Building Community Partnerships

Engage, Connect, Create Conference

Anthony Lupi

26 April 2006

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POSITIVE OUTCOMESCREATING CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Working with companies to build: Outstanding corporate social

responsibility and corporate citizenship programs

Mutually beneficial business community partnerships

Strategic community involvement Triple bottom line reporting

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Some of the companies we work with:

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Our Agenda:

What is a community partnership? How relevant are partnerships for schools? What can they deliver? How do we build successful partnerships? Some resources…..

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Community partnerships?

Business + Community organisation(s)

Working to achievea three-way-win

•Good for the community•Good for the business•Good for the employees

All parties agree on what is to be achieved, and the steps needed to do that.

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Some examples

Sydney Secondary College + Lend Lease

Ultimo Primary School + Mitchell’s

James Meehan High + Minter Ellison

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Are they relevant to schools?

You are part of the community!

You have much to offer!

Great potential to partner with business to extend learning and educational outcomes

Three way partnerships are seen as highly desirable

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Some education partnership deliverables

Employability – helping students understand work choices and be better equipped to apply for and secure jobs

Basic skills – improving reading & numeracy skills

Mentoring – using direct relationships between students and others to extend learning

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Steps in building a partnership

Be clear on what you want to achieve Decide on what activities are important Work out who is responsible for what 3 way easier than 2 way Do your homework Become an extrovert Plan and execute with style and grace Communicate & celebrate

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Resources

People you already know Local community organisations Build on existing relationships Examples from other places – ask them

how they did it!

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Tips and Traps (1)

Start small & build relationships before partnerships

Be determined – and be prepared to put in the time

Good communication is the key!!! In-kind resources much easier than cash! Mutuality is vital – what can you give your

partners?

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Tips and Traps (2)

Decide if you really want to be part of the community

Put someone in charge and build a team Make sure it is properly resourced Let your school community know that

partnerships are important Learn from your successes and mistakes Use the resources from this conference

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Workshop Resources

Developing Partnerships – schools & business – A Process Guide

Developing Partnerships: an on-line resource list