This weeks chapter in our text book, Network, focused on the social network revolution and how this is really an old concept with a new name and fresh look.  We have always had social networks but people called the groups or just didn't recognize it.  No one can go around in this world without some type of network or a lone wolf on their own.  We all interact with people, even those that live only in the internet world still connect with people just through the lines of their computer.  As I read this chapter and it gave some pretty interesting statistics on networking I thought about how I have created a social network and that the focus seems to have been through mostly my work.  Especially since I am hitting my 20 year mark with the Coast Guard.

I then ran across the article by Laura Roberts, How to Build Stronger Bonds with Fellow Teachers.  Laura starts off with a look at a study that said that half of American workers are not happy with their job and 67% of those that were relating it to their friendships in the office that made it satisfying.  She then gives the reader various ideas on how to build your bonds as teachers but really these can be applied to any job.

• Create Regular Opportunities for Sharing:  She mentioned lunch with coworkers to get break routine and build relationships
• Use Social Media Groups: As we are learning there are plenty of web 2.0 applications that can be used to build this.  They specifically mentioned google+ and the different themed networks that you can join.
• Connect through Edmondo:  This is an education driven site but look for something similar for your profession. 
• Attend Conferences or Plan Field Trips Together
• Branch Out of Your Discipline
• Respect Confidentiality
• Pick up Your Phone:  This was towards those that tend to send that quick email reply all the time and do not just pick up the phone once in a while.  I have been bad on this myself at work and even will add, get up from your chair and go to someones office to talk about it. 

With the big focus with the class in building a network or community, this article really added some great ideas on how you can do this in your profession.  The relationships in your network and community takes work and devotion of time.  If you expect something from someone you should expect to give the same type of devotion to them also.