1. C ommitted to empowering learners of all ages to take an active role in improving their communities © Copyright IGESL – All rights reserved Building Better Partnerships

2. © Copyright IGESL – All rights reserved 2 What’s In The Box?

3. © Copyright IGESL – All rights reserved 3 Partnerships Service-learning partnerships are collaborative, mutually beneficial, and address community needs.

4. © Copyright IGESL – All rights reserved 4 Give Yourself a Hand! Trace your hand on a piece of paper. In each of the fingers and your thumb, write down one partner you currently work with through your classroom or school.

5. © Copyright IGESL – All rights reserved 5 Give Yourself a Hand! For each organization with whom you CONNECT, color that finger BLUE; For each partner with whom you COOPERATE, color that finger RED; For each partner with whom you COORDINATE, color that finger YELLOW; For each partner with whom you COLLABORATE, color that finger GREEN.

6. © Copyright IGESL – All rights reserved 6 Discuss at Your Table What are the benefits/limitations of each type of partnership? Do all partnerships have to be collaborations? Why/why not? What strategies could be done to move a partnership from one type to another?

7. © Copyright IGESL – All rights reserved 7 Make sure everyone shares a commitment to a common vision, since some problems will surely arise. Put agendas and needs (personal and organizational) out in the open, agendas or needs do not need to be identical, but should be compatible. Be sensitive to the needs, styles, and limitations of other collaborators. Involve more people at all levels; by involving more people at your organization and those with whom you collaborate you will improve the sustainability of the collaboration. Maintain frequent and open communication. Be sure everyone understands expectations especially concerning tasks and accountability. Periodically, redesign relationships based on changing needs and circumstances. Techniques

8. © Copyright IGESL – All rights reserved 8  Other teachers/schools  Businesses  Youth service organizations  Colleges/Universities  Non Profit Agencies  Community Groups  Government Agencies  Historical Societies  Service Recipients  Individuals Think about a NEW partner that could enhance your efforts…

9. © Copyright IGESL – All rights reserved 9 Partnership Case Study Read the case study and answer the questions provided in Part A by your self. Share your responses with your group. As a group develop recommendations for Part B

10. © Copyright IGESL – All rights reserved 10 In the Palm of Your Hand… Write…the name of a potential new partner… How a Partnership Might Benefit Them What You and They Might Contribute to the Partnership

11. © Copyright IGESL – All rights reserved 11 GO BACK TO THE BOX… Reflection HOW DO THE ITEMS IN THE BOX RELATE TO PARTNERSHIPS? THERE ARE NO RIGHT OR WRONG ANSWERS!

12. © Copyright IGESL – All rights reserved 12 Joan Liptrot JLiptrot@igesl.org