term relationships, we can overcome short-term failures
3. Compromise
   1. Take risks without anticipating rejection
   2. Be receptive to new ideas
   3. Always search for win-win solutions
4. Communicate
   1. Remain in touch with those involved
   1. Promotes motivated employees
   2. Provides information regarding consumer satisfaction and views
5. Benefits of communication:
   1. Increases motivation
   2. Shares important information regarding progress toward the goal
   3. Provides assistance when facing a difficult task

What you can do to promote networking and collaboration

1. Personally
   1. keep an open mind, ask questions and seek clarification
   2. follow through with your responsibilities and tasks
   3. know your limits and when to get help
2. Regarding Others
   1. bring more people into your network
   2. recognize others and their achievements give feedback
   3. value and act on the expertise of others in the network-listen
   4. obtain training and info. that will increase your skills
   5. remember why you are collaborating-to help people with disabilities live enriched lives with inclusive recreation.

Community Resources

1. Human Resources
   • give out responsibilities
2. Information
   • Net, Libraries, Computer resources, and conferences
3. Financial
   • State and Federal taxes, fees from participants, fundraising and grants
4. Facilities and Equipment
   • work with other facilities to save money
   • Special Olympics using BYU swimming pool for free, also had volunteer network
5. Transportation
• carpools and carts

Within my own research this week I found what I thought to be a compelling website that is an advocate of why it is important to create my play group.

http://www.connecttherapy.com/blog/therapy-strategies/importance-of-play-in-children-with-autism/

One of the biggest things about networking is you want to present a solid point, that is convincing as to why people should get involved. This website helped me to do so. 

P.S

https://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/2015/06/11/10-fun-summer-diy-sensory-games-kids 

this one provided different possible activities.