Standard 7: Adequate Resources
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admin on 8/9/2007 |
Keyword(s):
Conservation networksRationale Effective networks often entail substantial costs, whether those are aggregated into a single budget or, as is more common, shared by the sponsor and members. Frequently these costs must be covered over multiple years, if the network’s objectives are to be met. To ensure that the network is able to complete the work required to achieve its purpose, the resources required should be reasonably assured before launching the network. Good Practice Scoping and Design Costs.
Developing a network generally requires considerable activity and some cost prior to securing sufficient funds to launch it. During this scoping and design phase, needs are assessed, purpose is defined, prospective members are identified, and resource requirements are determined. This phase will require a deliberate consultation process and may require convening prospective members. Wait until you have assurance of resources before initiating the second phase – launch and operation.
Launch and Operation Costs.
Determine the activities and other cost factors that will be required to achieve the network’s objectives, and how these costs will be distributed (see table below). The costs of a network are usually shared by the sponsor and the members. For example, the sponsor and the donors enlisted by the sponsor, may finance some or all of the costs of members’ travel to participate in collective network activities. On the other hand, very rarely does the budget for a network cover the time contributed by members. The distribution of costs will be very important in prospective members’ calculation of the cost/benefit of participation. The cost of participation should be clear to members and their organizations or programs. Principal Cost Factors | Typical Responsibility | Network Leadership 0.03 to 1.0+ full time equivalent Determined by frequency and scope of network activity, and extent of network support between collective activities (e.g. site visits, one-on-one coaching, etc.) | Network sponsor | Collective Network Activities Member time Member transportation, meals and lodging | Members Network sponsor, members, or shared | Local Activities to Advance Network Objectives E.g., member effort and costs to apply and test practice “at home” | Members, network sponsor, or shared | Network Support E.g., research, communication, website development and maintenance, meeting logistics, etc. | Network sponsor | Peer Assists/Exchanges, Peer-Reviews Time and travel of participating members. | Network sponsor, members, or shared | Documentation and Distribution of Network Products E.g., capturing lessons-learned, documenting good practice, translating for users worldwide, and distributing them | Network sponsor | External expertise E.g., specialist engaged for a specific activity, such as a workshop session or technical assistance to members | Network sponsor |
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Conservation by Design Gateway
