Kate Farinholt, Executive Director, NAMI Metro Baltimore Lora Thomas, Executive Director, NAMI Illinois Building NAMI: Programs Build Partnerships Partnerships Build Programs

How do we grow our organizations? How do we grow our capacity to have an impact?

More capacity means…. …doing more …with limited resources …empowering others …to do our work!

More people and organizations:...posting our fliers and brochures? …forwarding announcements?

Packed programs More program participants lead to: –More program VOLUNTEERS –More dedicated graduates who do outreach –More connections

More outreach workers… …attending fairs & festivals …presenting workshops? …arranging media? …telling their employers & organizations about us?

Capacity to do: More.... More….

And we can do this by….? 1)knowing and leveraging our core stakeholders and 2)by building and then leveraging partnerships

Key common points Know who “we” and “they” are Give “them” what they need Stick to your/our mission and plan –but grab opportunities Use resources strategically to accomplish specific goals Ride that ripple effect

Program Participants & Outreach Collect and use data Know your participants Keep prospects connected Help participants recognize their networks and affiliations Train them to leverage contacts Give them the tools they need Collect data and use it!

Build your contact list & database Organization contacts Profession Employer Potential volunteer (how?) Skills and interests Mental illness issues

More data to collect Affiliations Access? Decision-maker? Type? What else?

Know program participants Get the basic info! How? ASK! Train your program leaders to understand their role: to ask, report and recruit. Collect this contact info for your database and listserv etc.

IDENTIFY affiliations & networks Work with program participants and other volunteers to recognize their affiliations and networks Collect this contact info for your database, listserv etc. USE all affiliations and networks But prioritize based on target audiences AND GOALS

USE affiliations & networks Train these stakeholders and give them the tools to use affiliations and to access them for NAMI Collect this contact info for your database, listserv etc. Use your data!

Know your program participants Intake Identification and recruitment Tracking and Followup Intake & “Registration” Teachers & Facilitators Mentors & Leaders F2F 1, 11 & 12 P2P: 1

Recruit and empower (train) program participants Adopt a Site Fairs and Festivals Smarts for Advocacy Ambassadors IOOV Speakers Recruiting site and outreach partners

Trainings “Refreshers” Use Annual Meetings etc.

Key points about partnerships: Create and USE your contact lists Remember core NAMI strengths Be strategic Offer value and opportunity Be the catalyst Leverage OTHERS’ capacities

USE core NAMI strengths: Personal experience is powerful Peers reach peers We have valuable access to stakeholders Volunteers Access to resources Reputation

Strategic & Creative Partnerships What are your strategic outreach goals? Target audiences? What are your other needs? Move YOUR mission forward Balance time/resources vs. potential results 2-3 goals Don’t reinvent the wheel: toolkits and templates Think “outside” traditional partners

Events and Projects Speaker Theatre Events Film Showing Expert Speaker Writers and Artist Business Breakfast Joint Projects

MIAW Profile Sheet Name:_________________________________________ Address:_______________________________________ _________________________________________ Employer:__________________________ Organization You are Representing:________________ Day #:_______________Night #:___________________ address: __________________________________ List your Organization Affiliations (i.e. Towson Alumni, member of Greenvale Church, Sorority etc.): __________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________ __________________________________ Would you like to be contacted about our Annual NAMI WALK? YES NO

Criminal Justice Project: namimetrobaltimore

Everyone is a potential capacity builder Recruiting and leveraging never ends Know who they are Collect information: USE it Offer value

Key elements of success Integrated outreach Ongoing outreach Intake and recordkeeping Know your stakeholders, supporters and partners

…And Keep prospects connected Keep potential recruiters connected Leverage program participants Leverage community partners’ networks and resources

Benefits of Partnerships Consistent Messages One Loud Voice Together We are Stronger Power in Numbers More Resources More Capacity

Traditional? Non-Traditional? Short Term? Long Term?

Collaboration or Competition?

Competition Funding Resources Top billing

Collaboration Common Focus Common Message

Common Ground

Never underestimate the power of a small group of citizens to change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. »Margaret Mead

Thanks! and remember You can do it!