Co-ordinator case study10 July 2009
Neil Dawson of North Staffordshire Friends of the Earth talks about his experience as a Local Group Co-ordinator:
I've helped to co-ordinate North Staffordshire Friends of the Earth for almost 2 years.
I took on the role because I have similar roles with other organisations and believed I could pass on some skills.
The main challenges for me are keeping people motivated and encouraging attendance at meetings.
I really enjoy being a coordinator, particularly when I see members of the group gaining confidence, when we deliver a successful action or when working with young people through our eco-schools work.
My advice to other Co-ordinators is to make sure you talk with the members of your group. If you understand their interests and skills, you are well placed to support and encourage them and ensure their skills are used to the maximum.
Also I think it's important to create a social network among members. Meeting in the pub is useful as people can socialise before and after meetings and the conversation always flows.
I find the monthly Co-ordinator Update from my Network Developer a really useful way to stay up to date. The Local Groups Handbook provides lots of useful ideas and being able to contact my Network Developer with questions and queries is a great help.
© Neil Dawson
