An official function is either an event, such as a
convention, that has an official purpose for one's employment, vocation or profession-whether run by a person, institution or governmental agency-or an official duty.
Attending events with official purposes is one of the duties of many persons in many organizations. Attending such events fall into categories of
networking,
protocol, information gathering, among others. Networking may involve an economic network, an
entrepreneurial network, an
old boy network
An old boy network (also known as old boys' network, old boys' club) is an informal system in which wealthy men with similar social or educational backgrounds help each other in business or personal matters. The term originally referred to soci ...
, a
social network
A social network is a social structure consisting of a set of social actors (such as individuals or organizations), networks of Dyad (sociology), dyadic ties, and other Social relation, social interactions between actors. The social network per ...
, and a
value network
There is no agreed upon definition of value network. A general definition that subsumes the other definitions is that a value network is a network of roles linked by interactions in which '' economic entities'' engage in both tangible and intan ...
. Protocol deals with etiquette and other forms of
intercultural competence
Cultural competence, also known as intercultural competence, is a range of cognitive, affective, behavioral, and linguistic skills that lead to effective and appropriate communication with people of other cultures. Intercultural or cross-cultura ...
that should be followed to show respect for those with whom one is networking. Information may be gained as a message, a pattern, or an input.
Attending events with official purposes helps one build an
augmented social network, a
community of practice
A community of practice (CoP) is a group of people who "share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly". The concept was first proposed by cognitive anthropologist Jean Lave and edu ...
, and a
network of practice Network of practice (often abbreviated as NoP) is a concept originated by John Seely Brown and Paul Duguid. This concept, related to the work on communities of practice by Jean Lave and Etienne Wenger, refers to the overall set of various types ...
. Such attendance increases occupational
competence
Broad concept article:
*Competence (polyseme), capacity or ability to perform effectively
Competence or competency may also refer to:
*Competence (human resources), ability of a person to do a job properly
**Competence-based management, performa ...
and achievement.
Official duties are those performed to facilitate the achievement of one's assignments as an employee. They may include duties that are performed in a routine manner and duties whose performance demonstrates innovation and leadership. They may include duties that are commonly performed, and duties that must be performed because of new circumstances.
Books
*Diane Darling, THE NETWORKING SURVIVAL GUIDE: GET THE SUCCESS YOU WANT BY TAPPING THE PEOPLE YOU KNOW (2003)
*
* Harvey Mackay, DIG YOUR WELL BEFORE YOU'RE THIRSTY: THE ONLY NETWORKING BOOK YOU'LL EVER NEED (1999)
*
*Etienne Wenger, Richard McDermott, and William M. Snyder, CREATING COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE (2002)
Meetings
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