Information Sessions

1. Information Sessions • Partners in Education • Please follow Tya to the Board Room • School Representatives • Will be staying in the Community Room

2. Two Levels of Partnership • Partner in Education • Partner at Large

3. Partner at Large (PAL) • A business or organization that forms a partnership with three or more schools and • Does not meet the one activity per quarter requirement

4. How PAL Partnerships are Formed • A business or organization contacts the CCED sharing a desire to be involved with Cobb County school system(s). • The CCED supplies the business/organization with a Partnership Plan. • Once the Partnership Plan is completed it is reviewed by the Chamber and then sent to the appropriate school system(s). • The school system(s) will approve or deny the business’ proposal to become a Partner at Large. • The CCED will send a letter to the business/organization informing them of the decision. • Upon approval only will the CCED send an e-mail to the appropriate school system(s) informing them of the new Partner at Large. • The business/organization then contacts and markets to the schools within the appropriate school system(s) as they see fit. • The new PAL will receive a Declaration of Partnership certificate with their confirmation letter that can be displayed at their office.

5. Partner in Education (PIE) • A business or organization that partners with one school and • Commits to participate in at least one activity a quarter • A business may become a PIE with up to three schools a calendar year.

6. How PIE Partnerships are Formed • A business or organization contacts the CCED sharing a desire to work with a Cobb County or Marietta City school. • The CCED supplies the business/organization with a community handbook, checklist and Partnership Plan. The school may also provide the business/organization with a Partnership Plan. Note: If a business/organization approaches the school first, start at Step 3. • The business/organization contacts the school to discuss the needs of the school and the resources it can provide. • If the business/organization and the school believe the partnership is mutually beneficial, the Partnership Plan should be completed at this time. • The business/organization and school should keep a copy of the Partnership Plan and fax a copy to the Cobb Chamber. • The Partnership Plan will be reviewed by the CCED once it is received. If the Partnership Plan is approved, the business/organization and the school will receive a confirmation letter and e-mail from the CCED. • Once approved, the business/organization and the school may schedule a Signing Ceremony to formalize and publicize the partnership.

7. Planning a Signing Ceremony • The partner and the school should agree upon a date and time to hold a Signing Ceremony. The school is responsible for inviting its community partner to the signing. • Once scheduled, the school should contact the CCED to request Declarations of Partnership. Request should be madetwo weeksprior to the signing. • The school can mail signing invitations to their school district superintendent, area superintendent, area Board of Education member and other guests, if desired. The CCED provides a suggested invitation list. • School administration should conduct the Signing Ceremony.

8. Preparing for a Signing Ceremony • Remember to set up a table or podium to use for signing the certificates. • Remember to have working pens available to sign the certificates. • Confirm the partner’s attendance a day in advance and ask them to arrive 15 minutes early. • Schedule the signing at the start of the meeting. Consult with the person responsible for agenda, if necessary, so that the partner may leave after their part. • Arrange for someone to take pictures at the signing and record the names of those pictured.

9. Performing a Signing Ceremony • Inform the audience of who the new partner is and share the activities that the partner has planned for the school year. • Introduce the partner representative(s) by name and ask them to come forward to sign the certificates. (There are two certificates per partnership: one copy for the school, one copy for the partner. The school representative should sign every certificate on the designated line). • Take several pictures of the signing. The school representative and partner shake hands. • The school representative should slide the partner’s certificate in the provided folder and present it to them. • Please e-mail the pictures from your signing ceremony with name identifications to partners@cobbchamber.org for possible inclusion in the Partners in Education Newsletter: A Slice of PIE.

10. Partnership Recommitments • Partnership Plan - Twoschool years • You will be notified about renewals • Meet annually to discuss activities

11. What is an Unofficial Partner? • A business or organization that works with school that has not completed a Partnership Plan for the Cobb Chamber.

12. The Importance of Formalizing Partnerships • To have partners who are educated on the program • To allow your new partner to participate in a Signing Ceremony • To receive Declaration of Partnership certificates • To allow your partner to be recognized through Cobb Chamber publications, events, etc. • To nominate your school’s outstanding partners for the Outstanding Partners in Education Awards • To ensure that your partner is informed and invited to participate in other programs • To allow your partner to be acknowledged before the Cobb County and Marietta City Boards of Education

13. Communication • Develop a system • Designate a liaison • Stay in touch!

14. Obstacles to Avoid • Too much emphasis on the monetary and material aspects of the partnership • Lack of involvement • Not communicating with your partners • Failing to communicate needs to your partners • Not viewing partnerships as a two-way street • Not thanking your partners

15. How to Make the Partnership a Two-Way Street • Thank them in person, by phone, by letter, or by e-mail • Recognize them at faculty and PTA meetings and at school assemblies or events • Display their names in PTSA newsletters, on school websites, on school bulletin boards, banners, marquees, and murals • Offer student artwork for them to display • Provide students to perform for company events • Invite them to participate in special school activities and recognize their attendance • Allow them to use the school facility • Place partner logos on school t-shirts or list partners on school paper products • Invite them to an annual Partners in Education appreciation/recommitment luncheon • Participate in company events

16. How to Make the Partnership a Two-Way Street cont. Give them small gifts, goodies, holiday cards Provide special recognition for partner employees (i.e. birthdays, special events, etc.) Assist partners with community service projects Be tuned into publicity regarding your partners and offer them congratulations Do business with your partners whenever feasible Allow your partners to display marketing materials at the school Add your partners on the school mailing list to inform them of school news and events Encourage teachers and staff to get to know your partners and greet them by name Nominate them for outstanding partner recognition

17. Recruitment • Determine the needs of the school. • Start with most pressing needs. • Target businesses or organizations that you think are most appropriate or best positioned to assist. • Research targeted businesses and organizations before making contact. • Be prepared to answer their questions. • Explore different methods of recruiting. • Phone calls • Schedule an appointment • Invite a company representative to a school event • Letters • Seek help with your recruitment efforts.

18. Common PIE Myths • A business has to be a member of the Cobb Chamber to be a PIE or PAL. • FALSE • There is a fee to become a PIE or PAL. • FALSE • A business can only partner with one school. • FALSE