Abstract

Collaboration is an effective method for national service organizations and other volunteer agencies to meet common goals. This effective practice describes 25 ways for gaining through collaboration with other volunteer programs, and is excerpted from materials developed by Campaign Consultation, Inc., and shared at the National Senior Service Corps Atlantic Cluster Conference, held in 2001 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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Issue

How to establish mutual gains in the areas of sustainability and resource development for collaborating agencies.

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Action

According to Campaign Consultation, Inc., effective practices for establishing mutual gains in the areas of sustainability and resource development include the following 25 ways:

Forge a Strong Relationship

1. 1. Maintain ongoing communication
   2. Demonstrate interest in major campaigns
   3. Seek out opportunities to cooperate, coordinate, and collaborate
   4. Clarify areas of common interest and need
   5. Commit to helping the other meet needs
   6. Foster involvement and buy-in
   7. Acknowledge contributions to the work made by partner
   8. Minimize barriers to collaboration

Build Knowledge of Other (Project or Agency)

1. 1. Vision and mission
   2. Organizational history and culture
   3. Major membership and networks
   4. Major ways of doing business
   5. Key partners, stakeholders, and parties that benefit from project or agency activity
   6. Short and long range plans
   7. How sustainability and resource development planning and implementation is accomplished

Publicize and Broadcast

1. 1. Project accomplishments and successes
   2. Benefits of relationship to key partners, stakeholders, and the community
   3. Contributions made by key partners, stakeholders, and the community

Develop and Implement Short and Long Term Sustainability/Resource Development Plans

1. 1. Clarify current funding and funding mix
   2. Understand who and what currently sustains the project or organization
   3. Understand giving and funding climate
   4. Ask for help and feedback in drafting the case for support
   5. Engage key partners, stakeholders, and the community in multi-year planning
   6. Ask for assistance in developing short and long term sustainability/resource development plan
   7. Create a system of accountability that informs and engages key partners, stakeholders, and the community on an ongoing basis

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Context

Founded in 1988, Campaign Consultation, Inc. works with individuals and organizations at local, state, national and international levels to achieve community development, fund raising, diversity utilization, issue advocacy, media and marketing, public policy as well as organizational and business development success.

The Atlantic Cluster Conference in Philadelphia concluded the 2001 conference season with more than 500 participants including 233 project directors and 120 sponsor executives and representatives. Through the 2001 Senior Corps Cluster Conferences, a total of nearly 1,400 project directors and 600 sponsor executives joined together to discuss the future of senior service and explore creative ways to maximize senior volunteerism.

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Outcome

Through collaboration, organizations can improve themselves by joining together to take on issues that would be beyond the scope of any single group. Maximizing this type of relationship benefits partners, individuals, and the communities served.

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Source Documents

Related Practices

• Understanding the benefits of cross-agency collaboration for national service and volunteer programs

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