How can you create and join communities of practice in your field?

I’m now in retirement or semi-retirement zone but I think we retirees can help bring a needed perspective on taking the long view and sharing their years of expertise. I was helped by so many great mentors on my journey. It would be an honor to be able to pay it forward. So, as entities create these communities of practice consider inviting your retirees to add their expertise.

In my experience, communities of practice provide a valuable framework for fostering learning, collaboration, and knowledge sharing, ultimately contributing to individual and organisational growth and success. CoPs facilitate the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and best practices among members. CoPs can help organisations adapt to change and stay competitive by fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation. CoPs connect individuals with shared interests and expertise, allowing for networking opportunities. This can be valuable for career growth, finding mentors, or collaborating on projects. Being part of a CoP can create a sense of belonging and shared identity among members. This can boost morale and job satisfaction.

Creating and joining communities of practice in any industry is vital for knowledge sharing and professional growth. In my experience, our company has established dedicated Slack channels and Jira boards for specific areas. These channels serve as virtual communities where experts and enthusiasts can ask questions, share insights, and collaborate on projects. We also hold regular webinars and brown bag sessions, encouraging cross-functional teams to participate and exchange ideas. By leveraging these tools and fostering a culture of collaboration, we've successfully built thriving communities of practice within our organization, driving innovation and excellence in our field.

Find people with similar interests or jobs, and connect with them through events, social media, or online groups. Once you've found potential members, set up a place where everyone can meet in person or a social media group/online meeting. Make sure everyone knows the purpose and rules of the community. Encourage people to share ideas and resources, and be open to different viewpoints. To join existing communities, look for groups or events related to your field and get involved. Introduce yourself and join discussions to meet new people and learn from others.

It is so very easy to find your niches in life in today's day and age if you know where to look and how. If you're not on YouTube, start. For nearly anything you can imagine you'd want to learn, there will be scores of people in a dizzing array of styles who literally make their living teaching you for free. Once you've found a few give-to-rhe-world type people like that and done your homework, follow their suggestions. That's my advice, and my current operating philosophy.

Participating in communities of practice has significant benefits. They promote ongoing learning and skill improvement by sharing experiences and expertise. These groups foster collaboration and networking, which can result in career possibilities, partnerships, and mentorships. Furthermore, they offer emotional support and a sense of belonging, allowing professionals to remain motivated and involved in their industries. Contributing to a community helps you improve your own reputation and authority in your sector.

Communities of Practice (CoPs) can exist both internally within your company and external to your company. There are benefits to both internal and external CoPs. If one doesn't exist internally, you can always create one or recommend that your company form one. For externally-based CoPs, there are so many options! The online platforms, professional associations, events, etc. are all great recommendations for searching to find a CoP. Leveraging your existing network or social media to ask what CoPs they are a part of can also be helpful. Additionally, you can always run a search on Google. Ultimately the goal is to find CoP(s) that are a good fit for your goals!

To uncover these networks, start by searching professional networking sites such as LinkedIn, which hosts many industry-specific groups. Additionally, attending industry conferences, seminars, and workshops allows you to meet like-minded people and learn about existing groups. Joining professional organisations and receiving industry newsletters can also lead to networking opportunities. Once you've found a community, become involved by contributing expertise, participating in discussions, and offering to help organise events. This active involvement not only benefits your professional development but also aids in the formation of long-term relationships within your area.

In my experience contributing to CoPs should be a two-way street. By giving and receiving knowledge, you can help foster a vibrant and thriving community of practice. Here are some ways to effectively contribute to CoPs: Engage regularly in discussions, forums, or meetings related to the CoP. Share your insights, ask questions, and be an active member. Contribute your expertise and experiences to help others in the community. Share articles, case studies, or best practices that can benefit the group. Provide assistance to fellow members when they face challenges or have queries. Being helpful builds trust and rapport. Attend CoP events, webinars, or conferences to meet members in person and deepen your connections.

Il y a plusieurs moyens de contribuer à ce type de communauté : - Répondez aux messages - Proposez des idées - Offrez votre aide et vos compétences - Participez aux réunions en présentiel et en ligne Bref, soyez actif.

I would like to share my experience on starting Toastmaster club - Share information on What is Toastmasters - How Toastmaster can help to individual and community - Help them to understand various aspects of Toastmaster - Arrange session from experienced Toastmaster to clear doubts about Toastmaster if community member has - Encourage them to join Toastmasters meeting as a guest so that they can understand how meetings are conducted - Arrange or plan for in-person demo meeting so interested folks can take real feel - Talk to individually if a person is shy to talk in a group. - Last form a Club :)

Share relevant articles, books, videos or other resources that can help members learn and grow in the subject matter. Schedule regular meetings or interaction, consistency helps build a sense of community.

Je suis actuellement en quête de créer ma propre communauté qui reflète mes valeurs et mes intérêts, tout en étant en lien avec d'autres personnes. Pour ce faire, je suis dans une création de contenu complète, notamment sur LinkedIn, pour démontrer mon expertise, montrer l'importance du networking dans nos business, casser les codes du networking corporate, et tendre vers un networking plus humain et plus authentique. Je trouve que cela a été un excellent moyen jusqu'à aujourd'hui : les gens apprécient la valeur ajoutée de mes posts. J'anime également des ateliers de networking "déclic". En bref, j'apporte de la valeur, je sonde aussi afin d'affiner les besoins cette préparation en amont m'aidera à créer la communauté dont je rêve...

CoPs want to find value in coming together. The key is to understand what value your members want from your community. For some, it may be sense of belonging in building connections. For others, it may be mentoring and growing their careers. There isn't a "one size fits all", so it's important to have a variety of programs and events with key metrics to see where you are adding the most value.

La diversité des actions au sein de votre communauté est importante. Les gens ne viennent pas tous dans le même but que vous : certains cherchent à élargir leur réseau, d'autres à vendre, à gagner en visibilité, à apprendre, par exemple, les techniques de networking, ou encore à sortir de la solitude. Dans ma future communauté, j'ai listé pas moins de 15 ateliers en ligne ou en présentiel. Selon les besoins, il sera possible de naviguer entre ces ateliers et ainsi de s'émanciper.

Making sure our community is receptive to a range of viewpoints in order to improve debates. Sustainability means planning for engagement over the long haul and managing what members expect. Every member should feel cherished and represented in this area. Members’ privacy should be upheld while also abiding by regulations on data protection.

I am looking for a new role and appreciate your support.. Thanks in advance for any connections, advice or opportunities you have.?! My favorite Occupation: Implementer of business software and hardware... My favorite Workplace: Consultant/Implementer of IT solutions, direct and active participation in the development of new and improvement of existing software solutions... #OpenToWork I am looking for a new role and appreciate your support.. Thanks in advance for any connections, advice or opportunities you have.?! Hello everyone - I am looking for a new role and would appreciate your support. Thank you in advance for any links, advice or opportunities you can offer. #OpenToWork 🙊 My Favorite Occupation: Implementer of business software

Creating and joining communities of practice not only enhances your professional knowledge and provides emotional and moral support. Sharing experiences and challenges with peers can be incredibly validating and motivating. For example, I joined a professional group focused on L&D called L&D Shakers, where I met several peers, we regularly exchange ideas and provide feedback on each other’s projects, which has been invaluable for my growth. Hearing about how others tackle similar challenges can spark new ideas and solutions for your work. They also offer opportunities for collaborative projects, which can lead to new career opportunities and advancements.