The Partnership Playbook: Initiating a partnership
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EmailStarting a community partnership from scratch can feel like a challenge, but by taking the steps outlined in the Partnership Playbook, you can build strong relationships.
A community partnership refers to a collaborative relationship between a group of people or organizations where the members work together to achieve a common goal. The National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments identifies partnerships as a shared responsibility and reciprocal process where community agencies, organizations and schools collaborate to support child development and learning. In youth development organizations like 4-H, we rely on a variety of stakeholders such as businesses, community organizations, and volunteers to provide programming that enhances the lives of youth.
Once you’ve been introduced to another community organization that has similar missions and resources that you’ve been looking for, you might be asking what are the steps to take to begin pursuing a partnership with the group?
When initiating a partnership, one should:
- Express your needs
- Prepare an elevator speech to succinctly describe your organization’s goals.
- Be prepared to share what others might be able to do to aid in the process.
- Bring business cards
- Always have business cards on hand when working.
- Look for opportunities
- Be aware of spaces that may bring multiple potential partners together.
- Volunteer with other organizations to generate more connections.
- Do your research
- Look into community demographics, existing resources and previous initiatives.
- Make the request
- Ask for an opportunity to have a conversation regarding the potential partnership.
Victory! The potential partner has accepted your request to have a conversation about the opportunity to work together. How can you be best prepared to step into that conversation?
When participating in a partnership meeting, one should:
- Be prepared and honest
- Don’t be shy! Be willing to share what you can provide and what you hope the potential partner can provide.
- Come prepared with potential resources you might be able to share with the potential partner.
- Dress the part
- Dress appropriately based on the environment of the meeting.
- Wear logoed gear, when possible, to promote your organization.
- Have business cards
- Have business cards ready in case there are any new connections made at the meeting.
- Be ready to take notes
- Come prepared to take notes in some fashion: computer notes, via a lined notebook or with a notebook specifically made for documenting meeting discussions.
- Send a follow-up email within two business days of meeting
- Utilizing the notes, send a summary of the meeting to participants. Include your role, the partners role, the desired time frame, resources to be shared and action items identified during the meeting.
Clear communication, preparation and a willingness to collaborate will help you establish meaningful connections that lead to successful partnerships. As you move forward, remember that building a partnership takes time, but the impact it can have on your organization and the community is well worth the effort. For more information on the importance of partnerships, please consider reviewing The Partnership Playbook: How partnerships make youth programs better!
Michigan State University Extension relies heavily on community partnerships to increase the reach of the work we do. For more information about partnering with MSU Extension in your community, contact your local 4-H program coordinator.
