PartnershipsAn Essential Component

A Definition?

A relationship where two or more parties

having compatible goals form an agreement to share the work and knowledge , share the risk, share the accountability, and share the results or proceeds.

Why Partnerships?• Excellent channel of networking and

promotion

• Resource of attracting additional assets

• Potential source of further funding

• Impending method of developing new promotional strategies

• Complement for program service delivery Flexibility in the concept of eligibility criteria Feasible method of recruitment

Why a Partnership and Not Something Else?

Sparked by a catalyst (opportunity, need, client request), the partnership is:

• More then a sum of people working together • Effective and practical approach to solving

problems• Empowering for people and systems to

change for the better• Involves collective work for better solutions

The Most Significant Reason for Partnering

To serve the client• Provide a full suit of services• Advocacy toward decision makers (funders)• Balance of services

Factors for Success• Power-individual and collective power based on

strengths, wisdom, and ability

• History-• Resources-time, expertise and funds are not

automatically included

• Competition• Leadership• Perceptions-clear communication and

inclusion• Onward to skill development

The Advantages of Working in Partnership

• Power of joint investment of resources• Creative solutions emerged from differing

perspectives• Access to information and people sources • Effective and practical support• Accountability (single entity with joint

responsibilities)

Types of Partnership

• Consultative/Advisory (receive public input around changes; gather information for future policies (LIP founding)

• Contributory (to benefit of work from the community)

• Operational (the partners retain control but the others can influence decision making)

• Collaborative (share resources, risk, and decision making; most common for community)

Developing Effective Partnerships

• Each partnership is unique• All resemble a basic formula that includes:

Knowing what we want to do Deciding who will do it Making a plan to do it Evaluating as we all go along

1. Vision Ten Stepping Stones to Effective Partnering

• A common picture for the future Involve as many people as possible Be as inclusive as possible There is no right or wrong in visioning Use a variety of methods to capture people’s

thoughts Combine the ideas in one clear picture and find a

way to describe it in one or two lines

2. Goals Ten Stepping Stones to Effective Partnering

• Clear and easy defined to understand statement of outcomes

• Measurable accomplishments that can be evaluated Find a common definition of the issues, problems,

opportunities and outcomes Don’t have to many goals Measurable and realistic given time and resources Discuss what means successful

3. Membership Ten Stepping Stones to Effective Partnering

• A cross section of people including stakeholders that need to work together, think and plan together, and share the outcomes

• Should include clients and/or former clients• The key factor for success is group interaction

4. Commitment Ten Stepping Stones to Effective Partnering

• Reaching an agreement to work jointly Formalizes the participation Affirms that everyone is ready to move ahead

with the goals as outlined Write down the agreement; it represents the basis

for a formal partnership

5. Action Plan Ten Stepping Stones to Effective Partnering

• Identify the detailed steps that are needed to reach the goals Assess the current situation (S.W.O.T. Analysis)

o Strengthso Weaknesseso Opportunitieso Treats

Break down the goals in manageable pieces

6. Roles and Responsibilities Ten Stepping Stones to Effective Partnering

• The structure and the process-who will do what and the overall operation of the partnership Set the ground rules Establish group norms Share decision-making, responsibilities and

resources

7. Communication Ten Stepping Stones to Effective Partnering

• Information sharing for the group, general public, and special interest Within the group From partnership group to community From community to partnership

• Should be clear, concise, timely, and relevant• Assign representatives for outside messaging

Communication continuous

• Strategic communication requires: Day-to-day information Overview information for others (brochure,

handouts) Specific information for media of funding

resources (media release) Very focused information for support and

lobbying purposes Information for the public and community at large

8. Resources Ten Stepping Stones to Effective Partnering

• They take different shapes and meanings• Build a plan to include:

Physical Financial Human resources

• Don’t assume that the other partner will bring them, write it down in the agreement!

9. Evaluation Ten Stepping Stones to Effective Partnering

• Measuring progress of success involves: Build evaluation criteria right into the goal Measure and modify as you go along Include measures for partnership progress along

with outcome measurement Stop to solve the identified problems• Use customized outcome measurements

10. Revision and Closure Ten Stepping Stones to Effective Partnering

• Re-adjustments, fine tuning, assessing and making changes; closure of the partnership

• Review the partnership impact • The need for a marked end is essential to

create a sense of satisfaction• Capture the history of the partnership

Skills Needed for Partnering

• Partnership Management• Negotiation Skill• Planning Skill• Evaluation Skill• Problem Solving and Conflict Resolution• Time Management• Financial Management• Stress Management

Hands on Partnerships

• WRIEN

Meaningful Partnerships

• Public Health• Employers• Other SPOs for System change purpose• Local Government

Terminate the Partnership

Pros Cons

Dealing with Difficult Partners