Using Collaboration to Build Your Volunteer Capacity

“Collaboration is “a mutually beneficial and well-defined relationship that involves people from different organizations, agencies, sectors or the community joining together to achieve a common goal. That goal could not be achieved as efficiently (or at all) by any one person, organization or sector. The result is a highly shared endeavor in which members eventually commit themselves as much to the common goal as to the interests of their respective organizations.” - Corporation for National and Community Service, Types of Partnerships

Today’s Discussion … Community entry and relationship building Stages in building collaboration Sector trends Success factors and challenges Going the distance. A roadmap for developing relationships Growing capacity by training volunteers in organizing and leadership

Community Entry and Relationship Building

Stages in Collaboration Connection Cooperation Coordination Collaboration

Why Collaborate? Shared Concern Pool Power Add Diversity Overcome Gridlock (get unstuck) Increased Ability to Handle Complex Issues

Sector Trends

Discussion Consider one aspect of a relationship in which your organization is or would like to be involved: What is your “value add” to the relationship? What have you learned that you’d like to share? What techniques did you use to maximize the relationship? What would you do differently if you had to do it again?

Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management, 2002 Meeting the Collaboration Challenge Workbook: Developing Strategic Alliances Between Nonprofit Organizations and Businesses, Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management, 2002 http://www.pfdf.org/tools/collab_challenge/challenge.html

Success Factors Environment Organizational Commitment Purpose and Trust Resources Organizational Commitment Clear objectives and shared expectations Process & Structure Communication

Challenges Driven by self-interest Vague idea of what will happen Let’s get started and see how/ where it goes Parties that don’t know and/or trust each other Individually-based interests

Road Map for Developing Relationships PREPARE PLAN DEVELOP RENEW Identify assets & capabilities you bring to alliance Mapping strategic relationships Develop purpose and fit statements for each alliance Prepare for alliance appraisal Research potential alliances for strategic fit/ benefits Update your operating plan Determine benefits from alliance Develop management process for each alliance Review your portfolio of alliances Identify strategic goals and readiness Design outreach approach for each potential alliance Delegate responsibilities to guide alliances Assess against current relationships — Adapted from Meeting the Collaboration Challenge Workbook, Drucker Foundation, 2002 13

Road Map for Developing Relationships PREPARE Identify assets & capabilities you bring to alliance Strong mission, visibility, access, communication & networks, expertise, programs, volunteers/ opportunities, leadership, etc. Determine benefits from alliance Knowledge, programs, access, revenues, facilities, recognition, issue awareness, etc. Identify strategic goals and readiness Strategic goals, good governance, sound policies, effective management, quality programs, sound finances, culture of volunteering, etc. Delegate responsibilities to guide alliances Identify appropriate level and alignment of responsibilities. Clarify role and scope of work. Assess against current relationships Characterize your current relationships against the criteria above

Road Map for Developing Relationships PLAN Mapping strategic relationships Philanthropic----Transactional----Integrative Research potential alliances for strategic fit/ benefits Compatibility of mission and values; ability to serve your primary customers, brand strategy, exchange of assets & capabilities, capacity to operationalize, risks, etc. Design outreach approach for each potential alliance Identify contacts, plan initial discussion, decide on info and materials to be shared, plan next steps and follow-up

Road Map for Developing Relationships Develop purpose and fit statements for each alliance Articulate the fit: Mission, capabilities, objectives, strategy Develop management process for each alliance Plan for: Marketing and visibility; relationship management, operationalizing; building trust and commitment; creating learning and volunteer opportunities; developing innovations; appraising outcomes; etc.

Road Map for Developing Relationships RENEW Prepare for alliance appraisal Strategic fit; capabilities, objectives, contributions, management plan, significance to client; unexpected consequences; etc. Update your operating plan Elements of a relationship portfolio: Profile of the nonprofit, business and government entity Description of the relationship Enclose Memorandum of Agreement/ Understanding Primary contact information (Relationship manager) Key markets, stakeholders Assets, structure Governing body/owners Key internal contact (Relationship manager of partner) Communication plan Learning and volunteer opportunities Frequency and outcome of assessments and partner performance Review your relationship portfolio

Assessing your relationships Connection with purpose and people Clarity of purpose Congruency of mission, strategies, values Creation of value Communication among partners Continued learning Commitment to the partnership — Adapted from Meeting the Collaboration Challenge Workbook, Drucker Foundation, 2002

Cincinnati, OH GrinUp!

Collin County, TX. Interfaith Symposium

Chattanooga, TN Seeds of Change

Grow your Volunteer Capacity Culture of public service and leadership Participatory decision-making Shared leadership Facilitate (internal, external) community conversations

Grow your Volunteer Capacity Training and learning opportunities Shared understanding of vision, outcomes/ objectives and roles Opportunities to develop competencies Shared values (discipline, accountability, integrity, trust, etc.) Open communication and clear messaging

Grow your Volunteer Capacity Internal operations Policies and planning Networking. “A net that works” Effective communications Relationship management A learning environment Multicultural, inclusive Assessment and appraisal

References Meeting the Collaboration Challenge Workbook: Developing Strategic Alliances Between Nonprofit Organizations and Businesses, Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management, 2002 http://www.pfdf.org/tools/collab_challenge/challenge.html The Harwood Institute Community Conversation Kit http://www.unitedway-wa.org/members/wp- content/uploads/2013/04/CommunityConversationKit1.pdf David Brooks commentary: Political dysfunction a symptom of atomized society http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/editorials/2016/04/13/1-political- dysfunction-a-symptom-of-atomized-society.html

Thoughts? Comments? Questions?