Last updated: 6 March, 2002 Introduction I. Board of Directors/Governance II. Human Resources Management III. Financial Management IV. Strategic Planning V. Collaboratives/Partnerships VI. Outcomes and Quality Improvement VII. Information Technology Management VIII. Fundraising IX. Marketing Bibliography V. Collaboratives/Partnerships Develop and manage joint projects effectively. Best Practices Suggestions for Achieving Best Practices 1. Opportunities for collaboration are analyzed in terms of potential benefits, challenges and drawbacks to own organization. 1.1 Executive Director and appropriate management staff define all aspects of what is being exchanged in a partnership: information, fiscal responsibility or money, physical assets (facilities), program (materials, services), personnel. 2. The type and level of commitment required by own organization is identified. 2.1 Executive Director and appropriate management staff develop an agreement that clearly describes the responsibilities of each organization involved. 2.2 Management staff develop job descriptions for any staff assigned to a jointly-managed project. 3. The effectiveness of collaborative strategies and programs are assessed in terms of both process and outcomes. 3.1 Executive Director and management staff agree with partners to a time frame for evaluation of collaborations outcomes. (Also, see Outcomes and Quality Improvement) Communicate the partnership's goals and activities to professionals and the community. Best Practices Suggestions for Achieving Best Practices 1. Information is presented verbally and in writing in concise, jargon-free language. 1.1 Leadership of all involved organizations develop responses to questions that have been asked by community members regarding the goals of a partnership. Share resources across agencies. Best Practices Suggestions for Achieving Best Practices 1. Existing community resources are identified that can be used to address an issue that is beyond any individual organization's capability. 1.1 Organizational leadership identifies potential resources that might be shared and rationale for partnership. 2. Restrictions on individual organization resources and the conditions under which resources would be shared are identified. 2.1 Leadership identifies own organization's resources that might be applied to this need and internally define the conditions under which that resource would or would not be shared. Build consensus among constituencies and resolve conflicts that impede improvements to services. Best Practices Suggestions for Achieving Best Practices 1. There exists an understanding of how existing systems currently address a specific problem or issue and examine potential ways to develop alternatives. 1.1- 2.1 Organizational leadership develops clear understanding of and ability to articulate how the current system works. 2. The knowledge gained through involvement of constituencies in planning for own organization is applied to broader community issues. 3. Stakeholders and advocates among other agencies and government leadership are identified for the involvement. 3.1 Organizational leadership identifies a broad range of stakeholders for a specific community issue. 4. There is a general consensus internally among staff and externally with other agencies and community members. 4.1 Organizational leadership identifies how conflict may have impeded services, identify the causes of those conflicts and examines ways to resolve conflicts. 4.2 Organizational leadership identifies points of agreement among a group of individuals or agencies with diverse and opposing points of view. Maintain effective relationships across agencies. Best Practices Suggestions for Achieving Best Practices 1. There is an accurate understanding of the functions and services of agencies with which own organization interacts. 1.1 Organizational leadership develops clear understanding of the activities or services of other organizations. 2. Organization's mission and activities are effectively communicated to other organizations. 2.1-4.1 Organizational leadership identifies specific actions which could improve the working relationships among a set of organizations and lead to improved service delivery for the community. 3. Misunderstandings or other problems are recognized and action is initiated to improve the understanding or solve the problems. 4. Positive interaction among fellow organizations is encouraged. Back Back to top Next