Don’t try to re-invent the wheel.
Improvement and Special Districts have been around for over 25 years. Whether your district is a two person office with a four hundred fifty-thousand dollar budget, or you have a staff of twelve with a four million dollar budget, every district, is the same at the core. Sure, you may have unique circumstances in every district, but for the most part many function the same, and run across the same issues you are coming up against. There are two things that will help you make an impact in your district: Collaboration Networking with other districts and organizations.
1. Collaboration
By definition, collaboration is the action of working with someone to produce or create something.Your district exists to make things better. It’s designed to produce positive experiences and create great spaces for people. When you work together with different districts and other organizations you create a synergy that allows for new ideas and thought processes. Taking time to collaborate on a community event or special project for your district is key. Make sure that when you do collaborate it’s a win-win for all involved. For an example, your district would be the main sponsor of an event financially, but you have different community groups that will volunteer their time for your event. Give their groups the same kudos you would to the businesses who are paying to be a part of the event. Your acknowledgement of their efforts alongside yours, although not financial, will reap huge returns as those groups sing your praises throughout the communities that they serve.
2. Networking
You need to schedule time in your calendar to sit down and meet with other Executive Directors and staffers. Not to just glean from them, but also to give to them.
It’s important to stay current with what is going on in this industry. You should make it a point to know best practices from each district – what’s working for them, and what’s not. It’s also just as important for you share what success and challenges you are having as well. Because let’s face it, it’s easy enough to get caught up in our own events, meetings, issues. I understand that. However, taking time regularly to connect with other people in the industry will make a world of difference when you are up against a wall and in need of assistance or advice.
You, and if you have staff, should be willing to go and visit other districts and meet with their staff. You will be amazed at how many great ideas that they have that are not only simple to implement, but will cost you little or no money. It’s not just idea sharing, it’s a give and take. You discover what is working for a district and you are sharing what has been working or not working for your own district.
I know you may be thinking that you don’t have time, but I disagree. You can’t afford not to take the time. Consider these time that you choose to collaborate and network with others a major investment in to yourself as well as your organization. You will be better for it.
Hope this helps!
Emily