FAQS

Surprisingly, we haven’t found a single network for Christian women and allies who are serving in international development. And yet there are 80,000+ women (gravely underreported) working in these organizations who desire a space to network, learn and focus on their careers in faith based international development.

In this network they will have the opportunity to: 

Foster Relationships: When women and allies connect and build relationships powerful things happen.  Through an online platform and many virtual and physical gatherings, women and allies will be able to mentor one another, share best practices from within their own organizations/regions, and co-create new solutions and policies to address any number of continued challenges we face in fighting poverty.  This will be a space for people from North America, Africa, Asia, Latin America to learn from one other.

Learn and Develop: “Members Serving Members” is a key core value of this network.  There are learning and development experiences provided by Network leaders and Network Partners including Spiritual Formation, Servant Leadership, Women and Men Leading Together, Theology and Leadership courses, Mindfulness and Resilience training.  There will also be countless opportunities for network members to bring their own expertise to learning opportunities for their other network members.  

Join Voices: The network provides a critical mass of voices who can influence change in organizations, communities and globally.  The sector has suffered from lack of data and tracking progress for women and girls has not been made a priority of current leadership- that changes with the creation of this network.  Women and allies bring their voices together on policies they need to experience equality and belonging within their organizations and communities and that place of “together” is provided by this network.

Opportunity: Corporate research indicates that overall ROI/business performance and employee engagement, recruitment and retention are measurably improved with greater women in leadership (35% or more). Donors, watchdogs and society at large are starting to pay attention to under-represented populations in the sector. Now is the time.

Proposed Solution: Convene a status-quo-disrupting, learning-oriented mutual aid (members helping members) network with a critical mass of diverse women and allies to, over time, measurably influence gender equality in the sector through data collection, networking, equipping and advocacy.

Sector Effectiveness: If executive and Board leadership tables are more balanced, then better organizational outcomes will be achieved - which means improved outcomes for women and girls in poverty.

Gender Diversity: If organizational consciousness, policies and cultures change, then women will be able to expand leadership and influence.

Women Flourishing: If women are able to heal, grow and relationally connect, they will become more resilient and skilled to advance in their callings.

Members Serving Members: Upon joining the network members are asked both what they want to receive from the network as well as what they will contribute to the network beyond dues.  Network members bring a wealth of experiences and professional skills they can teach and share with others and we want to provide the place to maximize that sharing.  

A Space to Gather: The network will facilitate both virtual and face to face engagement.  The virtual member platform will be an enjoyable and engaging technology platform where members can meet and share resources, jobs, advice, support. , face to face gatherings and through gatherings, as well as skilled facilitators and relationship catalysts this network can accomplish this.

Professional Development: Through both original content as well as curated content from Network Partners like Chrisitians for Biblical Equality, Development Associates International and others, the network provides ample opportunity for professional development in areas of most interest to women and allies in developing their own leadership and expanding their influence as well as sharpening their professional acumen for careers in the international development space.  From early career staff to senior executives wanting peer mentoring and a place to give back there will be ample opportunities for everyone to find what they need as well as contribute what they have to offer for the development of themselves and others.

Leadership Opportunities: The Network will have many volunteer and stipend leadership roles to offer those unable to gain those experiences within their own organizations at the present time.  Leading membership drives, organizing face to face events, hosting webinar series, designing and executing collaborative research projects are just a few.

Resources: Practical and applicable webinars on a variety of topic from applying Agile ideology to all facets of development work to how to get more creativity and innovation from your team, there will be countless topics to satisfy a broad range of member needs.

Your giving will go towards the start-up costs of developing and launching the network.  

Initial funding is needed to:

1. Acquire and build out a technology platform for engagement, provide data storage and networking/learning space.
2. Fund staffing to design, develop and launch the network and provide ongoing leadership. This includes two full time staff and four shared staff with TearFund USA.

Ultimately, the network will be self-sustained by a tiered annual membership dues structure which will be built up during launch through its growth phases. It is expected that the network will be sustainable with approximately 1500 members. The population of women employed just among the trade association (Accord Network) of these agencies is roughly 80,000 global women.