1. Community Partnerships An Imperative Alternative for a Complete Circle Of Service Delivery Designed by Marilena Benak Presented by Marilena Benak & Mehmet Mehmet

2. Definition A relationship where two or more parties, having compatible goals, form an agreement to share the work and knowledge, share the risks, share the accountability and share the results or proceeds. 3. Why a Partnership and Not Something Else?

• Sparked by a catalyst (opportunity, need, request or crisis) the partnership is:

• More than a sum of people working together

• An effective and practical approach to solving problems

• Empowering for people and systems to change for the better

• Collective work for better solutions

4. Why Partnerships?

Excellent channel for networking and promotion

Resource for attracting additional assets

Potential source of further funding

Impending method of developing newpromotional strategies

Complements program service delivery

• • Flexibility in the concept of eligibility criteria

• • Feasible method ofrecruitment

5. The Most Significant Reason For Partnering

To Serve The Client!!

Provide a full suite of services

Advocacy towards decision makers (funders)

Balance and consistency of services

6. Types of Partnerships

Consultative/Advisory receive public input around changes; gather information for future policies

Contributory to benefit from the work of the community

Operational the partners retain control but the others can influence the decision making

Collaborative share resources, risks, and decision making most common for the community

7. Developing Effective Partnerships

Each partnership is unique but

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

8. Factors for Success

Power individual and collective power based onstrengths, wisdom, and abilities

History

Resources time, expertise and funds are not automatically included

Competition

Leadership

Perceptions clear communication and inclusion

Onward to skill development

9. Ten Stepping Stones toEffective Partnering

1. Vision 6. Roles and Responsibilities

2. Goals 7. Communication

3. Membership 8. Resources

4. Commitment 9. Evaluation

5. Action plan 10. Revision and Closure

10.

A common picture for the future

Tips to create a realistic vision:

• 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 peoples thoughts

• Combine the ideas in one clear picture and find a way to describe it in one or two lines

1. Vision Ten Stepping Stones to Effective Partnering 11.

Clear and easy to understand statement of outcomes

Measurable accomplishments that can be evaluated

• Find a common definition of the issues, problems, opportunities and outcomes

• Dont have too many goals

• Measurable and realistic given time and resources

• Discuss what successful means

2. Goals Ten Stepping Stones to Effective Partnering 12. 3. Membership Ten Stepping Stones to Effective Partnering

A cross section of people, including stakeholders, that need to work together

A healthy membership should:

• Include clients and/or former clients

• Ensure that the membership is inclusive

• Empower members by assigning tasks

• Encompass group interaction the key factor for success

13. 4. Commitment Ten Stepping Stones to Effective Partnering

Reaching an agreement to work together

Thecommitment has an official importance

• 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

14. 5. Action Plan Ten Stepping Stones to Effective Partnering

Identify the detailed steps that are needed to reach the goals

• Assess the current situation by doing a S.W.O.T. analysis to include strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats

• Break down the goals in manageable pieces

Draw an action plan and distribute it to all the members

15. 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

Ensure that everyone has a description of the roles and responsibilities

16. 7. Communication Ten Stepping Stones to Effective Partnering

Information sharing for the group, general public, and special interests

• Within the group

• From partnership group to community

• From community to partnership

Should be clear, concise, timely, and relevant

17. 7. Communication (contd) Ten Stepping Stones to Effective Partnering

Strategic communication requires:

• Day-to-day information

• Overview information for others (brochure, handouts)

• Specific information for media of funding resources

• Very focused information for support and lobbying purposes

• Information for the public and community at large

18. 8. Resources Ten Stepping Stones to Effective Partnering

Takes different shapes and meanings

Build a plan to include:

• Physical

• Financial

• Human Resources

Dont assume that the other partner will bring the resources so make it clear and document it!

19. 9. Evaluation Ten Stepping Stones to Effective Partnering

Measuring progress of success

• 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 the results to build future partnerships or as a resource for the community

20. 10. Revision and Closure Ten Stepping Stones to Effective Partnering

Includes re-adjustments, fine tuning, assessing, making changes and 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

21. Skills Needed for Partnering

Negotiation Skills

Planning Skills

Evaluation Skills

Problem Solving and Conflict Resolution

Partnership Management

Time Management

Financial Management

Stress Management

22. The Advantages

• Power of joint investment of resources

• Creative solutions emerge from differing perspectives

• Access to information and people sources

Effective and practical support

Accountability (single entity with joint responsibilities)

23. Hands on Partnerships Directly Client Focused

Public Health

Dental Health

Revenue Canada

Community Employers (Mentoring, Internship, Job Development)

Newcomer Information Specialists Connections

24. Hands on Partnerships Targeting Systematic Changes

Municipal Government

Community Employment Linkages

Social Planning Council

Employment and Income Support Community Advisor Committee (thru Region of Waterloo)

Project Read (essential skills)

Other Non Profit Organizations (Churches, Clubs, Schools, Colleges and Universities, etc.)

25. Challenges, Challenges

Competition

Rigid Systems

Difficulties to connect

Time consuming

Limited networking

New staff/ New Services

26. Overcoming the Challenges

Networking and more Networking!

Use any potential resource that comes to your mind (colleagues, friends, other collaborators)

Be a good psychologist and place your emphasis on the Win-Win situation

Be ready to answer your partners question: Whats in it for me?

Delegate someone from your team to tie the knot

27. The Reality

Overall, nonprofits are still uncomfortable even having a conversation about partnering,says Peter York, director of evaluations with the TCC Group.If youve never partnered before, theres a part of you that sees a great opportunity and another part thats worried about getting burned.

28. The YMCAs of Cambridge & Kitchener Waterloos Host Mentorship Program Wishes to Thank our Partners

WRIEN

City of Cambridge

City of Kitchener

City of Waterloo

Region of Waterloo

Grand River Hospital

Business Quest* Social Work Bridging Program* Robert Half Canada TD Bank Libro Financial Deloitte Canada