Tips - Successful Partnering

Crossing the ICT Bridge ProjectTrainers: Lynne Gibb

Sally Dusting-Laird

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Ways ofWorking and Learning

TogetherA Guide for

Neighbourhood Houses &Learning Centres

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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.

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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’.

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

Crossing the ICT Bridge projectDefining 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.

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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 atregular meetings;Cooperation involves exchanging information and informally sharing work usually for a specificpurpose;Coordination entails sharing resources and working on projects where one party takes the lead andlinks others in;Collaboration requires sharing resources and developing new processes that enhance all parties fora common purpose.Partnership can be described as a well-defined, mutually beneficial, interdependent relationshipbetween two or more organisations to achieve results they can more effectively achieve together.(Sounds good!)

Crossing the ICT Bridge project“…..the key characteristic (of a partnership) is that the partners aim to achieve somethingthey could not do alone, by pooling skills and/or other resources. To do this they have tohave a shared vision of their goals, and a way of working together which realises thisambition. 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.

Crossing the ICT Bridge projectAmalgamation (more commonly called "a merger" in the business environment) is the joining Together of two or more organisations incorporated under the same legislation. It generallytakes 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 theirresources, assets and roles are consolidated into an existing entity. Often a takeover occurswhere a larger, more powerful body takes control of a smaller body - amalgamations often occurbetween organisations of different sizes.

Crossing the ICT Bridge projectWhy Work Together?

The organisational benefits of working together are many and varied and will vary depending on the levelof engagement developed (as per the continuum). In the main, positive working relationships providegood outcomes not only for organisations, but also for their staff and most importantly contribute to goodoutcomes 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.

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· 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.

Crossing the ICT Bridge projectHow to Work Together Well

• Identify a Common GoalBe 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 howdo they do it? what are their values? who ‘owns’ and ‘manages’ them and how are they funded? wheredo they operate and who are their participants? Is there are mix of organisations with complementaryresources and strengths. Importantly, what are the power dynamics like? Evaluating organisationalcultures, which can be defined as a mix of an organisation’s values, their size and method of working, isa vital measure in deciding if your organisation can work with another.

Crossing the ICT Bridge projectPlan 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 holdmeetings and facilitated planning workshops so you can develop a clear set of shared visions andgoals. Informed needs and well laid plans; agreed expectations of work and outcomes. Clear agreedtimelines 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 ofunderstanding that manage this. However, in all levels of working together it is important to build intimelines for review and evaluation. Open communication, positive negotiation, and, sometimes, conflictresolution, are all important tools to utilise when maintaining positive relationships.

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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.

Crossing the ICT Bridge projectCase Studies of Working Together

A partnership between Museums Australia with Morrison House in Mt Evelynand Wycheproof Community Resource Centre to support linking and learningbetween schools and community museums in these two locations. Initiated by Museums Australia, this was a pilot project looking todevelop a model for Museums Australia to reach out to regional locationsand provide professional services and support to community museums.

Crossing the ICT Bridge projectLocal 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 GreaterDandenong. Initiated by City of Greater Dandenong in order to build betterunderstanding and relationships with Neighbourhood Houses and Community Centressupported by them.

Crossing the ICT Bridge projectCollective of Whitehorse Neighbourhood and Community Houses (COWNCH)

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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!

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• Share your stories of successful partnerships.

• Discuss

Crossing the ICT Bridge projectKey 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.

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The End