Lead an existing network

With the support of an MHPN Project Officer, Network Coordinators are responsible for:

• deciding network meeting topics, dates and locations
• facilitating network meetings
• securing guest speakers
• providing regular feedback to MHPN.

MHPN’s Network team is dedicated to supporting our volunteer Network Coordinators. Each Coordinator will work closely with their designated MHPN Project Officer to support the network and arrange meetings.

Network funding

MHPN provides networks with a modest amount of funding to pay for pre-approved costs associated with holding meetings. The amount of funding varies depending on whether the meeting is online or face-to-face, the location and the number of expected attendees.

Administrative and marketing support

The network’s designated Project Officer, in conjunction with our administration team, undertakes tasks such as:

• maintaining network member details on MHPN’s database, including managing the Member Directory
• sending network meeting invitations and reminders while monitoring RSVPs
• providing electronic Statements of Attendance to meeting attendees after the meeting
• promoting your network to attract new members.

Resources and Tools

MHPN has developed tools and resources that can help grow and develop networks. These can be found in the Coordinator Hub. We also have a dedicated meeting inspiration page to help Coordinators with ideas for their network.

Guidance

Project Officers, where needed, can also provide advice on meeting topics, guest speakers and member engagement. Additionally, MHPN send Coordinator Connect, a quarterly e-newsletter to keep you up-to-date with network news, trending meeting topics, tips about coordinating and other MHPN activities.

Coordinator Perks

MHPN offer Network Coordinators membership to an exclusive MHPN network with opportunities to meet fellow Coordinators all over Australia and access exclusive professional development and self-care events. Current Coordinators, ask your Project Officer for more information on joining!

Practitioners with a professional interest in mental health, with skills in leading and facilitating groups are encouraged to consider becoming Coordinators.

The responsibility of coordination doesn’t need to sit with one person. The Coordination role can also be covered in the following ways:

• Planning group / steering group / committee. A small group of network members worktogether to make decisions about network meetings, sharing the associated tasks.
• Dual-coordination. Two people work together, sharing the responsibilities.
• Rotating coordination. Network members take turns coordinating each network meeting.
• Organisation-based coordination. An organisation partners with MHPN to establish a network and arrange regular meetings.
• Individual coordinator. One person is responsible for coordinating all network meetings.

Meeting budget

The amount of funding allocated to each meeting varies depending on:

• whether the meeting is online or face-to-face,
• if face-to-face, how many members are attending, and the Network’s location.

If the funding allocated for a meeting is not fully spent, it can be rolled over and used to fund future meetings in the same financial year.

Expense reimbursement

Keep all associated receipts and complete and return the Network Coordinator Reimbursement Form to your Project Officer. Your Project Officer can also email you the Form if that’s easier.

MHPN aims to pay all reimbursements within two business days. The payment needs to be cleared by your bank – the time this takes may vary depending on your bank’s procedures.

MHPN uses Zoom to host online network meetings. Your Project Officer will set up the meeting in MHPN’s Zoom account and provide you with all the details and assistance you need to run the online meeting. Members will receive a link to the Zoom room in the Invitation and Confirmation emails. It will also be available on the Meeting page in the Portal.

Your Project Officer will provide a Technical Briefing to help familiarise you with Zoom. Unable to access Zoom? Your Project Officer will work with you to find another option.

Can the meeting be recorded?

While Zoom does allow for meetings to be recorded, due to Privacy considerations for all members and presenters, MHPN Network meetings are not to be recorded.

How do online network meetings differ from a webinar?

Unlike webinars, network meetings are only attended by members of that network, whereas MHPN webinars are an open invitation to a wider national audience. Network meetings also provide more opportunity for attendees to network and interact than a webinar.

Your network meeting can largely take the same format as face-to-face meetings. Many face-to-face style meeting formats can be adapted to suit an online format. For example, if the meeting features a guest speaker, the speaker can present and share their screen so the members will see the both the speaker and their slides.

Our webinars also differ from network meetings in how they are developed and delivered. Webinar panellists assist in developing the content over several weeks to ensure it meets the accreditation needs of MHPN’s partner organisations.

What do I need to host an online meeting?

This article explains the system requirements required for using Zoom (the platform MHPN uses). For the best result, use a headset with a microphone for the sound, plug this into your computer and utilise a webcam so the members can see you.

Your Project Officer will email you a ‘host key’, which gives permission to mute participants’ sound, share your screen (slide show) and other functions to help you facilitate the meeting. Your Project Officer can show you these functions and you can consider what will work best for you during your technical briefing.

How do the network members join the meeting?

Network members will receive a link to join the Zoom meeting in their Invitation and Confirmation emails. The link will also be available on the Portal’s Meeting page.