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One way to increase nonprofit HR support in your local community is to start a local group for networking and training. This can be as simple as gathering together a group of peers once a month at a local restaurant, developing a special interest group through a member organization, or starting an email listserv for professionals in your community. Sample models are provided to help you get started.

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	Start an independent local group Real life examples Here you'll find real life examples of independent local groups that were started among nonprofit human resources peers in their communities. They've shared their group histories and the structures of their meetings, and have given advice for someone starting a similar group. We hope these models are inspirational and also useful as you consider starting a group of your own. Personnel Administrators in Nonprofit Organizations (PANO) – New York, NY Twin Cities HR Group – Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN Tools Once you've read real life examples of how nonprofit HR peers are gathering together, the next step is to compose a letter inviting nonprofit HR peers in your community to get together. Here you'll find a sample invitation and a link to Idealist's free Event Management System (which allows you to find and invite Idealist users to a meeting), as well as event tips and suggestions for your event. Sample invitation to local nonprofit HR professionals Read how Idealist's Event Management System can help you plan a meeting, invite Idealist users, and receive RSVPs Useful event tips and suggestions Helpful links Nonprofit-specific About.com "How to Start a Support Group" (undated) Government of Ontario, Canada, Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs Program Planning for Organizations (Jan 1988) Maddie's Fund "Building a Successful Coalition" (undated) Format: PDF Quint Careers A variety of online networking resources The Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick, NJ "How to Start a Local Learner Network" (undated) Back to Top
	Start a group through a membership organization or association Sometimes the last thing you want to do is start from scratch. If you are a member of a local or national membership organization/association, leveraging that existing network could be the smartest way to build more nonprofit HR support. It may be more difficult at first, because the organization may have protocol surrounding the authorization of such a network or group. Here we offer examples of nonprofit HR groups started within member organizations. We also offer a sample letter to the membership organization of which you are a member, to get you started on communicating your HR needs to them directly. Real life examples Here you'll find real life examples of nonprofit HR groups that were started from within member organizations. They've shared their group histories and the structures of their meetings, and have given advice for someone starting a similar group. Here you'll find real life examples of nonprofit HR groups that have developed within member organizations. They've shared their history and structure to help you think about how you might coordinate something similar for your nonprofit member organizations. The Performing Arts Coalition's (PAC) HR Task Force – USA Nonprofit Special Interest Group, Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) – Seattle, WA Tools Now that you've read examples of how nonprofit HR professionals are working within their member organizations to develop nonprofit HR networks, the next step is compose an email or letter to your member organization. Here you'll find a sample letter that will help you get started in writing your own. Sample letter to member organization Back to Top