The networking aspect of the National Extension Family Life Specialist Conference is intended to begin a continuing process that will enable participants to collaborate to achieve priority outcomes over a period of time following the conference. Some networks may reach their goals within months while others might form an informal structure to last many years.There is no continuing, formal structure in place to hold any of these networking groups accountable for reaching their goals. Networks are meant to serve the needs of specialists who share a common interest. They are free to determine their own goals, their continuing leadership, and their timeline. Although they may draft reports, create websites, or provide resources to our specialist community, there are no administrative expectations that they do so. These groups can grow or decline according to the wishes of their membership.

Each person attending the conference will receive a Networking Workbook upon arrival at the conference. This spiral-bound workbook can be used to record progress in the four networking sessions.

Leaders
Leaders are the first name on each Networking Selections list. If a leader resigns from the group, the next person on the list becomes the leader. Groups can determine continuing leaders at the conference if they wish.

Leaders should contact participants in their groups well before the meeting to begin a discussion about the specific outcomes the network might hope to achieve over the next year. If possible, outcomes could be priortized before the meeting. Each participant should have some sense of where the group is headed before the actual meeting takes place in late February.

Leaders are responsible for determining an agenda for the network meeting at the specialist conference. This discussion should be determined after an exchange of emails with members discussing the potential goals for the group.

Two critical issues should be included in the agenda for the February conference. First, based on the anticipated outcomes, what activities could the group engage in that would contribute to the achievement of its priority outcomes? Second, what work tasks will specific members assume to contribute to this achievement? Third, what continuing structure and timeline does the group want to establish to measure progress?

Leaders should review the Networking Selections page frequently to keep their group list updated.

Leaders should be prepared to give a brief report of their activies to the group on Sunday morning at the conference.

Members
All network group members should communicate with others in the group well before the meeting. Each person should actively engage other members in a discussion through email or by phone to determine common goals for the networking group.

Members should send any handouts or other resources they would like others in their networking group to be aware of before the February meeting. Members should carefully read all materials sent by others carefully before the meeting.

Members should respond quickly to any requests by the networking group leader.