7 CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS FOR DEVELOPING YOUR EXTENSION COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE

Presented by

Marissa Stone, Auburn Universitymarissa.stone@gmail.com

Jerri Caldwell, Auburn University caldwjl@auburn.edu

ACE/NETC Ver. 2.011, Denver Colorado

Coming together is a beginning.Keeping together is progress.Working together is success. - Henry Ford

According to Etienne Wenger [www.ewenger.com]: Communities of practice (CoPs) are groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do. Through the CoP they interact regularly learning how to do it better.

Three Crucial Characteristics of CoPs:1. The Domain (subject): an identity defined by a

shared domain of interest. Membership implies a commitment to this domain.

2. The Community (people): In pursuing their interest in their domain, members engage in joint activities and discussions, help each other, and share information.

3. The Practice (action): Members of a community of practice are practitioners. They develop a shared repertoire of resources: experiences, stories, tools, ways of addressing recurring problems—in short a shared practice. This takes time and sustained interaction.

What is a Community of Practice?

Supporting Syndication and Mobile Interaction

Assessing the Expertise in Membership

Because a CoP is a group of people with a full set of complementary skills- a shared repertoire of resources- in order to fully utilize those resources we need to know what they are!

How? Ask!

Methods of Surveying • F2F meetings- ASK!

• Observations

• Committee/subcommittee positions

• Member surveys

• Conference calls

• Webinars/trainings

• Internal database

• http://fcs.uga.edu/ext/jitp/register.php

Assessing the Expertise in Membership

Identifying Knowledge and Skills

Community of Practice Challenge

Please choose a jelly bean that represents your favorite color

(NOT YOUR FAVORITE FLAVOR).

WHITE OR BLACK· This individual is highly structured and organized· Surroundings are neat· If given an assignment, wants to know how many pages, exact requirements· Always wants to know the rules· Memorizes things well· Can’t stand sloppy, unorganized people· Deliberates before making decisions

YELLOW· Not usually outspoken· Always in a state of transition, whether they are 8 or 80· Usually smart, and innovation, often artistic· Sometimes confused in making decisions, not sure where they’re supposed to be· Hard workers· Exciting to be with - will try anything as long as it’s safe· Spiritual aspects usually important to them· They look at things with perspective & respect other’s opinions

ORANGE· Cheerful and good-natured· Have the ability to get along with almost anyone· They are friendly and have a ready smile· Usually have a quick wit· Fluent, often eloquent and profound in speech· Do not like to be alone· Enjoy life and inspire others to reach their highest potential

RED AND PINK· Are courageous and their energy seems boundless· Smile much of the time· If they see someone not smiling, will ask what the problem is· Genuinely care about people & become involved in other’s problems· Highly influenced by others, share their sadness or grief· Make their decisions with feelings, act on impulses of the heart· Spend a great deal of time on the phone, usually listening to others· Sensitive, enthusiastic friends and lovers

VIOLET-DARK BLUE· Flirty and passionate· Highly creative and highly excitable· Have new ideas and are visionaries· Short attention spans - can’t stay put for a long length of time· Disorganized, often choosing to close doors rather than deal with the organization· Procrastinators who thrive on chaos, enjoy the challenges of different problems· Have a problem dealing with highly structured time· Questioning - when given an assignment, asks why it must be done a certain way, want to do it differently· Set high standards for themselves and those who work for them

GREEN (ASK THESE PEOPLE TO STAND WHILE TRAITS ARE READ)

· We always ask green to stand because they love recognition· These people are seen as leaders, usually in highly visible positions· They are respecters of authority and tradition· They are decisive, directed and focused· They love black and while jellybeans people to organize their projects for them

(CYFERnet.org, 2004)

Community of Practice Colors

Knowing Your Community of Practice

Get to know your members- read research, profiles, websites, CVs

Study the results from the CoP skills evaluations conducted

Actively participate in CoP meetings- maintain contact by scheduling regular CoP teleconferences- talk to members- ask for referrals

Attend CoP F2F meetings at national conferences Help develop and support CoP committees and

subcommittees Respond to/solicit invitations to provide feedback

on tasks When things work celebrate!-make sure that

everyone knows! Volunteer to help other CoP members often Develop/attend CoP webinars/trainings

Utilizing Diversity in Your Community of Practice

Develop mechanisms for the identification of various cultural dimensions of your CoP members (organizational, professional, disciplinary and nationalities)

Use social networking opportunities to facilitate communication, networking and collaboration among users outside the workings of the CoP

Allow all members to have a voice during meetings on projects they choose

Fostering Connectivity in Your Community of Practice

According to Malcolm Gladwell author of The Tipping Point How Little Things Can Make a Big

Difference (2000)

Connectors play a vital role in groups Connectors know LOTS of people. Connectors develop networks regularly and

often unconsciously, and use their connections to put people together, to touch lives, so to speak.

Connectors are important because they bring new ideas into the group.

Connectors keep groups from becoming inbred

Updating and Informing the Community of Practice

Keep CoP members involved through regular updates Create a CoP listserv in eXtension- send monthly updates on progress, goals, projects, celebrate accomplishments, share CoP news. Social media applications such as blogs, wikis, photo, audio and video files, digital storytelling, podcasts, and 3D virtual worlds support collaborative online/ social spaces where members can connect. Create a CoP online presence- not just a website- to deliver info where members are in cyberspace.

Creating a Call to Action

Be clear on outcomes- what do you want to accomplish?

Approach all actions as a mediated whole- each action builds on others- this helps people feel part of something- responsible for their part

Establish an expectation for accomplishment- hold people accountable- ask how things are coming along or if they need help

Encourage members- ask for their assistance and/or offer feedback

Be relentless about the timeline/schedule

Promote interaction/working w/other CoP members

Have a clear, concise call to action- what do people need to do specifically?

7 Tips to Engaging the Community of Practice

1. Collect more data on members than eXtension allows

2. Get to know your experts

3. Utilize the diversity in your CoP

4. Identify your connectors

5. Create a “call to action” that supports & mobilizes members

6. Share, update and inform

7. Manage and maintain your CoP membership.

We have a CoP- how do we get everyone involved?

Community of Practice Membership

Establish a membership protocol- how will new members be recruited, accepted, retained?

Welcome new members personally Provide mentors Choose a

membership “go-to” guru

Offer support and assistance

Early support leads to long-term member retention

A successful CoP is only as good as the membership it attracts:

7 Tips to Engaging the Community of Practice

According to Pat Gannon-Leary, author of Communities of Practice and Virtual Learning Communities: Benefits, Barriers and

Success Factors (2007)

CoP Critical success factors (CSFs) Usability of technology listserv, forums, and other

web technology Trust- built through continued interaction

developing common values and shared understanding

A sense of belonging among members

Paying attention to cross-national and cross-cultural dimensions of the CoP

Shared understandings A common sense of purpose Use of netiquette, user-friendly language

Your Community of Practice

Launching and supporting a successful community of practice is one of the most effective ways to sustain your investment in knowledge generated.

It takes thought and effort, but with the right people, and the right steps your group can move from a “notwork” to a very successful network.

QUESTIONS?

INTERACTION

Communication

ASSESSMENT

Identify

PARTICIPATION

ENGAGINGCommunity

Membership

CALL TO ACTION

Survey

CHALLENGE

Syndication

YOUR COMMUNITY

Domain