Creating and Maintaining

Effective Partnerships

Deborah Morrison
Community Partnership Enhancement
Facilitator

Alberta Capital Region

 Workshop Outline
Defining Partnership

Identifying the Purpose of the Partnership

Planning Together
Implementation of the
Project/Strategy

Ongoing Evaluation
Partnership is defined as:
the relationship between two or more people or
organizations that are involved in or share the
same activity
cooperation between people or groups
working together

an organization formed by two or more

people or groups to work together for
some purpose
 Kinds/Degrees of
Partnerships
Communication
Two or more groups/agencies share
information about their services, trends
and mandates.
Cooperation
Two or more groups/agencies
with common interests share
expertise and resources to
achieve joint goals.
Coordination
Two or more groups/agencies coordinate
their resources and activities to reduce
duplication, maximize their resources and
achieve more effective results.

Collaboration
Two or more groups/agencies
develop a shared vision and
are equally responsible for all
aspects of planning, program
implementation and
evaluation.
Reflection
Most important aspects of all
relationships/partnerships:
state your expectations clearly
all types of relationships can be healthy as
long as each partner understands what is
expected and agrees to meet the expectations
unlike marriage it is permissible to have many
different kinds of partnerships on the go at once
it is possible that partnerships can begin one
way and grow into another type
Characteristics and Essential Features of
Partnership/Collaboration
Acknowledgement of power differences and sharing of power
Relationship building
Valuing differences/seeing strength in diversity

The right participants

Reciprocity/mutual benefit
Egalitarian
Equitable
Flexibility
Enhancing Community Capacity to Engage and Involve Immigrant and
Refugee Families. A model for Collaboration; Charlene Ball 2008
 Identifying the Purpose of
the Partnership
what is the reason for the partnership?
be assured that this partnership will enhance
the mutual goals of the partners
shared vision
common goals
desire to work together
to know this we must review the needs and
strengths of each partner as well as the target
population
Personal attributes of an effective
partnership representative
Patience
Unconditional regard for others
Confident of ones abilities
Comfortable with ones role as a
representative of your organization
Values group process
Skills required to be an effective
member of a partnership
Good communicator
Ability to motivate others
Planning knowledge and skills
Decision making skills
Knowledge about group process
Conflict resolution skills
Good knowledge of your
organization and the population
served
 What employers can do to
support partnership work
Identify partnership work as a legitimate part of a job
description and provide the time to do it.
Hire people skilled at working in partnership.

Ensure the person you choose to represent the

organization has the skills and knowledge to do so.
Clarify the level of decision-making authority the
representative has while at the partnership table.
Demonstrate support for the partnership work among
the staff team.
 Planning Together

demonstrates commitment
develop a partnership agreement,
logic model, strategic plan or action
plan together
include roles, responsibilities,
expected outcomes and indicators of
success
communication
 Components of an Effective
Partnership Agreement
From this list choose the items you agree need to be included in your agreement
Background/Statement of Need
Goals
Shared Principles and Values
Strategy
Rationale
Expected Outcomes
Commitment of each Partner
Including role of banker/host, financial management
procedures, legal liability issues, representation
Structure of Partnering Organizations
Decision Making
Communication Plan
Conflict Resolution Plan
Activities
Timeline
Keeping Track of the Progress
Reporting Accomplishments
 Sample Partnership Agreement
Braemar School (EPSB) and Terra Centre

Statement of Need
Strategy
Rationale
Partnership Goals
Commitment of each Partnering
Organization
Braemar School, Terra Association
and Joint Commitments
Partnership Goals
Structure of Partners
Decision Making
Communication Plan
Conflict Resolution Plan
Keeping Track of the Progress
Reporting Accomplishments
Reflection
 Program Logic Model
Shared Vision

Shared Mission

Program Name

Statement of Need

Strategy

Rationale

Expected Indicators of
Goals Inputs Activities Outputs Outcomes Measurement Tools
Success
 Logic Model Definitions
Agency Vision Desired social condition

Agency Mission Your unique role in working towards the desired social condition

Statement of Need Problem statement, description of the situation you wish to

change
Strategy The approach(es) you will use to meet this need/change this problem

Rationale An explanation of why you believe this approach will work

Goals A general statement of what you are attempting to achieve

Inputs Resources dedicated to the program

Activities Specific ways/actions you will use to work towards your goals
Outputs The direct product of your activities, usually measured by volume of
work accomplished
Statements which describe the difference your intervention will
Expected Outcomes
make in the short term, intermediate and long term
Concrete things you can see or hear, which provide evidence that
Indicators of Success you are achieving your outcomes often referred to as
performance measures
Measurement Tools
Means by which you collect information to measure your success
 Implementation of the
Project/Strategy

regular meetings
review progress of program and partnership
identify issues, potential challenges, successes
resolve issues, challenges, celebrate successes
Ingredients for a Healthy
Partnership
know yourself
desire to work together
shared vision and common goals
cooperation
accountability
commitment
leadership
flexibility
shared decision making
constructive means of resolving conflict
low stakeholder turnover
Ongoing Evaluation
regular assessment of program
success as well as partnership
success
demonstrates accountability to one
an other
ensure evaluation considers both
outcomes and process
Outcome Evaluation Considerations
Benefits for partners:
changes in knowledge
changes in behaviour
improved skills
increased access
increased ability to meet needs

Benefits for children, youth and families

improved access
improved knowledge
improved skills
improved behaviour
increased ability to meet needs
Community Partnership Committee/Initiative Outcome Evaluation
Process Evaluation Considerations

pooling of resources
changes in communication strategies
power differentials
leadership
conflict management
external factors that influence the partnership
 Partnership Challenges
funder requirements
ethical dilemma
cost of partnering
sustaining commitment at every
level of the organization
power inequity
conflict is tough

staff turnover
 Benefits of Partnering
resources go further

less duplication

children, youth and families

get services they need
through a coordinated and
integrated community based
approach
Reflection
 Deborah Morrison

Regional Facilitator,
Community Partnership Enhancement
Edmonton Evergreen FCSS,
Region 6 CRSA

(780) 474-9393
cpef.deb@telus.net