3 Things to Consider When Creating a Grassroots Network

When it comes to creating a grassroots network, it’s important to keep your members involved, while having fun and know that they are making a difference for your organization.

How do you do that?

I’d suggest the following three things:

  • Communication
  • Activation
  • Share your work/results

Communication

It’s imperative that you communicate on a regular basis with your grassroots army even when you may not have an issue that is hot.

Activation

Make sure you have an easy way to activate those grassroots participants that will go to bat on any specific issue.  Remember, you should be able to segment by issue so you’re getting the right message to the right people and that will show in their response to your call to action in a timely manner.

Share your work/results

Keep everyone apprised of the work that your grassroots army is doing on behalf of your membership and community at large.  Give them credit in your social media outlets, document that fly-in program with pictures and stories.  And celebrate the successes you’ve made.

In the advocacy business there are three elements to an effective program.  You can find that previous blog post HERE.

Create a Job Description for the Volunteer to Set Expectations

Creating a job description is one of the easiest things you can do that will have a lasting impact for your chamber.

If you’re like me, you hate uncertainty, well if your volunteers don’t have any expectations of what is expected of them, their in the same boat you are.

What should be in that job description?

Explain to any potential volunteer what their responsibility is as a board member.  Legally, in a nutshell, we all know it’s:

  • Duty of Care - competence to make good decisions on behalf of the organization;
  • Duty of Loyalty - act in the best interest of the organization and not their self-interest; and
  • Duty of Obedience - follow the mission.

In addition, the three things I always want to make clear in any volunteer job description are the following:

  • You want their intellect;
  • You want their passion; and
  • You want their financial support (money).

Other things that could be spelled out in the job description could include, but not limited to:

  • Attendance requirements;
  • Recruitment responsibilities; and
  • Advocacy participation.

That's a recipe for success for all involved!