Networking, both internally and externally, is the key way CAN tries to achieve its objectives. The Relationships Manager plays an important role in identifying the key organisations and people that CAN should have a relationship with and ensuring that there are people within CAN who maintain those relationships.

The Relationships Manager is appointed by the Executive. It is not essential for the postholder to also be on the Executive.

Role:

• to ensure that CAN maintains working relationships with key external stakeholders

Duties:

• to compile and/or maintain a prioritised list of key organisations that CAN needs to have a working relationship with and make this list available to others in CAN
• to identify CAN members prepared to act as contact points for external stakeholders and to match them with appropriate organisations
• to help CAN contact people develop their role as a go-between
• to find replacements if CAN contacts relinquish their role
• be a member of CAN Forum

Desired qualities/experience:

• CAN member
• some knowledge of CAN's purpose and activities
• organised and thorough
• Internet access

Accountabilities:

• CAN Executive

Support/working relationships:

• Executive
• Meetings Co-ordinator
• CAN member surveys may provide details of people interested in being liaison/contact people
• ChainLinks and e.CAN can be used to advertise for contact people and for information from other organisations to be made available to CAN members
• CAN will find opportunties for training or mentoring if possible

Time commitment:

• variable (average 1-2 hours per week, higher on start-up)

Rewards:

• appropriate expenses paid (e.g. toll calls, paper, travel)
• modest honorarium ($50 gift voucher from a range of retailers, including CAN)
• furthering a good cause and working with great people

[updated September 2008]