Communities of Practice

Alliance Community of Practices (CoP)
and Online Discussion Groups

READ ABOUT: Communities of Practice (CoP) Groups and Online Discussion Groups (Listservs)

The Alliance has established a series of communities of practice (CoP) for member professional staff with responsibilities for:

Human resources/personnel management
Communications/marketing (including public relations, development, community relations, etc.)
Fund development
Chief financial officers

The purpose of each community of practice (CoP) is to facilitate the sharing of information that will enable CoP members to perform at high levels. This is accomplished through both formal and informal means. For example, each CoP is responsible for:

Developing and conducting a series of teleconferences on topics that are relevant to the CoP membership.
Planning and conducting workshops, seminars, or panel discussions at the Alliance’s annual national conference.
Maintaining an online discussion group (listserv) that will expedite communication among the CoP membership.
In concert with the Alliance’s Severson Center library, establishing an exchange library of relevant materials or products that relate to the disciplines involved.

Each CoP is coordinated by a member chair and an advisory group comprising members of the CoP. Together they are responsible for ensuring that the members derive value from their participation in the CoP. A list of the current CoP chairs and contact information is provided here.

To participate, please select the desired CoPs on the registration form and provide the necessary information.

Please note: Signing up for a CoP does not automatically include participation in the associated online discussion group/listserv. There is a separate box on the form for you to check for the discussion group. After you submit your application you will be sent an e-mail explaining how to participate in the group(s). The available online discussion groups are listed below:

Alliance for Children and Families members are invited to join our online discussion groups. Review the discussion groups below, or SKIP TO THE SIGN-UP FORM. CoP Online Discussion Groups
CFO Community of Practice Online Discussion Group - the online discussion for Alliance member CFOs and Finance Executives.	RDS Community of Practice Online Discussion Group - Resource Development Services is open to all Alliance member staff who want to network with peers in fund raising and resource development areas.
Human Resources Community of Practice Online Discussion Group This is for the Alliance’s Human Resources Community of Practice. HR directors and professionals in Alliance member agencies may join.	Marketing/Communications Community of Practice Online Discussion Group This group is for the Alliance Marketing and Communications Community of Practice. Marketing and Communications directors and professionals in Alliance member agencies may join.

Other Alliance Online Discussion Groups
AllianceCEO - the online discussion for Alliance member CEOs and Executive Directors.	Civic Engagement Online Discussion Group - Keep up to date on Civic Engagement news and opportunities. This group is designed for member staff interested in learning how to better engage community members in advocacy and problem-solving processes.
Program Management Online Discussion Group - Open to treatment and program management staff of nonprofit child- or family serving agencies.	Research Affinity Group (RAG) - Open to Alliance members who are involved in research and evaluation.
Residential Psychiatrist Online Discussion Group - This group is for psychiatrists working with children and youth in a residential setting. This group is also open to psychiatrists of non-member agencies.	RGF - the Residential/Group/Foster Care forum for Alliance member staff working in or concerned with issues in the residential, group home, or foster care fields.
Senior Leadership - While the primary focus is for agencies belonging to the Alliance for Children and Families, this discussion group is open to any senior manager in a child- or family-serving agency.	Technology Affinity Group - This group is for discussion about issues that affect member information technology departments and related service areas.

It's free! JOIN the Alliance CoPs and Online Discussion Groups Now!

COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE (CoP) ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHAIRS [TOP]
Human Resources: John Mollison Vice President Human and Physical Resources Girls and Boys Town Boys Town, NE Marketing/Communications: John Barr Chief Marketing Officer Hillside Family of Agencies Rochester NY	Resource Development Services: Robert B. Jones, Ph.D. President & CEO Children's Aid and Family Services Paramus NJ CFO: To be announced.