Do you NETWORK? With who? and How do you do it? Online? In person?
The thing I love about SOCIAL NETWORKING is that there are so many wonderful benefits for everyone. It is the best WIN-WIN for those who are involved in the activity. Let’s look at this closely.
Years ago, I had a dad who was involved in the Loyal Order of the Moose. It was a fraternal and service organization founded in the late 1800’s to help one another. At that time, they had Moose Heart for Children and Moose Haven for Senior Citizens. He’d talk about the Fraternal aspects that created opportunities for helping one another. Dad would attend meetings and donate yearly to them.
My father-in-law was a member of the Lion’s Club and he also was an active member. The monies and old glasses they collected helped those with sight issues. He knew many other businessmen who also contributed their time and money to helping. They often socialized at dinner dances and breakfasts to raise money. These Fundraising events unified and connected people.
Fraternal Lodges helped families by offering services and opportunities that one couldn’t obtain on their own. They still are very present in our society. The Moose, Rotary, Kiwanis, and Lion communities along with many others have expanded what they do and their presence in the world. Our fathers would be ecstatic knowing how much their groups have grown over the last 50 years. 
I am a Charter member of the Crystal Lake Kiwanis that started back in 2005. It was a new beginning as the original group dissolved due to deaths and people moving. We work year around to raise money and help children in our world locally and internationally. We have helped conquer mental illness with iodized salt programs in the world. Currently we are working with UNICEF to eliminate maternal/neonatal tetanus (MNT) from the earth. It is The Eliminate Project that has already saved many babies. Our group also runs the Annual Crystal Lake Santa Run for Kids. We are joined my other service agencies to help children.
But Social networking can be through your local Chamber of Commerce, Senior Citizens groups, or Churches. Networking is the key to helping others and helping yourself as well. In the last 10 years, we are all more involved in the “online” world of Networking. In the Digital world, we can communicate from anywhere and do it in minutes. Each networking group is, of course, different and even though contacts may carry over from one to another, each serves a different purpose.
We can all learn from one another and improve. May you be blessed with the richness of keeping in touch with warm, talented, and wholesome people through Networking. Join one of these groups and help make a difference for the next generations. “Delight in Living!”