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Tips - Successful Partnering

Tips - Successful Partnering. Crossing the ICT Bridge Project Trainers: Lynne Gibb Sally Dusting-Laird. Crossing the ICT Bridge project. Ways of Working and Learning Together A Guide for Neighbourhood Houses & Learning Centres.

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Tips - Successful Partnering

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  1. Tips - Successful Partnering Crossing the ICT Bridge Project Trainers: Lynne Gibb Sally Dusting-Laird

  2. Crossing the ICT Bridge project Ways of Working and Learning Together A Guide for Neighbourhood Houses & Learning Centres

  3. Crossing the ICT Bridge project The Ways of Working and Learning Together is a resource developed by the Association of Neighbourhood Houses and Learning Centres (ANHLC) to assist organisations to develop and maintain working relationships, which can lead to enhanced community connection as well as improved outcomes for individual learners.

  4. Crossing the ICT Bridge project The formation of partnerships is now being recognised in social policy development and academic circles as an essential strategy in building strong communities. A key imperative for community strengthening is to: ‘Develop and strengthen partnerships and networks between communities, business, government and philanthropic agencies, as well as between different government departments and levels of government’.

  5. Crossing the ICT Bridge project The Ministerial Statement on ACE, Future Directions for Adult and Community Education in Victoria (Kosky 2004) also promoted the development of community learning partnerships between government and communities. There are three main types of partnership described in the strategy: · Community-based adult education organisations delivering the ACE component of government programs · Communities forming partnerships to address major local challenges · Community-based adult education organisations forming partnerships with other learning organisations and community groups

  6. Crossing the ICT Bridge project Defining Ways of Working Together The term ‘partnership’ is now used as all encompassing and is used liberally in current policy. However, there is not always a consistent definition or understanding of what is meant by a ‘partnership’. Additionally, there is a range of terms that are used to describe ways of working together, and: Partnership is shown as the highest level of organisational engagement – a formal, sustainable working relationship.

  7. Crossing the ICT Bridge project Some definitions: Mutual Support is occassional contact with informal and unplanned information flow and arrangements; Networking consists of continuing dialogue with regular exchanges of a range of information at regular meetings; Cooperation involves exchanging information and informally sharing work usually for a specific purpose; Coordination entails sharing resources and working on projects where one party takes the lead and links others in; Collaboration requires sharing resources and developing new processes that enhance all parties for a common purpose. Partnership can be described as a well-defined, mutually beneficial, interdependent relationship between two or more organisations to achieve results they can more effectively achieve together. (Sounds good!)

  8. Crossing the ICT Bridge project “…..the key characteristic (of a partnership) is that the partners aim to achieve something they could not do alone, by pooling skills and/or other resources. To do this they have to have a shared vision of their goals, and a way of working together which realises this ambition. This may involve a long-term formal structure, or a shorter-term agreement.” Wilcox, Partnerships Guide, 2002:1 It is important to remember that engagement is a dynamic process and often organisations will work together over time and move through different stages of engagement up and back along the continuum with differing levels of investment at different times. Often a formal act of partnership will have originated from a working relationship of networking, coordination or collaboration.

  9. Crossing the ICT Bridge project Amalgamation (more commonly called "a merger" in the business environment) is the joining Together of two or more organisations incorporated under the same legislation. It generally takes on two forms: · a merger:- when two or more organisations cease to exist in their own right and their resources, assets and roles are consolidated into a new entity which satisfies the needs of the stakeholders; · a takeover:- when one or more organisations cease to exist in their own right and their resources, assets and roles are consolidated into an existing entity. Often a takeover occurs where a larger, more powerful body takes control of a smaller body - amalgamations often occur between organisations of different sizes.

  10. Crossing the ICT Bridge project Why Work Together? The organisational benefits of working together are many and varied and will vary depending on the level of engagement developed (as per the continuum). In the main, positive working relationships provide good outcomes not only for organisations, but also for their staff and most importantly contribute to good outcomes for individual learners and the community as a whole. Working together provides: · Increased opportunities for community development and strengthening. · Increased capacity to link into, and provide for, the local community. · Access to additional services that might not otherwise be able to be offered. · Increased awareness of the diversity within a community. · Increased self-confidence and self worth for the organisation and staff.

  11. Crossing the ICT Bridge project · Access to the skills of others · Added access to information and skills · Shared ideas and resources towards common goals. · Learning brought about by seeing things from a different perspective. · Ability to secure funding that requires a positive working relationship. · Joint problem solving · Mutual support to maintain enthusiasm and commitment. · Making one plus one equal more than two. · Ability to meet objectives sooner and more efficiently. · Promotion of the benefits of both partners’ service provision within the community.

  12. Crossing the ICT Bridge project How to Work Together Well • Identify a Common Goal Be clear about the need for working together and establish a shared practical benefit or common aim. • Identify Suitable Partners Make sure you know about the other organisations that will also be involved – what do they do and how do they do it? what are their values? who ‘owns’ and ‘manages’ them and how are they funded? where do they operate and who are their participants? Is there are mix of organisations with complementary resources and strengths. Importantly, what are the power dynamics like? Evaluating organisational cultures, which can be defined as a mix of an organisation’s values, their size and method of working, is a vital measure in deciding if your organisation can work with another.

  13. Crossing the ICT Bridge project Plan Working Relationships Partnerships rely on sound preparation and a focus on a particular administrative or project outcome. Practice suggests that preparing to work together actually takes some time. It is important to hold meetings and facilitated planning workshops so you can develop a clear set of shared visions and goals. Informed needs and well laid plans; agreed expectations of work and outcomes. Clear agreed timelines and task allocation will assist in ensuring all parties know when things need to happen. Maintain Working Relationships The more formal and higher level working relationships often have agreements and memorandums of understanding that manage this. However, in all levels of working together it is important to build in timelines for review and evaluation. Open communication, positive negotiation, and, sometimes, conflict resolution, are all important tools to utilise when maintaining positive relationships.

  14. Crossing the ICT Bridge project Ending Working Relationships Working relationships that have an administrative or project focus often have a fixed life span. If this is the case, it is important to ensure that the relationship is ‘wound up’ positively. Celebrating the successful completion of a project and working relationship is a good way to ensure possibilities into the future.

  15. Crossing the ICT Bridge project Case Studies of Working Together A partnership between Museums Australia with Morrison House in Mt Evelyn and Wycheproof Community Resource Centre to support linking and learning between schools and community museums in these two locations. Initiated by Museums Australia, this was a pilot project looking to develop a model for Museums Australia to reach out to regional locations and provide professional services and support to community museums.

  16. Crossing the ICT Bridge project Local Government Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) A partnership leading to the adoption of a Memorandum of Understanding to articulate the relationship and support between City of Greater Dandenong and seven Neighbourhood Houses and Community Centres located in the City of Greater Dandenong. Initiated by City of Greater Dandenong in order to build better understanding and relationships with Neighbourhood Houses and Community Centres supported by them.

  17. Crossing the ICT Bridge project Collective of Whitehorse Neighbourhood and Community Houses (COWNCH) - A partnership between the nine Neighbourhood and Community Houses located in the City of Whitehorse. COWNCH enables the Coordinators of the Houses to respond in a coordinated way to new initiatives, programs and issues. It is also a forum to share ideas and knowledge and professional development opportunities. A major role for COWNCH is facilitating discussion Maureen, could you talk a little more about this project please!

  18. Crossing the ICT Bridge project • Share your stories of successful partnerships. • Discuss

  19. Crossing the ICT Bridge project Key Elements of Working Together Successfully As readings of many of the resources on partnerships show and these case studies confirm the key elements of successfully working together can be summarised in the following five points: · Sharing a practical outcome or benefit that responds to local need; · Creating trust, mutual respect and working at understanding the other organisations and their cultures; · Having a flexible approach; · Being open to learning from other partners; · Contributing equal commitment and effort.

  20. Crossing the ICT Bridge project The End

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