Building Strong Library Associations | Regional Convenings DAY 2 Session 5 How will I get support for my proposal? Within my association

Building Strong Library Associations | Regional Convenings At the end of this session participants should be able to: Understand the importance of relationships and their management in obtaining support for their association’s proposal Develop strategies for obtaining support for their association’s proposal from within the association Outcomes for participants

Building Strong Library Associations | Regional Convenings To gain support for your proposal you will need to persuade people of its benefits. Relationship building – or networking – central to gaining support for the development proposal Good communication central to relationship building Relationships and networks

Building Strong Library Associations | Regional Convenings Loyalty Trust Respect Effective communication Willingness to learn and adapt Ability to see things from another’s point of view. Elements of a successful relationship

Building Strong Library Associations | Regional Convenings Identify the key association people you will need to target, to support your proposal Develop strategies for maintaining and balancing disparate/diverse views Creating and maintaining communication networks Identifying a single spokesperson, or a small number of key spokespeople -ensure that communication is frequent and informative. Communication strategy

Building Strong Library Associations | Regional Convenings Letters e.g. to members about the benefits of your proposal if this is appropriate Meetings – one-on-one or groups s Personal approaches are most effective. Who will be the spokesperson for the proposal – the person people are referred to for information. Communication methods

Building Strong Library Associations | Regional Convenings Don’t overstay the allotted time if you are granted a meeting Keep to message Leave your contact details Follow up with a thank you Keep your group small Plan ahead what you will say and who will say it Tips for effective communication

Building Strong Library Associations | Regional Convenings Send a briefing on the issue and opportunities for partnership Refer to the briefing sent ahead, but don’t read it at a meeting Follow up as agreed in a timely manner Evaluate outcomes afterwards – how can you improve next time Tips for effective communication

Building Strong Library Associations | Regional Convenings Refer to the handout for an illustration of what a communication plan would look like. - a template - - a worked example Communication plan example

Building Strong Library Associations | Regional Convenings Key groups Work colleagues Board and key committees Members Internal relationships

Building Strong Library Associations | Regional Convenings Key people understand what is being asked of them Key people are engaged and supportive Key people know where to find more information Your association is committed to providing support and resources e.g. training Key people are willing to be active in supporting and promoting the proposal, within their roles The features of a well supported proposal

Building Strong Library Associations | Regional Convenings Work in association teams, using proposal handout. Identify the key people to target in your association. What do you need from each of these people Identify communication methods for gaining their support for the proposal – letter, meeting etc Activity – key internal people 10 mins