This article was first published in Touchstone in November 2018.
In late September, we held our first meetings of three communities of practice. A community of practice is a group of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly. Communities of practice are informal, self-organising, and span across the membership of the Methodist Alliance.
The Methodist Alliance agreed to create communities of practice to further the strategic priorities:
1. Safe and secure housing
2. Strong resilient tamariki/children and families/whānau
3. Building stronger communities – including reducing social isolation
These communities of practice create a structure that allows our staff and member agencies to promote best practice and build common capability in these areas across the Methodist Alliance.
The objectives of the communities of practice will vary over time, but include:
To identify trends within our local communities;
To enhance and strengthen our own understanding, learning and practice;
To report on progress and provide updates;
To advise other Methodist Alliance members and the Steering Group;
To provide a forum for developing cooperative activities where this adds value to existing initiatives.
Members share their expertise, and any documents or other resources they have which they think will be useful to all members.
Membership of the communities of practice is open to all Methodist Alliance members.
What we have achieved after just one meeting:
HOUSING
Drafted a one page resource for parishes with advice on supporting people who are experiencing homeless
Drafted information to give to government officials on Methodist housing initiatives
Circulated the Public Housing Plan
Input into a submission on the reform of the Residential Tenancies Act
CHILDREN & FAMILIES
Drafted an agreed theory of change for Methodist providers of services to children and families
BUILDING STRONGER COMMUNITIES
Drafted a document on Neighbours Day Aotearoa and community led development for presentation and discussion at Synod meetings
Carol Barron, Methodist Alliance National Coordinator, carol@methodistalliance.org.nz
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