Identify
The first step is to identify your local connectors. This is best done with a small group of people. Think about the boundaries in your community and why people might be hardly reached by your services. When identifying connectors who cross these boundaries:
Have an agreed definition of what you mean by a ‘connector’
Ask staff and community leaders to identify connectors
Ask other connectors
Remember staff can be connectors, too
Resources
A group of staff and community members in rural Victoria developed a connector contact list, a script for contacting connectors and an information sheet to give to potential connectors.
Connect
The next step is to connect with and build a relationship with connectors. Good connections occur when staff:
Listen
Build trust
Are flexible and responsive
Go to where the connectors are
Remember that connectors are volunteers
Establish a relationship of mutuality
Keep ‘red tape’ to a minimum
Resources
Here’s are example of connecting with connectors for bushfire recovery and responding to Covid-19.
Here’s a short film clip of some connectors explaining why they are connectors and what’s needed for good connections with a health service.
Enable
An ongoing relationship requires ‘connector friendly’ organisations. Provide connectors with:
Up to date service information
Access to training
A consistent point of contact
In-kind or financial support for connector initiated activities in the community
Resources
Here’s what some participants at a workshop on enagaging with connectors had to say: