Building Strong Library Associations | Regional Convenings DAY 2 Session 6 How will I get support for my proposal? External relationships

Building Strong Library Associations | Regional Convenings At the end of this session participants should be able to: Understand the importance of relationships and their management in obtaining support for their association’s proposal Identify potential partners and collaborators for their association’s proposal Outcomes for participants

Building Strong Library Associations | Regional Convenings In the activity you will: Identify potential external partners for the development proposal List what you have in common Identify strategies for sustaining relationships Identify communication methods and who will be responsible Preparing for the activity

Building Strong Library Associations | Regional Convenings Relationship building – or networking – also central to gaining support from external partners/collaborators Good communication central to relationship building Trust is central External relationships

Building Strong Library Associations | Regional Convenings Loyalty Trust Respect Effective communication Willingness to learn and adapt Ability to see things from another’s point of view. Elements of a successful relationship

Building Strong Library Associations | Regional Convenings Identifying key organisations and individuals you will need to support your proposal Developing strategies for maintaining and balancing disparate/diverse views across partners Creating and maintaining communication networks Identifying a single spokesperson, or a small number of key spokespeople and ensure that communication is frequent and informative. Communication strategy

Building Strong Library Associations | Regional Convenings Collaborators External organisations, bodies or individuals who might have an interest in supporting your proposal but with whom you do not have or need a formal agreement. Collaborator or strategic partnership?

Building Strong Library Associations | Regional Convenings Strategic partnership or alliance A formal agreement between an association and another agency (another association, a government agency for instance). These partners would agree to work together to achieve the outcomes of the proposal. Agreement documented and reviewed regularly. Collaborator or strategic partnership?

Building Strong Library Associations | Regional Convenings Pooling resources to address an issue Enables action that might not be possible alone More ideas and expertise lead to better strategies Increased credibility if in a partnership Improved learning when done in collaboration Open up new opportunities not otherwise possible Benefits of a partnership/alliance

Building Strong Library Associations | Regional Convenings The purpose of the alliance is clear and agreed The value and benefits to partners is clear The Board is supportive and involved The purpose is central to the mission and goals of the association and its partner – to their strategic goals. Commitment will wane if this is not the case Features of a successful partnership

Building Strong Library Associations | Regional Convenings Communication between partners is carefully managed and monitored Mechanisms are in place to deal with changes in circumstances - partnership must be adaptable Regular review of outcomes, benefits and issues Features of a successful partnership

Building Strong Library Associations | Regional Convenings Key people understand what is being asked of them Key people are engaged Your association is committed to support the proposal Key association personnel are willing to be involved in actively supporting the proposal within their roles and functions Measures of success for gaining support

Building Strong Library Associations | Regional Convenings Other library &information sector associations Library & information sector community CONSAL – Congress of South-East Asian Libraries - EBLIDA – European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Associations SCECSAL – Standing Conference of Eastern, Central, Southern African Library and Information Associations AfLIA – African Library and Information Association Identifying partners – who might you approach?

Building Strong Library Associations | Regional Convenings International library associations e.g. IFLA Other examples Museums, libraries, archives … Non-government organisations in related sectors Standards organisations UNESCO national commission in your country Identifying partners – who might you approach?

Building Strong Library Associations | Regional Convenings Who are potential collaborators in your country and region? Brainstorm activity

Building Strong Library Associations | Regional Convenings Poor coordination of activity Inadequate funding Lack of skills to complete tasks Inappropriate partners Lack of shared understanding with partners Poor communication – see the section below about how to manage at an individual level when things go wrong Managing risks in partnerships

Building Strong Library Associations | Regional Convenings Corporate partners might include the following: Vendors Publishers Relationship management needs to observe ethical principles Conflicts of interest should be avoided Managing risks with corporate partners

Building Strong Library Associations | Regional Convenings Work in association pairs, on your development proposal. Identify potential partners or collaborators for your proposal. For each potential collaborator/partner, list what you have in common in relation to the proposal and identify strategies for initiating and sustaining the relationship. How will you communicate with them and who will lead the communication? Activity