Civil society organisations (CSO) can provide a conduit through which the voices of citizens are able to reach and influence high-level policy dialogue and debate. But is this happening in practise? This study set out to examine how effectively and meaningfully CSO member organisations are participating in two civil society networks in Tanzania, and to assess - in turn - how effective those networks are at influencing national policies and agendas.The main incentive for a CSO to join a network is the opportunity to achieve a goal that it could not otherwise reach on its own, and network governance styles are undoubtedly influenced by the perceived optimal way to do that. Some believe that network goals will be most expediently reached through meaningful participation, extensive consultation, goal driven agendas, as well as nuanced representation of the plurality of members? views at high-level fora (instrumental participation). Others believe that their goals will be more quickly or easily reached by aggregating and distilling their members? views ? and linking them to those pursuing similar agendas outside the network ? to one strong advocacy base and position. (symbolic participation).