G2 - A Tale As Old As Time: Using Mastermind Principles To Develop A Method Of Networking For Family Leaders In Florida

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Full Description: The Florida Family Leader Network (FFLN) is a web of family leaders from clinical sites, academic settings, and community agencies serving children and youth with special healthcare needs. It is supported by the Florida Title V Children’s Medical Services Office of Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs (CYSHCN) and coordinated by the University of Florida Pediatric Pulmonary Center.

The Network provides opportunities for family leaders, champions (health professionals who support family/youth engagement), and emerging professionals to network, share resources, and develop best practices on family engagement. FFLN’s overall goal is to empower and develop the family/youth voice to help lead and shape efforts to improve the integration and coordination of systems of care in Florida for CYSHCN.

Networking has been enshrined for centuries in every profession to share best practices, provide support for colleagues and strengthen the impact of a profession. Networks exist in professions at both national and local levels. Family leadership is an emerging profession. Family leaders are often the sole representative of their profession in organizations. At the inaugural meeting of the FFLN in 2016, family leaders expressed feelings of isolation in their workplaces. A driving force behind the creation of the FFLN was the need to address these feelings. Following extensive planning in 2017, the FFLN hosted its first annual summit in 2018 and has continued to meet annually. Attendance at these summits has grown (77 attendees in 2018, 180 in 2021). Networking and leadership skills development are facilitated through an active private Facebook group (186 members), a listserv (280 members) and a webinar series. Post summit evaluations consistently show that family leaders want more opportunities to network with one another.

In 2021, in an effort to provide intentional networking, two FFLN family leaders proposed to pilot a method of networking that was based on Mastermind Principles developed by entrepreneur, Jack Canfield (https://www.jackcanfield.com/blog/mastermind-group/). Six sessions were conducted. Data was gathered on participants’ satisfaction with the process. The pilot was limited to the FFLN Exec Committee. This session will describe:

• The facilitator’s handbook designed by FFLN members and others used to run the sessions
• The template the FFLN uses to conduct these sessions
• Pre and post data from each session on participant’s feelings of satisfaction
• The results of a survey on the model which was conducted with the FFLN Exec committee.

The session will be run in the manner used in the actual networking sessions. Attendees will have the opportunity to assess the effectiveness of the method in real time. They will be able to replicate the method within their own networks. The method which is well established within the business world is an effective method of networking for family leaders as we continue to professionalize.

Abbreviated Description: Networking is an age-old practice enshrined in all professions. Family Leadership is an emerging profession. Family/Youth Leaders need to build networks to share best practices, provide support for colleagues and strengthen the impact of their profession. They are often the sole representative of the profession in organizations and can feel isolated. To address these challenges, the Florida Family Leader Network is piloting a networking method for family/youth leaders based on Mastermind Principles. The session will be run in the manner used in the actual networking sessions. Join us to meet with colleagues, assess the effectiveness of this method in real time and learn how to replicate it within your own networks.