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| Factor – Understanding the Community |
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Understanding the community, including its people, cultures, values and habits, provides
the foundation for effective collaboration. It allows the practitioner to gain a
sense of the vision the community has for itself and the underlying values of the citizenry.
A close look at the community helps identify individuals in the community who
have power and those who have gifts. Potential audiences are identified. Potential
collaborators will be discovered and potential turf battle insights will be gained.
The practitioner will recognize the diversity of strengths and weaknesses that influence
the success of the collaboration. A clear view of the overall strengths can be made
and not focus on the weaknesses. |
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| Factor – Community Development |
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Community development is the process of mobilizing communities to address important
issues and build upon the strengths of the community. The natural communication
systems and formal information channels enable one to begin the process of exploring
issues, goals and objectives. The collaboration begins the process of defining its vision,
mission, values, principles and outcomes within the context of the attitudes,
norms, beliefs and values of the larger community. Efforts begin to build teamwork and
mobilize resources (revenue, time, people) to build on the positive environment within
the community, overcome potential barriers and begin to mobilize the citizenry to institute
change.
While mainstream collaborative efforts begin with the process outlined, a sense of
trust is critical to successful community development strategies. Citizens often see the
language of collaboration in rhetoric, with actions not rooted in melding actual and long
lived community development. |
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| Factor – Leadership |
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Community collaboration requires effective leadership. While leadership is often
defined as who is in power, the definition of leadership for successful collaborations
is broadened to include those who impact change within their community,
group and/or organization.
One of the major responsibilities of leadership is to assure that appropriate
members have been brought to the collaboration. A diverse membership should
encompass potentially impacted groups and individuals. Collaborative efforts
should provide for youth and adult partnerships. Norms of operation must be
established which include protocol, conflict resolution, political and cultural sensitivity,
structure, and roles and responsibilities. Leadership should facilitate and
support team building and capitalize upon diversity and individual, group and organizational
strengths. |
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| Factor – Communication |
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Collaborative efforts are dependent upon open and clear communication. Norms of
communicating must be established which assure “language usage” which is acceptable
to all members. Terminology must be clarified so that shared meaning can
occur. A formal process for communication between meetings must be established
(i.e., weekly phone calls, mailings, faxed updates). Communication from the collaboration
to the broader community must be established. This may involve the
development of working relationships with the media and other formal information
channels. Establishing and maintaining non–formal communication channels with
local community leaders will also be essential. Marketing of the collaboration efforts
must also be conducted in order to obtain community support and acquire
needed resources. |
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| Factor – Research and Evaluation |
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Obtaining and utilizing information is essential for collaborative groups. The effect
of meeting the desired outcomes is the primary objective of a collaboration evaluation.
Data must be collected which establishes benchmarks for future impact and
outcome analysis. Reviewing examples of other successful models of collaboration
will help in adopting or customizing a collaboration model. Evaluation efforts are
essential to monitor progress related to the group’s goals and objectives and to
make modifications where necessary. Numerous methodologies may be employed
in this process including quantitative, qualitative, and participatory strategies. Strategies
for communicating program impacts must be established.
| Factor – Sustainability |
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In order for collaborative efforts to be sustainable, it is essential that systems be
instituted to provide sustained membership, resources, and strategic program planning.
This will involve membership guidelines relating to terms of office and replacement
of members. Formal operational agreements may be necessary. Resource
development efforts must be ongoing to assure that the appropriate level of revenue,
time and people are available to conduct the group’s programming efforts. Planning
must be both short–term and long–term. The collaboration must be able to identify
emerging trends and issues and develop strategies for needed expansion. |
