Starting a
network

MHPN’s Network support is funded by the Australian Federal Government, and all networks are therefore required to meet the below criteria to access MHPN’s administrative, financial, and strategic support.

MHPN Networks must:

• Have a mental health focus.
• Include three or more members from different mental health disciplines.
• Meet a minimum of four times per financial year.

When applying to start a network, MHPN Project Officers will review existing Networks in the area and/or mental health field of focus to determine if a new Network can be established.

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.

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.

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!

How much can a network spend on a single meeting?

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 geographic 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.
How do I get reimbursed for meeting expenses?

Keep all associated receipts and complete and return the Network Coordinator Reimbursement Form (available on the Coordinators page of MHPN’s website) to your Project Officer. Your Project Officer can also email you the Form if that’s easier.
How long does it take for meeting expenses to be reimbursed?

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.

How can I find someone to present at my network meeting?

MHPN’s Networks Program is a community-based program, insofar as Networks are sustained and led by the knowledge and contributions of Coordinators and network members. It is encouraged that Coordinators and members use their professional pathways and connections to identify potential content and guest presenters.

Your Project Officer can also approach speakers who have presented at other networks, as well as source potential speakers from the MHPN Guest Speaker Register.
How can I use an MHPN webinar as content for a network meeting?

MHPN webinars generally feature a facilitated interdisciplinary panel discussion of a case study. Here are some ideas of how to use a webinar in a network meeting.

Option 1: Watch and discuss the full webinar as a group and develop reflective questions to lead a group discussion.

What you need to do:

• Confirm the venue has the necessary audio-visual equipment.
• Visit www.mhpn.org.au/webinars and choose a webinar.
• Download the recording to your computer or a USB, or if you have a strong internet connection at your meeting’s venue you may choose to stream the recording directly from the website.
• Write the reflective questions on flip chart paper or print them to hand out.

Option 2: Ask members to watch the webinar before the meeting and discuss during the meeting.
To do this provide a link to the webinar before the meeting and ask each group member to view either the entire or one discipline’s response to the case study with the aim of using this content to facilitate a group discussion. Craft some reflective questions to discuss during the meeting.

Covid-related considerations

MHPN acknowledges that while many things have returned to their pre-Covid state, the Covid virus is still circulating within the community.

MHPN will work with Coordinators to help return to face-to-face meetings sensibly and safely.

You may like to consider:

• Networks may choose to develop their own protocols to support meeting in a covid-safe manner. This may include things like not attending meetings in-person if you have Covid.
• It is important to be aware of and follow the Covid policies of any venues where meetings are held. The venue will be able to provide their policy (if one is in place).

How do I know how many people have RSVPed to attend a meeting?

Login to your MHPN Account for this information. Navigate to your Network’s page, then choose the  Meeting. Scroll to the bottom of the Meeting page to see who has RSVPed. Please note only the Network Coordinator and MHPN staff can see these details.

Alternatively, call your Project Officer and they can tell you.
What happens if a meeting needs to be cancelled or rescheduled?

Your Project Officer will contact all members who have RSVPed to attend the meeting, by phone, email or SMS text message depending on how long before the meeting the cancellation occurs.
What do I do if someone attending a meeting complains?

MHPN encourages Networks to resolve complaints wherever possible within the network, however if a complaint is unable to be resolved by you, please contact your Project Officer who can initiate our formal complaints process.
How long does it take for Statements of Attendance to be sent after the meeting?

Statement of Attendance will be sent to members within four weeks of the meeting date.

How can I attract more members to the network?

• Ask local services to onforward the Meeting Invitation.
• Post details about the meeting on your LinkedIn feed.
• Ask your PHN to promote the Network. MHPN can help draft copy to include in e-newsletters etc.
• Ask network members to onforward future Meeting Invitations to their colleagues and contacts.
• Go old school…  MHPN has posters that can be displayed in workplace lunchrooms and on noticeboards.

Do Coordinators receive Certificates of Appreciation?
Yes. MHPN will send Coordinators a Certificate of Appreciation. These are usually sent in July or August.