Recently I was invited to judge a speech and debate tournament organized by the National Christian Forensics and Communication Association (NCFCA). The association got its start in 1997 as a division of the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA).

The experience was exciting, and forced me to become very analytical and put my own personal biases aside to determine which young debater had the better argument.

I was able to make one new connection, a feisty homeschool mom who knew how to put people at ease. I shared some marketing tips with a good friend who was also there judging the tournament. In fact, it was through homeschooling our kids together that we first met.

In addition to starting a new relationship and deepening an existing one, judging at this tournament reminded me of something powerful about the homeschooling community—something I’ve always known but had forgotten: namely, homeschoolers don’t mess around.

The tournament was grand in scale, flawlessly organized, and radiated a fierceness that showed what’s possible when we move with courage and conviction—a lesson for every great networker to learn.

Fiercely Bold

As a homeschooling mother, this community is near and dear to my heart. What I witnessed at the tournament was parents who were bold.

When thinking about creating a speech and debate association, they didn't dwell on the merits of their qualifications. They needed a place where their kids could practice speech and debate with peers.

When these parents opted out of the traditional education system, one where most often teachers are required to have degrees, they didn't wait around for the "experts" to show them an alternative.

They just went out and did what they wanted. What they wanted was virtuous and good for their kids. They didn't sit around and bellyache about how their property taxes go toward schools their kids don't receive benefit from. They didn't demand that the schools in their cities duplicate speech and debate tournaments for their kids.

They saw a need, and they met that need by creating their own speech and debate association, through which tournaments could be organized.

From 1997 to today, they continue to meet this specific need for their kids, with all of the aplomb of their public school counterparts, undeterred by any lack of "bonafides," or public school funding.

When, as networkers, we can't find what we are looking for, we can take a lesson from the NCFCA.

We can create our own opportunities! Who's to stop us?

Is that seat taken in the industry exclusive networking group you want to join? Start your own chapter.

Are the referrals drying up? Get more particular about who you meet with, learn to better educate others about who you are looking for in a referral, and ask for others to make introductions on your behalf.

Be fiercely bold because the opportunities are out there for the business owner, just like they are today for those homeschoolers I had the pleasure of judging.

Fiercely Committed

I'm almost positive the NCFCA's first tournament didn't run nearly as smoothly as the most recent one I attended.

No matter....

The homeschool parents and students plowed ahead, committed to having experiences similar to other public school families, but on their own terms.

The parents stayed true to the mission of providing a Christian homeschooling extracurricular activities that would teach their children skills they'll use their entire lives.

When I think of all the work that went into the tournament I was a part of, I can only be amazed by the commitment I saw on display.

What might the same kind of commitment look like from those of us who use networking as a tool to grow our businesses?

Would it look like showing up to our meetings even when we don't feel like it?

Would it mean that problem solving is prioritized above complaining when we find ourselves in the crosshairs of other business owners that we network with?

Be fiercely committed to the kind of hard work that fuels mutual, referral-giving relationships.

Fiercely Grateful

Finally, not only were these parents and students highly organized, intelligent, and fun to be around, they were grateful.

They were so grateful.

I can't count the number of times I was thanked by volunteers, organizers, and even the debaters themselves.

My commitment was three hours. Their commitment was much, much more. However, I was treated as though I had given all of my time for the last three weeks to the tournament.

From the warm welcome when I first arrived, to the spacious room I was shown where I could comfortably wait until my particular debate started, to the volunteer who promptly sat down next to me and set up my electronic score card, to the snacks and drinks that were made available, nothing was left to chance.

All of these small gestures proclaimed from the mountaintops their appreciation and gratitude. I had the feeling every time I was thanked, that I should be the one saying "Thank you."

Could we, as networkers, be more grateful? Could we show grace and appreciation when newcomers visit our events?

Could we make the phone call or send the thank you card when a fellow business owner sends us a referral?

Be fiercely grateful all of the time. I promise you this makes a difference for others.

Go network my friend, and remember;

Don't wait around for good things to happen to you when you network. Be fiercely bold and create opportunities for yourself and others, just like the homeschooling community does.

Faithann Basore and her husband Dave have owned Window Cleaning Plus (WCP) for 10 years. Growing WCP through networking has given Faithann the desire to guide other small business owners through the networking terrain so they can feel comfortable and build long lasting relationships in their business.

Got networking questions? Email me at [email protected].