Starting a Consortium

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These steps will help Neighborhood Networks centers launch a local consortium:

Meet with key players. Get community members on board, especially individuals with leadership abilities and well-established community contacts. The consortium should include Neighborhood Networks center staff, property owners, property managers, residents, and potential funding partners.

Hold a "vision meeting" of 10 to 20 key players. A vision meeting allows consortium members to brainstorm about the possibilities for Neighborhood Networks centers in their regions. It also allows the members to identify how a consortium could help the centers secure what they need to enhance their programs. Someone with experience in leading group discussions and helping groups focus on their goals should facilitate this meeting.

Invite key players to serve as members of a steering committee. The steering committee can develop a strategic plan, create working committees for specific projects, help the consortium secure nonprofit status, and devote funding and current staff time (or help obtain additional staff) to maintain the consortium.

Based on a strategic plan and objectives, begin the work of the consortium. Once the consortium is established, it should implement its strategic plan. As time passes, the consortium's steering committee may want to revise the strategic plan to fit changing needs or direction. Organizers may wish to incorporate the consortium as a 501(c)(3) organization to facilitate accessing particular funding and partnership opportunities. As the consortium moves forward, recruit new centers and partners to help enhance it.